What Advice Would You Give An Intern?

Bobby Steurer

Hi all,

We have a summer intern who technically works with our events team, but has recently expressed interest in the world of data management. She's a geography major, studying GIS, R, SQL, and the like. She is interested in the work we do at my org (healthcare), but not necessarily in events management.

She's asked how I got started, and for some advice in paths she can take. She's pretty open to a lot of data options right now - she's a junior in college, so she has time to get a feel for different things.

I've given some tips - the Blackbaud FB user group, or own local group, and connected her with some people I know.

But what advice would you give to someone who is just starting out? What do you wish you knew back then? I started out doing a lot of data entry for an org that DID NOT CARE about data….and I want to try and steer her toward a cooler path. Doesn't even have to be Blackbaud-related. Just helping a young, optimistic person out.

Many thanks!

Dariel Dixon

I think having a good understanding of data from the ground up is a great way to start. If she has some knowledge of R and SQL, she's already ahead of the curve. I think trying to see if she has the ability to join any organizations as a student like AHP or AASP. I would always suggest that she take a look at programming to get a better understanding, even if its something small.

It sounds like this is something she is taking pretty seriously, and getting some exposure to other individuals and organizations so that she can get a well-rounded opinion of the field.

Elizabeth Johnson

@Bobby Steurer This is great - If your intern has access to Blackbaud University I would suggest they take the fundamentals and get certified. I have had summer interns that have really appreciated knowing Blackbaud and it has opened doors for them and that was without the certification. I think taking the courses would allow anyone starting out to explore different areas of development work and find what calls to them. Great question I look forward to seeing how others respond.

Faith Murray

She needs to decide if her passion is data or nonprofit work (or both). Most people end up specializing and then can't transfer well across the chasm.

• A nonprofit DBM typically works in a small shop and must understand the needs of her people. SQL will be a good backup tool to give her employment flexibility if she wants to be able to work in nonprofits that don't use Raiser's Edge. However, a fundraising certification course and analytics classes will be even more valuable because she will be able to anticipate her colleagues' needs and provide strategic consultation that most of her coworkers can't perform. Combining analytics and fundraising know-how will make her an invaluable asset to her nonprofit, enabling her to possibly achieve a leadership role (and salary) beyond that of a normal nonprofit DBM.
• A corporate DBM will want to emphasize the software and programming knowledge. Often these jobs require the ability to connect various data platforms and provide some IT-type assistance to fellow staff. Nonprofit DBM's often don't have enough technical know-how to transition effectively into the much higher-paying corporate DBM world.

Austen Brown

I agree with everything that has been shared so far, and would add that she could get some real world experience within the database doing a clean-up project or something similar. I really like the idea of her taking BBU classes and getting a fundamentals certification.

Additionally, I read a great book recently that I think she (and anyone here) would benefit from reading - The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford. The story follows an IT department at a fictional corporation that is, to say the least, not doing well and the methods utilized to turn this around. The book is a great resource on change management, strategies to improve workflows efficiency/feedback, and management methods. It's worth a read.