Favorite Things: Passage Consignment

So I live practically within walking distance of this little tienda I pass by every time I go downtown, Passage Consignment Shoppe...finally went in on my lunchbreak today (ok, and yesterday...I needed more more time to look!)

I've shopped thrift stores, and I've shopped second-string deparment stores like TJ Max and Ross....this awesome little store is like the best of both (and then some).

They've got home furnishings like you might find at an antique mall (though my first stop for that would be the Pirate's Chest in Cameron Village)....but the best part about Passage is, in my opinion, their consignment clothing (or their women's clothing, at any rate - didn't look at men's). Their clothing is by and large a lot prettier, cheaper and higher quality than second-string dpt stores, and they have a nicer variety to ruffle through than do most thrift stores I've seen (it's not as cheap as thrift, but that's because the clothes are a lot newer/nicer/in better shape).

It was such a find, in fact, that I declared to the owner (coincidentally, my old Alliance of AIDS Services colleague John Paul Womble, for those of you who know him) that this was my new favorite store! Seriously, if you are a Raleigh woman, and you like pretty clothes for cheap, you're missing out if you don't try this place.

Finding a Job In the Nonprofit World

I don't pretend to be a know-it-all when it comes to this topic, but lately I've had enough people asking me about it that I figured I'd post everything I've learned in the last couple years. (Some of this is obviously just for North Carolinians.)

In no particular order:

►Get involved in the local nonprofit scene through volunteerism, if you're not already. This helps begin to establish your cred with nonprofits, and it may open up some networking doors.

If you need some inspiration:

• Look through these listings of NC nonprofits (by county or field)
  
• Volunteermatch.org
• In Wake County, get up with my friends at ME-3!

►Become familiar with the Philanthropy Journal. They are more or less the nonprofit news source in North Carolina, and if you want a job with a nonprofit, you should try to be reasonably in-the-know with the sector.


►Consider a nonprofit fellowship. This is especially something to consider if you're looking for an entry-level position.

• I did Public Allies (an AmeriCorps partner program) for two years, and not only did it change my life overall, it also led directly to my current job (PR & Communications Director for NCGives).
  
• There are also fellowships at a few foundations in NC. (I don't know which ones off the top of my head; if you want to know, email me at work.)
  

►Get your network on. The nonprofit sector is no different from the rest of the job world in this respect.

• A cheap way to start this is with Philanthropy Journal's Lunch 'N' Learns (each one is in a different location around the state).
• If you have a bit more cash to spare, you might consider the statewide nonprofit conference.
• The NC Center for Nonprofits also lists several nonprofit networking groups throughout the state (I haven't participated in any of them but it's probably a place to start, if there's one in your area).

►Get educated. I've personally done Duke's Nonprofit Management program and highly recommend it. There's also several degree programs at NCSU, and other programs around the state.

And of course,
►Try ye olde internet jobsearch.

• PJ
• NCCNP
• Idealist.org
• Change.org
  

And finally, the headhunters at Capability Company may be a source to tap into, particularly if you're looking for a beyond-entry-level position.


Hope this was helpful!