Career in an NGO

For many people, a career should be more of a calling than a job. Those who want to be involved in political, social or ecological contexts and prioritise meaningful work over material incentives or absolute job security are in good hands at an NGO. Depending on the size of the companies, leadership positions can also be taken here.

Description

It is not only in state institutions that there are opportunities for shaping social issues with an ecological, political or social focus. In non-governmental organisations such as associations, initiatives and organisations, a broad spectrum of meaningful fields of activity with the most diverse disciplinary anchors is opening up: In addition to social and natural sciences, engineers and IT specialists are increasingly in demand. In addition to a large portion of idealism, team-work, self-organisation, flexibility and a certain frustration tolerance are also in demand. In particular, cold-calling to increase donations or raise the visibility of the organisation or certain projects can require a strong will and a lot of patience.

Salary

Since NGOs do not generate profits, the salary prospects are not as promising as in the free economy. According to the 2019 salary report by tbd*, employees in the social sector earn on average 20% less than the national average. This is also due to the fact that the chances of promotion are usually lower, but this also depends on the size of the organisation. On the other hand, an NGO can often offer a stepping stone into politics or other professions.

Application

Due to the exciting and varied activities, jobs in NGOs are often highly competitive. Unlike in other professions, good grades, university degrees or certificates are less decisive for getting a job than the presentation of your own motivation in the cover letter. Here it should be clear why you are applying and which biographical stages are meaningful for this. Volunteer work or internships in NGOs are also helpful in this context. You can find out more about voluntary services in the district of Tübingen here: www.engagiert-im-kreis-tuebingen.de