Charities

Graduate roles in the charity and voluntary work sector include:
Charity Officer
Community development worker
Community education officer
International aid/development worker
Marketing executive
Public relations officer
Social researcher
Volunteer coordinator
Policy analysts
Fundraising officers

Experience Required
This sector is open to all graduates, although there are a wide variety of support functions within the sector that will require specific training (for example HR, marketing, finance etc.). Relevant experience is essential and employers consider applicable skills and experience to be more important than your subject of study. Experience can usually be gained through volunteering, and the most common route into charity fundraising is to volunteer for a charity or to work as a fundraising assistant. Many employers ask for significant experience and so it is crucial to take every available opportunity. Charities look favourably on experience in marketing, public relations, events, advertising, sales and finance. Some larger charities offer internships, which can provide valuable work experience and sometimes lead to permanent posts. These include; the British Red Cross, Barnardo’s, Oxfam and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Skills needed
– commitment to the cause of the charity;
– ability to build and maintain relationships
– creativity, imagination and an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising;
– a proactive attitude, drive and enthusiasm to carry out projects to conclusion;
– ability to influence others with excellent oral and written communication skills;
– ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
– ability to meet financial targets;
– good organisational and project management skills;
– ability to motivate others and work as part of a team;
– resilience, particularly when faced with setbacks;
– willingness to carry out a range of administrative tasks, as many charities need their staff to be multi-skilled.

Charity Organisations
Age UK
Alzheimer’s Society
Amnesty International
Barnardo’s
British Red Cross
Cancer Research UK
Macmillan Cancer Support
Médecins Sans Frontières
Mind
National Trust
Oxfam GB
Place2Be
Rethink
Time to Talk Mental Health UK
Wellcome Trust
Young Minds

Local Kent Charities
Young Kent
Kent Peoples Trust
Hi Kent
Kent Search and Rescue
Canterbury Oast Trust
Kent Environment and Community Network
Protect Kent
The Canterbury Society
KCC Road Safety
Kent Wildlife Trust
Porchlight
Kent Autistic Trust
Pathways to Independence
CXK Kent
Voluntary Action within Kent
Migrant Help
Kent Refugee Help
Kent Refugee Action Network

Further information about working in this sector
Prospects – Charity and Voluntary work
Kent CES – Work in charity

Graduate Schemes
Charity Works
The Wellcome Trust
Worthwhile  
Look Ahead 
Charisma Charity Recruitment
Charity Job
Third Sector
Jobs in Charities
Voluntary Sector Jobs 
People Unlimited 
Help the Hospices 
Ethical Careers