Wellesley Alumnae have attended these graduate programs

Unlike the business sector where decisions are based on making profits, a not-for-profit organization makes its decisions primarily in accordance with its mission of service to society; any revenues raised above expenses are channeled back into the work of the organization instead of distributed to shareholders. While there are many types of nonprofits, the ones we most often think of are charitable or philanthropic organizations.

In many ways conducting a job search for a position with a not-for-profit organization is very much like looking for a position with a for-profit organization. Most not-for-profits cannot anticipate their staffing needs until the spring. To capitalize on this hiring cycle, The Fair at Wellesley is held in the spring. Students interested in not-for-profit work are advised to conduct research, complete and refine resumes and cover letters, do internships, and network with potential employers to learn about job openings during the fall and winter.

Under the broad category of students interested in charities/philanthropy, students have primarily chosen traditional degrees to prepare for work in this field.

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  A Law degree (note: many law school have loan forgiveness programs for students interested in public interest law, especially the larger schools, e.g.TheBernardKoteenOfficeofPublicInterestAdvisingatHarvardLaw)
  
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  An MBA (note: business schools are increasingly introducing programs on Social Enterprise, e.g.,TheSocialEnterpriseProgramatColumbiaBusinessSchool)
  
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  A master’s degree in education, e.g.HarvardGraduateSchoolofEducation
  
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  A master’s degree in Human Rights degree
  
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  A master’s degree in Public Policy
  
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  TheCenteronPhilanthropyatIndianUniversity offers master’s levels programs in philanthropy that may be of interest to some students.