Charity sector careers

Most students at Warwick are well aware of the many career paths into the financial or consulting sector, after being bombarded with all the advertising from PwC around campus. However, one career path that many students don’t consider is the charity sector.

Coined the ‘third sector’, as it is neither the public nor the private sector, it employs 800,000 people in the UK.  While it may be a more competitive industry to find work in and the career paths aren’t as clear-cut as more typical careers, there are some graduate schemes. Charity Works is the main way graduates can get their foot in the door to this sector and offers paid internships in over 60 charities.

Last summer, I volunteered as an intern with the Royal British Legion.  My role included working with a variety of departments, from participating in fascinating research into how to help veterans find civilian employment, to helping with social media and scouting for event locations for the fundraising team.

One career path that many students don’t consider is the charity sector

This was both really enjoyable work, and was making a real difference.  To enjoy your career, fundamentally you have to know you’re working towards making the world a better place.

There are however disadvantages of this career. First, get ready for accusations of White-Saviour complex from your friends. It also requires a lot of volunteering and internships just to get your foot in the door, and you may not earn as much as you would in the private sector.

First, get ready for accusations of White-Saviour complex from your friends

As well as agreeing with the aims of the charity, it is also important that you enjoy what you’re doing on a day-to-day level; you don’t want to put all the effort into getting into the charity sector, just to end up doing a HR job you don’t enjoy.

Personally I would find work in the charity sector incredibly satisfying, which is why it is the position that I’m pursuing, however, like many other things, it isn’t for everyone.