Careers in Nonprofit and Government Agencies

112 Pages·2008·3.25 MB·English

by  Wetfeet

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with many who work in nonprofit and government agencies. Yes,
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reaching high compensation levels can be a struggle, and emotional

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demands can be great. But for dedicated people with a sense of O GOVERNMENT
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civic responsibility, many such organizations can be particularly
P AGENCIES ★ INDUSTRY OVERVIEW, TRENDS, AND RANKINGS
rewarding places to work. If your primary career goal is to do mckibillo RO ★ PROFILES OF LEADING NONPROFITS
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★ ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ★ WHAT NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT N
NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PROFESSIONALS LIKE—AND DISLIKE—ABOUT T
AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR JOB SEARCH. THEIR WORK. A
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AGENCIES RANK. NONPROFIT OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
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★ WHAT KINDS OF JOBS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. ★ ABOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP IN
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YOUR JOB SEARCH.
★
★ ABOUT LIFE ON THE JOB, INCLUDING HOURS,
CULTURE, COMPENSATION, AND VACATION.
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InsIder
GuIde
Careers in
Nonprofit and
Government
Agencies
2008 EDITION
Careers in Nonprofit and Government Agencies
WETFEET, INc.
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carEErs IN NONprOFIT aND GOvErNmENT aGENcIEs
2008 Edition
ISBN: 978-1-58207-757-4
phOTOcOpyING Is prOhIbITED
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All illustrations by mckibillo

Careers in Nonprofit and Government Agencies
3
1 2
chapTEr
1 ThE INDusTrIEs 5 ThE INDusTrIEs 25 ThE OrGaNIzaTIONs
aT a GlaNcE
6 Overview 26 Key Nonprofits
8 The Bottom Line 37 Key Foundations
8 Breakdown of 40 Key Government
Industries Agencies
10 Industry Trends
12 Industry Rankings
Careers in Nonprofit
and Government Agencies
2008 EDITION
c o n t e n t s
5
4 6 7
53 ON ThE JOb 73 ThE WOrkplacE 85 GETTING hIrED 93 FOr yOur
rEFErENcE
54 Career Paths 74 Culture and 86 The Recruiting
Lifestyle Process 94 Nonprofit and
55 Key Jobs at Government Lingo
Nonprofits 74 Workplace Diversity 88 Interviewing Tips
96 Recommended
57 Key Jobs at 75 Travel 90 Getting Grilled Reading
Government
Agencies 75 Compensation 90 Grilling Your 98 Online Resources
Interviewer
60 Real People Profiles 81 Perks
81 Vacation
82 The Inside Scoop
c o n t e n t s

The Industries
at a Glance
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rIE
Tc
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ua
NDGl Careers in Nonprofit and Government Agencies
hE IT a
Ta

at a Glance
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u Opportunity Overview • Politics and policy may affect your work, and if
D
N • Entry-level and midcareer jobs exist in just about the administration or management changes to
E I
h any area of nonprofit or government for people one you don’t support, you’ll have to think about
T
with degrees in many diverse disciplines. moving on.
s
N • Paid internships are common for government • Staff competence can vary widely at some
O
TI positions, but unlikely in the nonprofit sector, nonprofits and government agencies (owing in
a
z where you’ll be working for free. part to the excellent job security noted above),
NI
a adding to your daily challenges.
hErG • It’s a crowded market—interest in working for
T O nonprofits or the government is booming. While Recruiting Overview
nonprofits aren’t really increasing their hiring • Nonprofits generally don’t recruit, whereas large
rates, a number of government agencies are, federal agencies recruit for almost all positions;
especially in security and foreign affairs. recruiting takes place on most major campuses,
b
O and at career fairs, industry trade shows, and
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E Major Pluses conferences.
h
T • You’ll really, really care about your job.
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O • Both nonprofit and government organizations
• You’ll work to make a difference on issues that have extensive job listings on their websites, so
E matter to you. check those regularly.
c
a
l
p
k • There’s a lot of job security, especially in • The hiring process at both types of organizations
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O government positions. can be lengthy—nonprofits often don’t have the
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E resources to respond quickly to applicants, and
Th Major Minuses government employment moves at a typically
• You’ll really, really care about your job. bureaucratic pace.
D • The pay is substantially lower than what you’d • Internships are the best way to get your foot in
E
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hI make in a similar position in the private sector. the door at nonprofits, and volunteering can give
G you the contacts you need to jump-start your
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TI • The amount of bureaucratic paperwork in nonprofit career, too.
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E government positions is enormous.
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• A stint in an organization like the Peace Corps
• The lack of structure in nonprofits can be or AmeriCorps can make you a more attractive
challenging—you’re often doing a little candidate in both arenas.
E bit of everything.
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