What are the skills required to succeed in the nonprofit field?

Having really strong professional skills is key, like it is in any career. But sometimes people think that because it's not business, professional standards are lower in non-profit and that couldn't be further from the truth. Just like all companies, there are solid non-profits and ones that are less well-run. If you want to work at a good one - strong leader, great staff, great results - you need to be the best YOU can be. because it can be just as competitive. Good grades in college, volunteer experience at non-profits and strong communication skills are important. Think of a few causes that are important to you, and see if there are non-profits, government agencies, think tanks or or institutions that are addressing your cause and give one a try. You may not know what kind of organization you will like, but it's not difficult to move around within the non-profit world, if you discover you want to be on a different path, as long as you have a solid track record.

In addition to good communication skills, I would suggest selecting a not for profit organization you'd like to volunteer at and set up an internship there through your college (or just set up a formal volunteership for a semester). It's good to devote at least 10 hours a week to this "job". The smaller the organization, the more aspects you'll get involved with - so you'll learn about programming, services, fundraising, marketing, management, finance - in a small NFP. The larger the NFP, the more specialized departments there are - and then you would pick one in which to gain experience (marketing, finance, programming, services, etc.). Talk with your liaison staff member at the NFP and set up a project -internship - something you can accomplish over a semester. In this way, you not only get to see how one not for profit works, but you gain valuable job experience and a reference for your resume. Check to see if your college gives credits for your doing the internship or grants a honoraria for the semester. Make sure you can commit to a set day(s) and specific hours per week so you are seen as part of the staff and not just a "floater." Once you finish one internship, you could stay at the not-for-profit if you ilke it, or try out another NFP of another size, service area, or locality. In this way, you get credits, a reference for your resume, a job listing on your resume, and invaluable hands on experience to see if you like not for profit environments. Good luck!

Learn to communicate well--both in writing and in person. So much of nonprofit work involves telling a compelling story. You need to learn how to craft those stories so that you can convince potential donors, partners, etc., to get behind your cause. Whether your job at a nonprofit involves working directly with low-income families or managing Twitter/ Facebook, clear and effective communication is essential.

Definitely get involved with a nonprofit organization (or several!) that you are passionate about now. The more experience you have with different organizations, the more you'll demonstrate your interest and real-world understanding of the issues and work when you apply for nonprofit jobs. You'll also meet a lot of people in the field, which will help you build relationships and network. You can start out as a volunteer and then inquire about internships or part-time work as you get to know the staff and programs.

Also, look for opportunities to develop your experience with business writing, social media or event planning. Many entry level nonprofit roles will have you engaged in some or all of these tasks!

Do you know yet whether you'd like to serve people directly (for instance, as a social worker or a camp counselor), or if you'd rather take an administrative role? Internships can be a great way to figure that out. Volunteering can be really helpful as well, because you can gain experience in a wide variety of nonprofits in different sectors. No matter what you decide you might like to pursue, being able to write well will be helpful. As others here have said, storytelling is such an important part of working at a nonprofit. Whether you're out in the community speaking with families about your organization's services, writing to a foundation to request grant funds, or creating marketing materials, there's always a need for strong writers at a nonprofit.

Only the absolute largest nonprofits usually have employees that are dedicated to only one role. Instead, most people usually end up "wearing several hats," or working on responsibilities that might seem to be outside their job descriptions. I formerly worked at a reasonably large organization and still found this to be true. For that reason, I agree with the posters who advised working on communications skills. Additionally, practice putting yourself in situations where you have to learn quickly and adapt to changing circumstances while still achieving your goals. Good luck!