Hi, I’m Hannah! I am a University of Bristol graduate and now work in the sector I’ve always wanted to be a part of.
I currently work for the wonderful learning disability charity Hft.
I thought I’d share a bit about how I got into the sector and how the Careers Service helped me.
A bit about myself and my job
I studied Politics & International Relations at Bristol and only graduated a year ago. I absolutely loved my course and wanted to utilise everything I’d learnt about how our world is structured to help generate positive change. I’ve always wanted to work in the third sector and feel very lucky to be doing something I love.
I currently work as a Community Fundraiser for Hft, a charity which supports learning disabled adults to live their very best lives with all the independence and choice they deserve. Every day is completely different, which suits me perfectly! One day I’m travelling across the country visiting university students who are climbing a mountain in aid of Hft, the next I’m at a farmers market in the countryside interacting with members of a local community.
The job is hybrid so sometimes I’m glued to my laptop working from home and sometimes I’m in our Bristol-based office doing group projects with my colleagues. I absolutely love the variety, flexibility and excitement that comes with being a fundraiser for Hft but most importantly, I love having a job where I can make a real difference to the wonderful learning disabled adults we support.
How I utilised the Careers Service resources
Whilst at Uni, I made the most of all the opportunities and support available to me. I was involved in of a number of societies, took on committee roles, volunteered at local charities and attended lots of events. I really recommend enjoying this time in your life to the fullest, nothing is quite like being in the university environment!
I made sure to utilise the resources available through the Careers Service. I attended a number of Careers Fairs at which I spoke to charity representatives to learn more about the roles available in the sector such as frontline work, communications, fundraising, policy and advocacy. This helped me figure out what types of job would suit me.
I went to a great City Challenge with BristolHub, a charity focused on connecting students with their local Bristol community.
This gave me a great insight into the challenges many charities have been facing in our current economic climate. It further provided an opportunity to network with charity employees and hear their advice on entering the sector.
Many of these experiences, along with others, contributed to my Bristol PLUS Award which I worked towards in my second year. This award helped me structure my professional development and made me stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. Finally, I used the online resources on mycareer to perfect my CV, practice interview skills and apply for opportunities.
These careers experiences and resources were invaluable as I left university and helped me stand out to employers despite being early in my career. Many interviewers praised how much I had done during university and noted the motivation and ambition this demonstrated.
Top tips for finding a job in the charity sector
Do your research
Just like with most sectors, it takes a fair bit of researching to find available opportunities in the charity sector.
However, charity sector jobs are not always promoted on the usual job sites. I often used Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, CharityJob and Third Sector Jobs to find listings. I really recommend utilising LinkedIn to connect with charity employees and recruiters.
Utilise the Careers Service whilst you can!
Whilst you still have access to the wonderful careers services, make the most of all of the opportunities and support they can give you. I loved the City Challenges and found the CV drop in sessions really helpful in last few months of uni whilst applying for jobs. They are also just a lovely bunch to have a cuppa with when things feel a bit scary!
Think about what suits you
The variety of jobs available in the charity sector is vast. There are so many different areas and causes you can focus on. Consider what roles would suit your skill set and experience best. Remember applying for jobs is always competitive, but employers are looking for the best candidate for their organisation. If you are excited and passionate about an opportunity, that will likely shine through in your application. So make sure you pick something you will enjoy and you care about.
Top tips for securing a job in the charity sector
All experiences are useful experiences
Most charities understand that graduates don’t necessarily have the exact skills they are looking for. However, if you can show how your experiences up to this point demonstrate the transferable skills needed to do the job well, that is just as useful to them!
Passion for the cause is key
It’s super important for charity employers to see that you have an interest and passion for the cause they work for.
Regardless of whether you’re working in communications, policy or fundraising, charities are looking for someone who cares about their cause so that they will give their all to the job.
Do your research on their work and any recent projects to show that you know and care about the charity.
Lean into your best attributes
When applying and interviewing for jobs, think about what will help you stand out from other students. Your experiences, qualifications and achievements are super important. But the charity sector really needs individuals with passion, positivity, hard work and care for what they are doing. Chances are, if you’re considering working in this sector, you already have those things in abundance. So lean into the attributes that make you an exceptional, not just good, candidate!
I hope hearing a little bit about my experiences and top tips has been helpful for you. I am always open to helping emerging talent in our sector so if you’d like to chat, feel free to message me on LinkedIn (Hannah Vischer). One thing I love about being a fundraiser is that often it doesn’t feel like a job, it’s something I love that much. Remember to always prioritise yourself – this will help you in all areas of life, including in your job!