Having a passion for what you want to do is key, but there are some other strategies you can use to improve your chances of landing that dream job and establishing a career within a distinguished organization.
So, if you’re looking to start a career that will allow you to create a positive impact for your community, your country or even the world, be it in Sustainability, Nonprofit, ESG, CSR or International Development, keep these tips in mind and start applying them right away!
Do your own research on definitions, terms and practices. Understand how you fit within the area. Research open positions in your ideal organizations and explore job descriptions to find the required skills. Look for professionals who are already experts in the area you’re looking to enter and follow their work (LinkedIn is a great tool!) to see what they’ve been up to.
What have you acknowledged from your first findings? What are the most common skills and requirements for the jobs you’ve seen? Make a list of them, take some time to think of your own skills (that you’ve acquired through formal education and extracurricular activities) and find overlaps. And if you’re dealing with skills and requirements that you don’t have, but that you believe are key for the job you have in mind and for your professional growth, there are several courses available that will help you gather the knowledge you need.
In-person and online courses are a great way to learn new skills, expand your knowledge and surround yourself with professionals with all levels of experience. They are also a great opportunity to network! If your college offers classes, take them all! If not, there are a number of online courses available to you!And if you want to take a step further on your path towards becoming a specialist, enrolling in a master’s degree might be a great option. We have prepared a list of scholarships for you to investigate here.
By engaging with volunteer organizations and acting on causes that are aligned with your purpose, you gain real-world experience. Everything that comes with volunteering – the field experience, awareness about the issues you wish to tackle, and the improvement of skills such as teamwork, organization, work ethic, commitment and leadership – are excellent resources that add up to your purpose.
Building professional relationships is essential throughout your whole career, but it’s especially important to start doing it early. Talk to people who are already in the field and people who hire the type of professional you want to be. You can learn a lot about the area and have access to potential opportunities. Build your profile on LinkedIn, connect with like-minded people, follow relevant professionals, join groups and build a focused network! Want more networking tips. Check them out here.
Many people intern in the social impact space with the hope of turning it into a full-time job. And while having an internship looks great on a resume, it's also an opportunity to learn new skills, gain valuable experience, and network with people who might be able to help you find a full-time job. In addition, interning can give you a chance to try out different roles and figure out what you're passionate about. So if you're interested in social impact work, interning is a great way to get your foot in the door.
New email every Thursday packed with social impact jobs and news.
For many young professionals, making an impact has become one of the main purposes (or THE main purpose) of the career they are looking to build. And while social impact has been directly associated with the nonprofit sector in the past, it has now expanded and consists of a number of areas from nonprofit to corporate responsibility.
As nonprofit organizations become increasingly professionalized, and companies increasingly invest in corporate social responsibility and sustainability to their business models, several opportunities arise for undergraduates to enter the social impact space.
What do you need to do to land your first social impact job?
Having a passion for what you want to do is key, but there are some other strategies you can use to improve your chances of landing that dream job and establishing a career within a distinguished organization.
Do your own research on definitions, terms and practices. Understand how you fit within the area. Research open positions in your ideal organizations and explore job descriptions to find the required skills. Look for professionals who are already experts in the area you’re looking to enter and follow their work (LinkedIn is a great tool!) to see what they’ve been up to.
Conferences are also a good way of learning about the field, keeping up with recent developments, discovering opportunities and connecting with experienced professionals.
What have you acknowledged from your first findings? What are the most common skills and requirements for the jobs you’ve seen? Make a list of them, take some time to think of your own skills (that you’ve acquired through formal education and extracurricular activities) and find overlaps. And if you’re dealing with skills and requirements that you don’t have, but that you believe are key for the job you have in mind and for your professional growth, there are several courses available that will help you gather the knowledge you need.
In-person and online courses are a great way to learn new skills, expand your knowledge and surround yourself with professionals with all levels of experience. They are also a great opportunity to network! If your college offers classes, take them all! If not, there are a number of online courses available to you!
And if you want to take a step further on your path towards becoming a specialist, enrolling in a master’s degree might be a great option. We have prepared a list of scholarships for you to investigate here.
By engaging with volunteer organizations and acting on causes that are aligned with your purpose, you gain real-world experience. Everything that comes with volunteering – the field experience, awareness about the issues you wish to tackle, and the improvement of skills such as teamwork, organization, work ethic, commitment and leadership – are excellent resources that add up to your purpose.
Building professional relationships is essential throughout your whole career, but it’s especially important to start doing it early. Talk to people who are already in the field and people who hire the type of professional you want to be. You can learn a lot about the area and have access to potential opportunities. Build your profile on LinkedIn, connect with like-minded people, follow relevant professionals, join groups and build a focused network! Want more networking tips. Check them out here.
Many people intern in the social impact space with the hope of turning it into a full-time job. And while having an internship looks great on a resume, it's also an opportunity to learn new skills, gain valuable experience, and network with people who might be able to help you find a full-time job. In addition, interning can give you a chance to try out different roles and figure out what you're passionate about. So if you're interested in social impact work, interning is a great way to get your foot in the door.
So, if you’re looking to start a career that will allow you to create a positive impact for your community, your country or even the world, be it in Sustainability, Nonprofit, ESG, CSR or International Development, keep these tips in mind and start applying them right away!
