Thinking about Making the change to non-profit.....afraid? what can I expect? why?

So if you are like many of the employees here at the American Cancer Society - your experience is in the for profit sector - might be in big business, might be in small business, might be in global business or even in local. Perhaps you have "seen" the non-profit world as a volunteer or on a late night commercial asking for you to donate to a cause (if you have let me just say thank you). Well, I would argue that you really haven't seen the non-profit side truly as we see and experience it here at the American Cancer Society every day..... Our business is a tough one; its a challenging one; its an important one! We take our approach to the business of fighting cancer with the same style, application of business knowledge and energy as you might see in any corporate headquarters, branch office, or local store. Its serious business this cancer thing and we need serious professionals to help us reach out objective. Our objective is a noble one for sure but its also a business one - making the same decisions that a manager, sales associate, executive etc. makes in a for profit organization.... what is different.... really ..... is the WHY!

Why do we need to priorities projects? Why do we need to cut that program? Why do we need to invest in that particular area and not the other area? Why do we need to document and streamline that process? Why do we need a policy for social media? Why do we need a creative director? Why? Why? Why? Not to take market share, not to increase earnings per share or stock price, not to increase our product portfolio - but to eliminate cancer!

I guess what I am trying to say is that often people think that working here must be like working with a bunch of idealistic folks that want to save the world and solve world hunger all be giving everyone a hug - but that is not it at all! The employees at the American Cancer Society are professionals in ever sense of the world - educated, experienced and serious about their area of expertise and the job they are hired to do - but they do it for a reason bigger than themselves and that my friends is what I believe we mean by Satisfied with your career.....

Why I like working here.......

I recently posted this question on our Yammer account here at the American Cancer Society..... "why do you like working at the American Cancer Society?" Here is what I heard:

I Love working for ACS because I am given the opportunity to work with people who are as equally passionate and committed to transforming our nation's Health Care System as I am. Mandi Battaglia Seiler, Health Insurance Assistance Service Team Supervisor

What I love about working at ACS is the balance of autonomy and team work. The room to be creative coupled with the systems that are in place to help me effectively achieve my goals. I have the opportunity to work with the best and brightest; I love coming to work because of the people I work with. At ACS my job isn't the same every day; its fast paced, high energy and we are always looking for new ways to do more and be better. Also, after working at other non-profits I know the value of expand »resources. At ACS I have the tools and means to be successful. My supervisors recognize my talents and want to see ME be successful and take the time to provide mentorship and new challenging opportunities. At ACS I am never stagnant. My department works to "increase resources and remove barriers" so that we can do our job and save lives!

I came to ACS 17 years ago fairly green in the communications field. Since that have time, I have had the opportunity to grow in my career through training opportunities and on-the-job experience. Today I'm the director of creative and brand strategy for the Mid-South Division, and it is a great fit for where I am in my professional life. "Save lives, fulfill yours" perfectly describes my career at ACS.

I've been engaged with staff entering and exiting this organization for 25 years. The feedback is remarkably consistent..."getting to work with accomplished and passionate professionals!!!

Check out all our employment opportunities at cancer.org/careers

ACS and Advertising, by Andy Goldsmith I joined the ACS nearly six years ago, not because I felt passionately about the mission (though I do). But as a brand and advertising guy, the opportunity to work for one of the best known brands in the world, which also faced a ton of interesting business problems, was highly attractive to me. The opportunity to practice my craft at a high, high level, while doing work that had tremendous societal benefit, wooed me too. And finally, the outstanding caliber and quality of the people who were already engaged at ACS was both surprising and invigorating. And so here I am. As the head of advertising and brand strategy, I can say that we are very fortunate to be able to use paid advertising as a strategic tool. Many non-profits cannot. Nonetheless, there are a variety of ways to think about precisely how we use advertising. We are a large and complex organization and there are many, many jobs to do -- and just as many different perspectives on what success (in advertising) looks like. Our advertising success doesn't come in a vacuum: there is only so much attention that people will give to our message, among the estimated 3000-5000 brand messages they're exposed to every single day! Given the pressures of day-to-day business, and the need to continuously show progress, it's valid to question whether our ads should be about (a) building our brand & raising awareness, or about (b) moving people to take immediate action. This "brand-building vs. retail sales" discussion takes place in every company, for-profit or not-profit. As one of the people who has "raising awareness" in my job description ... I think both sides of the debate are valid. Simply raising awareness without an end-game in mind is of course a fool's journey. However, let's think about the goals of the ACS. For the sake of argument, let's say that fundamentally we have two kinds of goals ... I'll call them "10-day goals" vs. "10-year goals." Our 10-day goals are clearly about how we help newly diagnosed patients, gain Relay For Life supporters, acquire donations, etc. All critically important (and we won't be around to worry about 10-year goals if we don't get these right). But if all we focus on are the 10-day goals, that too could be costly to our success. Here's the theory. See if you agree. Think of the hundreds of thousands of people who'll unfortunately be diagnosed with cancer this year. Now think of the millions and millions who won't. They don't necessarily need us today or even tomorrow. They don't necessarily want to be part of the "cancer club." But ... if we can predispose the latter group to turning to the ACS ... telling them what we do, how we are winning, how we can help ... we're setting ourselves (and them) up for the future, when they need us (to use services, to volunteer, to donate). If we don't bother doing so, we risk becoming less relevant and less able to do our job vs. the 10-year goals. That's part of what we're trying to accomplish with the Birthdays campaign. Specifically, to deepen people's knowledge and maintain (or regain) contemporary relevance. I'm not arguing that we always get the balance exactly right. Only that: our ambition to raise awareness (knowledge, relevance) with a firm eye toward what we want to accomplish in the future is crucial. And so we're working hard every day ... to get the recipe just right.

"Is That Meaningful Work or What!" by Angelita Colbert

What is meaningful work? People often ask me, "Where do you work?" My response, "The American Cancer Society!" I'm then asked, "What do you do?"The rest conversation then sounds a little something like this . . . " Well, my official title is Senior Learning Consultant for what we call the Center of Excellence. I am able to work with and support great people. I interface with a large group of people who have come together for one cause and that it to cure cancer. Everyday, I meet with, plan with, and exchange knowledge of information about our organization, and hear survivor stories that touch me in different ways. I hear and learn about community mobilization, where people's spirits unify to help others and to save lives. The other person's response is usually, "It must be really nice to work somewhere that you can be proud of." Now tell me, is that meaningful work or what?

Teamwork by Jennifer Arden

Teamwork is a concept that is talked about in many aspects of life. Many college graduates can remember the lectures and discussions on team building and team cohesion. The importance of teamwork is drilled into our heads even as young children. My 4-year-old son watches a TV show that's sole purpose is to teach him teamwork. So, it comes as no surprise that teamwork can make or break an organization. I've had several jobs in my years in the workforce, but I don't think I had ever experienced truly great teamwork until I cam to work at the American Cancer Society. I remember my first week as an American Cancer Society employee. I was in awe of how well everyone worked together. In some of my previous jobs, some of the employees could barely finish the necessary daily tasks and tension was always lurking. But even after one week, I could tell that it was not that way at my new job. This group of employees was so eager to help one another to get the job done. I have to admit that I was curious. Why was it that this group of people managed to build such a strong team. I would like to briefly share why I believe teamwork is so strong at the American Cancer Society. First, we have all come together for the same purpose: to fight cancer. All of us have been touched in some way by this horrible disease. Each one of us has our reasons why we want to fight back. We keep our eyes on the goal. Second, each team member recognizes that every task, no matter how small, plays a huge part in getting the job done. While we each have our own part to play in reaching the goals, the final goal is dependent on the participation of everyone. Third, don't be afraid to ask for help. Our team knows we are able to go to one another for help. If I am in over my head and just don't have the time to finish a project by the deadline, there is no shortage of teammates who are willing to help. If I don't understand, I know I can ask for clarification. A great team communicates well and always keeps their focus on the goal. I am proud to be on a team that can put aside differences and get the job done. Teamwork can be one of the greatest assets of any organization.

Changing All the Time - by Pamela Villars, Talent Development

Changing All the Time Before I worked for the American Cancer Society, I had a shelf life in jobs of about 3 years. Tops. And, no, I don’t get fired. But I do get bored and move on when I need more challenge. It’s been 7 years now and I’m still here. The key is that the Society changes – all the time. An inside joke here is that ACS means “Always Changing Something” and there’s a fair amount of truth there. (If you’re not adept at change or don’t like it, there are lessons to learn here.) I came to ACS as a non-profit professional with a counseling background and experience in treating addiction and was hired as the Quitline Counseling Manager, overseeing 60+ Quitline (QL) counselors. I used my counseling and management skills – and had to learn how a call center operates! I came in with computer skills at 2 (scale of 0 – 10) and can now navigate better that most of my friends. Oh, did I mention research design and implementation? No boredom here. Then, just as I needed a change, a job appeared at the National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) and I began designing clinical training for QL and NCIC Cancer Information Specialists. I was able to return to one of my loves – hospice care – and worked on an extensive End of Life project that ended up being presented at an international conference. Never one to say “no,” (and the Society always asks for more…) I managed part of the new hire training program too. That’s two jobs in four years… Later I changed jobs again and oversaw the curriculum design for all of the NCIC programs and now I work for the National Home Office (NHO) on their Talent Development Team. I work with leaders and managers from Divisions across the country, design leadership training, coach, and happily engage in our Yammer social media group. I’m at four jobs now and hope for more. ACS is “Always Changing Something” and that makes me one happy employee.

My Journey with the American Cancer Society by Kimberly McAdams, Managing Director - Talent Development

It was March of 1996, and I had been looking for a job for about a month. In the fog of my father’s funeral (he died at the age of 52 from cancer) I got the call that began my career. I had applied to many positions in Tucson, AZ, one of them a generic “event manger” for non-profit. I remember the afternoon and the call like it was yesterday. “Hi, I’m calling in reference to a resume you submitted for event manager. The position is with the American Cancer Society, does the position still interest you?”… “Yes of course” were my muted and stunned words. About 2 weeks later they offered me the position of Major Gifts Manager and I started my career with ACS in April 1996. Two mergers, several promotions, 2 children and many lives (both saved and lost) have occurred since that day. Each day I am grateful to come for work for this amazing organization. Some will tell you I’m from the generation that “jumps around” professionally. (Gen-X) I would be lying if I didn’t admit to thinking about leaving in the first years of my career with ACS. However, there are several key things that drew me back in each time and they are important to why I and others have found both a career and a passion at the American Cancer Society. I want to share them with you: • The people: staff and volunteer at the American Cancer Society are dedicated to excellence in business and passionate about saving lives. I have found amazing mentors in every job. Trusted friends in every office. Dedicated volunteers at every activity. After 14 years, I still meet the most remarkable people. The staff and volunteers I am privileged to work with create a culture of caring and accomplishment that is unmatched anywhere! • Change: you never know what is around the next corner. If we were still trying to beat cancer the way we started in 1913 we’d be out of business. But we’re not. We’re innovative and creative. The aging population, changing medical technology, emerging cancer information and a growing global community the American Cancer Society has to be dynamic to be sustainable. And we are. I tell new staff all the time “you never know what is in store for the organization in the next 12 months. If you are open to it and participate in your career – the opportunities are limitless.” • Credible: we are scrutinized and analyzed from charity watch groups and our donors carefully. Our staff and volunteers are in the media with cancer information, fundraising activities and advocacy consistently. As a non-profit corporation, the American Cancer Society balances conservative values and thoughtful approaches with aggressive innovation and creative inspiration to achieve our goals. It’s fun! • Cancer: since joining the American Cancer Society I have been touched by cancer again and again. Some survivors, some memories. Most recently my mom. She is a living example of what research and innovation can do to save lives. At the age of 63 she is a 2 time cancer survivor. I am proud to be working for an organization that invests in the type of research and innovation (not to mention services and information) that saves lives today and will continue to save more lives each day. • Career: in my 14 + years at the American Cancer Society I have fulfilled every career goal. I worked a part-time while staying at home as a mother for my sons, I raised money and raised awareness in Tucson, AZ and I helped staff and volunteers achieve more through training, development and coaching. I work hard, long hours and go home early to catch a soccer game (even coach soccer games). I travel to cool places and get home to cook dinner. I learn new tricks and practice old ones. I meet new people and cherish life-long friends. I cry, I laugh, I think and reflect. In short I am fulfilling my life while helping to save lives – what could be better than that?