Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Nonprofit Professionals
Entry-level positions in the social impact and nonprofit sectors often include "coordinator and associate positions" across various functions like marketing, finance, or programs, making volunteer and internship experience valuable for demonstrating relevant skills. Seeking out these opportunities, along with informational interviews to explore career pathways, allows undergraduates to build a "relevant skillset base" and gain a competitive advantage.
Nonprofit, Social Impact, Marketing, Program Management, Volunteer Experience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Oxana Ermolova
Director, Strategic Partnerships
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA School of Management, Full-time MBA
Entertainment, Music & Arts, International Relations & Affairs
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in the non-profit sector often include coordinator and associate roles across various departments (marketing, finance, programs).
2. Seek volunteer or internship opportunities in your area of interest to gain relevant experience and demonstrate skills.
3. Informational interviews can help you learn about different career paths within the non-profit field and identify your area of interest
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
That's a great question. For most organizations, especially in the social impact and nonprofit space, there are coordinator and associate positions across various functions like marketing, finance, or programs. These roles often allow for entry-level employment.
During undergrad, seeking out relevant volunteer or internship opportunities is helpful. This helps you figure out which functional area best suits your interests and skillset.
For example, if you're interested in marketing, volunteer to help a local nonprofit with its newsletter or social media. If programs are your focus, volunteer on the program side. Investing in informational interviews and learning about different career pathways is also beneficial.
Developing a functional focus doesn't mean you'll be pigeonholed. It does allow you to show from the start that you have a relevant skillset that will support the organization from day one.