by Kristin Irish

Created on: January 12, 2010

How to Start a Career in the Non-Profit Sector

Congratulations, you have made the decision to start a career in the non-profit sector, now comes the fun part.  Before you begin your search for that perfect job there is research to be done and decisions to be made.  Just like in the corporate sector there are a variety of options when working for not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) and while these are in no particular order, the discoveries you make will guide you on the path to your ideal job.

Understand your motivation.  Are you drawn to the non-profit sector by a specific cause or by the non-profit ideal as a whole? Having a personal connection to a cause will certainly streamline the organizations you apply to work with and enhance your passion for your work, however, it will also limit the opportunities that are available to you.  Don’t be afraid to look for jobs outside your ideal cause to help you gain work experience, and if you are able, try to volunteer with those organizations that truly speak to you.  The non-profit community is a small one and a foot in the door is the first step.

Decide what type of work you want to do.  Working for an NPO doesn’t mean you have to be actively fundraising and asking for money.  As in any organization there are many different job descriptions.  Surf job boards and take a look to see what appeals to you. Perhaps you are interested in the financial aspect and want to look at accounting or granting positions, or maybe you are a marketing whiz and would prefer that direction.  If you are interested in fundraising figure out what type of fundraising position you'd like. While some fundraisers spend their time working with individual donors to secure larger gifts, others fundraise through the mail or through special events.  Each of these requires different skill sets so there is a match for everyone.

Learn about the organization(s) you want to work for.  Typically, smaller NPOs will have a more grassroots style of fundraising that allows you to feel more connected to the community and often notice your impact more.  These organizations may also allow you to gain experience in many different projects with an “all hands on deck” attitude.  Larger NPOs generally work more like well-oiled machines where jobs are specific allowing you to focus on a niche area.  Both are equally valid and there is no reason

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