Ever wish that your job felt more fulfilling or that you could get paid to improve the world around you? Marilyn Shull, a nonprofit career specialist at Bucknell University’s career development center, recommends that collegiettes pursue nonprofits if they want to end up in an industry that they care about tremendously. “Usually people who are attracted to nonprofit careers want to work for the public good,” she says. “There is a huge personal benefit to working within a nonprofit because the majority of people who work in this sector know why they are going to work every day—they are working with a purpose usually tied to the mission of the organization.”
Nonprofit organizations account for over 20 percent of economic activity in the United States, and they function similarly to for-profit companies in that they have most of the same job positions. This means that there are jobs in the non-profit sector for collegiettes™ with almost any interest and skill set, whether it’s writing, party planning or statistical analysis! We’ve compiled a list of some of the many jobs you can have within the nonprofit industry—check it out to see if any of them would be a good fit for you.
1. Grant writer
Every year the U.S. government, as well as private foundations and public corporations, offers billions of dollars in funding to individuals and non-profit organizations. This funding is called a grant and it requires no repayment as long as it is used to fund the specified project. Grant writers often work as freelancers, and their main task is to write and develop grant proposals, which are formal requests to each organization that is giving out funding.
As a grant writer, you would consult companies, assess the needs within your company, brainstorm solutions to your organization’s needs, and prepare and write up documents for submission. Grant writers are responsible for taking many small pieces of information and creating a cohesive, persuasive message for their audience.
Karen Parkin, a freelance grant writer, loves that she has been able to contribute to the nonprofit world by using her writing skills. “The best thing about being a freelance grant writer is the knowledge that you are contributing a vital skill to help your nonprofit organization obtain what it needs to run effectively: money,” she says.
This job is perfect for you if you are: a clear and persuasive writer, organized and goal-oriented, a good researcher, highly disciplined, adept at meeting deadlines and inspired to raise money for nonprofit organizations through writing.
2. Special events coordinator
Nonprofits usually use special events as a method of fundraising, but the events can also help the company to build relationships with people who may begin to feel a connection with the nonprofit, to bring in donors and introduce them to the organization, and to generate publicity for the company.
According to Shull, “When you go out into the working world, it’s often not your major that gets you a job. For most people, your interests influence where you end up.” So if you love to throw parties, this might be the ideal non-profit job for you. As a special events coordinator, your job would be to plan your company’s big events from start to finish. You would probably find yourself seeking sponsorships, managing the calendar for your company, budgeting, working with volunteers, planning the food, finding a venue and, of course, hosting the party.
This job is perfect for you if you are:a social butterfly who loves using events as a way to connect with people, detail-oriented, organized, a great multi-tasker, a people person and inspired to raise money for nonprofits through your love of the social scene.
3. Marketing director
Marketing is an important part of a nonprofit organization because it allows the company to spread the word about their cause. In all job sectors, marketing usually includes (but is definitely not limited to) advertising, public relations, brand management and market research.
As a marketing director for a nonprofit company, you would be in charge of all of the marketing activities for your organization. Specifically, you would work to brainstorm ideas, produce mock-ups of advertisements, conduct research about the current nonprofit industry and effectively develop a brand for your company.
This job is perfect for you if you are:a good communicator, focused on the big picture, flexible, organized, creative, interested in the behavior of people, analytical, artistic and passionate about reaching out to those around you in order to publicize nonprofits.
4. Publication specialist
Many nonprofit organizations spend a significant amount of their resources on publications designed to promote and bring about awareness of the company. These publications often include things like brochures, posters, newsletters and direct mail materials.
As a publication specialist, you would spend a lot of time on your computer working on layout design and creating mock-ups of potential posters and brochures. You would work with the marketing director to manage your company’s brand identity, as well as choosing interesting content to write about in the newsletter.
This job is perfect for you if you are:a clear and persuasive writer, creative, artistic, good with computers, knowledgeable about graphic design and marketing, organized, detail-oriented, a list-maker and excited to write about what is going on within your nonprofit company.
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5. Social media expert
Tammy Tibbetts is the founder of a nonprofit called She’s the First, which helps girls in developing countries attend school. She believes firmly in the power of social media to help publicize nonprofit companies and agendas. “Work your social media muscles!” she says. “A lot of nonprofits aren’t led by young people and while there is a strong advantage to being older and wiser, they would probably love to better understand how to use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr and online fundraising platforms to increase their impact. This comes naturally to students, who live on social media networks.”
As a social media expert in a non-profit organization, you would work with the marketing director to promote your company’s cause. You would spend your time on Facebook, Twitter and other social media venues to reach out to the general public, and especially to a younger generation. You might also be in charge of contributing to blogs, sending online newsletters and designing online advertisements.
This job is perfect for you if you are:already obsessed with using social media, knowledgeable about html and internet writing, a clear and persuasive writer, artistic, persistent, willing to post even outside of regular work hours, and passionate about promoting your organization’s cause through your ability to use social media.
6. Volunteer
Although many nonprofits offer full time, paid positions, there is also the opportunity to volunteer with a company in addition to working another job. Volunteering is an awesome way to make connections with a nonprofit, and it’s also a great way to add a sense of purpose to your daily routine. Volunteers are integral to nonprofit organizations, because without them most nonprofits would not be able to function.
Tammy still doesn’t get paid for working with She’s the First, but she loves the fact that the organization gives her a sense of purpose. “I keep spending my time because of something indescribable,” she says. “It’s just the feeling that you have when you know you are doing what you were born to do! Some days I will set my alarm clock later to catch up on sleep but I still wake up at 7 a.m., bright-eyed and energized to work on STF!”
As a nonprofit volunteer, you would helping with anything and everything that the organization needs. From folding clothes, to sealing envelopes, to calling potential donors, you’ll probably do it all! For this reason, it’s important that you feel invested in the nonprofit’s mission and willing to help in any way you can.
This job is perfect for you if you are:already employed or busy but want to add a new dimension to your life, passionate about helping the community, willing to get down and dirty, flexible, a hard worker, dedicated, and willing to work for very little compensation to make a difference in the world around you.
Now what?
Check out some of these awesome companies to get a sense for the nonprofits that might interest you–this is especially important because if you’re not passionate about the organization, then it probably won’t be fun to work for them either!
FEED is an organization started by model and activist Lauren Bush. Ever seen the FEED bags on your campus? Lauren designed them to benefit the United Nations World Food Program’s School Feeding program in 2006. Her company produces and sells bags, as well as supporting programs and organizations that work to fight hunger and malnutrition all over the world. To apply for an internship, email intern@feedprojects.com.
Global Onenessis located in San Rafael, CA, and their motto is “We can’t save anything… until we save ourselves.” They produce film, media and educational materials that explore how the simple notion of interconnectedness can be lived in our world today. They travel the world, compiling stories from all kinds of people with the hope of revealing our greater human potential. Check out their internship program here.
Not For Sale is an organization that works against human trafficking by using technology, intellectual capital, abolitionist groups and a network of people all over the world. This organization offers immersion trips and ambassador positions, as well as a highly competitive six-month fellowship program in Half Moon Bay, CA. Visit here for details.
Amnesty International is a global movement that helps promote human rights all over the world, whether those rights involve religion, housing, healthcare, reducing hunger or any other number of things. A sector of the organization, called the International Secretariat, recruits almost 100 interns to work for 3-6 months on administrative and project-related tasks. Interns work in offices in Beirut, Dakar, Geneva, Hong Kong, Kampala, London, Moscow, New York and Paris. Check it out here.
Save the Children is an organization that works with children in need, both in the United States and around the world. The company works to resolve the ongoing struggled children face every day (poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease) and gives them hope for the future. To get involved or to become an intern, visit here. Save the Children offers internships in their Connecticut and Washington DC offices.
She’s the First, Tammy Tibbetts’s organization, sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping those girls to become the first in their families to graduate. In the process, the organization also promotes leadership and self-awareness among American students, connecting them with sponsored students to increase their awareness of the world beyond America. To get involved, email info@shesthefirst.org.
Working in the nonprofit sector can help you feel good about the time you spend at work, especially if you’re passionate about the organization you’re working for! And with over 15 million people employed in the nonprofit sector, you’re likely to find a job or an internship that really suits your interests. Know any women who are already working at jobs in cool nonprofits? Tell us about them!
Sources:
http://powerhomebiz.com/vol121/grantwriter.htm
http://www.brazencareerist.com/2009/09/28/is-marketing-the-right-career-choice-for-you
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/fundraising/a/specialevents.html
Tammy Tibbetts, founder of She’s the First [http://www.shesthefirst.org/]
Karen Parkin, freelance grant writer
Marilyn Shull, non-profit career specialist at Bucknell University’s Career Development Center