Although on the surface academic research institutions and nonprofits may seem to have little in common, academic research institutions are nonprofits, and their heavy reliance on funding from external sources–grants, donations, etc.–creates very similar cultures and challenges for staff. In Liz Maw’s post, Winning the Talent Game, she discusses how nonprofits are falling short in their ability to attract talent, and it resounded with me. Her point about how hiring is not a top priority at nonprofits, allowing corporations to attract talent that would flourish at and enhance a nonprofit, struck a real chord. As the economy improves and hiring increases in the private sector, administrators at academic research institutions should heed the experience-based advice the nonprofit sector offers.
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