When students think of volunteering, they see it as a task that looks nice on resumes, but it typically does not extend much further than that. Many are unaware that lifelong careers can be cultivated from working in nonprofit fields such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army.

On Monday, March 4, UNH’s Office of Academic Service-Learning brought in professionals from various nonprofit organizations to share their experiences with interested students. This event, “Nonprofit Careers: A Panel Discussion,” showed that it is possible to pursue a career that benefits both the self and society. “It really opened your eyes to how big the nonprofit sector really is,” said junior Emily McGinty, post-panel discussion.

The purpose of a nonprofit agency is to address some sort of public need, whether that may be homelessness, literacy or health. About 10 percent of employees in the United States work in a nonprofit field. The Office of Academic Service-Learning provides various opportunities to make a difference in the New Haven area, whether it is through an ASL Course or the Community Work Study Program (not the fellowship, which is through a different office). This discussion was one of the various workshops designed to inform students how to pursue the public service sector for a lifetime. “Service continues beyond college,” Director of Academic Service-Learning Sally Anastos said. “It’s not just for me, but forever.” She then introduced the event and five panelists to a crowded Alumni Lounge.

Each of the panelists then spoke a bit about their own background. Janis Astor del Valle is the Executive Director of Youth Rights Media and still pursues her love of playwriting. Youth Rights Media “equips young people with skills and strategies…to support social change,” described Astor. She then went on to encourage everyone to support nonprofits.

Stephen Cremin-Endes is a Community Building Specialist of Neighborhood Housing Services, which buys homes in New Haven, fixes them up and sells them affordably to first-time buyers.

Kellyann Day discussed her position as CEO of New Haven Home Recovery and Life Haven. One of their tasks is operating shelters for homeless, single women and providing intensive services to help them address the issues that caused their homelessness.

President Steven Kaplan attended the discussion too; many people do not realize that the University of New Haven itself is a nonprofit agency.

Panelist Johanna Krebs, program manager of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, described how their mission is to stop drunk driving, support victims of the crime and prevent underage drinking by educating and empowering youth.

Anastos then began the discussion by asking the panelists if they had ever had an experience outside the classroom during college that led them to their chosen career path. President Kaplan shared his storybook-worthy tale of how he came across the nonprofit sector. As a college student, he enjoyed history and despised literature, and eventually hoped to attend law school. He was hospitalized for an illness one day, and it was there in the hospital where he began reading poetry and prose. He fell in love with it and went on to study literature in Germany. “It doesn’t matter what you major in,” Kaplan said, “but how passionate you are about something.”

Next, the panelists were asked to speak of their greatest rewards and challenges. Janis Astor del Valle said what makes everything worth doing is seeing the children evolve and grow, and Johanna Krebs added, “If I can make one person smile in a day…I have done my job.”

“It’s important to stray away from the money and stick with your values,” Anastos affirmed.

The panelists were then asked what values are necessary in their line of work. In regards to being a good leader, Steven Kaplan urged that having a sense of humor is key, and possessing the ability to deal with changes.

“Ask yourself, what’s that spark glowing in you and how can you give fuel to it?” said Stephen Cremin-Endes.

In terms of giving important closing advice, all the panelists had abundant words of wisdom. President Kaplan encouraged students to step out of their comfort zone, Kellyann Day said to “never stop learning,” and Stephen Cremin-Endes said “patience, persistence and hard work is key.”

“Do what you love and love what you do,” Janis Astor del Valle stated. “Life is too short to say ‘woulda/coulda/shoulda.’”

Johanna Krebs closed with her feelings about this path of life: “Do I know what real money is? No, but I know what real passion is.”