Resource to Help You Land a Job in the Not-For-Profit Sector

Today we look at advice from professionals in the not-for-profit sector, including how to get your foot in the door through an internship. I also discuss how publishing your research might boost your CV.

Policy Mic recently offered advice about working in the not-for-profit sector. Six contributors say that people wishing to get into not-for-profit work should consider getting involved in different activities, such as fundraising, event management, and volunteering. They also advise potential recruits to bring in professional skills from varied industries, including private consulting.

If you are a student, you can get involved in not-for-profit projects through your university or by joining mentorship programs.

The Policy Mic contributors also discuss how not-for-profit organisations use different measures of success that are less about financial incentives, and more about the rewards of working on social issues that have real outcomes. Suzanne Ehlers from Population Action International writes:

‘NGOs have become centers of excellence in every regard — program, strategy, management, use of technology — and, while working at an NGO, you could be a part of this innovation curve.’

In an earlier piece from Policy Mic, Anaam Butt argues graduates should consider taking up an intership, as these open up new social networks that may help you find new work. (In sociology speak, this is Mark Granovetter’s strength of weak ties argument.) Butt writes:

‘My best advice is to be persistent and remain open-minded until you find the right opportunity. Do not close yourself off and think that you should avoid internships after graduation – sometimes companies hire interns. Also, do not forget to network! Tap into your past job or intern networks and catch up with old friends and colleagues to see what they are up to. Often times, opportunities present themselves through old connections.’

Publishing in non-academic forums such as Policy Mic, or other media sites, can help you build up expertise. Policy Mic have a core team of 300 writers from over 20 countries, and they are seeking new contributors for original articles.

Policy Mic’s Global section has featured articles on human trafficking, a discussion about the role of museums in cultural custodianship, and the role of international intervention in different regions.

They describe their site in this way:

‘The more you respond to articles, share your ideas, and accumulate ‘mics’ from others, the more you’ll be able to do and say. As you accumulate enough mics to become a PolicyMic Pundit, you’ll be given the chance to develop an audience and debate your foes.’

If you’re interested in working in the not-for-profit sector, check out Sharon Bond’s article in our journal, Working Notes. Bond writes ‘Advice for Students Who Want to Work with NGOs. Melbourne, Australia‘.

If you have worked in the not-for-profit sector and you have any advice or experiences you’d like to share with the Sociology at Work network, please get in touch with Sociology at Work!