Hot Tip -- by Susan Gillespie

Where to explore opportunities in the marketing field?

Two great places include volunteer work and the non-profit industry. My first job in the marketing/ public relations field came as a result of "someone knowing someone" that was looking for an assistant but didn't want to advertise.

Even before that, I did volunteer work with a non-profit organization to get a sense of what the industry involved. This provided me with an overview of marketing for the non-profit sector, which often involves promoting an idea or value instead of a product but still requires the same skills as any other marketing position.

Most people don't consider the non-profit field a source of employment, but if you are just starting out in marketing, non-profits can be a wonderful source of work experience/ employment. Typically you might be assisting in fundraising, special event organization, program coordination or preparing promotional materials (brochures, Public Service Announcements) for fundraising or related community programs.

The contacts you make working for a non-profit are incredibly diverse as you try to increase awareness of your cause, fundraise revenue, or coordinate a community-based program.

If you decide to try the non-profit industry, target agencies whose mandate is something that you have a passion for. You will find that the staff working in these organizations is there because they love what they do and they believe in what they do.

So what are the essential skills in the marketing field?

Strong written and verbal communications
Critical to convince others of the merit of your idea, programs or values, whether in person, on the phone or in writing. You need to be able to say what differentiates you from the hundreds of other registered charities in the community. Why should they become involved with your organization as opposed to others?

Planning skills
Who are you trying to communicate with? What goals are you trying to reach with your marketing and communications?

Teamwork
You will certainly not be working on your own. In the non-profit sector, you will collaborate with the Executive Director, Board members, and other strategic partners.

The ability to meet deadline
Whether you are planning for a special event, running a fundraising dinner or meeting a publication deadline, you will be doing at least 10 things at once. Enjoy it!

For more ideas about who could use your help, check out the Volunteer Calgary website or call up an organization you feel strongly about. Click here for a short list of companies in the non-profit sector or check out the Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management website.