Call it millennial idealism if you will, but, for as long as I can recall, I’ve always wanted to make a positive impact on my local community. However, it can be difficult to identify volunteer opportunities where there is a mutually agreeable fit between a nonprofit’s needs and a young professional’s background, skills, and goals. Cue YNPN Boston.
I initially heard about the YNPN Boston Ambassador program through a LinkedIn post from a Leadership Team member. While I thought a cohort of nonprofit Ambassadors was an attractive concept, I wasn’t sure that I was the intended audience, since my professional nonprofit experience is limited to an internship and my full-time position is in the private sector. But, I channeled my inner Mindy Kaling (“Why not me?”) and submitted an application a few hours before the deadline. Nearly a year later, I’m happy to say that YNPN Boston has been a valuable experience that has strengthened my network by connecting me with nonprofit agencies, professionals, and resources.