The latest from Apra Carolinas Blog Post Editor Ashley Smith -- an interview with Jennifer Vincent:
As prospect researchers and managers, we have developed amazing skills in research, writing, and analysis. What would it be like to take these tools of our trade and move from our ivy towers and nonprofits into the private sector? Jennifer Vincent, formerly at UNC Wilmington (UNCW), made that transition last year when she accepted a newly created position at Blackbaud. In this interview, she shares her experiences working for a private company and offers insights to anyone who may be contemplating a move into a new industry.
What led you to make the switch from working in higher education to working in the private sector?
I fell in love with prospect research and management and didn’t really intend to leave the field; however, it began to feel like I was running out of room for growth after spending almost 12 years at UNCW. Several years ago, I began seeking other challenges in the prospect development field, such as serving on the Apra Carolinas board and presenting at conferences. Last summer when I was presenting at Apra PD, I received the offer from Blackbaud to join their organization in a newly created role, Competency Solutions Engineer. I have a degree in psychology, and my position gives me the opportunity to utilize the skills I acquired in statistics and analytics. It also allows me to stay connected to the nonprofit world – especially to prospect development – and work closely with higher education organizations across the world.
Does your current role with Blackbaud share any commonalities with your previous position at UNCW?
Yes! The challenges of account executives are similar to challenges of front-line fundraisers. I’m lucky to work in a more consultative role, where I support the sales teams, much like I supported frontline fundraisers with managing their proposals. I work with the sales teams much like prospect management. I help them identify who the good prospects are, who might be best to contact, review their opportunities, and try to help them meet fiscal year targets and goals. All of that is very similar to what I was doing in prospect management. The main difference is that now I’m the one on the calls with the prospects as we discuss the needs and goals of their organization to best figure out what software solutions are the right fit. I’m still helping nonprofits with major gift fundraising, but through the tools Blackbaud has developed.
What have been some challenges with the transition?
Not only am I a relatively new employee at Blackbaud, I’m also new to the private sector. I worked at UNCW for over a decade, so I knew the people and campus community well. I was fortunate to help build the prospect development department, which allowed me to intimately know the ins and outs of the profession. If I didn’t have an answer, I had the knowledge and freedom to create one. With a well-established new employer and a new industry, there are many times where I feel like I’m playing catch up as I learn the products and the systems. Add to that, my colleagues use a lot of acronyms, and I’ve had to create a glossary to help me communicate more effectively. It can be rather confusing, but I love a good challenge.
What have been some benefits with the transition?
The opportunity to work remotely! I love having a flexible work schedule and work attire based almost entirely of athletic clothing and blue jeans. I also find it very satisfying to have a job that helps prospect development professionals in lots of different organizations find solutions to problems they’re encountering. I like figuring out what products to recommend to best fit their unique needs. I’ve always loved puzzles, so now I get paid to solve them. While it may seem lonely to work remotely, I am fortunate to spend my days talking about analytics and fundraising with dedicated professionals from all over. Not to mention, I get to continue my relationships with my colleagues at UNCW, while fitting into a brand-new team of fantastic teammates. And yes, the pay and benefits are a big bonus to working in the private sector.
What do you wish you had known about the move from public to private sector before starting at Blackbaud?
While I knew that job stability in the private sector is less secure compared to state and nonprofit jobs, I didn’t really understand how quickly things can change. I might be great at my job, but if my position doesn’t add value, it can be eliminated. Assuming I’m a good employee, I could likely find another role, but there’s not a guarantee that it would be a next step I wanted to take.
What advice would you give to prospect analysts who may be considering a career switch from nonprofit to for-profit employment?
If you are considering a job in the private sector, be aware that you’re probably going into a faster paced, less secure job environment. Everything happens very quickly; emails are instantly returned, chats are flying in, appointments appear on your calendar – you might start the day with nothing on your calendar and find yourself in back-to-back meetings with entire projects transformed. You might find that you work more hours during the week, which happened to me. Part of the reason for that is I work remotely, so I don’t have the office banter at the water cooler. Additionally, I feel more accountable to the company because I’m not physically going into an office. It’s not uncommon for me to pop in at night to make headway on a project, because I’m more likely to focus without the emails and chats pinging me. That said, you can look forward to the freedom of a long lunch with friends or the ability to go to your kid’s school for a class project. I feel very fortunate to work for a company that values philanthropy and volunteering. They encourage (and incentivize) employees being active in their community. Additionally, Blackbaud wants its customers to be beyond satisfied with the products and services they’re receiving, and my role is to help amplify customer delight to 11 so to speak. Focusing on helping nonprofits helps me feel the warmth I felt while working at a nonprofit, with the additional benefits of the private sector.
