At one time or another, everyone has experienced the burnout factor in some capacity. Whether it was that final semester of college, the last few weeks of the athletic season, or the 121st episode of a favorite show on television, most of us grow tired of the monotony and routine of daily tasks in life. We want new challenges to keep our skills sharp and minds sharper. Many of us have experienced that in our career as well…me included. We're in an age of new learning opportunities, mobile lifestyles, and short attention spans- not exactly the combination for long-lasting careers. Such is life in the 21st century.
Phonathon managers are certainly no exception to this rule. In fact, they are the epitome of restlessness in the fundraising profession. The average phonathon manager stays in their position around 2 years before moving on. That number may be a little higher lately with the poor economy, but for the most part it’s pretty accurate. And it’s neither right nor wrong; it simply is a product of many factors- entry level position, typically young professionals, second-shift hours, and a significant number of opportunities in the same field at other locations. Add to that the higher-pressure, goal-oriented environment of nonprofit fundraising and you get shorter tenure levels for the phonathon and annual giving industry than most other full-time professions.
