Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018 - 228

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ot everyone is motivated
by money, and working
for a charity - especially
one that you feel
passionate about - can
be the root to a career
that will tick all the buttons when it comes
to life satisfaction.
The charity or "third" sector (ie, not
private or government) includes a full
range 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
hundreds 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.
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 and plentiful opportunities
for training and career development.

Soft skills required
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
to raise awareness of issues and to
attract donors and new volunteers.

Bring in the readies
Raising funds is prominent among
charity roles, which means attracting
228 /// JOBS & CAREERS

corporate sponsorship and grants from
trusts, as well as donations from major
benefactors and private donors. You will
need to be dedicated and communicative,
and it's also important to possess the
research and presentation skills required
to put together bid proposals.
Charity employees work in numerous
fields other than fundraising of course,
including administrative, advisory,
campaigning and lobbying, financial
management, policies, public relations
and branding (see box, top right). 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.

Marketing officer
A charity's income, from the smallest
public donation to lucrative sponsorships,
depends on its name and cause being in
people's minds, which is where marketing
comes in. This also includes the job of
celebrity liaison officer, which involves
managing relationships with famous faces.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? A PR or marketing qualification
will stand you in good stead, as will having
some marketing or journalism experience.
Media contacts are particularly useful.
How much can I earn? An officer makes
£25,000 to £30,000; non-graduates could
start as assistants on around £16,000.

Corporate fundraiser
You'll be securing contributions from
companies and developing relationships to
Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018
