Student Valeria Fernández Soriano shares her top tips for success in the charity and NGO sector.
If you want to have a rewarding career in the charitable and non-governmental sector, you may have realized that finding a path into this competitive field is no easy task.
As part of UCL Careers’ Charities and NGO Week 2022, recent UCL graduates and experienced professionals working in the charity and NGO sector shared their experiences and provided top tips for getting started.
The key lesson from the session? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, even if it means starting from the bottom.
Gain work experience
While your academic background will help, you will need to set yourself apart from the crowd of graduates by showing that you have the practical skills needed to tackle real-world problems. Most employees in the charity sector started their careers in voluntary work, so this really underlines the importance of gaining work experience.
Here at UCL, we are lucky to have the brilliant Students’ Union Volunteering Unit. online directory which connects students with community organisations across London.
If none of the opportunities pique your interest, show some initiative and Create your own volunteer project; You will be assigned a supervisor who will guide you through the entire process and turn your altruistic vision into reality.
Leaving your mark
Mike Baxter, Youth Engagement and Diversity Manager at British Red Cross, She advises applicants to opt for an entry-level position lasting between 6 and 12 months and then look for other career progression opportunities once they have made their mark within the organisation.
Maintaining connections
It’s also important to maintain connections with the people you’ve met along the way.
Paolina Della Bordella, Senior Director of Innovation and Strategic Management at Help the water, She kept in touch with her former line manager during her time in London and took on a part-time job while doing her Masters at UCL. Connections with colleagues are vital if you want to progress in the industry.
However, Benjamin Siggery, GIS, research and monitoring consultant at Surrey Wildlife Trust recommends applying through appropriate channels and advertised listings, especially LinkedIn.
Make your application stand out from the crowd, make it personal by visiting the website and, whenever possible, introduce yourself to the team. For recruiters, adding a face to a name can make a big difference.
Managing your finances
If you’re worried about managing your finances while volunteering, many internship and placement programs offer scholarships or reimbursement of expenses. If they don’t, Paolina says that from experience, it doesn’t hurt to negotiate with the relevant department, even if it’s to get academic credit for your volunteering.
The rise of remote work
Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in the era of remote working, so companies are striving to provide flexible options for employees. Salaries are slightly lower in the charity sector, so it is very good news that you no longer need to be based in London, or even the UK, to gain valuable work experience in the sector and take decisive steps towards your dream career.
Charity work requires motivated and passionate people who want to make a difference. Make sure you are one of them: put yourself out there, keep an open mind when applying for different positions, and explore different passions.
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