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THE QUESTION
I'm double-majoring in journalism and human rights at Carleton University. I've travelled overseas, worked at a social justice leadership camp, and volunteer as a local youth organizer. What else can I do to prepare for a career in the non-profit world?
THE ANSWER
Before we begin: You won't have the fanciest car and you'll probably be one tax bracket below most of your university friends. You're surrendering your inalienable right to stock options and open-bar holiday parties, and you'll almost certainly take longer to pay off your student debt.
Still reading? Great! You've decided to join the 1.2-million Canadians who work with the primary purpose of building a better world. That's not to say the non-profit sector is economically insignificant. It contributed $35.4-billion to Canada's gross domestic product in 2008. It's a uniquely diverse sector with a wide range of jobs, pay scales and perks. Just like the for-profit world, there are short-term, entry-level jobs; career-track positions with market-level salaries; plenty of opportunities for on-the-job skills training; and great chances for upward mobility.
It's also incredibly competitive. Here are some examples (and tips) from our own experience:
Shobha Sharma, of Prince George, B.C., approached us at the end of a speech, handed us her resume and said, "Remember me. I'll be working with you soon." Now she's our India programs director. Heads of non-profit organizations can be easier to approach than their for-profit counterparts through open lectures, fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities.
Robin Wiszowaty of Illinois travelled from Chicago to Toronto on her own dime to visit our office in person, and our sides were splitting over her hilarious stories of growing up in American suburbia and her adventures overseas. Now she's our Kenya programs director. To cash-strapped non-profits that are unable to fly in potential hires, someone willing to embark on a long bus journey stands out.
We've had people organize Free the Children fundraisers or volunteer drives on their own initiative, to show us they had the right stuff. Others sent us sample web pages or rewrote brochure materials tailored to our programs, to prove their abilities. That chutzpah makes hiring easy.
Don't lose heart. Start by choosing a field about which you feel passionate, which is critical, because in your non-profit career you'll rely on the satisfaction of making a difference rather than great remuneration. Target your field of interest: art and culture, environment, sport, health, education, domestic or global poverty or social justice.
Next, check job listings on sites such as Charity Village, GoodWork, and WorkInNonProfits to see what's out there, and what qualifications are required. You may need additional schooling or certification, a certain kind of experience or skill set, or even a second language. If you find a dream job, contact someone in that position and ask for a few minutes of their time to get the details on what is needed to land that type of job. A friendly, beneficial mentorship may develop. No job openings? Try volunteering – the easiest "in" to your preferred workplace.
The last, best piece of advice we can give is to stand out, in whatever uniquely "you" way you can, like Ms. Sharma and Ms. Wiszowaty. Before long, your old dorm mates will be making fun of your savings account while secretly wishing they had as much fun at work as you do.
Watch a video of the Kielburgers chatting about the broadening definition of philanthropy: tgam.ca/giving
Craig and Marc Kielburger co-founded Free the Children. Follow Craig at facebook.com/craigkielburger and @craigkielburger on Twitter. Send questions to Livebetter@globeandmail.com.