Studies: Communications major, Mass Communications minor, Certificates in Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication & Event Planning
Current City: Austin, Texas
Current Position: Digital Marketer Senior Specialist at Austin Pets Alive!
How did your certificate help you get to where you are today?
The FPC certificate really started my spark in knowing that I wanted to work in the non-profit sector. After my internships in college at two non-profits in Iowa City, which my certificate helped me get, this passion was solidified even more. In my current position, fundraising is a huge part of my role. Our marketing team works side by side with our development team to ensure we reach our yearly goals which provide the funding that allows our organization to run. I use fundraising communications every single day at my job whether that be when we're executing major campaigns or asking for donations on social media.
What do you enjoy about your current position?I love my current position because I get to be creative and come up with new and innovative ideas all of the time. It's allowed me to grow my skills in content development more than I ever expected. From video producing and editing, to graphic design, to campaign concepts, there's always something new to learn. There's never a dull day when you work at a no-kill animal shelter that's working to change the model of our current system nationwide. Working at APA! is also how I found my fur-baby, Lennon. I adopted him when he was healing from surgery in the marketing office at just seven weeks old.
What career advice do you have for current NLP students?
Find an area or cause you're passionate about and go for it! I started at Austin Pets Alive! as a marketing temp on a three-month contract because I wanted to get my foot in the door at one of the most well-known non-profits in Austin. I took that chance and it paid off more than I could tell you. Two years later and I've worked my way up to where I am today. Even if you start by volunteering at the non-profit you love or interning, showing you're passionate about the cause will take you far. Never be afraid to take that risk.