Opus College of Business program to explore 'encore careers' in nonprofit sector
The Center for Nonprofit Management at the University of St. Thomas' Opus College of Business will hold its second SPAN (Successful Professionals Achieving in Nonprofits) program on Wednesday, June 3, at the university's Minneapolis campus.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event and registration details for the one-day immersion program can be found on the Opus College of Business Web site ExEd.StThomas.edu/SPAN .
SPAN has been designed for corporate, business or public-sector employees who are interested in further developing and contributing their talents and experience within the nonprofit sector.
The Center for Nonprofit Management reports that an estimated 78 million American baby boomers plan to work beyond retirement age, with half interested in exploring "encore careers" in nonprofit and charitable organizations.
To date, an estimated 1.1 million boomers already have begun putting their substantial corporate experience to work in second-stage careers that allow them to explore personal interests and contribute to their communities. Bill and Melinda Gates are, perhaps, the most notable examples of successful boomers turning their skills and resources to charitable endeavors.
One 2008 survey by a research institute found that half the boomers are interested in starting new careers with a positive social impact.
The SPAN program is geared toward individuals with experience in the corporate, business or public sectors interested in learning about themselves, their abilities and their experiences in mission-based nonprofit work. It also will appeal to anyone who would like to develop leadership expertise in roles as volunteers, as well as those who want to move into the sector as paid staff members.
