Careers Spotlight: Charitable Sector

The charity and voluntary sector, also referred to as the 'third sector', 'not-for-profit sector', 'community sector' or 'civic sector', aims to create social rather than material wealth.

Many charities are run as professional businesses and carry out functions including research, lobbying and the raising and redistribution of funds, so you may work in operations, fundraising, policy, communications and marketing, events, administration or research.

Issues that charities campaign on include social services, housing, education, human rights, community development, international development, health and medicine, and conservation and environment.

In a small organisation, you may need to be a jack-of-all-trades, while larger charities look for employees with specific professional skills and experience.

Where can you work?

Social enterprises – by selling goods and services in the open market, social enterprises reinvest the money they make back into their business or the local community. This allows them to tackle social problems, improve people’s life chances, support communities and help the environment. Social Enterprise UK explains further.

Non-governmental organisations – voluntary groups or institutions with a social mission, which operate independently from government. The World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations provides a list of NGO’s, searchable by geographical and policy interest.

Charities – in the UK, familiar names include health charities, such as Cancer Research UK, Macmillan and the Wellcome Trust; global development groups, including Save the Children, Oxfam and the British Red Cross; and animal charities such as the RSPCA and the RSPB. Charity Choice provides a useful directory of charities in the UK, searchable by specialism and region. Wikipedia provides a list of international charities, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF and CARE. To find out more about international development charities, visit our Careers in International Development page.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) –organisations with fewer than 250 employees. Often routed in the local community and regularly involving staff in CSR activities.

What’s changing in the sector?

The sector is benefitting hugely from social media, as it enables fast, effective targeting of potential donors, volunteers and contributors, for fundraising and other campaigns aimed at internet users. This area is growing all the time and there are now dedicated digital jobs available.

Following some major scandals and negative press coverage, charities are under intense public scrutiny for their ethics and how they deliver their charitable purpose. To re-build public confidence, they increasingly need to demonstrate that they are using funds in the best way to support the people on whose behalf they operate. Effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are key to being able to show return on investment.

There is also a shift to greater focus on innovation and a growth of the ‘challenger brand’; fundraising will become more competitive as the market becomes more diversified and will centre on personalising messages to prospective audiences and supporters.

Roles available in the charitable sector

There are a huge number of different roles and functions in the charity sector. We've outlined some of the ones likely to be of most interest to LSE students with links to where you can find more information. If you can, try and talk to someone who’s doing the job you’re interested in, so you get a real flavour of what it’s like.

• Policy and Research – involves gathering evidence and generating insights and analysis.

• Programmes and Operations – implements and manages the logistics of activities and schemes relating to the charity’s cause.

• Advocacy and Lobbying – uses the findings from research and reports to lobby governments, organisations and others to influence policy changes.

• Marketing, media and communications – develops strategies and campaigns to communicate the charity’s goals to internal and external audiences. 

• Fundraising –offers a comparatively large number of vacancies compared to other roles. Specialist roles include community, corporate, direct marketing, events, legacy, major donor, regional, statutory, and trust. The Prospects Charity fundraiser profile provides further details.

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning – conducts research into programme effectiveness and impact. Mande is a good source of news and information.

• Corporate functions (HR, IT, Finance) – ensures organisations are governed efficiently. Not unusual to gain experience in other sectors doing these roles and then transfer in.

If you want to learn more about working in the charitable sector click on the links below

Boosting your CV

So what is a CV?  CV is short for Curriculum Vitae and is a short document which summarises your unique skills, character, experience and achievements.  

For students it can feel difficult to know what to write as you haven't had the time to build up the experience that employers always seem to want.

In this section we will look at ways of making your CV stand out for future employers so you can get that dream job and in an ever more competitive job market it is never too soon to start thinking about shaping your CV.

Get involved in extra-curricular activities:

You might not be aware of it, but we have a large number of activities that you can take part in that will help you gain valuable experience. Some of the best activities to consider signing up for include:

• Sports clubs (shows you’re a team player).

• Other clubs such as model making club or art club (shows you want to develop your skills and are happy to put in the extra effort)

• School Council (shows that you have passion).

Above all, what these activities show is that you have initiative. Most employers are aware that young people find it difficult to get their first break and will appreciate the effort you’ve taken to gain as much experience as you can.

In addition to extra curricular activities within school groups such as air cadets and army cadets will help you gain valuable experience

Unifrog

In keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers education information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and tailored support when choosing their next step after school. We have invested in an online application called Unifrog; an award-winning, online careers platform. All students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 now have access to this excellent website.

The Unifrog platform is designed to support learners in making the most informed decisions about their futures and has a range of tools that are suitable for all year groups. Each student has their own personal account that provides a wide range of information related to their interests and aspirations.  Key features of the platform include:

Exploring Pathways – personality quizzes, career and subject profiles, MOOCs and webinars

Recording – self-reflection about extracurricular activities and key employability skills

Opportunities – search tools showing live vacancies/courses/placements for apprenticeships, universities (in the UK and abroad), FE, virtual work experience and much more

Applications – tools to help students build applications for a range of pathways (e.g., CVs, Personal Statements, Common App Essays)

All students have access to the platform, which is unique to them. They login to Unifrog using their email address and password and they can do so from any computer, tablet or smartphone. We would encourage all students to use the platform at home too, so parent/carers can support their child through the process of deciding their next step

Help for Parents and Carers

When it comes to education and careers, parents and carers have a large influence on a students choices. As an adult you are expected to have all the answers, but in a constantly evolving world it can be a struggle to keep up with the latest options out there.  In this section we will highlight resources that will help keep you up to date with careers and the choices available to young people.

This month we look at what options are available once students leave school.

Can my child get a job at 16 and start working?

Yes, but in England, it is a legal requirement to stay in some form of training or education until the age of 18. So the employer would have to offer training with the opportunity of gaining a qualification.

What are the options at the end of school?

At the end of Year 11 students can choose between

• Full-time study in a school sixth form

• further education college

• sixth form college or 

• an apprenticeship with an employer

At the end of Year 13 students can choose between

• Getting a job

• An apprenticeship

• Higher education at either a university or college

Which pathway is best for my child?

• There is no single answer to this question.

• The best route will depend on the final target career, what motivates your child and their preferred style of learning.

• The key is to research all options and discuss these with your child.

Talking Futures have a website and lots of resources to help parents talk about careers, click on the image below to find out more

Careers in Hertfordshire: The Environment

What are Green and Environmental Careers?

In June 2019, the UK became the first major country to legislate for a Net Zero target for carbon emissions by 2050. The backdrop to this is growing recognition of the implications of climate change and the need to respond urgently.

Green careers are those jobs that have a focus on either reducing carbon emissions, restoring nature or making similar environmental improvements. These jobs have a direct, positive impact on the planet.

Find out about different careers in the Environment/Green sector by watching our HOP into Green Careers video and hear from some of our local residents – Tommie Eaton from @Bambuu Brush, Chie Kamayama from BRE and Cameron Stewart from Green Energy UK.

 What do we mean by net-zero?

This is explained by carbon neutrality and the looking to achieve a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal or by eliminating emissions from society.

 Why are carbon emission harmful to our planet?

Our carbon footprint has a negative impact on the environment in multiple ways: It is the main cause of human-induced climate change, it contributes to urban air pollution, it leads to toxic acid rain, it adds to coastal and ocean acidification, and it worsens the melting of glaciers and polar ice.

Jobs in green industries

 The environmental sector is very broad and it's likely to become even larger and more diverse in the future. Jobs in the green sector allow you to focus on environmental concerns and encourage sustainability and conservation. Within the environmental sector you could be looking at a wide range of occupations which might include:

• Energy - Professionals in this industry focus on creating, installing and funding alternative energy sources like solar and wind power

• Agriculture - Green careers in agriculture involve protecting the environment and food sources by developing safe, eco-friendly techniques and resources

• Construction and Manufacturing - Professionals in this industry may determine environmentally friendly processes and materials for manufacturing products and building structures

• Transportation - including low or zero emission vehicles, aviation and maritime, rail, public transport and walking or cycling

• Natural resources – including nature restoration, tree planting and decarbonising agriculture, waste management and recycling

• Policy - Professionals who influence environmental policy and regulation often work in government agencies or nonprofits, where they may create or take part in initiatives to affect change

• Research - Environmental science and engineering roles involve conducting research, completing studies and developing green processes for various industries

• Consultants and business partners - Business professionals can pursue environmental consulting to help companies become more sustainable by evaluating, changing and monitoring their operations.

Regionally, career opportunities in the green and environment sector vary. For example in North-West England, new jobs focus on increasing wind capacity while the South East’s green jobs will mostly be in the financial, IT or legal industries.

For more information please go to www.hopinto.co.uk/ 

Current Opportunities

This month we have opportunities to learn about the careers available in the army, as well as how to become a dietician in the NHS.  The ACCA have a number of webinars this autumn about starting a career in accountancy.

British Army Insights: What Parents & Carers Need to Know

Is your child curious about joining the Army? This session will give you a clear and reassuring overview of the exciting opportunities available to young people through the British Army - whether they’re considering their next steps after school, college, or looking for a meaningful career path.

Tuesday 21 October 2025

18:00 - 19:00

If you wish to attend please click the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4I50xeaKTK-xWzmOliO30A#/registration/ 

As a parent or carer you’ll gain real insight into what life in the Army is like today, including the wide range of roles, training, and qualifications on offer. We’ll also explore how the Army supports personal development, wellbeing, and long-term career progression.

There will be time to ask questions, hear from those with lived experience, and understand how the Army helps young people build confidence, resilience, and valuable life skills — all while earning and learning.

Whether your child is curious about the Army or you simply want to understand more, this session is here to support you.

Routes into Accountancy with the ACCA

As the new school year begins, many students will be thinking about their next steps.

If curious about business, finance, or they simply want a career with plenty of options, ACCA offers flexible pathways towards a rewarding career in finance with entry points to suit everyone.

Pathways into accountancy with ACCA

• From school - The T Level in Accounting for 16–19-year-olds in England combines study and experience, leading to an ACCA Apprenticeship or further study with ACCA.

• From college – Start with the ACCA Foundations qualification or an ACCA Apprenticeship.

• From university – Get a head start on the ACCA Qualification with a degree, whether in finance or an unrelated subject.

Whichever route they choose, each pathway builds on the skills and experience students already have and prepares them for a career that’s recognised and in demand around the world. 

Early careers twilight webinar series

Our early careers twilight webinars are back for a second year. They give students, educators, parents and guardians the chance to learn more about careers in accounting and finance and to hear first-hand from people who’ve already taken the journey.

This year’s sessions include:

Pathways into accountancy 

A day in the life of an accountant apprenticeship 

Leaders of tomorrow 

Accountancy apprenticeship masterclass 

Learn about becoming a dietician with the NHS