Because the area of Social Services, Advocacy, and NGOs is vast and many positions in these fields are rarely posted, it can be overwhelming to get started. Below are some important self-assessment questions to help you narrow down your interests to a more manageable job/internship search process.
What issues are of the greatest interest to you?
Some people would enjoy working on a variety of issues; others are passionate about a particular cause. Are you interested in the environment, children's health, community development, or disaster relief? To help you narrow down the issues that appeal to you, and to help you decide if a career in social service and advocacy is right for you, it is beneficial to research potential areas of interest. The most effective way to gather knowledge in a particular area is to network with professionals currently in the field. Setting up informational interviews with these professionals will aid in answering questions about your interests. Volunteering with an organization to gain firsthand knowledge about a cause you are interested in and visiting organization web sites are other valuable research methods. A great way to network with a lot of organizations in a short amount of time is to attend the Yale Undergraduate Career Services Nonprofit Career Fair in the spring. Additional nonprofit fairs are hosted at colleges throughout New England as well.
How far do you want the impact of the work you do to go?
Are you interested in an organization that has an impact in the local community, one that does work throughout the region/country, or an organization that carries out its programs internationally? For some people the level of satisfaction comes from seeing the result personally, locally, and directly, while for others the challenge of attacking large-scale problems or learning about different cultures is paramount. Knowing this about yourself will also help you scale down the size of your search.
Where do you want to work and what size organization are you interested in?
Large and small organizations can differ dramatically in terms of structure, advancement and job responsibilities. Also the work that is done in a city, small town or rural area can vary greatly because of the populations that are being served. Because these industries are so broad by nature, talking with professionals in this field can help you better understand your own preferences. Connecting with the Yale Career Network, a database of Yale alumni, on the UCS web site is a great place to start making connections with professionals.
What should I be doing now to prepare for a career in nonprofits?
- Know your own interests
- Research and become familiar with the area of nonprofits you want to work in
- Connect (network) with professionals in the field
- Gain firsthand experiences by volunteering and interning at organizations
- Create a resume that represents your interests and abilities
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