Any professional advice to expand my options outside of environmental nonprofits? Feeling pigeonholed by my academic background.
For the past 6 years, I have worked primarily at small-to-medium environmental nonprofit organizations. I have B.S. and M.S. degrees in ecology, which have served me well, up until now.
Unfortunately, my current place of employment is facing a severe budget deficit, and I strongly suspect layoffs are to come with the next fiscal year. My position, although highly involved in operations that support multiple departments, is not directly revenue-generating and is likely on the chopping block. I've worked here for just over two and a half years, so the thought of job-hunting again so soon is daunting. I've been casually looking at Indeed and other listing sites, but I am worried my academic background doesn't match well enough with positions outside of environmental nonprofits. I love love love this field, but I am getting tired of dealing with job instability and competition for employment.
As many nonprofit employees are probably familiar with, I've worn a variety of hats (marketing, public events, outreach, registration software management, educator, summer camp, grant writing, volunteer coordinating, etc.). Tentatively, I am interested in getting into development, but open to other possibilities.
Anyway, I would love to hear how people climbed the nonprofit ladder to more stable roles or found success transitioning to the corporate workforce. Should I go back to school for an associate's degree in a different field? Any certificates or programs help land you where you want to be?