Professional Advancement? It’s All Academic

The appearance of degree programs in fundraising also is intimately related to the ascendant professionalization of the industry, as evident in the popularity and success of such elements as certification, professional organizations, conferences, training resources and the like. Consequently, many of the traditional avenues of entry, methods of education and career paths in the field have been dramatically (and in some cases radically) transformed. The pace and character of these changes have caused apprehension in some quarters; at my own institution, for instance, concern has been raised about the apparent deviation from the field’s traditional “apprenticeship” model of training, where individuals gain experience by working at one institution — usually for a considerable amount of time — under the guidance of a mentor. The perception, perhaps somewhat romantic, is that this system worked well, as it permitted young professionals to “learn the ropes” in a supportive environment at a moderate pace.