From Berkeley, Calif., comes Michael Stein, who is a senior account executive at Donordigital, a company that helps nonprofit organizations utilize the Internet for the purposes of marketing, advocacy and fundraising. As an account executive at Donordigital, Stein has provided support on Internet strategy to numerous organizations, including the United Nations Food Programme, the William J. Clinton Foundation and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Along with his career as an account executive, he is also a successful nonprofit management consultant, author of three books and frequent blogger. On his blog, Internet Strategy for the Nonprofit Sector, Stein writes about technological topics concerning nonprofit organizations, including information online fundraising, social media and nonprofit technology.

Why did you decide to pursue this career field?
I'm 47, so I stumbled into it as the Internet was exploding in the 1990s. It was the most exciting world for a young college graduate.

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
I studied computer science, political science and sociology in college. When I was in college (1982 to '86), there was no preparation for the Internet field. In today's college environment that's different, which I'm envious of. As far as work experience, I've worked for two nonprofits, two tech companies, ran my own consulting practice and now work for a consulting agency. I've also written three books about nonprofit Internet management.

What types of classes and projects did you have to do?
In college, I took classes in computer science, political science and sociology.

How did your education help you in your career?
My education taught me analytical and writing skills. It also taught me how to organize information and knowledge, as well as how to acquire knowledge through research and field studies. All of which is still useful today.

What was your career path like in this field?
I started working for one nonprofit after college doing tech work, then switched to another doing desktop publishing, then went to an emerging tech firm, then helped another nonprofit as a consultant, then wrote a book, then to another tech firm, then opened a consulting practice and now at an agency. The one consistent theme was that I wanted to help nonprofits succeed with technology and fundraising.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position?
Fundraising and project management skills.

What do you do on a typical workday?
I craft online strategies for nonprofits, as well as coordinate a team of people that build emails and websites. I may talk via email and phone to nonprofit clients and enter information into our Basecamp project management system. Write memos.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field?
Maybe one day I'd like to work for one of the industry associations that serve our field.

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
It would have to be someone who has a commitment to nonprofit success. Also, that person needs to be very organized and be able to handle the very high pace and high pressure of working for a consulting agency.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
It's a very interesting and rewarding field. On one hand, the technology work is emerging and it is very cool to be learning about Facebook, Twitter, email and emerging Web applications. On the other hand, working for nonprofit causes is very satisfying.