2010 Learning Goals
In the past, I've had the opportunity to speak with men and women who are just graduating and beginning their journey of finding a career path. Often when they graduate, they are eager to get started with the knowledge they've gained over the last 4 or so years, and their focus is on making money, not necessarily learning more. But what I encourage these men and women to do, as they look for their first "real job" is to identify what they want to learn next and then find a job that will allow them to do that. Why? Because I've found, along my own journey, that when you stop learning and growing you quickly get bored and frustrated with your current position and start to feel restless. Then, if you're brave enough, you go try to find what your current job is missing ... which is often an environment that encourages learning new things and growing as a person and a professional.
So, with this in mind, I'd like to ask you ... whether you plan to stay where you are or make the leap to something new, what do YOU want to learn in 2010? What do you think the best way to go about learning it is? What time and money will you dedicate to these learning goals? How will you keep your learning goals on the priority list?
So, with this in mind, I'd like to ask you ... whether you plan to stay where you are or make the leap to something new, what do YOU want to learn in 2010? What do you think the best way to go about learning it is? What time and money will you dedicate to these learning goals? How will you keep your learning goals on the priority list?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marie Beichert, CFRE on -
Best wishes for a fabulous new decade, Melanie & FGO group members! After thirty+ years in the biz, I finally am beyond job hunting (knock wood!) and am in a position to mentor young grantwriters. I'm particularly interested in diversifying our 90%+ white profession, and am always looking for new grantwriters dedicated to advancing 'communities of color'... (ah, grantspeak). So, in answer to your questions.... in 2010 and beyond, I plan to continue the work I do in prison reentry and community food programming, I want to learn about exciting new efforts to advance social justice, I will expect to dedicate 10-20 hours a month and 10% of my earnings to mentoring new grantwriters, and I expect our list to help me stick to my priorities!
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Permalink Reply by Dena Hartigan on -
It is clear to me that every decade does find me in something new, but it has never been a leap. It's been more like a slide come to rest for while, rather, and the rest lasts about 10 years. So my slide is going to rest in a new spot and I will have to learn how to be comfortable here in the world of grant writer advocacy. I've been a grant writer for a long time and never excepted the powerless feeling that comes with the entire process: poorly written notices of grant opportunities, uncontrolable reviews, and detached program officials. I want the world of grant makers to know there are grant professionals who can help make sure their application is best, most fair, and implemented without risk. I'm going to focus my passion on making sure we as grant writing professionals become the authority.
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Permalink Reply by Ron P. Muriera on -
Happy New Year, Melanie and my FGO colleagues!
Marie ~ great to hear that you are interested in diversifying the grantwriting profession, especially among 'communities of color'. As a nonprofit professional/grant writer with 20 years of experience, I've informally mentored new grant writers in the Asian Pacific Islander (API) and Latino communities. I will continue to so in 2010, and am also interested in collaborating with others who wish to advance the knowledge base and skill sets in those communities. Count me in!
As for what I would like to learn in 2010? Strengthening my knowledge within the areas of domestic violence and victims of crime services. This is a new arena for me at the nonprofit where I am currently employed at, so any and all conversations, knowledge-sharing and mentorship are greatly appreciated!
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Permalink Reply by Denise Rivers on -
Melanie:
There is too much excitement at Niagara University regarding our comprehensive fundraising campaign so as far as staying in the profession goes, I am in it for the duration. As for what I want to learn in 2010, everything!!
I avidly read anything and everything, but my professional focus is on the grant profession, especially in areas that will advance my knowledge regarding corporate and foundation relations. I want to secure as many grants as possible while building up a cadre of loyal grantmakers for my higher education institution. My other goal is to learn more about social networking media and use them to help advance my professional learning goals.
Regarding learning more about the grant profession, if anyone is pressed for time and short on dollars, webinars are the way to go!! No traveling and all the hassles that go with it. One can still dialog with fellow webinar participants either via an instant message board or via phone tie-in during the webinar. I made it a point to try to sign up for at least one webinar a month. I also believe that a grant professional should attend a conference at least once a year to attend as a "sponge," to absorb everything possible to put forth the strongest and the best grant application documents.
Lastly, to the doomsday and naysayers who cry woe is me regarding applying for and securing grant awards, you can become negative by reading all those predictions, analyses, and articles. I have just read them for informational purposes and then have moved on. My attitude is that building solid relationships with grantmakers will make all the difference in the world regarding securing a grant. So fellow grantmakers, make 2010 the best ever as I heard grantmakers will support grant seekers with good projects!
Denise Rivers
© 2013 Created by Melanie R. Negrin, GPC.
