Many of us are drawn to the not-for-profit sector because we are looking for a more rewarding job, but moving from a corporate role to a position in the not-for-profit sector can be a big change.

For career changers this means working with a very different business model and the possible new reality of a higher staff turnover, less resources and lower wages. These kind of changes can be somewhat of a culture shock as working for a not-for-profit can involve as much hard work and as many challenges as a corporate role.

Why make the change?

There are rewards for your hard work - showing dedication in your role will help you climb the not so corporate ladder and changing sectors does not always mean changing role types.

Not-for-profit organisations need staff in administration, accounting, marketing, transport and facilities just like any other business. Find out more about role types in disability and community care in The sector's roles.

A definite perk of the not-for-profit sector is working with people who want to achieve common social goals, not financial. This can mean surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about why they do what they do, and if you’re enjoying your role type, but not the business culture in which you work, this can be a welcome change.

While decreased wages are a reality of sector hopping, salary sacrifice is a definite perk. To read more about salary sacrificing visit AccessPay.

Not-for-profit organisations will also typically be more flexible in their approach to your day-to-day routine, though this often comes with more responsibility too.

Volunteering may be a good first step

If you’re thinking about making a bigger change and stepping into a completely different role type, volunteering can give you an insider's view and will often get your foot in the door. Remember though that your experience contributing unpaid work will be different to contributing your time as a paid employee.

When making applications for paid roles, employers like to see some experience within not-for-profit organisations. Be sure to mention any volunteering or pro bono experience you have had. For example, you may have managed the accounts of a not-for-profit business in a previous corporate finance role.

Through your volunteering or pro bono work your potential employer will value your sense of work culture that is their reality.

Find out if you are right for the disability and community care sector

If you’re looking for a new and rewarding challenge but aren’t entirely sure if the disability and community care sector is for you and your career choice, why not take our Career Quiz - it’s a fun and easy way to see if you’re the right person for the sector.

Chris' story - a career changer

Chris is the Operations Manager at Illawarra Vocational Services and is a good example of a career changer who has moved from the corporate sector to the disability and community care sector.

"For 7 years I travelled from Wollongong to Sydney for my job. On a good day it took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to get through the 91 sets of traffic lights, but these days it takes me 2 minutes and two sets of lights to get to work!

"I was working in a marketing role for a large company in Sydney and was being paid well - but I paid for it. My job took up a lot of my time and I sacrificed a lot. I had a young family and was looking to change careers paths. Fortunately, just at the right time, I saw an ad in the local paper for my current job."

Read Chris' full story on the caecareers website.

Imagine, if you can, working in a job that you truly enjoy. I do.

I am the Business Development Manager at The Disability Trust, a large disability services organisation providing services from Southern Sydney to Bega on the NSW Southern Coast.

My role involves a mind boggling variety of tasks and is never dull. This week I attended the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rally in Sydney, organised by the Every Australian Counts team.

Around 10,000 people attended rallies around Australia, including the Sydney rally, to let the nation know we need to make the NDIS happen soon - because we wanted it yesterday!

I started the day at 7.30am in Kiama, where a cold breeze blew just a little too brisk. I met up with Gareth Ward, the NSW State Member for Kiama, who was there to see off the bus to the Sydney rally. A quick photo for the local paper later, we were on the bus and on our way.

During the first leg of our journey, we picked up a group of of people and made our official first stop at Kembla Grange Racecourse for a local Illawarra rally.

Around 100 people, including a few more local politicians and a horde of media, were there to show their support for the NDIS. Our next stop was Sydney.

The rally was incredible. Everyone was shouting and getting right into the spirit of the event. I saw one man who was so excited he couldn’t sit in his seat. I spoke to him later and he has a son with down syndrome. He sees the NDIS as something that can really give his 12 year old son, and his son’s friends, the opportunity for a life he couldn’t previously imagine.

There were a number of rousing speakers including Ricky Stuart, who has a daughter with a disability, and PM Julia Gillard, who announced the NIDS will commence next year. Julia Gillard stayed and mixed with the crowd for a while after the event.

In something that can happen only in Australia, I was able to take photos of a few of the guys from the Wollongong Self Advocacy group with the Prime Minister. It was the highlight of their year, with one of them already ordering copies of the photo to give to friends.

From cold Kiama to 'photo shoots' with the Prime Minister, to being present when the NDIS was actually announced, and to hearing the excited stories on the ride home,

It was just another day at the office. 

Our featured job this week is from the Association of Blind Citizens of NSW.

They are seeking a Part Time Coordinator for a 6 month contract, with the possibility of an extension.

The Association of Blind Citizens of NSW is a small self help organisation providing support for people who are blind or vision impaired.

The Coordinator will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Association, supporting its members and clients and liaising with the broader community.

Closing date: 5 March 2012

Find out more about this Coordinator role or search for disability jobs.

We have another featured job his week!

Macarthur Disability Services (MDS) are seeking a Director of Community Services.

MDS is a dynamic and innovative not-for-profit organisation based in Campbelltown that operates in the Macarthur, Wollondilly, Wingecarribee and South West Sydney regions of New South Wales.

MDS is actively pursuing innovative and creative responses to the changing community sector operating environment, and is an organisation passionate about enriching the lives and roles of the people they work with through the provision of choice, opportunity and partnership.

As a result of their continued commitment to excellence in service provision MDS are keen to hear from management professionals with proven experience in the human services sector.

The Director of Community Services will be an integral member of the senior leadership team and will play a pivotal role in the ongoing implementation and development of a wide range of community service programs via the management of people, finances and stakeholders.

Closing date: 27 February 2012

Find out more about this Director of Community Services role at Macarthur or search for other management roles in the disability sector.

 

 

This week's featured job is from Sunnyfield Independence.

Are you a senior manager looking for an opportunity to utilise your strong management skills to influence others to achieve great outcomes for people with disability?

Sunnyfield are seeking a General Manager for their Housing and Support division who will report directly to the CEO.

Closing date: 28 February 2012

Find out more about more about this General Manager role at Sunnyfield or search for other management roles in the disability sector.