What motivates you?

"I grew up facing extreme poverty, so I understand the stress and fears associated with financial instability. Watching my parents work hard and creatively to sustain our family, I learned that income inequities in this country can leave even the hardest workers destitute. To me, this is an injustice, and correcting it has become my core source of motivation in terms of my career. My past experiences combined with the desire to ensure everyone has access to the same resources I did has led me to the United Way, and I hope to use my passion and motivation to advance its mission."

"I have a lot of personal and professional ambitions that guide every major decision I make. Setting smaller goals and achieving them invigorates me and motivates me to keep working harder towards my larger ones. Three years ago, I began what I hoped would become a career in nonprofit development when I accepted a position as a development specialist for a local animal shelter. In that time, I learned everything I could about development work and have since advanced to my current position managing donations under 5,000. Any time I meet a goal, I set a new one, and this helps maintain my motivation."

Remember, intrinsic motivation comes from within. Extrinsic motivation comes from interpersonal relationships, social expectations, and societal pressures. You can structure your answer by sharing examples of each kind of motivation in your own life.