What does a career in the sector look like?
Other names for the 'third sector' include the voluntary, independent, non-profit, community or social sector. It refers to organisations that aren’t in the public (government) or private (businesses) sectors. They typically work on a single issue or area and are likely to be charities.
However, careers in the third sector can move between NGOs and working for governmental organisations like local councils, government agencies or emergency services. Many, but not all, third sector organisations work in partnership or with project funding from government.
Tasks involved will vary by role. Project-based roles might involve managing an aspect of an organisation’s work, liaising with project partners, and ensuring outcomes are delivered and reported correctly. Other roles might include communications or policy - working to develop and promote an organisation’s policies and messages in government or to the public.
As many organisations are reliant on fundraising to cover their costs, fundraiser jobs are common in the sector. Such roles can involve tasks like handling relationships with donors, identifying possible sources of funding or writing bids for grants.
As you move through your career, leadership roles are likely to involve managing relationships with key partners, donors and government, representing the interests and public face of the organisation, and managing larger scale projects and operations in a joined-up way.
To see real examples of geographers with careers in the third sector, including how they got there, visit our charity and not-for-profit career profiles.
Experiences from professional geographers
I work with petition starters who need assistance with reaching their campaign goals. We work with a lot of people who care about multiple causes and who want to seek justice in the world. My job is about empowering people to create change and providing them with the tools and resources to do so.”
Samia Dumbuya, Campaigns Assistant, Change.org
My work in supporting community energy groups can range from pointing groups to funding to helping run workshops to engage their local communities. I’ve also been heavily involved in marking applications for grants.”
Megan Blyth, Local and Community Empowerment Project Worker, Centre for Sustainable Energy
I spend a lot of time working alongside the wonderful team at MYTime, planning fundraising events, organising our young carer Making Memories days out and developing our programme. I also do a lot of work with local schools and councils to review and develop the provision available for young carers”
Krista Cartlidge, Executive Director, MYTime Young Carers
Webinar - Use Geography: Careers in the Third Sector
Watch our webinar on starting your career in the sector with geography, with panelists Stephanie Wong, Molly Byrne and David Patterson.
Advice on getting a job in the sector
Gaining experience through volunteering - or otherwise showing that you are genuinely interested in a particular cause – can be essential in securing a role. See our links at the bottom of this page for volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering is also a form of networking in the sector – you are likely to meet people working in other organisations, and you’ll be able to learn from them and learn more about your area of work.
A degree can be useful to getting a job in the sector, particularly if you are focusing on an area relevant to an organisation’s work. During your degree there may be opportunities to demonstrate your interest in a field and to develop important skills and insights. For example, if your dissertation deals with migration, this would demonstrate to a charity that you are interested in and have skills and knowledge relevant to a particular issue.
While postgraduate study can also be useful if you wish to specialise in a particular area, this is unlikely to be required for entry-level roles. If you want to specialise in, for example, a role like counselling, further training or qualifications may be necessary.
Additionally, work experience can help demonstrate your interest and experience, so search around local charities and get in touch to ask about opportunities. Internships may be offered by major charities
Advice from professional geographers
To work in the charity sector, you need empathy for other people, and you need to be able to passionately communicate why your cause matters. Volunteering placements could play a really valuable role in finding your passion and could help you to develop the wide variety of skills you need to lead an organisation”
Krista Cartlidge, Executive Director, MYTime Young Carers
Throughout my academic life from GCSE’s onwards, I had part-time jobs mostly in hospitality and administration, which showed that I am driven and had good time-management skills. Being a 'people person' is important for my role as I am often talking to people either over the phone, face-to-face or engaging large groups of people in a workshop setting"
Megan Blyth, Local and Community Empowerment Project Worker, Centre for Sustainable Energy
For all students: VOLUNTEER! Volunteering demonstrates your passion for a particular cause or hobby. If you can't find opportunities, create your own. I think taking part in campaigns and developing my skills in campaigning voluntarily played a huge role because it showed that I have a passion for community work”
Samia Dumbuya, Campaigns Assistant, Change.org