Panel discusses not-for-profits
The University of Indianapolis hosted the Career Opportunities in the Not-for-Profit Sector in the Schwitzer Student Center on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The panel was held for students in the Career and Employment Strategies course. The event provided information about choosing a career path in the not-for-profit industry.
Not-for-profit organizations such as Riley Children’s Foundation, the American Heart Association, Clarian Health, Big Brothers/Sisters, Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, Bosma Visionary, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, AAA Hoosier Motor Club, Indianapolis Children’s Museum and Kiwanis International have attended these biannual panels.
“I have never been disappointed,” said Director of Career Services Paul Gabonay.
Gabonay organized the Not-for-Profit panel. The panel is sponsored annually by the Office of Career Services for students enrolled in the Career and Employment Strategies course, which is a required course for all business majors.
The panel is held to help raise awareness of career opportunities in the not-for-profit sector, to raise support for their cause and to compare and contrast the differences between choosing a career in a not-for-profit industry versus a for-profit industry.
Marcela Llinás, area director of North America and Latin America for Kiwanis International, is a UIndy alumna who participated in the panel.
“It went well,” Llinás said. “Students had good questions. We were able to offer more awareness.”
Llinás works to educate and equip those who provide service in Latin America.
“I got into the not-for-profit industry by accident but stayed by choice,” Llinás said.
Llinás said that working for the not-for-profit industry is working for a mission.
She prefers the environment and mindset compared to a for-profit industry, because the environment is more flexible and it is more passion driven work.
“It’s bigger than yourself,” Llinás said. “It’s more than money.”
Llinás said that the not-for-profit panel was intended to open the students’ eyes and make them aware; it was to share experiences with them.
“I love every aspect,” Llinás said.
