When it comes to careers, when you’re looking at industries, it’s not very often that the nonprofit sector is talked about, in comparison to others. But the truth is that it can offer careers that are not just fulfilling but lucrative. Here, we’re going to look at some of the reasons to consider working in an organization where money isn’t quite everything.
Yes, you get paid
A lot of nonprofits do benefit from the help of volunteers, there’s no denying that. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t also paid workers in them. If you work at a nonprofit, then you can expect a salary just like anyone else unless it’s specifically noted to be a volunteer position. There are pay charts that can help you get a good look at what kind of compensation you can expect but, naturally, this will depend on factors like your position and location.
Work in a place that shares your values
For a lot of people, a good paycheck isn’t everything that matters (as much as it does matter.) Working in a place that feels like it’s actively contributing to causes that you care about, making a difference in people’s lives, and being able to be proud of your work can help make a job much more fulfilling. This is why people like to work at businesses that go green or are involved in the local community, as well. Feeling like your energy is going to an organization that makes a difference in the direction that you want can be very fulfilling.
You can make a big difference to yourself and others
Nonprofits can help you, individually, make a bigger difference than you might initially realize. Whether you’re organizing events to help raise funds or directly working with those who benefit from the organization, you can feel the positive impacts of your work each and every day. Working in the nonprofit sector can raise your own profile too, as you can work your way up to the very top of the organization, much like Leigh Morgan of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. There’s a lot more of a career progression available than you might expect.
It can lead to many other careers
Looking at the expert panel of the Forbes article on what skills are vital in the nonprofit sector, it’s easy to see where many of the skills that you can develop while working at a nonprofit can then go on to benefit you in various other roles. In particular, nonprofits can be a great place to gain skills in the C-suite level of organizations, which can then be taken to for-profit businesses when you want to pivot to a more lucrative career.
It is true that nonprofit work might not be the highest-paying field out there, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a well-paid and very rewarding career. Consider the points above and whether or not you might be the asset that a nonprofit needs.
