How to Find a Job That Changes the World - The UK Edition

The good news is that there are wide variety of roles available in the social impact and sustainability sectors. So no matter your skill set and experience, you're likely to find something suitable.

In this section we profile two roles which are commonly associated with these sectors. However, it is important to remember that world-changing work is not reserved for the few and as the sector expands, the range of expertise required does too. So whether you’re a finance whizz or a design pro, you can put your skills to good use and have a positive impact.

Here are some ideas:

> Architects might move into an urban development role, which is all about transforming cities so that they are more inclusive and accessible for all

> Software Developers might work for a company such as Olio that tackles food waste

> Lawyers might focus on Human Rights Law, where your work would be focused on lobbying for the rights of minority groups

> Investment Bankers might move into impact investing. Did you know that the UK Impact Investing Market is now worth 150 billion Pounds? 

> Engineers might work for companies focused on green energy or the future of mobility

Fundraiser

As the name suggests, fundraisers are responsible for the collection of funds and contributions from individuals and groups. These activities are particularly crucial for the functioning of non-profit organisations which tend to rely heavily on such funding.

Jobs in fundraising are, however, much more varied and exciting than simply nagging people for money! There exists a wide range of types of fundraising roles including individual giving, partnerships, major donor, event, digital and legacy fundraising. Depending on the size of the organisation you're working for your role may encompass a number of these areas or be specifically focused on just one.

Fundraiser roles call for plenty of creativity and imagination, as you develop new and innovative fundraising activities. The organisation of events can be an extremely effective way of raising money and large-scale, creative events like Comic Relief's Red Nose Day and Sport Relief demonstrate the potential for such roles to be highly engaging and impactful.

Being skilled at building a strong network is crucial for a fundraising role, as success in such jobs depends heavily on being able to establish positive relationships with supporters. Another important aspect of such roles is awareness-building, as you spread the word about your organisation's work, aims and goals.

The following skills tend to be important for a successful career in fundraising:

• Event organisation
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships
• Strong budget management skills
• Commitment to the cause
• Capability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Administration skills

Want to brush up on your fundraising skills? Check out this article on the top UK fundraising courses and trainings.

Campaigner

Campaigners are tasked with spreading the message of an organisation to their target audience. They are responsible for designing and executing campaigns which generally have a specific goal and are carried out over a set timeframe. Through campaigns, both online and offline, organisations can harness their dedicated community to spread their message and drive action.

Leading or working on campaigns involves varied and often exciting work, encompassing everything from communicating with potential clients, planning events, to leading volunteer teams and running social media campaigns.

In recent years, digital marketing campaigns have provided an easy way for an organisation to tell a personal story using creative content, thereby engaging a large audience and at times even igniting a wider public debate. Save the Children UK's 'shocking second-a-day' viral video shows how effective work on such campaigns can be.

The following skills are important for campaigner roles:

• Strategy and campaign planning
• Team building
• Project management skills 
• Creativity and innovation
• Mobilisation tactics
• Strong PR skills

Want to find out more about what it's like to work in campaigning? 

• In this article Jennifer Dulski, President and COO of Change.org, shares what it take to create a successful campaign.
• You can kick-start your own campaigning career by taking part in programmes run by Campaign Bootcamp or the Advocacy Academy.
• Plus, check out our Adventures in Activism Channel, supported by the Guerrilla Foundation, to learn about some grassroots activist campaigns maving waves around Europe.

Find the perfect role for you...

Below you’ll find a (by no means exhaustive) list of the type of roles you can find in organisations working to change the world for the better. Click through to find current open vacancies in these areas:

Advice from the field:

Rory Burke is the HR Director of Berlin-based Skateistan, an award-winning non-profit which uses skateboarding and education for youth empowerment. Below he shares his advice for those looking to follow a similar career path. 

"I think one of the most important pieces of advice, which has helped me along the way with my work, came from a professor I had in graduate school, who had spent over 20 years working in the field.  He stressed to us to remember that when working in new environments you need to play by the local rules and be ready for just about anything. The quicker you are at adapting what you are used to from back home into a new context, the better you can achieve success on the ground."

This has helped me tremendously to get through some tough situations while working for Skateistan.

On top of that there are a few other suggestions I have below for people looking to move into similar areas of work:

• Don't be afraid of taking intern/volunteer work when starting out to get your foot in the door somewhere you think you might want to work.  Since this field is usually short on funding, some of the best opportunities come from what you can make out of an internship or volunteer opportunity.
• Be open to opportunities outside of your comfort zone and willing to go just about anywhere.  If you want to get into development, most of the jobs are going to be found in the field and not behind a desk somewhere comfortable.
• When looking to transition into the non-profit or development field, make sure you try and focus on openings, which meet previous experience.  Having a background in marketing and then applying for a position that is focused on education probably won't get you many interviews. But with many organisations there are a lot of opportunities within different departments, so look for openings where your skills best match what they need."

Finding your dream job has never been easier! Simply sign up for our UK newsletter to get vacancies from social & sustainable organisations delivered directly to your inbox.