Point 1: A career is only one of many facets of your life. The other parts of your life will play as big a role in determining your professional trajectory and what success looks like as your ambition will.
Point 2: I wish I had not flown solo for the first decade or so of my career. I had people who believed in me but no one who knew the advancement profession or had a network to share. Having a mentor who could discuss the profession, serve as a sounding board, and guide my game plan would have been immensely valuable.
Point 3: Work to focus on a purpose rather than a destination: Why are you choosing a non-profit career? What do you really want from the experience? It is okay to want to be a VP or CEO of an organization but make sure you are doing for more than the title – make sure you have something of value to add. Focusing on your purpose will also make the journey to success more satisfying and fulfilling.
Point 4: Define where you want to have an impact. It can be more than one thing – education and human rights or conservation and social justice or cancer and healthcare and/or some other combination. Once identified, find out what organizations are have a first-in-class fundraising program and are making a significant impact, then either try to work for them or network with the leaders or staff who do. You want to be seen as someone who is affiliated or knows the best practices in the field.