The Accidental Nonprofiteer: Chance Events and the Selection of a Nonprofit Career

Authors

  • Erin Nelson University of Memphis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2017-V7-I4-8164

Keywords:

nonprofit career, nonprofit education, happenstance learning theory

Abstract

Research on nonprofit careers has typically focused on motivations and preferences of those already in the nonprofit workforce. But how do individuals initially learn about the nonprofit sector as a place of employment? In this research, I focus on the effect of chance events on nonprofit career selection and seek to develop a theoretical frame-work from which to examine nonprofit career decision making. Using a retrospective study (n = 337), I found that the majority of respondents felt that an unplanned event affected their selection of a nonprofit career. Specifically, respondents noted that learn-ing experiences rooted in unplanned events often led to careers with specific organizations, or in the nonprofit sector more generally. Implications include the need for more deliberate connection between a desire to help others and seeking paid employment in the nonprofit workforce, and highlight the important role of nonprofit management degree programs in facilitating that connection.

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Published

2017-10-16

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2017)

Section

Articles

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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