_How to Get a Job in the Nonprofit Sector_
_“The nonprofit industry attracts some very kind and passionate individuals.”? – Kelly Felice, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Studies at MSCD_
For someone who is looking for a job that is both rewarding and meaningful, the best place to look may be the nonprofit industry. Charitable organizations give their employees the unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and challenging environment while making a difference in the lives of other people or helping the community as a whole.
One might think that finding a job in the nonprofit industry is next to impossible, especially during a recession. And even though many nonprofits have experienced the same layoffs and budget cuts like most other companies, the outlook for the industry is surprisingly positive. “Despite the recession, the nonprofit industry experienced 15% growth last year,”? says Kelly Felice, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver (metronoa.org), which offers concentration and certificate programs geared toward employment in the nonprofit sector. “It might be tough to find a nonprofit job, but it’s certainly possible.”? So, how does one find a job in this industry?
“In the past, the common belief was that in order to work for a nonprofit, all you needed was a big heart, but that is no longer the case,”? says Felice. She explains that anyone looking for a job in the nonprofit sector, especially a high-level position like manager or director, must posess a unique set of skills to be an efficient and effective employee:
h3. Talk the Talk
One of the most important skills for nonprofit employees is the ability to communicate effectively with others. “Anyone interested in working for a nonprofit must be able to speak intelligently,”? says Felice. “You meet with a lot of different people in this industry, and it is essential that you can provide a clear and concise explanation of your organization’s mission and why it is important.”? This means that the public speaking class you took in high school or college wasn’t so bad after all! Posessing excellent verbal communications skills ensures that you will be a good representative of your organization and everything it stands for.
h3. Write it Out
It’s also extremely important for nonprofit employees to posess excellent writing skills. “Nonprofit employees do a lot of writing on a daily basis, whether it is a grant proposal, press release, or on a social networking Website. You have to be able to express yourself in a clear and organized manner.”? The ability to write an effective grant proposal is an especially valuable skill for employees in the nonprofit industry, so taking a course in grant writing will help you stand out to potential employers.
h3. Mind Your Business
If you’re interested in applying for a higher-level position within an organization, like manager or director, it’s important to know how the business world works. Courses in business management and human resources training can be valuable because they will help you get a better understanding of how an effective organization functions, and how to manage others effectively. A good grasp of management practices will be a huge benefit to you during your job search, and will help strengthen the nonprofit organization you choose to work for.
h3. Multitaskers, Rejoice
Most job descriptions suggest that applicants must be able to multitask and work well under pressure, and this is especially true for the nonprofit sector. “In this industry, you must be prepared to do a lot of multitasking. Everyone in the organization wears several different hats,”? says Felice. “One day, you could be organizing an event, while another day you could be handling administrative tasks or sending out letters. That’s just the nature of the business.”? You should be prepared to juggle several tasks at once and to delve into a wide variety of projects. It’s a challenging environment, but you’ll certainly never be bored.
h3. What to Expect
Working for a nonprofit organization is different from just about any other career. “In this industry, there are a lot of challenges, but you’ll find a lot of rewards as well,”? says Felice. She points out that organizations are working hard to ensure better pay and benefits for their employees. The reputation of low-paying nonprofit jobs is changing because the management understands the needs of their employees and is doing their best to meet them. And although you may find yourself working long or unconventional hours, “you will be working with some of the most dedicated people you’ll ever meet”¦the nonprofit industry attracts some very kind and passionate individuals.”?
The nonprofit industry offers a very rewarding work environment, and managers want to hire employees that are as unique as the industry itself. If you are interested in a career at a nonprofit organization, consider taking courses to get the education you need, start your search, and get ready for the most challenging and exciting time in your professional life.