July 31, 2003 | Read Time: 2 minutes
Q. I’m a journalist who has most recently worked in public affairs for county government in the Atlanta area. I’d like to move into speechwriting for a nonprofit group, but would first like to know, is there much demand for that skill among charities? Also, I’m 51. Would prospective employers consider my age and lack of nonprofit experience a minus, and if so, how do I compensate for that?
A. There’s certainly demand for speechwriting savvy at nonprofit groups. Presenting an organization’s mission in a moving and memorable way is almost certainly one of the major responsibilities of a charity’s senior staff.
However, you’re up against three challenges in tracking down a speechwriting position today: One, many charities ask their public-relations or marketing staff members to handle speechwriting on top of their other tasks. Two, there are plenty of freelance speechwriters and consultants who provide speechwriting services to nonprofit organizations And three, sad but true: In a competitive job market, your lack of nonprofit experience will make landing a job more difficult.
So, first consider whether your writing ability will allow you to not only write speeches but also contribute your skills toward other public-relations tasks, including crafting brochures, press releases, and so forth.
“I would say [emphasizing] the speechwriting element alone would be a limiting factor,” says Ralph Plumb, president of Union Rescue Mission, which provides services to the homeless in Los Angeles. “However, building better brand recognition and positioning the organization and the CEO as experts in their field would be quite valuable.” The more value that you can provide to the organization, the more you’ll be able to make the case that it’s worth bringing speechwriting expertise in-house, instead of farming the task out to a consultant.
Like any professional looking to switch from the for-profit to the nonprofit world, you can start to overcome your lack of experience by building a track record as a committed volunteer. In this way, you’ll be able to credibly emphasize your passion for the charity’s mission. Learn more about making the switch from the business to the nonprofit world in this Philanthropy Careers article; learn how to make the leap from volunteer to employee in this past edition of Hotline. For more about opportunities in your area, check out the Georgia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, which is the trade group for public-relations professionals. The Atlanta group has a special-interest section that focuses on nonprofit organizations. (To find a chapter in other areas, click here.)
It’s illegal for nonprofit organizations — or any U.S. employer — to consider your age in the hiring process. If you feel like this might become an issue for you, read about how to handle age discrimination in this past edition of Hotline.
