Ikiah McGowan, Community Fundraising Manager

Giving back can start with a check or it can be more creative and that's where Ikiah comes in. We're not always in a position to give money but we can support organizations we feel strongly about. Ikiah helps people brainstorm ways to raise money for and educate each other about her nonprofit. It's sometimes like having a party for good, like hosting a karaoke night to raise funds or a documentary screening to spread the word. Getting involved in philanthropy isn't just about black tie seated dinners.

When you're joining a company and working off-site, it can be difficult to get a read on the specifics of the company culture. If you can, Ikiah recommends going in for a little bit just to get a feel for how things work and also to learn who you can rely on to answer your questions and occasionally interpret situations.

Once it comes time to negotiate, you have to know what you want and what you're worth. As Ikiah says, "this is your livelihood and, and you bring a lot to the table. So you have to stand up in that." Negotiations can be difficult for many of us, and being grounded in our strengths and value gives us a solid foundation for asking for (and getting) what we need. And that doesn't mean the bare minimum we need to get by, but what we need to know we're getting a fair trade for our contributions to the company.

For full links and show notes visit compassopod.com/008