From Passion to Paycheck: Pattijean McCahill on Careers with Impact in Nonprofit

If you think a career in the nonprofit world means low pay, zero strategy, and “just volunteering”—this episode is about to change your mind.

In this episode of ‪@getcareercurious‬ , I sit down with Pattijean McCahill, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Feeding America West Michigan, to talk about what working in the nonprofit world actually looks like—and why it’s full of opportunities for young professionals in fields like marketing, finance, fundraising, and operations. Pattijean has her MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business and her MPA from Grand Valley State University.

From mission-driven work to boardrooms and budgets, Pattijean shares how the nonprofit sector mirrors the corporate world, but with one big difference: the personal connection to the cause.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

▪️ What a day-to-day role at a nonprofit actually looks like
▪️ How nonprofit organizations need the same skill sets as corporations (think: ops, strategy, comms)
▪️ Why your degree in business, communications, or finance is still highly valuable in the nonprofit world
▪️ How to get started, even without direct experience
▪️ What to look for in mission-driven work
▪️ Advice for young professionals who want purpose and career growth

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Pattijean McCahill + her nonprofit journey
02:10 – What nonprofit leadership really involves
04:00 – How to find a cause you connect with
06:15 – Debunking nonprofit career myths
08:00 – What skills transfer from corporate to nonprofit
10:30 – Entry-level opportunities and networking tips
13:00 – Her best advice for young professionals exploring nonprofit work
15:00 – Why your values matter in choosing a career

🎧 Whether you’re undecided on a major, curious about doing work that matters, or exploring ways to blend passion with profession—this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

🔗 Learn more & join the Get Career Curious community: www.getcareercurious.com

📣 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly episodes on real careers and real people who’ve been there.

👇 Drop a 💼 if you’d consider working for a nonprofit!

#nonprofit #nonprofitwork #careerexploration #youngprofessionals #genzcareers #careeradvice #nonprofitleadership #purposedrivenwork #careertips #getcareercurious #marketingjobs #financecareers #collegetocareer #operationsjobs #feedingamerica #notforprofitorganisation #careeradvicereddit #careerdevelopment #careercounseling #careercounsellor #mba #informationalinterviews