This week it emerged there's a rather high-profile 29-year-old in the market for some charity work. Kate Middleton is exploring the charitable sector as she mulls over what to make of her position at the top of British society, Associated Press reported.
OK, we know the Duchess of Cambridge isn't currently holed up in the palace drafting a CV and covering letter for the good causes she's considering. But what do you need to know if you want to work for a charity? Should you happen to lack a royal family connection, that is.
Joking aside, if you're serious about a career within a charity, your CV should have voluntary experience on it. That's according to Rachel Smith, head of NGO partnerships and campaigns for Global Giving, who said in a live Q&A that any level of experience is a good start, whether it's volunteering in your own community or taking on a voluntary position within a charity.
Getting your foot in the door is a good idea, agrees Leisa Ashton from Oxfam. She explained in the same Q&A how once you're working for an organisation you can then network and work towards landing a job in your area of interest, once your knowledge of the organisation and sector improve.
Keen to know what else will improve your chances of carving out a career in a charity? We've lined up a panel of experts who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge in a live Q&A. They'll be taking your questions and explaining what it takes to succeed in their chosen specialism. So, whatever area you are interested in within the sector, join us on Thursday 29 September between 1pm and 4pm.
Advance questions are welcome below.
To keep up-to-date with our regular Q&A sessions, you can now sign-up for our newsletter here.
Our panel:
Kam Thandi is a team manager at the NSPCC Helpline, which provides 24-hour advice and support to adults who are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child. Kam will be online from 2pm until 3pm.
Karen England is director of fundraising at Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. Karen heads up the charity's fundraising and marketing team of 14. Karen has also recently sat on the Institute of Fundraising's Policy Advisory Board, was involved with the set-up of the PFRA (the body that regulates street and door donor recruitment) and was shortlisted for Fundraiser of the Year in 2004.
Lynne Mackintosh is director of finance at Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. She joined Make-A-Wish early in 2010. She has experience in both the commercial and charity sectors.
Georgina Anstey is assistant consultant at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. She looks after the Working For A Charity programme, which offers training to help people to transfer their skills from the public or private sector into the charity sector.
Lucy Caslon is founder and director of Msizi Africa, a charity which feeds and provides shelter to 1,000 AIDS orphans in Southern Africa.
Linda Craig is interim director of Suzy Lamplugh Trust. She has 17 years experience in the charity sector, following an early career in information management in the private sector.
Pam Zigomo is the programme manager at Brightside, a national charity that develops online mentoring projects, and other online tools and resources, to support disadvantaged young people into education and employment.
Claire Methven is PR officer for muscle-wasting disease charity, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Claire specialises in campaigns and advocacy media relations.
Cat Powell is arts for health coordinator for The Children's Hospital Charity. Her role is to promote recovery by providing a creative and child-friendly environment at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
Ben Carter is marketing and communications manager for international development charity Emerge Poverty Free. Ben promotes individual giving, raises funds through appeals and raises public awareness of the charity and its cause.
Steven Franks is manager of Action for Blind People's north London team. Steven held various fundraising posts before joining Action for Blind People.
