Up-Goer Job Description: I explain, in writing, the classes and other things that my school offers to students (both kids and grown-ups). Then I explain why we need money for those things (and money to help the people who take classes pay for them). Then, in writing, I ask for money to help pay for these things.
I also learn as much as I can about people who might be interested in my school. Learning about people, especially people with lots of money, helps me find the right people to ask for money. They are the right people because they like the right things and have enough money to give a lot.
Using a few more words: I am a grant writer and prospect researcher. Most people understand the main functions of a grant writer (describing our programmatic, capital and scholarship needs and then asking for money to support them -- usually in a pre-determined and often fairly technical format). Less people know about prospect research -- which is basically researching individuals in order to identify the right people to ask for money (and making sure you are asking them for the right amount, at the right time, to support the right program). I do all the background work and then feed the information I find to my front-line fundraisers, who introduce the people I research to our institution, get to know them, cultivate the relationship and, eventually, ask them for a major donation
I compile general biographical background about people, but also perform analysis of their wealth (as measured by stock, real estate, boats, and almost anything for which there is a public record) in order to determine how much they have the capacity to give. I engage in data mining and use Prizm scores and wealth screening data from companies like Wealth Engine. It's all taken from public record sources, but people get creeped out by it. And the Prism surveillance program has not helped me explain what I do...
What I like to do: This is actually taken from a post I made a few weeks ago trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I don't mind my job, and even mostly like it, but I don't want to do it for the next 30 years. I would like a job I truly enjoy more frequently. Sadly, most of my skills and likes tend to lend themselves to either lower paying jobs, another degree (I have a BA and a JD), or owning my own business, none of which are financially feasible for me.
1) I like short term projects and tight deadlines. Throw some complicated research or writing task in my lap and give me 24 to 48 hours to complete it and I am happy and fulfilled. I am the queen of getting these things done and done well.
2) I do not like long-term projects and projects with nebulous deadlines. You know what I do with those? Procrastinate until they turn into #1. This is not a good thing. I'd like a job where I didn't fall into that trap.
3) I like helping people. I like being the person others come to with questions, and the person who can jump in and problem solve. This is directly related to #1. There's a sense of accomplishment in helping, and of fixing things. It motivates me.
4) I like variety in my projects. If I have to write (or research or plan or whatever) the same thing over and over I get bored, and then I procrastinate. NEW keeps my brain engaged, and when I am engaged I do good work.
5) I like research. I liked it when I worked at the public library and was helping with everything from genealogy projects to school reports. I liked it as a prospect researcher when I had to research everything from rich people's family trees to the race horses at the Derby. I like doing it now to determine where a foundation gives their money (and if it actually fits with their stated priorities.) I like doing it in my personal life when I learn about beer or whiskey or gardening methods or myth or or or. I just like it. As long as it doesn't drag on for too long and get repetitive.
6) I like sharing my research/knowledge with others. I like doing it in writing (formal and informal) and I like doing it in person (one-on-one and in front of groups small and large). I like being approachable, and being the person others on the team come to with questions. I like knowing that if I can't immediately answer their questions, they can count on me to find the answer (through logic, intuition, or research).
7) I like working with people, but not too many people. My ideal team is somewhere between 2 and 10. More than that and I don't know names. Less than that and I get lonesome.
8) I like brain storming and idea generation. I like analyzing plans for projects/events/etc and pointing out their strengths and pitfalls.
What I do for fun: Consume enormous amounts of fiction (mainly books and television), cook, practice yoga, and drink + talk about + attend events about beer (my husband is in the industry).
What I used to do for fun but for some reason no longer do: Write fiction.
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Date: 2013-07-17 03:11 pm (UTC)I explain, in writing, the classes and other things that my school offers to students (both kids and grown-ups). Then I explain why we need money for those things (and money to help the people who take classes pay for them). Then, in writing, I ask for money to help pay for these things.
I also learn as much as I can about people who might be interested in my school. Learning about people, especially people with lots of money, helps me find the right people to ask for money. They are the right people because they like the right things and have enough money to give a lot.
Using a few more words:
I am a grant writer and prospect researcher. Most people understand the main functions of a grant writer (describing our programmatic, capital and scholarship needs and then asking for money to support them -- usually in a pre-determined and often fairly technical format). Less people know about prospect research -- which is basically researching individuals in order to identify the right people to ask for money (and making sure you are asking them for the right amount, at the right time, to support the right program). I do all the background work and then feed the information I find to my front-line fundraisers, who introduce the people I research to our institution, get to know them, cultivate the relationship and, eventually, ask them for a major donation
I compile general biographical background about people, but also perform analysis of their wealth (as measured by stock, real estate, boats, and almost anything for which there is a public record) in order to determine how much they have the capacity to give. I engage in data mining and use Prizm scores and wealth screening data from companies like Wealth Engine. It's all taken from public record sources, but people get creeped out by it. And the Prism surveillance program has not helped me explain what I do...
What I like to do:
This is actually taken from a post I made a few weeks ago trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I don't mind my job, and even mostly like it, but I don't want to do it for the next 30 years. I would like a job I truly enjoy more frequently. Sadly, most of my skills and likes tend to lend themselves to either lower paying jobs, another degree (I have a BA and a JD), or owning my own business, none of which are financially feasible for me.
1) I like short term projects and tight deadlines. Throw some complicated research or writing task in my lap and give me 24 to 48 hours to complete it and I am happy and fulfilled. I am the queen of getting these things done and done well.
2) I do not like long-term projects and projects with nebulous deadlines. You know what I do with those? Procrastinate until they turn into #1. This is not a good thing. I'd like a job where I didn't fall into that trap.
3) I like helping people. I like being the person others come to with questions, and the person who can jump in and problem solve. This is directly related to #1. There's a sense of accomplishment in helping, and of fixing things. It motivates me.
4) I like variety in my projects. If I have to write (or research or plan or whatever) the same thing over and over I get bored, and then I procrastinate. NEW keeps my brain engaged, and when I am engaged I do good work.
5) I like research. I liked it when I worked at the public library and was helping with everything from genealogy projects to school reports. I liked it as a prospect researcher when I had to research everything from rich people's family trees to the race horses at the Derby. I like doing it now to determine where a foundation gives their money (and if it actually fits with their stated priorities.) I like doing it in my personal life when I learn about beer or whiskey or gardening methods or myth or or or. I just like it. As long as it doesn't drag on for too long and get repetitive.
6) I like sharing my research/knowledge with others. I like doing it in writing (formal and informal) and I like doing it in person (one-on-one and in front of groups small and large). I like being approachable, and being the person others on the team come to with questions. I like knowing that if I can't immediately answer their questions, they can count on me to find the answer (through logic, intuition, or research).
7) I like working with people, but not too many people. My ideal team is somewhere between 2 and 10. More than that and I don't know names. Less than that and I get lonesome.
8) I like brain storming and idea generation. I like analyzing plans for projects/events/etc and pointing out their strengths and pitfalls.
What I do for fun:
Consume enormous amounts of fiction (mainly books and television), cook, practice yoga, and drink + talk about + attend events about beer (my husband is in the industry).
What I used to do for fun but for some reason no longer do:
Write fiction.