By Mary MacLeod Lindsay, Manager of Advancement Research, University of Guelph
"I didn't train for this job, I just kind of fell into it." How many times have you heard that from a prospect researcher? I have heard it many times and my experience is very similar. However, preparing to move forward in your career takes a little more planning and preparation.
This is my story and I hope that it will encourage people and, perhaps, provide some advice.
I started attending the University of Guelph in 1987, right after high school. After two and half years I decided to leave and start a family, but in 1997, I returned and completed my degree, with two young daughters in tow.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for my career once I had the degree and decided to pursue a post – graduate certificate in Career Development. As part of this training I spent a semester at the University of Guelph's Career Centre and started to build my network on campus. My goal was to become a career counselor and I started to volunteer at a variety of organizations to gain that kind of job experience.
Volunteering has always been a large part of my life and something I highly recommend for anyone making a career transition or wanting to advance their present position. Volunteer work, while being unemployed, provided me with office and leadership experience.
I started at the switchboard at the University of Guelph in 2000. While there, an opportunity at the Alumni department arose and I was offered the position of Tracing Program Assistant. This job is a lot like advancement research except the focus is on finding people, not their wealth or connections, necessarily. During my time with the tracing program, I continually applied to positions with more responsibility, and took advantage of the courses offered by the HR department to improve skills such as communication, computer skills, leadership etc. I was also supervisor for many students in this role, and this prepared me for the future roles as manager. After 6 years in this position I moved to advancement research.
I was fortunate, in 2010, to have the opportunity to "try – out" being the manager of a research team when my manager went on leave for a year. These opportunities do arise from time to time and my advice is to watch for them and put your name forward, even if you think you don't have the experience. I was offered the position because of my experience within the organization, but took it at the minimum level of pay. During that year I spent a lot of time updating processes in collaboration with upper management and my team. Our team had significant success in promoting our unit to the larger team and became more integrated with the major gift team. Also during that time, two members of my team nominated me for APRA's Professional of the Year and I was the successful winner! This was another important factor in my career advancement. This brought more attention to not only me but our team and our organization internationally.
During my year as interim manager, I was also in a leadership volunteer role with the Relay for Life. This is invaluable experience that I would highly recommend. When wanting to move into a management role, having something to lead, whether it is the social committee at work or at another organization, you will gain a lot of insight and experience to add to your resume and enhance your interviews.
I returned to my previous position in advancement research when my manager returned from her leave. I, however, retained some of my manager position roles, such as attending prospect clearance meetings and acting as a mentor to my co – workers. If you have been a researcher for a while, then being a mentor is another way to gain some leadership skills. If possible, talk to your manager to see if there any roles that you can take over or help with. I believe the key is to make others aware of your desire to advance. It shows that you are engaged and enthusiastic, and a good manager will not be threatened by this, but will encourage and provide opportunities for growth.
It was not easy, however, to step back from the manager position and there were many learning opportunities during this transition period as well. I had to develop my communication skills in order to assert and defend some of my ideas and process changes. Some of the processes I put in place turned out not to be sustainable and I needed to learn to listen to other views and accept when things were changed. I strongly believe that you can better your knowledge and experience from the harder times rather than when things are going smoothly.
I never stopped applying to other managerial positions after my manager returned, and my boss, and her bosses became aware of my desire to advance my career. After every unsuccessful interview I met with the interviewers to find out where I could improve. Many times I was unsuccessful because the other person had more direct experience. It is important to know the facts about why you weren't successful, and not always take it has a failure, but as an experience to learn from.
Recently, my manager decided to retire and the opportunity arose, once more, for me to apply for this position. I am happy to report that I was the successful candidate and am looking forward to the new challenges that I know will arise.