JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 234
I f asked to picture a charity worker, you might imagine someone building a school for underprivileged children, a retired person sorting secondhand clothes in a shop, or an enthusiastic volunteer encouraging high-street shoppers to donate. In fact, the charity or "third" sector (ie, not private or government) includes the full gamut of positions, and can offer rich rewards beyond the numbers on your payslip. With more than 180,000 registered charities in England and Wales (and dozens more in Scotland and Northern Ireland), you're sure to find one whose cause you believe in - which is one of the main attractions for those who work in this sector. And with the third-sector workforce employing around 850,000 people, a number that's growing by about 10,000 employees every year, the work available is varied and widespread. Many of those who work for charities do so because their priority is to make a difference to people's lives, but that's not to say the financial rewards are insignificant. Although volunteering is a significant part of the charity industry, there are thousands of paid jobs too, including those for graduates. Apart from the competitive salaries, charities also have a reputation for being good employers, with high staff retention rates. Many charities also offer flexible working options for their employees and plentiful opportunities for training and career development. to raise awareness of issues and to attract donors and new volunteers. Get paid to aid Not so formal Another reason to look to the charity sector for employment is that often specialist skills or qualifications are not required. While some roles - especially technical and executive jobs - often require a degree or formal qualification in the relevant field, for others commitment, enthusiasm and an interest in the issues may be enough, with excellent communication and organisation skills a plus. One thing you may find beneficial is to be proficient in using social media, because charities rely on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get their message out quickly, both 2 3 4 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S Positions in charities * Accountancy and finance * Administration * Advice and counselling * Campaigning, lobbying and fundraising * Corporate social responsibility * Human resources * Information technology * Marketing and public relations * Project management * Research and policy * Retail * Social care * Support services * Teaching, education and training * Volunteer management Source: prospects.ac.uk Raising funds is prominent among charity roles, which means attracting corporate sponsorship and grants from trusts, as well as donations from major benefactors and private donors. You'll need to be dedicated and communicative, and the research and presentation skills required to put together bid proposals are also important. Charity employees work in numerous other fields, including administrative, advisory, campaigning and lobbying, financial management, policies, public relations and branding. There is a huge range of causes, too, so whether you're passionate about animal welfare, medical research, the care of elderly people, provision of safe water, preserving sites of historical importance or any one of hundreds more issues, you will find a charity that fits with your interests. Find out more * Charity Job charityjob.co.uk * Institute of Fundraising institute-of-fundraising.org.uk * Third Sector Jobs jobs.thirdsector.co.uk