Charity and Third Sector

This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the charity and not for profit sectors.

The sector is a diverse employment area both in terms of working environment and job roles. You could be working directly with communities, leading fundraising and awareness campaigns, or behind the scenes in areas such as finance, administration or communications. Many roles also provide the opportunity to work internationally.

In recent years, increased emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has led to the creation of dedicated CSR roles in many large companies. There has also been significant investment in volunteering opportunities for staff - which has meant an increase in positions such as volunteer coordinator.

The sector has also seen an increase in graduate entry routes, particularly in fundraising. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising promotes fundraising as a career path, offering a range of courses up to International Advanced Diploma level.

Competition for roles can be high and even though the pay is usually low in comparison to the private sector, this is offset by higher than average levels of job satisfaction and the ability to make a significant difference in the lives of others.