Informational Interviewing
If you are not sure exactly what type of work you want to do within the nonprofit sector, one of the best ways to narrow your focus is to talk to people who are in it about their responsibilities and rewards of their jobs. Formally, this is known as "informational interviewing." Simply speaking, it means visiting people in their work settings and asking questions about their line of work, such as "How did you get into this field?", "What is a typical day like?", and "What advice do you have for a person looking for a job in this field?". Seeing the setting lets you decide if it's the kind of place in which you'd like to work. Both Hamilton and Colgate Career Services have handouts on Informational Interviewing to assist you in getting started.

Volunteering and Interning
A great way to test out the field, gain experience, and make contacts that could lead to permanent employment is to volunteer or intern during the school year or summer at a nonprofit organization. You will get an inside look at what the organization really does, learn where the help is needed, and develop some skills along the way. Through their respective eRecruiting sites, Hamilton and Colgate students have access to a searchable database of 4,000+ internship opportunities.

Students may also use their winter breaks to explore nonprofit careers through short-term (one-day to three-week) volunteer experiences. Students may shadow a professional in her/his nonprofit work environment, work on a project, and/or develop networking contacts. Check with your Career Center for specifics.

Publications
Books on finding work in nonprofit organizations will either focus on the functions within a typical agency and strategies for obtaining employment, or on a specific field, such as the environment or health care, which will provide more thorough information as to the industry.

Trade publications are another great way of keeping current on what’s going on in your field of your interest. Often published by professional or trade associations, they include magazines, newspapers and journals, and serve just about every type of employer in the nonprofit sector. The Career Centers subscribe to some, but you may also subscribe yourself. You can use CareerSearch to identify an association related to your interest; chances are that they publish a journal, magazine, or newsletter.