Exploration of Nonprofit Job Opportunities for those with a Bachelor’s Degree

There are many undergraduate programs focused on nonprofit studies across the United States. However, there are a limited number of empirical studies focused on the skills and knowledge undergraduate students need to be successful in the nonprofit sector. The purpose of this exploratory study is to gain a better understanding of the positions available to those who graduate with a bachelor’s degree and the skills and knowledge needed in order to be qualified for those positions. We reviewed nonprofit job postings and surveyed professionals currently working in the nonprofit sector. Our analysis revealed several major skill sets: technology, leadership and management, marketing and communications, development and fundraising, evaluation and re-search, programming, administration, nonprofit law and public policy, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills. We describe each category in detail to provide program coordinators of undergraduate nonprofit education programs with rich information for developing and refining their curricula.