Jessie
What is the best major to study if I plan to work for a non-profit post graduation?
#non-profit #major
3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Jessie,
It sort of depends on what it is you want to do! There are all sorts of nonprofits - from social services to environmental advocacy. Given your other question, I will assume your interest lies in social service. Sociology provides a good all-around background. However, I would encourage you to think about your ability to move up within the ranks. Your ability to help the organization to meet its performance measures is important, as is your ability to understand performance measures. A degree of self-policing is important to ensure that terms of the funding agency are being complied with - this is Quality Assurance and Quality Control These help them to keep their funding. You might also want to be able to help them to obtain funding - such as by being able to do grant-writing. Building community support - such as by speaking at community events, could also be important. Speaking is a skill- you need to be able to get, and hold, your audience's attention.
Therefore, whatever your degree, try to incorporate classes that will cover these things: NonProfit Management, Accounting for NonProfits, Public Speaking, etc. If you hope to rapidly advance within an organization, you may in fact major in something that focuses on NonProfit Management, and take your electives in the particular field that interests you. Whatever you do, don't shy away from the difficult classes - I did that, and I regretted it. Remember, you, or someone, is paying for your education - get your money's worth!!
Sarah Ann Snipes
Sarah Ann’s Answer
Both answers above are true. To work in the non-profit space, a good understanding of the social sciences can give you a strong start. That being said, I have colleagues who have all sorts of degrees, from business to finance. It all depends on what you want to do in the non-profit space.
I personally majored in cultural anthropology and geology. In my senior year of college, I applied to be a Teach for America corps member. As a corps member, I taught elementary school for a couple of years. I was lucky enough to hear about a job opening at the Teach for America regional office in the state where I taught, and I got the job. At first, I managed our alumni engagement program and now I work as a project manager.
I don't explicitly use either of my degrees in my daily work. I've stacked more skills through the jobs that I've had along the way than through earning a bachelor degree.
Julian Mensah
Julian’s Answer
I really believe there is no one true major that can better prepare you for nonprofit work. Having a strong foundation in the social sciences can be a great start. Determining what area of focus you would like to work in post graduation should be your focus. Be sure to be current on the trends relating to that field of focus. This can be done by reading scholarly or news articles related to said field.