Looking for Good/Neccesary Classes
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
March 12, 2010 3:25pm CST
Well....like so many people do, I've switched my goal in life, so it's going to effect what college classes I take...but I need help in figuring out what those classes are going to be!
I want to start my own nonprofit animal sanctuary. I have a plan for it...there's a very big, GREAT animal sanctuary in Utah that holds a bunch of "workshops" that would help me. There's one about everything involved in starting a sanctuary, there's one about raisinig money for your nonprofit ("even in these hard economic times")--so I would LOVE to get a chance and go there to do those sometimes.
BUT first I really want to AT LEAST graduate college.
So my question is what classes would help me be more successful in my goal? Someone from Best Friends told me a business class might help, but other than that they had no idea!
Thanks for the help in advance!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
12 Mar 10
I do agree with your friend that you need business classes. If you are going to be in a non profit organisation you should know how to run it like a business. Having management classes helps a lot. I would add public speaking as well. You need to appear in the local media speaking about your sanctuary so having good public speaking skills will help you to deliver your message to your audience.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
12 Mar 10
There's an online class that I checked out that sounds like it'll be GREAT for learning how to run a nonprofit, so once I graduate I'm going to look into that. But I think taking classes in college will just make me that much more ready.
AHH public speaking! lol I think that will be my biggest obstacle! I've always been shy, but I am getting a little better. I'm a lot better at presenting in my classes (had to present a project yesterday!) But my academic advisor did say I would need to take at least one oral class, so public speaking would be perfect for that!
Thank you!!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
12 Mar 10
You might stammer at first when speaking for the first time in public. But remember you have to do it. The more people know about your dog sanctuary the more funds you might receive. Your sanctuary cannot survive without any funds. So better sharpen your public speaking skills :) Good luck!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
12 Mar 10
You are exactly right and I will be over to overcome it for the animals...oh and it's not just going to be dogs my friend 
If there's an animal that needs sanctuary, I'll be there!
lol
Thank you ronald!
If there's an animal that needs sanctuary, I'll be there! lol
Thank you ronald!
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
15 Mar 10
I agree with your friend and the person above. A degree in Business would be great. And it would be useful if you ever decide to switch careers in the future too.
You might benefit from taking some legal classes too, just related to business. I'm not sure what goes on with an animal sanctuary, but you'll probably have some laws to follow so learning some very basic things in the Legal area may help.
Good luck!!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
15 Mar 10
Well, after I graduate from college I'm going to start applying for jobs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary; it is either the largest or 2nd largest animal sanctuary in the US...so I think by working there I'll get to see a lot of what goes into having a sanctuary. Plus I'd take a few of the workshops they offer. I have a lot of plans for the future, hopefully they just all work out!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Mar 10
Then call Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and ask them what they want to see on a transcript and a resume.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I wanted to work for an ARC in my area. They rejected me the first time. So I asked what they wanted me to have on my resume that wasn't there that made me loose the interview. They said American Sign Language and actually working with people with disabilities. They wanted me to apply for and start in one of the houses. So at night, I started with a free sign language class given by a church. During the day, I went to work for one of the houses. Eventually, I built up my resume. When it came time to interview for the job I wanted again, I interviewed and had what they wanted. They hired me for the upper level, better job.
So I would definitely call them and find out. But I would call some other places, too.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I'd call someone who runs one and ask him or her. I would think persuasive writing would be a help. Animal anatomy because you'll be doing some medical stuff and it would help if you know what the vet is talking about. Management because you'll be managing it. Osha work laws, labor laws, business law, non-profit law (so some general overview of law course). Introduction to accounting unless you have a board and can get an accountant on it willing to do work for very little. Maybe you can get a lawyer to work pro bono, but it would be a good idea if you took a general law course so you know what he's saying. I don't know.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
19 Mar 10
Thank you very much! lol
I do hope everything turns out because I think I could be really happy going this route!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
19 Mar 10
You've been doing your homework and that all sounds great! Good for you! The world is your oyster! Go for it!
