This post about Yale SOM and not-for-profit management is part of a series of interviews of top MBA programs called “MBA Career Goals and the B-Schools that Support Them.” Please subscribe to our blog to ensure that you receive all the interviews exploring the elements at each school that support career goals in finance, consulting, general management, entrepreneurship, marketing and more.
Here is the interview with the admissions team at Yale SOM.
What kind of background and skills do you like to see in applicants expressing interest in a career in NFP management?
Yale SOM seeks candidates with a combination of business skills and a passion for social impact. Specifically, strong program management and time management skills, leadership ability, initiative, and interpersonal skills are crucial for success. Particularly in the nonprofit sector, employers seek MBA candidates who can navigate throughout an organization and build relationships with all levels of staff, while working within a bureaucratic and resource-strapped organization. Volunteer experience or other ways that demonstrate a commitment to the nonprofit sector is also important to highlight.
What aspects of your curriculum are best suited to students who want to eventually pursue a career in NFP management?
In addition to the core curriculum, students can declare an ‘emphasis’ in nonprofit management. There are numerous courses of interest, including Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations, Financial Statement Analysis of Nonprofit Organizations, CSR: Social Venture Management, Global Social Enterprise, and Program Evaluation. There are also many courses that focus on specific sub-sectors of the nonprofit industry, such as economic development, philanthropy or education reform.
Which school clubs and extra-curricular events are most relevant to people interested in NFP management?
The most relevant student professional clubs include SOM Net Impact, Arts & Culture, Education, Economic Development, and Business and the Environment. There are additional ways to participate in social impact events, through the Internship Fund, SOM Outreach, Board Service, Global Social Enterprise and the Program for Social Enterprise.
Since “NFP management” is a very broad term, can you break down some of the some of the sub-categories in the field that Yale SOM excels in?
Yale SOM excels in the private/public partnership arena, including career paths in Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Philanthropy, and Nonprofit Consulting. Other areas of expertise include Education Reform, International Development and Social Impact Investing.
Which NFP organizations recruit at Yale SOM? How many graduates of your 2010 class received offers in NFP management?
The Career Development Office has relationships with hundreds of nonprofit firms interested in recruiting Yale SOM talent. A sampling of these employers includes Achievement First, Acumen Fund, CCS Fundraising, Education Pioneers, Endeavor, Gates Foundation, The Bridgespan Group, and World Bank. 11% of the 2010 class joined the nonprofit sector following graduation. An additional 4% joined the Public Sector, working at firms such as OPIC and the FBI.
Thanks to the Yale SOM Admissions Office and Career Development Office for granting us this interview.
