Publication: Occupational Outlook Quarterly
Publication Date: 22-SEP-05
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Author: Dillon, Tamara
Article Excerpt
Uniting people isn't always easy. It takes work to form and support the groups that advocate for causes, pursue hobbles, gather money, or advance professions. And more than a million people make a career out of that work.
Thousands of organizations exist primarily to serve groups and communities. Some of these organizations, such as scouting clubs and athletic clubs, bring people together for fun and self-improvement. Others try to advance a particular political or social viewpoint. Still others help businesses or workers pursue their economic interests. And some organizations raise and distribute money, in the form of grants, to other organizations.
Nearly all of these organizations are part of the nonprofit sector. "Nonprofits," as these organizations are sometimes called, are not established with the goal of making money. But they do offer profitable careers.
This industry employs people to perform all types of tasks, from business and communications to computer and clerical. Despite their varied occupations, however, workers in this industry often share a sense of mission and the desire to enhance people's business or social connections.
Keep reading to learn more about advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations and the occupations in them. You'll discover current earnings, working conditions, and industry trends. You'll also learn how to prepare for a career in one of these organizations and find out about the types of training unique to these and other nonprofit careers.
Groups and who they serve
Advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations exist to serve their members. But beyond that similarity, these organizations differ in their overall goals and are categorized accordingly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
An organization's goal--whether it is to strengthen a social or civic group, raise and distribute money, or advocate interests of businesses, workers, or political parties--greatly affects its work.
Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations
Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations--the largest segment of the advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations industry--provided about 423,300 jobs in May 2004, according to BLS data. All of these organizations advance the economic or political interests of their members.
Business groups. Business associations further their members' economic interests. Chambers of commerce, for example, work for the economic development of a city or town and the businesses in it. Manufacturers' and trade associations help companies that produce a certain type of product or service. For example, business associations might develop market statistics, conduct research on improvements in the product or service, and publish newsletters, books, and trade journals for their members.
Sometimes, business groups create marketing campaigns to advance the products or services that their members sell. Some groups also lobby public officials. If an organization's primary task is lobbying, however, the organization is classified as a public relations services firm instead of a business association.
Professional groups. Professional organizations pursue many of the same activities that business groups do, but they do them for members of a particular profession or career field. These organizations often sponsor conferences and continuing education classes, administer certification programs and exams, run job banks, produce market research and trade publications, and lobby governments on behalf of the profession.
Many associations also publish career guidance materials for people who are considering joining the profession. This is why the Quarterly often lists contact information for these associations.
Labor groups. Labor organizations also advocate for workers. Labor organizations or unions negotiate for improvements in the wages, benefits, and working conditions of the people they represent. They organize workers and persuade them to become members of a union and then seek the right to represent them in collective bargaining with their employer.
Political and other groups. Political organizations that promote...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.
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