As a Development Officer at Mayo, I have many resources available, unlike any other place that I've experienced. I have a wonderful team of colleagues that provide expertise in researching, writing, publications; colleagues to share thoughts with; on and on . . . it's just an awesome place.

There is no typical day as a Development Officer; it depends if I'm in the office or traveling. In the office, I'm working on setting up appointments with benefactors, escorting benefactors through their appointments, and introducing them to researchers and physicians who are working on projects that interest them. I also handle many emails everyday, meetings with colleagues and regular checks of the Blackberry. Even after leaving the office, there will be more phone work.

While traveling, I see benefactors "in their world" to listen to their passions and look for opportunities for Mayo to help them support those passions. I'm on the road about every third week; the travel is the best part of the job but sometimes can be tough as well. I really enjoy "seeing the world" while visiting benefactors, I get to enjoy some fun time with them; maybe a conversation while walking along the ocean or an afternoon of skiing. The traveling can impact the personal life though, especially if you have a young family. I like to be engaged in my kids' activities, programs and performances so there are weeks that I am gone and miss some of those activities.

To be a good Development Officer, you need a passion for engaging people. You really need to enjoy being with people since that is the nature of the job. It helps that our clients are wonderful, passionate, and caring folks. You need to be a high-energy person, you will need to have patience, and most important, you need to be a great listener. Most people are not good listeners. You have to learn to listen . . . it's about them; it's not about you . . . so you have to hear what they are telling you.

High school students need to get involved, expose themselves to many different academic and extra-curricular experiences. The world of Development will bring you benefactors who have many interests: sports, music, arts, drama, academics . . . everything. If you can relate to those interests based on past experiences, then you can have honest relations which benefactors can sense.