Careers in the Charity Sector
With over 180,000 charities in the UK alone, the charity sector is expanding and looking for employees! But with the current economic climate, it can seem difficult to land that dream entry-level job in the charity sector. So think outside of the box; charity jobs are varied! Charities need all of the usual positions as in big companies, such as IT expertise, legal knowledge, accounting, health & safety, marketing, etc. In fact, there is a big gap in the charity sector for these sorts of jobs, so think about whether these could be of interest for you too.
There are many different charities with different focuses out there so take time to think about what you want to achieve working in this sector. Do you want to work in the UK? Abroad? What area are you passionate about? Human rights, animal protection, medical research? Employers in this field look for people who are passionate about their mission, so make sure you find the charity that’s right for you.
Don’t be afraid if you don’t get your dream job on the first go! This sector has become popular, and the competition to get a paid job in the charity sector is big. Don’t be disheartened though, think of everything you have done that could be advantageous in this job position, including voluntary work, and societies you have joined at university and most importantly – keep trying! Do remember though that the employers might also be interested in someone with skills from the private sector, so you can always come back to the charity sector once you have more experience.
There are many places you can find charity jobs and information and websites such as charityjob, jobs.thirdsector, idealist.org & jobsincharities are a great place to start!
You might also want apply for Charity Apprentice!
“What’s Charity Apprentice?” you ask? Well, it’s a ‘foundation course in charity’, which students can take alongside their studies. It aims to immerse participants in the charity sector, in various positions, to give a practical idea of the jobs available and the skills required. Selected participants can expect 10 months of expert talks, group exercises and real-world challenges taught by professionals across the charity sector, from areas like communications to fundraising.
Charity Apprentice is free and will include a mix of online and offline learning. The course begins in January 2018 and runs through to October 2018. Participants must be able to commit to 1 to 2 evenings a week, and the workload is designed to be flexible to fit around your studies. At the end of the course, participants will receive a Charity Apprentice certificate.
How do I join?
Charity Apprentice is looking for candidates who are passionate about the charity sector and who are…
- Self starters – do you initiate projects?
- Motivators – can you inspire others?
- Critical thinkers – can you solve problems?
- Hard workers – how can you handle a challenge?
- Impact-driven – are you passionate about tackling the world’s most pressing issues?
To apply, fill out the online application form which you can find here, along with useful tips to consider. The application process will then involve you submitting an essay or video, and taking part in an interview. Apply early to ensure a spot – applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Good luck!