Kristen Pawlowski
Communication Studies, May 2001
Senior Annual Giving Officer-Reunions & Parents
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Contact Kristen Pawolwski at
kristen.pawlowski@marquette.edu
Since your graduation from MU, what has been your career path?
I have followed a fundraising career path, beginning with two non-profit internships in the Health Education field. I then was hired at a small nonprofit theatre where I served as Development Manager for 2 years. I am now a Senior Annual Giving Officer at Marquette University, managing the Parents Association, Parents Fund, and Reunion Committee/Reunion Giving programs. I manage a team of two employees, as well.
Describe your typical workday.
Every day is different – never a dull moment. I start by checking over 30 emails each morning, responding to alumni volunteers who are doing work on behalf of their reunions. I am their committee-work “headquarters” so to speak, providing them with whatever they need to spread the word about their reunion. I also respond to countless parents with questions, concerns, or interest in Marquette. Then, I’d maybe have a conference call with a reunion committee to help plan party details for an extravagant party off-campus at a volunteer’s home on Lake Michigan. I’d then follow up with the conference call by researching potential party sponsors in the class, and preparing sponsorship solicitation appeals for these sponsors. I’d then set a meeting with both internal colleagues in special events and university advancement, as well as external vendors to hammer out the budget and details of the party. By 4pm, I may have to get out the door to treat an alumnus and her spouse for dinner to thank them for their recent gift to Marquette. I’d then sit with them at a MU basketball game to cheer on the Golden Eagles together. All the while, though, I’d be listening for cues about what they’re interested in funding next, or how we can spark their interest in a new opportunity to give back to Marquette.
What is the best or most exciting part of your profession?
Meeting so many people who are not only generous with their dollars, but who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved to help make a difference. I am surrounded, constantly by good people doing good for others.
What advice would you provide for a job seeker in your field?
Jump in! Small nonprofits need young, eager-to-learn workers because, quite honestly, they can’t afford to hire seasoned fundraising professionals. Get one nonprofit fundraising internship under your belt by calling around to local nonprofits that you’re interested in. They will hire you because they need all the extra helping hands they can get. Then, once you have just a little experience, and once you graduate, you can get hired at a small nonprofit and get that critical 2-3 years of initial experience. After that – the sky’s the limit with career opportunities at higher levels and bigger nonprofits. You may not make as much as your friends who are just starting out in Business or Engineering, but…this is the best way to start a nonprofit career – and it will keep you humble along your journey!
What are essential skills one must posses for success in your field?
You can’t be all about making money – you have to be motivated by something other than money – at least when you’re first starting out. Even the top performing fundraising professionals will never make as much as the top-performing corporate business people. Eventually, though, with experience, you will get a more competitive salary – it just takes about 3 years of increasingly progressive experience to get there. For me, personally, I am motivated by the fact that I am making a difference. I’m raising money for future MU students to attend Marquette and share in this wonderful experience. For others, it may be putting an end to hunger, by fundraising for a food pantry. For others, it could be caring for sick/injured animals by raising money for a local animal shelter. Whatever it is, you have to have that passion, and it has to motivate you more than anything else.
More practically speaking, you have to be very organized, a good problem solver, and not need a lot of direction. You need to be able to take charge and trust your instinct and make things happen. Being a “people person” and being able to talk comfortably with strangers is very helpful, too.
What can a current Marquette student do to effectively prepare for a career in your field?
Find out what you’re passionate about and get an internship with that nonprofit. I was passionate about theatre, and so sought out positions at small nonprofit theatres. If you’re passionate about health care, or women’s shelters, or food pantries, or WHATEVER, call those social services and ask if they could use an intern – tell them that you want to learn about fundraising. They WILL put you to good use.
