{"id":19411,"date":"2022-04-21T12:22:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T10:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humanrightscareers.com\/?p=19411"},"modified":"2024-10-07T15:49:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T13:49:30","slug":"entry-level-non-profit-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humanrightscareers.com\/magazine\/entry-level-non-profit-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Entry Level Non-Profit Jobs and Where To Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to begin a career in the nonprofit world? In some cases, you might start at a higher-level job (like if you are transitioning from another career), but for most people, an entry-level job<\/a> is much more common. Here are ten examples of jobs and where you can apply:<\/p>\n

Canvasser<\/h2>\n

Canvassers work as fundraisers for organizations, going door to door to educate people on issues and collect donations. They can also help launch campaigns, build and train trains, and develop fundraising strategies. You\u2019ll learn about the most pressing issues and what resonates most with people. Passion and excellent communication skills<\/a> are important. Previous experience in sales or working with the public can be an asset, but many nonprofits will hire people without much experience.<\/p>\n

Grant writer<\/h2>\n

Grant writers are fundraisers. They\u2019re responsible for organizing and writing compelling grant proposals, collaborating with a team, and developing relationships with stakeholders. You\u2019ll need excellent writing skills, an understanding of fundraising<\/a>, and the ability to find grant opportunities. Organizations typically require at least a bachelor\u2019s degree in writing or a related field, as well as a few years of grant writing experience.<\/p>\n

Help desk coordinator<\/h2>\n

Most nonprofits today rely on technology to run smoothly. Someone at the nonprofit needs to know how to troubleshoot technical issues. Help desk employees – like help desk coordinators – provide hardware and technical support<\/a> to employees and users, improve processes, and install software. Most organizations require at least a bachelor\u2019s degree in a relevant field and a year or two of experience. Desired skills include excellent problem-solving, good communication regarding IT, and excellent time management.<\/p>\n

Project assistant<\/h2>\n

Project assistants work with a project manager<\/a> and team to meet deadlines, keep things organized, and contribute to a project\u2019s success. Responsibilities can include monitoring schedules and budgets, assigning tasks, completing administrative tasks, and reporting on updates. Most organizations want a candidate with an associate\u2019s or bachelor\u2019s degree in a relevant field, as well as two years or so of relevant work experience.<\/p>\n

Social media associate<\/h2>\n

Social media associates run an organization\u2019s social media brand on various platforms. That includes creating content and developing strategies to raise brand awareness. Associates also work closely with other marketing teams or the social media director if the organization is large enough to have one. You\u2019ll likely need a bachelor\u2019s degree in communication or marketing, though a strong knowledge of social media marketing<\/a> may be good enough for some nonprofits. A few years of experience – either in general marketing or social media specifically – may be required, too.<\/p>\n

Event coordinator<\/h2>\n

Many nonprofits hold events to fundraise or thank stakeholders. Most event planners start as event coordinators. Coordinators handle the details laid out by the event planner and make sure the logistics work out. They manage all the steps<\/a> through the event. Higher education isn\u2019t usually required, but degrees in marketing or hospitality can help. You\u2019ll need excellent organization and time management, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n

Finance officer<\/h2>\n

Finance officers are part of the finance and administrative team at a nonprofit. They work on budget monitoring<\/a>, financial records, and other processing. Most organizations require at least a bachelor\u2019s degree in financial management and accounting and a few years of experience. Desired skills include excellent analytical skills, good time management, and knowledge of finance and accounting software and procedures.<\/p>\n

Human resources assistant<\/h2>\n

HR assistants support an organization\u2019s human resources specialist. Assistants will learn about recruitment<\/a>, training, records, and benefits. They\u2019re responsible for clerical details such as maintaining personnel files, posting job announcements, reaching out to job applicants, and helping employees change their benefit plans. Desired skills include excellent communication, administrative writing, strong organizational skills, and time management. Most nonprofits ask for at least a bachelor\u2019s degree and maybe 1-2 years of relevant experience.<\/p>\n

Administrative assistant<\/h2>\n

Administrative assistants support the administrative team. Responsibilities include filing, typing, and copying, as well as answering calls, scheduling meetings, managing databases, and other operational work<\/a>. You\u2019ll need skills like excellent time management, organization, problem-solving, and administrative writing. Education requirements can vary, but an associate\u2019s degree or certificate is often sufficient. A few years of relevant experience also helps.<\/p>\n

Research assistant<\/h2>\n

Many nonprofits rely on good research for their work. Research assistants work with a team on administrative and academic tasks. Responsibilities can include conducting background research<\/a>, creating documentation, assisting with surveys and interviews, and more. You should be organized, detail-oriented, and great communicators. A strong academic background is important, as well as a master\u2019s degree or sometimes a doctorate.<\/p>\n

Where to apply<\/h2>\n

Beginner non-profit jobs can be found at the local, national, and international levels. Locally, you can find jobs at organizations<\/a> like food banks, tutoring centers, addiction recovery organizations, and other social service organizations. Local organizations are often smaller and may not require as much experience for certain jobs, so they\u2019re a great option if you\u2019re starting your career or transitioning to non-profit work.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of where to apply:<\/p>\n