Millennials and Gen Zs want a career that makes an impact. This was the finding of sustainable development organization GVI.
Of those surveyed, 72% reported that they hoped to advance a cause through their career.
They will be equipped to do just that through a new joint venture between GVI and three major US universities.
In partnership with GVI’s “Impact Academy” division, UCR Extension, UNC Charlotte and the University of Richmond are each offering a portfolio of career-accelerating programs.
The Impact Academy is a global first: a one-stop-shop designed to give participants the practical skills, theoretical understanding, on-the-ground experience, career guidance and support needed to launch a career in international development.
Impact Academy is now open for registration. Programs combine rigorous online coursework with 2 or 4 weeks of international fieldwork. This fieldwork immerses participants in the local realities that make or break development programs. This gives participants a unique, nuanced grasp of context, in countries such as South Africa, Thailand, Costa Rica, Peru, Fiji, Ghana and the United States.
Understanding context in sustainable development is vital. With better-trained graduates who are equipped to analyze and adapt to context, development projects are more successful, and more sustainable.
Over 80% of employers in NPOs, development-focused corporations, and social enterprises say that candidates’ lack of practical experience on how to deliver change is the biggest blockage to them achieving their career goals.
Impact Academy was developed with this need in mind, to be applied to projects across all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. And to close this gap even further, participants will also have unique access to industry opportunities and updates through a dedicated careers portal.
