Employers
Employment prospects for executive positions are best in major cities—such as New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.—where the headquarters of many of the larger nonprofits are located. However, many nonprofits are international, and therefore have offices located worldwide. For example Amnesty International, an organization that is committed to preserving human rights, has more than 10 million activists, supporters, and volunteers in 155 countries.
In addition, thousands of smaller, local nonprofit groups are located throughout the United States. Each relies on the work of its volunteer workforce and turns to volunteer organizers and directors for management.
Starting Out
Many salaried workers in nonprofit organizations start out as volunteers. After some experience as a volunteer with a particular group, you may be asked to become a team leader, project head, or assistant coordinator who is responsible for a small group of volunteers.
Many schools expect students to earn a certain amount of service hours—time spent volunteering at various jobs, organizations, or causes. Service hours are required in order to graduate, but they also serve as a valuable stepping-stone for a career in nonprofit volunteering. Check with your school counselor for programs affiliated with your school, the position's duties and responsibilities, and time commitment.
- Active and Contemplative Religious Sisters and Brothers
- Addiction Therapists
- Adult Day Care Coordinators
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Behavioral Health Technicians
- Career and Employment Counselors
- Career and Employment Technicians
- Child Life Specialists
- Clinic Managers
- Community Health Nurses
- Community Health Program Coordinators
- Community Health Workers
- Community Nutrition Educators
- Conflict Resolution Specialists
- Contact Tracers
- Creative Arts Therapists
- Dietetic Technicians
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Directors of Fund-Raising
- Employment Firm Workers
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Executive Recruiters
- Fund-Raisers
- Geriatric Care Managers
- Geriatric Nurses
- Geriatric Psychiatrists
- Geriatric Social Workers
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Grief Therapists
- Health Advocates
- Historic Preservationists
- HIV/AIDS Counselors and Case Managers
- Home Health Care Aides
- Home Health Care and Hospice Nurses
- Hospice Workers
- Human Resources Consultants
- Human Resources Managers
- Human Services Workers
- Labor Union Business Agents
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Librarians
- Lobbyists
- Management Analysts and Consultants
- Military Recruiters
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Directors and Curators
- Museum Technicians
- Music Therapists
- National Park Service Employees
- Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Nonprofit Social Service Directors
- Nursing Home Administrators
- Occupational Therapists
- Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
- Office Administrators
- Orientation and Mobility Specialists
- Park Rangers
- Payroll Directors
- Personal Care Aides
- Personnel and Labor Relations Specialists
- Proposal Managers
- Psychologists
- Public Interest Lawyers
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Rabbis
- Recreational Therapists
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Retail Business Owners
- Retail Managers
- Roman Catholic Priests
- Sign Language and Oral Interpreters
- Social Workers
- Temporary Workers
- Tutors and Trainers
- Workplace Diversity Experts
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors