Is non-profit experience a secret to success? Why hiring from the non-profit sector benefits organizational impact

Employees want to make a difference. Especially the next generation of talent.

Born between 1996-2014, Generation Z focuses on social responsibility, purpose-driven work and inclusion. They are the most diverse talent to ever enter the workforce. Like millennials, Generation Z employees value working for a cause. The good news is more companies are also considering the impact they have on society. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) portfolios are a growing priority.

A 2021 PNC survey found that 92 per cent of executives focus on social responsibility. Ninety-one per cent of respondents believe that social responsibility can make a real difference on climate change as well as equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To tackle growth in ESG and CSR, organizations will need the right talent with the right experience. In steps the value of non-profit experience.

In 2021, United Way Waterloo Region Communities (WRC) and Co-operative and Experiential Education at University of Waterloo partnered to create Co-op for Community. The donor-funded program provides meaningful co-op jobs for Waterloo students, from all disciplines, to work at local non-profits who are affiliated with the United Way and need talent.

For United Way WRC’s CEO Joan Fisk (she/her), students working in non-profit are a win-win for everyone involved. “Through working in a non-profit, students learn strategies for social responsibility and that becomes attractive to them when they are looking for permanent roles,” she says. “We try to give them a different perspective of the communities they live in, this gives them a real advantage when they are applying for corporate community roles.”

According to Fisk, through working in non-profit, students gain experience and insights into:

1. Extending an organization’s reach into communities.
2. Principles of fundraising.
3. Social issues that impact diverse sections of the population.
4. Strategies around equity, diversity and inclusion.

What does non-profit talent bring to the table?

Here are four key skills that non-profit talent brings to a team and organization:

1. Values-driven: Almost 50 per cent of Gen Z students are unlikely to accept a full-time job that matches their skills, but not their values. Co-op students that work in non-profits display genuine interest in driving social change. This passion can translate into going above and beyond to achieve organizational goals.
2. Resourceful problem-solving: Non-profits often operate on limited resources and need talent that can creatively solve problems. Employees with experience in the non-profit sector develop an innovative mindset to tackle current and future problems.
3. Community engagement: Non-profit work involves engaging with diverse communities and partners. This experience can help individuals develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Implementation: In the non-profit sector, individuals often work across a variety of functions out of necessity. Students that work in non-profit companies learn how to manage their own deadlines and identify concrete steps to complete projects independently.

In an uncertain economic time, knowing how to identify, recruit and retain talent is more important than ever. Finding candidates with the right skills can help future-proof your organization.

Want to learn more about future-ready skills? Waterloo’s future-ready talent framework is a research-backed tool that can help you adapt to a changing workforce.

Read the full article about how students help United Way approach solutions with a diverse lens ??

Interested in working with Generation Z? Recruit today.

Article written by: Krista Henry (she/her)

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