Even if you’re not in the education field, or have no intention of working with non-profit organizations, chances are you’ve come across terms like non-profit and non-profit organizations at some point in your life. You may have even heard someone throw around the phrase non-profit education. But what does that mean?
Which Non-Profit Sector Should You Join?
Before you can even decide on which non-profit sector you want to join, you have a few things to consider.
First, what do you think is your strongest skill? If it’s not something that can easily translate into a tangible skill for one of these sectors, then maybe you should try and find an area where there’s a need for your skillset. There are always more ways than just fundraising and management to help out a non-profit; perhaps there are other areas where you could be useful as well.
Second, what are your future career goals? Even if you don’t know exactly what your goals in life will be—you want to be Governor or President someday or run for Congress—non-profits are likely not going to see much from you if they don’t believe in where you want to go in life.
How To Choose The Right Sector For You
The first thing you’ll need to consider when deciding on a sector is what makes sense for your circumstances. For example, if you have a job and family that prevents you from working full-time, then it probably doesn’t make sense for you to take on an executive role in a charity organization. Perhaps instead you could focus on consulting with small businesses and freelancing.
5 Non-Profit Career Paths
Being in a non-profit career isn’t just about making as much money as possible, but also about using your particular skill set and interests for the greater good. The best way to do that is to figure out what you want from your career, decide on an area you’re passionate about, and then explore some non-profit job options that align with those goals.
Here Are Five Popular Non-Profit Careers—And Tips On How To Make Them Work For You.
- Non-profit manager Managers provide direction and leadership for non-profit organizations.
- Non-profit coordinator Coordinators make sure an organization’s goals are being met.
- Non-profit director Directors are top executives who oversee a non-profit’s day-to-day operations.
- Non-profit advocate Advocates rally support for non-profit causes and organizations.
- Non-profit consultant Consultants help non-profits get where they want to be by offering advice and analysis.
How Do I Get Started In A Non-Profit?
If you’re considering a career in non-profit, you likely already have a passion for giving back. It’s also important to understand that not all non-profits are created equal. To help you decide what organization is right for you, consider these questions before making your final decision. How will I be able to use my strengths and passions? With so many nonprofits vying for donations and volunteers, non-profits must be honest about their goals and objectives.
Where Can I Find Great Volunteer Opportunities?
Finding a great volunteer opportunity can be difficult. There are a few key questions you should ask yourself before starting your search for one. First, what skills and experience do you have that could benefit an organization? From there, it’s time to start looking for opportunities. The best way to find these is by contacting local non-profits in your area and asking them if they need any volunteers with your specific skill set.
What Skills Do I Need?
The first thing you’ll need is people skills. Being able to work with others, communicate your message and motivate people can go a long way when it comes to non-profit work. In addition, volunteer management experience will serve you well. It’s also important that you can think analytically and make good decisions. Since most non-profits are run on limited budgets, there may not be enough funding for certain initiatives. As such, being able to look at all sides of an issue and make choices based on what’s best for both short-term goals and long-term objectives is imperative.
If you have relevant training or degrees in business or social sciences, these can also help in getting a job in a non-profit. Plus, if you’re previous job involved managing finances or dealing with donors, these experiences could provide a great foundation for future jobs in non-profit.
If you have relevant training or degrees in business or social sciences, these can also help in getting a job in a non-profit. Plus, if you’re previous job involved managing finances or dealing with donors, these experiences could provide a great foundation for future jobs in non-profit.