E-Portfolio

http://sites.google.com/site/nicoleingallsportfolio/

Future Career Goals

I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to to when I graduated, that is why I was looking forward to this applied study. I figured it would give me some insight as to whether I was headed in the right direction. I love to volunteer and would like to have a career working for a non-profit. However, there are so many different types of non-profits and different careers within each non-profit, I needed to see where I fit in. The organization I am working with this semester is a good one and they have a great mission, to end educational inequity. Everyone is very friendly, and hard workers. They are very organized which doesn't always come naturally to a lot of non-profits. All these are qualities I love but the main reason I don't see myself working there is because they are so removed from the people they help. Their main goal is to recruit the best teachers, train them and be support for them. All these are necessary and admirable things but I want to be "in the field." I would rather not sit at a desk and only crunch numbers or research statistics. I spend a lot of time communicating through Outlook or creating Excel spreadsheets. There was a time in my life when I loved doing all the detail-oriented stuff but it doesn't inspire me as much as directly working with the people that need my help. The technical skills I have learned so far are invaluable, not to mention some basic non-profit things such as the constant, never-ending need for money to stay afloat. I never want to be in an executive or management position of a non-profit because they are endlessly building bridges, schmoozing politicians and asking for money. That is not where my strengths are and I would choose to leave that to the people who are good at that. I have seen the positive effect this organization has and would like to continue working in education or with youth but perhaps in a different capacity then my internship has allowed me so far.