May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a previous article about how prospect development professionals care for their mental health across a variety of organization types and working environments was so popular, that this second installment features more perspectives from Apra members.

Read on to learn how your peers routinely care for their mental, physical and emotional well-being in part two of this two-part series. If you’re interested in continuing the conversation with us, a webinar on this topic is also scheduled for Thursday, May 30, at 11 a.m. CT.

Michele Cheek, Prospect Development Analyst, University of North Carolina – Greensboro 

Time in prospect development: Two years.

Work environment: In the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. I have worked in an office setting for my entire 30+ year professional career (first in social work before I made a shift to prospect development).

Frequency of seeing colleagues in person: Daily

Biggest daily stressors or professional challenges: My professional stress has been reduced exponentially by switching fields. I used to be a case manager, sometimes on call, responding to difficult situations and crises.

My stressors and challenges are limited, compared to my previous occupation. I’m a stickler for documentation, based on the necessity of this in social work. I can be frustrated by data points and information not being entered or corrected in our CRM. Last-minute requests or changes to  due dates or expectations can also be stressful.

An interesting adjustment from my days in social work to prospect development is noise levels. After working in shelters for people experiencing homelessness and in the HeadStart programs (early childhood education), I became accustomed to ongoing noise. I’ve had to get used to a much quieter environment and office space.

Ways to mitigate stressors: I prioritize tasks, projects and assignments. I utilize my Outlook calendar to set reminders, stay organized and segment my calendar into blocks of time to work on particular items.

Social connection doesn’t happen organically in our office since it’s quiet and most of us are self-described introverts. I have a standing desk to stay active, and I don’t stay in the same space for an extended period. I take small breaks every few hours to move around and give my eyes a break from the screens.

While I have a personal journal to manage stress, I don’t bring it to work. I have many plants and other small items like artwork and a photo of my spouse and me on my desk to make my space feel welcoming and unpretentious.

Advice for those new(er) to in-person work: It may take time to re-learn self-awareness and office courtesies, such as stepping aside in the doorway of the kitchen when someone else wants to enter/exit. Be mindful of the volume of your voice, music, etc. Be willing to extend courtesy and respect to others.

Research shows we’re not meant to sit or look at computer screens all day. Bring books, floormats and other things that make you feel comfortable in your space. If you work in an open area, be mindful of your actions and decor. You can make the space your own, while ensuring it is welcoming for others.

Recommended resources: Seek out the technology you need from your organization. I’m very grateful to have two external monitors.

Practices that are part of my daily regimen, which may help others, include: reading inspirational quotes; keeping a set routine and structure; engaging in breathing techniques; maintaining an organized workspace; going outside; asking my supervisor and team for assistance, when needed; limiting caffeine and drinking plenty of water — preferably with lemon slices!

If you’d like to learn more about how fellow Apra Carolinas member Jenny Bunn and I approached our “Rookie Year” of prospect research, you can read our October 2023 blog post here.

Deborah Drucker, Manager of Prospect Development, City College of New York

Time in prospect development: Twenty years. As the only prospect development staff member at my college, my job includes prospect research, prospect management and some database management.

Current work environment: I’m in the office one day a week, usually on Thursdays. I’ve followed this schedule since our return to the office in the fall of 2021. I should note this is unusual, as most employees are on a 70% in-office schedule. Only a few of us — our webmaster, some writers and me — are in once a week, and in some cases two days a month. Our database manager has been living in Virginia since the pandemic and comes in four days once a month.

Frequency of seeing colleagues in person: Mostly weekly.

Biggest daily stressors or professional challenges: Conflicting priorities. Getting flooded with information that has nothing to do with my work. (I get cc’d on everything, which can be overkill.) Dealing with missing, incomplete or erroneous internal information. With a hybrid schedule, having to carry a laptop back and forth is annoying. The biggest stressor for the past six months is being the only Jewish person in a department of 72; there have been antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel protests on campus.

Ways to mitigate stressors: Movement: when I’m at home, I walk with neighbors in the morning or at lunchtime. I do yoga in the morning as well.

Social connections: we don’t really connect socially in the office. Occasionally, I get lunch with our database manager. Connecting socially with others at home is important, and I have strong connections with friends and neighbors. Sometimes I work at the local coffee shop with neighbors and often have lunch with friends who work from home or are retired. I also occasionally work from the local library, so I never feel isolated. I have more energy to socialize since I don’t have a long commute, and I’ve had more time to help my 87-year-old mother.

Individual interests: I’ve been able to take some classes since my schedule is flexible and read more. When I’m home, I listen to classical music, and I enjoy the company of my cat when he isn’t sitting on my keyboard. The best individual activity for destressing is going outside when the weather is cooperative.

Advice for those new(er) to hybrid work: If your office is a social bunch, plan lunches out or a drink after work on the days you’re in. If there are new staff, drop by to say hello in person.  

Make sure your work laptop has the software and resources you need, or, if you are working on a computer in the office, that both computers are set up optimally for your work. Make sure you have a way to sync your data, so you don’t find yourself in the office without necessary documents or resources.

On Zoom or Teams meetings, be on camera. If you have influence in this area, encourage a policy for all staff to be on camera during meetings. Become friendly with your IT staff. Try to keep the cat from sitting on your work computer.

Karen Foster, Senior Prospect Researcher-Team Lead, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship  

Time in prospect development: Six years. My current role is leading our prospect development team, which is currently just me. We’re getting ready to hire someone and I’m looking forward to it.

Work environment: Prior to the pandemic, I worked primarily from the office. For the last few years, I have worked a hybrid schedule. I work at least three days a week in the office and the rest from home.

Frequency of seeing colleagues in person: Three or more days a week.

Biggest daily stressors or professional challenges: Trying to fit everything in! I collaborate across three gift officer teams. At times, it’s tricky navigating and prioritizing the work.

Ways to mitigate stressors: My organization offers spiritual retreat days for all staff. I find these to be refreshing and vital to my spiritual health. In turn, that helps me be a pleasant and more productive colleague.

I’ve also returned to yoga, which helps me stay grounded. I love to walk with my dog and my husband every chance I get. Everyone connects to God differently, but for me, I feel most connected when I’m out in nature and moving my body.

I also try to make time for quiet in my day. Sometimes I find it helpful to sit for a few minutes after work before I start my parenting duties, like making dinner or chauffeuring kids to activities. Having that space helps separate work from home.

Advice for those new(er) to hybrid work: Since many of the people I work with also work hybrid schedules, it’s been helpful to be in the office on the same days. Some meetings are just better in person; it helps people feel more connected to each other and our work.

Teresa Pezdek, Director of Prospect Development, Furman University

Time in prospect development: Seven-and-a-half years.

Work environment: Hybrid since October 2021. My team, made up of two direct reports and myself, is in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays. We work from home Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Frequency of seeing colleagues in person: Twice a week

Biggest daily stressors or professional challenges: Coordinating schedules. With varying hybrid schedules across teams and meetings with an in-person preference, scheduling can be time consuming. Collaborative work in general can take longer because real-time access to colleagues and informal face-to-face conversations are reduced in a hybrid environment. I also want to remain connected to campus and students and therefore need to be very intentional. This can be a challenge given my limited time on campus each week. Another challenge is relationship building with other teams and offices. It doesn’t happen as naturally in a hybrid environment, so there’s a necessary time and energy investment.

Ways to mitigate stressors: Having a set in-office day for our entire division has been so valuable. Each individual’s and team’s hybrid schedule is easily accessible and kept updated. We’re also a text-reliant group, which helps with quick communication.

I try to eat lunch in the dining hall with colleagues each week when in the office. Additionally, when in the office I get in as much small talk as possible, including any easily answered questions.

While working from home, take a lunch break! Mine is scheduled on my calendar so I can eat and take the dog for a walk. A bit of fresh air and movement does wonders. Regardless of where I’m working, I’m very structured with my calendar to stay focused, or I’ll get easily distracted. Happy hours outside of work are also so fun. 😊

Advice for those new(er) to hybrid work: Be patient as you find what works best for you. It took longer than anticipated to get comfortable with my schedule and routines. Talk to others who are going through something similar or doing it well. Be honest with colleagues and rely on each other.

Recommended resources: I’ve found my local Apra chapter to be an incredible resource, not only for questions like this, but for staying connected with others.

Jennifer Price, Senior Prospect Research Manager, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Foundation

Time in prospect development: Almost nine years. I started taking on prospect development tasks as an administrative assistant at a smaller organization, then transitioned to a full-time prospect research and management position in 2015. I joined my current organization in 2021, where we had one prospect research position (me) and one prospect management position. We now have two of each.

Work environment: Hybrid since late 2022. Most staff were fully remote when I came to the NDSU Foundation in 2021. Our current policy is that after a 90-day in-office onboarding period (for new employees), you may work off-site up to three days per week. We can choose which days to be in office regularly versus off-site. The department I work in, information services, decided we would all be in-office on Tuesdays, plus another day of our choice.

Frequency of seeing colleagues in person: Twice a week, mostly on Tuesdays.

Biggest daily stressors or professional challenges: Accommodating tight turnaround times or a large volume of requests. I also can get stressed whenever I’m building portfolios because I realize how important it is. The organization’s mission, the fundraiser’s career success, and the donor’s philanthropic goals all depend on the right people going into a portfolio. That’s a lot of pressure!

There’s also what I call my aspirations list — all the great ideas to work on during my down time. I’m admittedly hard on myself for not getting it all done.

Ways to mitigate stressors: I’m very fortunate to work in an organization with a great culture that encourages work/life balance. Everyone on my team, including my supervisor, is always willing to help with a heavy workload. I rarely get emails or calls from coworkers outside of office hours. When I do, I’m never expected to respond.

Having our department on-site on Tuesdays has been huge. I fall on the far end of the introversion spectrum but recognize that some human connection is good for me. Having the consistency of seeing my team weekly has made me feel more engaged and connected. We alternate each week between having department meetings and quick check-ins (casually catching up or playing a game). There’s a balance of coming together to work and socialize.

Advice for those new(er) to hybrid work: I think organizational fit is the most important thing, regardless of working arrangements. Make sure you have that as a strong foundation if you’re considering hybrid or remote work. Find your balance and be open to the benefits of hybrid work — it is the best of both worlds! Left to my own devices, I would be a complete recluse — but I probably wouldn’t be as healthy and happy as I am having a little human interaction forced on me. Connecting with others in the industry, through Apra or other networks, is a great way to stay tuned in.

Having pets in the home office is great, too. Set them up with a place to relax and create a routine with breaks so they’re content, rather than being a distraction. Pro tip: if your dog is as loving (needy) as mine, a heated blanket on the floor or a chair is an acceptable substitution for a lap while you work.