The Columbia University School of Professional Studies Career Design Lab (CDL) recently welcomed M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) alum Ruijie (Janice) Bi to discuss the importance of career support and genuine interest in one’s clients within the nonprofit industry.
The event, moderated by Karen Acampado, associate director of CDL, offered perspectives from a range of educational and professional experiences. From fostering relationships among professors through the Senior Capstone course to prioritizing work-life balance through community activities, the discussion gave insight into Bi’s experiences as a Director at CCS Fundraising.
CCS Fundraising is a leading consulting organization aiding experts within the nonprofit sector in campaign and development strategy by implementing fundraising strategies to create greater impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Prior to joining the organization, she was an associate at BCG—an experience that aided her pivot to CCS, a consulting firm specializing in the nonprofit realm. Bi called upon her many experiences speaking with alumni, Acampado, and her professors during her recruitment process. As an international student, she felt unclear about how to navigate the difficulties of the job market,
“Talking with Karen, attending CDL classes, and working with alumni helped me to understand the messaging I can create around my experiences,” Bi said. “We have multiple alumni from our program working at CCS at multiple levels of consultants, so internally, the company does have a greater attitude towards Columbia students.”
Bi noted that she learned CCS Fundraising was hiring through Acampado, illustrating that the NOPM program offers “unique opportunities” that other university programs may lack. Whether it be the industry connections or the tailored course curriculum, Bi was able to pivot her career and find a role that suited her skills and interests.
“I like mission-driven work, and that’s as simple as that. I want to do work that has a direct impact on the mission that the organization is trying to fulfill,” Bi said.
Acampado discussed her relationship with Bi and the importance of using one’s resources as a student and alum. With alumni in a variety of nonprofit organizations leading the industry, Bi is one example of the different opportunities born out of the NOPM program.
For more illuminating discussions with leaders in the nonprofit space, explore the M.S. in Nonprofit Management’s upcoming events.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, healthcare, the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
Learn more about the program here. The program is available part-time, full-time, on-campus, and online.
