Choosing to work in a non-profit organization can be rewarding and fulfilling. You get to share your skills, time, and talents for the betterment of the community. It’s the perfect platform to help make the world a better and kinder place. Working for a non-profit is all about giving back to society while honing your skills.
If you are passionate about helping other people through your skills, then a job at an NPO is perfect for you. Nonprofits make up around 10% of the jobs in the United States. In fact, non-profits attract more and more employees every year. Even nonprofit-focused programs offer the following graduate degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Social Work, among others.
Of course, you can still help non-profit organizations even if you work for other companies. For instance, you can be a writer offering grant writing online services and helping NPOs get the funding they need.
Update Your Academic Record
You can still work for a non-profit with a bachelor’s degree. However, if you are serious about pursuing a career in the non-profit world, a graduate degree will make you more valuable in your chosen organization. It can also give you an advantage when applying, especially if you are a newcomer. Here’s what each program can do for your non-profit career path.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): You can take a non-profit management MBA to help you to learn problem analysis, leadership, and business skills that are needed in the non-profit environment.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA): This program will teach you the skills needed to manage the public sector.
- Master of Social Work (MSW): You will need this program if you plan to work for non-profits dedicated to child protection, hospice care, and school social work, among many others.
Of course, if you are fully aware that you want to take the non-profit track right from the start, you can start volunteering for the causes you are passionate about. You will learn about how non-profit works from the ground up, which will be advantageous for you in the future.
How to Look for the Right Non-Profit Organization
It’s like looking for the company that you would want to work for. There are many NPOs out there, with a wide range of sectors, including education, health, legal, social services, health, and international aids. How would you know which is the perfect fit for you?
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Ask Yourself: What Are the Causes to Help?
You will be perfect for a non-profit job position if you are passionate about helping their cause. Else, you will be just another employee who is in it for the salary. If you are passionate about the cause of the NPO where you are applying, you will be aware of their mission and whom they want to help.
Do you care about the welfare of children? Or do you care most about animal welfare? Do you wish to eliminate poverty in your community? Or do you believe that every human being has the right to access quality healthcare?
Get to know what ignites your spirit. Before you go job hunting, research the causes that you feel strongly about. The more you know about the non-profit that you want to work for, the higher your chances of getting hired.
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Volunteer for a Charity.
Volunteering is the perfect way to try if you are fit for an organization. When you volunteer for a charity group, you will be able to see how it operates. The information that you will learn will be valuable to you for your job search.
You can also expand your network of people with the same interests. And since you are already part of the organization, you have ready access to information such as a job opening. From being a volunteer, you can be a part of the paid professionals of the organization.
Through volunteerism, you can also learn the skills needed in the non-profit sector. Volunteer experience will make your resume look more attractive, no matter the sector you want to work in.
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Start with Non-Profits in Your Area.
You can start by researching non-profit organizations in your area. What do they do? How do they operate? Oftentimes, these local chapters are part of a much larger national organization. You can start your job search at these organizations and branch out from there.
You can also make use of social media and join Facebook non-profit groups. Through these groups, you can learn more about the non-profit sector that you want to be part of.
Being part of a great cause is good for the heart and good for your soul. Help create a positive change with your skills and talent when you work for non-profits. Through non-profits, you can create a bigger impact on the world.