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Erik: What is the greatest fear people face when deciding whether or not to pursue a non
profit career?
Louise: That is a good question. I guess I perceive that greatest fear people have about
pursuing work in a non profit is that the work will not be particularly rigorous or
driven by results in the same way that it is in the for profit sector because there
is not as clear as set of outcomes in ways, as measureable set of outcomes as there is
in the non profit sector. Part of that fear is a little legitimate because it is not as
easy to measure what you are achieving for social outcomes as it is to measure dollars
made. But, I think it is partially from the long history of non profits being viewed as
the places where folks that are really passionate and that had great ideals could go to do the
good work but not necessarily again with a business approach or results. I think one
thing I`ve been thrilled to see as I have gotten into non profit work is that, obviously,
in our case we are completely driven by results and the outcomes that we want to achieve.
We take a very businesslike approach to what we do. There are many other organizations
from who we learned how to do that. The ones we respect most are that great combination
of ideals and passion, business and results. Yet, like in any industry, there is plenty
of extreme on either end. I understand where the fear comes from. I think in some ways,
if I wasnÕt in this particular cause and committed to it, I would feel as conflicted
as many people do on how to apply the best of both worlds to each other.