Students should obtain as much experience in the field as possible by participating in summer internships, co-ops, and part-time jobs with a fund-raising consulting firm or an organization that requires the services of fund-raisers.
Because fund-raisers need to be able to talk and work with all kinds of people, you will need to be outgoing and friendly. This job also requires imagination, versatility, and resourcefulness on the fund-raiser's part. Fund-raisers also must have strong people skills, especially communications, because their personal contact with donors, board members, community groups, local leaders, and members of the press may be an important factor in the success of any revenue appeal.
Leadership is another an important quality, because you need to gain the respect of volunteers and inspire them to do their best. Their enthusiasm for a campaign can be a major factor in other people's commitment to the cause.
- Active and Contemplative Religious Sisters and Brothers
- Art Directors
- Campaign Workers
- Caterers
- Copywriters
- Corporate Community Relations Directors
- Cruise Ship Workers
- Demographers
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Directors of Fund-Raising
- Directors of Volunteers
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Event Planners
- Exhibit Designers
- Farmers' Market Managers/Promoters
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Hedge Fund Investor Relations Specialists
- Historic Preservationists
- Inbound Tour Guides
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Librarians
- Lobbyists
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Media Planners and Buyers
- Media Relations Specialists
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Directors and Curators
- Museum Technicians
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- National Park Service Employees
- Nonprofit Social Service Directors
- Online Reputation Managers
- Park Rangers
- Political Consultants
- Press Secretaries
- Proposal Managers
- Public Interest Lawyers
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Publicists
- Publicity Photographers
- Rabbis
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Roman Catholic Priests
- Social Media Influencers
- Social Media Workers
- Social Workers
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Publicists
- Tour Guides
- Webmasters
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors