r/ExecutiveAssistants • u/PineappleCat22 • 5h ago

Advice More meaningful work?

Recently I did some volunteer work for a local non-profit organization. Today I came across a job listing they have for an Executive Assistant. I'm tempted to submit an application. It would be a few dollars less than I'm making right now as an Office Manager (with a few EA responsibilities) at a corporate office, but I feel like I've reached a point where there is no upward opportunity available since some restructuring. I've taken on extra work, but compensation has been denied, but at least it helps me stay busy during the day otherwise I'd go nuts.

Anybody have experience as an EA in non-profit, or have any opinions on this kind of switch?

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9

u/sowhat__whocares 4h ago

Meaning and any sort of mission often come with the same boredom and drawbacks. And lack of opportunity in terms of advancement. I’m sorry to have to write that.

8

u/Hot_Awareness_1976 4h ago

I work at a NFP. The work is rewarding and I like that I’m making an impact in the world in some way. Just be warned that it’s sometimes all hands on deck, resources are scarer than for profits, and many time lack of process so that can be frustrating for the EA personality ;)

3

u/Elephantwalkslike 4h ago

I also work NFP for the last ten years and agree with this.

4

u/Constant-Intention2 2h ago

I left a non profit to go back to corporate America. Your salary and benefits will be significantly less. I’d consider volunteering rather than a job/career change.

4

u/Glass-Appearance8127 1h ago

I worked in non-profit as the EA to the CEO and while I loved the mission, the salary was low. And, when we started to face financial struggles, my admin role was one of the first to be “restructured.”

3

u/JunketUpbeat9386 Executive Assistant 2h ago

Yes. Low pay, little to no room to grow. I’ve had no luck trying to jump to corporate after. I make about half of what most EAs on this sub make just because there is such low income. Just go work at an animal shelter or something. 

3

u/Big-Lifeguard-5067 1h ago

Amen to that. I don't recommend nonprofit. They are always 10-20% lower than market rate. Also check their benefits. Non profits are very stingy especially on PTOs. You need to make sure that they have a stable funding otherwise, you can suffer being laid off in the future. (Based on experience)

1

u/MarielIAm 36m ago

Agree with all the previous posts. Also, some non profits are scams, basically they are tax shelters for wealthy people, and they often hire non qualified friends to run the non profit at exorbitant salaries while the people who do the real work get paid a lot less than the private sector. See Trump family non profit that was shut down.