Nonprofit & Advocacy
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People interested in careers in Nonprofits, Human Services, and Social Justice are passionate about helping others and creating positive social change. Nonprofit organizations have a mission tied to a cause and are tax-exempt organizations that invest all funds back into the organization. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are nonprofits that work on behalf of a voluntary group of citizens to create local, national, or international change; they may be partially funded by, but are not regulated by the government. Human Services are often offered through state, county, and federal governments, as well as through nonprofits, community organizations, and religiously-affiliated organizations; they include services such as child support services, domestic abuse support services, emergency assistance, mental health services, counseling and much more. Advocacy work can happen in a variety of contexts, such as through the work of a nonprofit that connects to a social justice issue, or it may be entwined in your work through entrepreneurship or public policy reform. In the corporate sector, there are diversity and inclusion and corporate social responsibility roles that also have social justice as a core value. There is not one major or minor that will prepare you for this field as there are many pathways, the lists below are not all-inclusive.
Undergrad Coursework
Consider taking courses in Policy, Management, Leadership, Social Sciences, and Ethnic and Gender Studies.
Graduate Coursework
For a deeper study on a specific discipline within this field, you may want to consider graduate school programs to enhance your expertise, or in some fields open up more job advanced job opportunities. Some programs to consider: Counseling, Public Affairs, Psychology, Race & Ethnic Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Social Justice, Youth & Family Studies. Faculty in your department are fantastic resources to solicit information from. Additionally, you can search for graduate school programs use the Grad School Directory or Peterson's Guide.
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Nonprofit & Advocacy Career Field Spotlights