Tell me about your college education and how it has prepared you for a fundraising position?

How to Answer
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1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

Begin by telling the interviewer where you went to college and discuss your favorite parts of your college education. You can talk about specific courses, your major, special projects or research you contributed to, internships, and more. Make sure everything you talk about relates to fundraising in some way.

This question will be particularly relevant for recent college graduates or students preparing to graduate and enter the workforce. Successful fundraisers come from all backgrounds and experiences, so be true to yourself. No matter what you studied in college, be sure to emphasize your communication, relationship-building, business, and organizational skills.

"I graduated from the top university in my home state, and I received my BA in public relations. During my time there, I took courses in media relations, communications, social media management, and more. I applied the lessons I learned in each of these areas to my internship with a nonprofit close to my school. There, I was able to manage several small fundraising campaigns on a variety of social media applications. This in-depth experience has definitely readied me for a career in fundraising!"

"I will be graduating from college this spring, and I will be receiving my BA in business administration. Most of the courses I've taken have prepared me for customer-facing roles, and I am passionate about relationship-building and communication. My volunteer experiences involved assisting social workers with case management, so I also understand first-hand the issues clients face, and I can effectively communicate these issues with others invested in helping others. I know that these are important qualities in a person seeking a career in fundraising, and I can't wait to get started on this journey."