Matthew Bruce
The Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance
"I see time and again ambitious and creative leaders in non-profits and government who are able to "do well and do good" in the same career."
Career Roadmap
Matthew's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Government, and Helping People
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Hamden High School
Bachelor's Degree
International Relations and Affairs
Tufts University
Graduate Degree
Public Policy Analysis, General
University of Chicago
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Executive Director:
Bachelor's Degree: International Relations and Affairs
Graduate Degree: Public Policy Analysis, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
In high school, I envisioned a career in international development, starting with the Peace Corps after going to the college I had picked for that purpose.
2.
In college, I did get to study abroad in Africa and Europe, and remained interested in international development. But, I also got very interested in early childhood development.
3.
So instead of Peace Corps I did Americorps, and worked in an inner city Boston Head Start Center.
4.
I also fell in love with my future wife and followed her back to her home town of Chicago after we graduated. My Americorps job helped get my first "real job" at The Ounce of Prevention Fund.
5.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund introduced me to Chicago and Illinois, and also to the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
6.
With a Masters from Harris and my wife needing me to find a job in Boston (where she went back to school) I found a job with the City of Boston in its Office of Jobs and Community Services.
7.
Working for the City of Boston I learned a lot about workforce development and a little bit about the foundations we partnered with.
8.
This led to the job I'm in now, where I still work in workforce development but work even more with foundations and philanthropy.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You will always struggle to get by if you work in the non-profit sector.
How I responded:
I just kept looking for and came to learn that there are more entrepreneurial opportunities in the social impact sector than advertised. I see time and again ambitious and creative leaders in non-profits and government who are able to "do well and do good" in the same career.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I graduated from college 18 years ago and I am still paying off students loans. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, they do get paid off. And the loan forgiveness programs available for those entering social impact work are much better now.