Career Pathways is a comprehensive suite of resources that maps out standard competencies and the career progression for professionals in the field of volunteer engagement. This project addresses a critical issue: the lack of clear information and structured career journeys, which has led many talented individuals to leave the field in search of other advancement opportunities.
Recognizing the need for more robust and structured professional development opportunities, AL!VE announced the launch of a job-leveling initiative at the 2022 Annual Meeting. In 2023, AL!VE conducted an extensive survey of the field, gathering insights from almost 500 volunteer engagement professionals. Preliminary findings were shared at the 2023 Annual Meeting, and additional resources were shared during Points of Light 2024 and during an AL!VE Academy. All resources are now available on the page below.
Career Pathways serves as a valuable resource for both individuals and organizations, providing a roadmap for career progression in the volunteer engagement profession. It outlines various job levels and the competencies and skills required for each, supporting individual and organizational advocacy and promoting the professionalization of the field.
As a volunteer engagement professional, use Career Pathways to:
Learn standard competencies, levels, and career trajectories of fellow professionals
Ensure you gain the required skills needed for each career level and job title
Develop a plan for improving your competencies to move into a role with greater responsibility
As a leader in an organization that engages volunteers, use Career Pathways to:
Determine the job title, level, and pay scale for a current employee or new role
Identify ways to evaluate, support, and recognize the career progression and growth of your employees
Provide training and development opportunities for your employees
As an industry stakeholder in volunteer engagement, use Career Pathways to:
Advocate for the creation of an official job code for the Volunteer Engagement Professional in the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Handbook
Contribute to thought leadership and discussions about how to advance the professionalization of volunteerism
Most participants reported the need for greater order and structure in the creation of professional and administrative job levels and roles. Many participants cite the opportunity to advance or transition from hourly or non-exempt classifications into administrative, professional, managerial, and executive roles. Key findings from the report have been organized into a Competency & Duties Framework. Find more information in the following materials.
AL!VE shared results of the initiative at the 2024 Points of Light conference. Review the presentation to learn more.
AL!VE presented the Career Pathways, findings, resources, and ideas for implementation during an AL!VE Academy in June 2024.
