Any suggestions for intermediate-paid jobs relating to social welfare/NGOs?

Hi Hollie,

Great question! There are definitely entry-level nonprofit jobs that will pay you enough to support yourself. Some pay in the $20,000s, but many also pay in the $30,000s. Do you have any office experience, through internships or other jobs? That would be really helpful in successfully getting one of those positions, even if it's not nonprofit office experience.

I recommend you search for full-time entry level jobs on idealist.org, and focus on those that pay in the 30s (or don't specify). You should see jobs like program assistant or development assistant which don't require too much experience. However, even if they say they require 1-3 years of experience and you don't quite have that, I still recommend you apply. You can use your cover letter to make a case for how your skills and experiences have prepared you for the work involved.

In thinking about nonprofit jobs, here are a few other things you may want to consider:
1) The size of the organization. Larger nonprofits will likely be able to pay you more, and they will have more clearly delineated responsibilities. This can be a great way to learn best practices in a specific area, and you may be able to move into a higher level position over time. On the other hand, at a smaller organization you are likely to do more varied work, which can give you an opportunity to learn about different areas. However, pay may be less, and there may be fewer opportunities for internal advancement. Both have pros and cons - just something to keep in mind.
2) What type of nonprofit work is most interesting to you - fundraising, program management, office administration/HR, etc. There are many types of jobs at nonprofits!
3) The area in which the nonprofit works. You certainly don't need to select one specific area and stick with it, but think about your interest areas, and if you want to prioritize any in particular. You should be prepared to say something in your cover letter about your commitment to the nonprofit's mission.

Good luck!

Kate

Hi Hollie! You could try applying to jobs directly at non-profits you would be interested in. Another option would be to apply to a masters of social work program. Finally, an option could be teaching, if that is something you are interested in. There are masters programs in Public Affairs and Non Profit Management you may want to look into. Hope this helps :)

Hi Hollie, I just tried to reply to your comment, but my reply had too many characters for a comment box! So I will elaborate here.

Since you don't have office experience, I'd suggest you emphasize your technical skills (Microsoft Office, social media, databases? Anything else along those lines?) and any experience you may have with tasks that are related to the job description, even if they are in a different setting. So for example if a job includes event planning, and you planned an event for a school group, you should talk about that. Many entry level jobs will want to see at least some office experience, so if you have the financial flexibility to do a short-term unpaid (or probably low-paid) internship, that might help. (However, I think some organizations will hire someone without much experience, too.)

Finally, try networking in your field. You can contact professionals with jobs you are interested in, or working for organizations you admire, and ask if they would be wiling to have coffee with you and tell you about their work. Try to find these people through people you know, such as your professors, but if you don't have those types of connections, you can also try just reaching out to someone on LinkedIn or via email to ask if they have 20 or 30 minutes to talk with you and help you get started in a nonprofit career. Don't think of this as a direct way to get a job - more as them helping you with a learning opportunity - but it can lead to jobs down the line, as people may tell you if they hear of a job that could be a good fit for you. (Anthropology is a great degree for nonprofit work - one of my close colleagues and friends studied that field, and she is great at her nonprofit fundraising job.)

Anyway, finding a job is hard, but just keep at it and I'm sure you'll find one! Good luck!

Kate

Hi Hollie -

I'm not sure where you are located, but it is possible to work for a non-profit and support yourself at the entry level. Some markets are tough, such as New York or San Francisco, but if you're willing to live frugally, it can work. As other responders have suggested, you should research the different types of jobs that are available in non-profits. To do work that is directly connected to the mission - program-related work, you will need experience. But you can get a foot in the door by coming in as a program assistant, or administrative support. You can then ask for more program-related work to build your experience and work your way up.

Shalini