“What do you want to do after you graduate?”

Like many other young millennials, I often hear this question from relatives, colleagues, and even strangers, especially given that I am a 2020 graduate. In contrast to aiming for a more ‘conventional’ career, however, I often surprise people that I, an accomplished student and young professional, am working towards a career in community nonprofit management.

While people often ‘stumble’ into the nonprofit sector, many young professionals like myself strive for a career in this often overlooked industry. This article discusses:

  • what is the nonprofit sector
  • who is considered an aspiring young nonprofit professional
  • why are these young people attracted to the nonprofit sector
  • how this information can be strategically used by aspiring young nonprofit professionals and nonprofit organizations
  • additional learning resources for both groups

WHAT is the nonprofit sector?

A nonprofit is a community, business, or government organization that uses their resources to achieve a social goal (e.g. human rights, animal welfare, arts and recreation etc.). While nonprofits are typically associated with volunteering, they are an essential part of our labour economy. According to Statistics Canada, nonprofits make up 8.5% of Canada’s GDP and 2.4 million jobs with an average earning of $57,000 per job in Canada during 2017. Likewise, these employees have many different nonprofit job titles and opportunities for professional, personal, and yes, even financial growth. This makes nonprofits a great industry to address the diverse interests of younger workers.

WHO is an aspiring young nonprofit professional?

A young professional is typically defined as a worker between 18 to 35 years old. For the purposes of this article, however, an aspiring young nonprofit professional refers to any young person approximately 16 to 25 years old who is actively working towards a professional career in the nonprofit sector. This age range accounts for people currently in school, just graduated, and/or possessing only a few years of work experience. Also, it includes a young person who is:

  • gaining post-secondary, volunteer, work, or life experiences to facilitate a future career in the nonprofit sector, and/or
  • currently working in a nonprofit organization (and enjoying it).

WHY are these young people attracted to the nonprofit sector?

#1 – Self-fulfillment

Simply put, many young people want to make a profession out of their passion. Nonprofits therefore are a very attractive industry. There people can pursue paid work that is fun and rewarding (e.g. arts and culture, recreation, and environmentalism). Also, while nonprofits on a whole tend to pay less than for-profit industries, younger professionals like myself often value work that is innately enjoyable over working just for a paycheck, especially if the position is mundane.

#2 – Positive community impact

In a nonprofit, one’s job is to make a positive difference in the lives of others through meaningful work (e.g. social justice, community programming, and education). So, for people with a sense of social responsibility, nonprofits are an ideal industry. The work allows employees to feel like their job has a purpose and is making a real impact.

#3 – Relaxed workplace culture

In contrast to many white-collar jobs, nonprofits have less focus on superficial bureaucratic rules (e.g. strict dress codes and organizational culture). Instead, nonprofits tend to value autonomy, creativity, and flexible working conditions, making it a great fit for young people with this working preference. A 2017 study even found that greater workplace autonomy and control can lead to higher rates of job satisfaction which can increase job productivity.

#4 – Multifaceted job positions

Anyone who has ever worked in a nonprofit, especially a smaller one, knows that it is an ‘all hands on deck’ job. While this might turn some away, for many young people like myself, this is a very appealing quality. For instance, I love feeling like an active versus passive part of the organization and performing varied mentally stimulating tasks every day.

#5 – Diverse future career growth

Unlike past generations where an individual typically had one job for their entire working life, many young people don’t want to feel ‘stuck’ in one career. Since the nonprofit sector has various sub-industries and positions (e.g. human resources, project management, and program coordination), it allows young people more freedom to adapt throughout their career. Likewise, nonprofit positions often teach universal skills (e.g. communication, project planning, and collaboration) which can help facilitate future career changes.

HOW this information can be strategically used for…

Young nonprofit professionals

Reflecting upon one’s own unique motivations and assumptions regarding work is an essential step for anyone’s career journey, regardless of industry. For example, asking “What is my dream career?” or “What role do I want my job to take in my life?” and “Why” can help younger professionals recognize who they want to be and why. This information can then help one pursue a career that aligns with those ideas.

So, examine the five motivators above and ask yourself:

  • How does this information apply to you?
  • Do you think the nonprofit industry aligns with your workplace motivation?
  • How might this information help you choose an applicable organization and industry to work in?

Asking these questions now can potentially save you years of time, energy, and/or money to redirect or aid your future career journey.

Nonprofit organizations

Understanding the thoughts of workers in and around the workplace is an essential function of any organization’s management. In particular, it is important for nonprofits to recognize why aspiring young nonprofit professionals are attracted to the field. This is in addition to recognizing other workplace motivations common among millennials and Gen Zs (e.g. a living wage, work-life-balance, diversity, and open communication).

So, ask yourself these questions of your organization:

  • What is the age demographic of your organization?
  • Are you struggling to attract and retain young talent? Why might that be?
  • How can you better collaborate with younger workers to benefit your organization’s strategic plan?

Throughout this reflective process, organizations can better understand this driven, knowledgeable, and passionate portion of the labour market. This will in turn help you to attract, hire, and retain young talent.

Final thoughts

No matter the profession, everyone’s career journey is unique. We all have objectives for our future which will inevitably transform over time. However, by recognizing, reflecting upon, and understanding our career goals and the goals of others, we can better become active versus passive players in our own career destiny!

Additional resources

If you are an aspiring young nonprofit professional, here are some other helpful CharityVillage articles to help you understand how to work in the nonprofit sector professionally:

If you are a nonprofit organization, here are some other helpful CharityVillage articles to help you engage young people to work at your organization:

If you are looking for nonprofit jobs or volunteer work, CharityVillage has all the latest positions from across the country. Start your search today.

Julia Halabourda is an experienced Burnaby art and recreation programmer, educator (focus in the fine arts and theatre), and nonprofit writer. She has her Bachelor of General Studies from SFU’s Faculty of Education with Minors in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology, and Social Justice in Education. She also has her Nonprofit Management Associate’s Certificate from BCIT. Julia has been writing with Charity Village since August 2020 and her past articles can be accessed here. Julia can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-halabourda/.