With approximately 10 million paid workers and 5 million volunteers, the nonprofit industry is one of the largest employers in the U.S. It’s a sector that has become increasingly attractive for idealistic graduates, as evidenced by the surge of interest in environmental, NGO and international development jobs. And with good reason – job satisfaction levels are often higher in the charity and nonprofit sector, though wages for non profit jobs can be lower than for comparable jobs in the private sector.

The number of both governmental and NGO social work jobs is expected to increase rapidly during the next decade. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most positions, though stricter qualifications (i.e. master’s degree and/or relevant license) are quite common. Nonprofit internships are a popular way to acquire new skills, promote social change or gain experience in a specialized field. Likewise, volunteer opportunities can provide practical experience while serving one’s city or community.