The idea of a “lifestyle career” – one that combines business skills with passions for social causes – is gaining attention, as people search for ways to add more meaning to their work lives. But the path for finding such a career isn’t always as obvious as for more traditional choices.
Exploring employment opportunities in nonprofit and public sectors is the focus on the ninth annual “Making a Living Making a Difference” program, to be held April 5 (Tuesday), from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Geddes Hall at the University of Notre Dame.
“This event provides a chance for people in the Notre Dame and local communities to be educated and exposed to the various aspects of the not-for-profit sector, as well as to hear this year’s speakers talk about their work in solar and sustainable farming and how it is bringing a better life to those less fortunate,” said Kimberly Brennan, program director for the Master of Nonprofit Administration program at the Mendoza College of Business. “We hope the audience gleans a clearer understanding that doing great work and helping others can be done in both a professional and volunteer capacity.”
The program is free and open to the public. More information is available here
Notre Dame alumni Bill and Nancy Jordan will present the keynote talk “Sustainability in a World of Energy and Food Poverty” at 6:30 p.m. in Andrews Auditorium in Geddes Hall. The Jordans are co-founders of Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which is dedicated to installing solar energy technology in some of the poorest parts of the world in order to enhance the quality of life in those communities. Their current focus is to bring the technology to Haiti, which is struggling to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in January 2010.
Bill Jordan also is the president and founder of Jordan Energy and Food Enterprises, and has a long career in efforts dedicated to improving agricultural production and profitability in developing countries. Nancy Jordan is a nurse practitioner who has worked on a number of initiatives to fight diabetes. Committed to serving poor communities within the Unites States and abroad, she currently is partnering with a number of organizations to provide solar panels to medical clinics in Haiti and throughout Latin America.
The Jordans’ talk will be followed by an Information Fair at 7:30 p.m. in the Geddes Hall coffee house meeting area. The fair allows attendees to learn about internships and career opportunities with both local and national nonprofit organizations. Participants include Bertrand Farm, Friends of Granger Paths, HANDS of Central America, Sierra Club, United Way, Urban School Foundation and WNIT Public Broadcasting.
Notre Dame sponsors for the event include the Career Center, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Center for Social Concerns, the Higgins Labor Studies Program, the Notre Dame Law School, the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Letters, and the Master of Nonprofit Administration Program at the Mendoza College of Business.
Contact: Kimberly Brennan, 574-631-3639, Kimberly.M.Brennan.53@nd.edu