Did you know online job sites exist for careers in the social, nonprofit, and philanthropic fields? Someone shared this list on LinkedIn.

When considering such careers, here’s collective wisdom from the Internet via an AI-assisted search:

• Clarify Personal Values and Passions. Identify what drives you (e.g., environmental justice, education equity, healthcare access) and seek roles or organizations that align with those interests.
• Assess Compensation Expectations. Research typical salaries (e.g., $40,000-$50,000 starting in the U.S.) and ensure they fit your financial needs, knowing pay often trails for-profit sectors.
• Build Practical Skills. Develop in-demand abilities like data literacy, fundraising (e.g., grant writing), digital marketing, or tools like Salesforce to stand out.
• Evaluate Job Stability. Investigate an organization’s funding sources (grants, donations, contracts) and financial health (e.g., check public 990 forms in the U.S.) to gauge reliability.
• Diversify Your Skill Set. Gain adaptable skills to pivot if funding or opportunities shift in the sector.
• Network Actively. Connect with mentors, peers, and leaders through volunteering, internships, or events like the Independent Sector Annual Conference.
• Test the Waters. Volunteer or intern to experience the realities of the field, including long hours or bureaucratic challenges.
• Learn Impact Measurement. Get familiar with frameworks (e.g., UN Sustainable Development Goals, Logic Models) to demonstrate tangible results in your work.
• Balance Idealism and Pragmatism. Prepare for emotional demands and cultivate resilience while focusing on strategic contributions over vague “world-saving” goals.

In a lot of ways, careers in those fields aren’t much different from public and private sector work. Employers still expect high quality performance ,and social and business skills still help you succeed.

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