For people who want to spend their days helping others have better lives, there is nothing better than working for a nonprofit organization. However, many people believe nonprofits consist only of animal shelters, soup kitchens, and rescue missions. In fact, there are numerous nonprofits doing good in today's world. If you want to make the world a better place, here are some things you should know about finding the best non-profit organizations and working there once you're hired.
One of the best things about choosing a career in nonprofits is that it allows you to follow your passions. Whether it's social injustice, animal cruelty, eliminating hunger, or other countless causes, chances are, you'll be able to find an organization that matches your interests. If you have already volunteered in an area, use your network to branch out and see what other nonprofits exist.
If you want to test the waters of a nonprofit to see if it would be a good career fit, consider volunteering there for a few hours per week. Most organizations, no matter how big or small, are always in need of volunteers to perform office work, cleaning, customer service, fundraising, and lots more. By taking this approach, you'll get a feel for the day-to-day operations, as well as get to know the staff already working there. In most places, when a job opening is available, the first people they look at to fill it are their own volunteers since they already know them and their abilities.
If you attend church, you've got a built-in resource to many nonprofit organizations. Since churches often work with many different types of causes, you'll have the chance to learn about each group and what it's trying to do to improve people's lives. Whether it's working with a church group on a Habitat for Humanity project or other cause, this is an excellent way to find your true calling.
While many nonprofits pay well and have reasonable work hours, some require longer hours and may offer less pay than other organizations. If you believe in what you are doing, the money is often secondary to helping others. If your pay is a bit low you may get other benefits as a trade-off such as flexible hours and health benefits.
You can also negotiate your pay if you have better education. Get a degree in something like public administration or public health and see if your employer will use you more, or increase pay with added skills or education. You can click here to see what other degree options can help you in this field.
By following these and other tips, you're sure to not only find the job of your dreams, but also help plenty of others along the way. Nonprofits are a great place to work and if you know how to navigate the field, it can be a career that will last a lifetime.
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