The not-for-profit (NFP), humanitarian and community sectors are all about helping people who need it. Whether you’re working as a medical assistant in a war zone, providing disaster relief for flood victims or working as a retail assistant at your local Vinnies, the imperative is improving peoples’ wellbeing. These vocations are suited to those with a deep desire to change the world for the better, and they require a whole range of different practical skills.

WILL IT SUIT ME?

While the specific skills required to be an NFP, community or humanitarian worker are various, it’s the ethical motivation that ties these roles together. Caring for people who are in need goes to the core of empathy. You’ll also find that humanitarians are often required to travel, sometimes finding themselves in obscure outposts within the developing world or in a dangerous situation. The industry demands a huge amount of resilience, compassion and the ability to adapt to challenging environments.

HOW CAN I GET THERE?

Due to the diverse nature of the industry, there are a number of different pathways into a career. For generalised roles, like project management or logistics, you may need to start with a degree in international development or international relations. For something more specific, like health care or human resources, you can study something more specialised. Some organisations will even offer their own training courses or internships. You’re better off researching the organisation/s you would like to work for and the role you would like to be doing to find out what kind of education you will need.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I LEARN?

There are a huge range of skills you can acquire through volunteering, starting with:

• The ability to work in a team.
• Leadership.
• Problem solving and adaptability.
• Time management.
• Interpersonal skills.

While it can be a very rewarding industry, it’s not always a vocation that leaves workers feeling good. We won’t sugar coat it, there will be times where you may have to refuse requests due to inadequate resourcing or donors who are unsympathetic and unwilling to help. But the feeling of aiding someone will make you forget about all the trials and tribulations.