Transitioning into the non-profit sector

Introductory Resources

• Three types of non-profit organizations, UCSF Graduate Affairs.
• Examples of PhD career pathways in the non-profit sector:
  • From the lab to an educational non-profit, AERDF.
  • Diving into non-profit entrepreneurship, ProbablyGood.
  • Careers in environmental non-profits, Nature.
  • Conversations about non-profit careers, PhD Pathways (31-min video).
  • Consulting for non-profit organizations, After Your PhD (22-min video).

Preparing to transition into that sector

• Nonprofits and non-governmental organization careers, BUSPH.
• Look for courses to learn more about the non-profit sector, gain relevant skills, etc., like this Non-profit management online course.
• Growing your network and having informational interviews with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job’s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.
  • Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities, etc.
  • Look for BU Mentors and Alumni who have transitioned into this sector.
  • The Social Scientist enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas, including in communication and outreach.
• Analyze job descriptions to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.
• Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.