Working for a Nonprofit
There are nongovernmental organizations that work to address environmental issues, largely when they feel that the government is not doing enough or that their hands are tied. Although their relationships with governmental agencies may sometimes be adversarial, nonprofits also provide important information to the government to direct policy.
The Career Center at Action Without Borders collects information on nonprofit employment opportunities all over the world. You can visit their Web site at www.idealist.org and check out employment and internship opportunities with nonprofits. The site also includes links to salary surveys and nonprofit career fairs.
Earth Share is an umbrella network that includes leading environmental and conservation groups across the United States. Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) awarded Earth Share four stars, the highest rating for a charitable organization. Not all charities that fall under the auspices of Earth Share have received four-star ratings, so do background work on the ones that interest you.
Here are a few of the charities included under the Earth Share umbrella:
Natural Resources Defense Council utilizes skilled lawyers and scientists to promote activism and evaluate political policies and legislation.
Clean Water Fund investigates and reports on water quality issues. A report prepared by the group in 2006 titled Are We Still Wading in Waste? documented how wastewater treatment plants report spills into waterways.
Union of Concerned Scientists works to protect the environment and public health by promoting the use of valid and accurate science.
Nature Conservancy uses a planned methodology to select important environmental properties and works with landowners to purchase them for protection. The organization also provides funds for areas to be studied to determine the environmental impact from different operations.
Rainforest Alliance works with companies, cooperatives, and land-owners to protect ecosystems and the people and animals that depend on them.
There are vast numbers of nonprofits out there. Some nonprofits offer unpaid internships that enable students to receive college credit and gain valuable experience.
