| Between graduation in
mid-2010 and joining the Charityworks Graduate Scheme in September 2012, I
spent 18 months interning, volunteering and working in non-profit organisations. This involved an internship with an NGO in
the Middle East, where my family were, then a year in Canada on a working
holiday visa, volunteering and working for the Canadian Red Cross, before coming
back to the UK and temping in a charity for a few months until I got a place on
the graduate scheme. |
The Charityworks Graduate
Scheme involves a year-long work placement in a non-profit organisation, with
training days once or twice a month when participants come together to listen
to presentations from external speakers and lead group exercises or give
presentations themselves. Participants
are assigned a mentor from a 3rd sector organisation and have to
complete a number of research assignments during the year.
My placement is in the Development
team of Advance, a Housing Association which supports people with learning
disabilities and mental health issues. We provide accommodation, support, and
assistance with finding and remaining in work. The team helps Advance grow by
identifying and developing new areas of work. For me, that means working on
projects with others in my team and across the organisation, researching new
areas of work and what other organisations are doing, and analysing our current
service delivery and relationships with partner organisations. |
The people I work with and for are probably the best bit of my job, whether
the beneficiaries/clients/customers (different organisations use different
names) or my colleagues, skilled and values-driven people who have chosen to
work in the sector.
The great thing about the Charityworks programme is that you are part of
a group of motivated people going through similar experiences starting work in
3rd sector organisations. From this, you gain an insight into
different organisations and the beginnings of a professional network. The
programme’s presentations from external contributors are also excellent,
allowing you to develop knowledge about a range of areas in the sector. Having
a mentor with significant career experience in the sector is also really
valuable. |
Having experience of working on complex projects
and with people definitely helped in the application process, as the online
application form and interviews focused on experiences of working with others
and managing projects, while the assessment centre involved some group
exercises.
Being able to show a clear interest in the charity sector and to present
well were also beneficial for a presentation I had to give for the 2nd
assessment day. |
Do try to get as involved as you can in student
societies and activities (though not to the detriment of your studies!). If
possible, try to take on positions of responsibility in these, as being able to
manage projects, budgets and/or people are all valuable skills for the work
place and useful experiences to talk about in interviews for jobs. If you can
get this experience in an internship during the summer break, all the better.
Volunteering, interning or temping in a charity or
non-profit can be a means to getting a job there, though the former do not
always lead to the latter. It can be helpful to apply for roles in less
well-known charities, as the higher profile ones will receive many more
applications.
It is a competitive sector and it isn’t always easy
to find a role. I have spent months looking for work or volunteering while
supporting myself by working part-time. Try to remain positive and learn from each
rejection.
Make the most of the resources offered by the
Careers Centre. Take advantage of their help with writing CVs and covering letters
and with interviews. You will never get a job without an interview, so it
doesn’t matter how good your covering letter and CV are if you haven’t practiced
the latter.
Try to be clear about your skills and your aims. You
may wish to work for a specific cause, but there are many different functions
within the sector, whether fundraising, campaigning, HR, finance or management. It can be helpful to have an idea which area
you have the skills and desire to work in.
Lastly, I would say be open-minded about what you are willing to do. It
is good to be focused, but don’t limit your options too much or just to a
limited number of household names or causes. After all, you can help create social value
and deliver positive social outcomes in many different roles and organisations,
in both the voluntary and private sectors. |
