Marissa Guananja
Director, CONNECT and Resident Asset Development
The Neighborhood Developers
The Neighborhood Developers
Director, CONNECT and Resident Asset Development
I design social service programs that help families achieve financial stability.
At this point, I talk a lot. I manage a collaboration of 6 organizations that each represent different sectors and interests and I manage a staff of 10. When I'm not checking email or writing a report, I'm usually in a meeting talking about: data, outcome and impact measurements; funding or partnering.
Here's the first step for college students
Get some practical experience. Volunteer with an organization, get to know the employees, the clients they serve and the sector. There are huge differences in organizational cultures - non-profit vs. government vs. for-profit - understanding the cultural differences between them is important. Organizational culture can either stymie or launch your career. Get to know what might be a good fit for you while there is less at stake.
"You should make us proud and be a doctor."