Written by Charles Klempay
How did I end up working for Homeless Entrepreneur? How do young professionals like myself get involved in fundraising and volunteering while a global pandemic freezes international borders and stalls cross-cultural partnerships? Research suggests that Generation Z - of whom many have completed their college degrees and are beginning to join the workforce - are the most susceptible to changes in their surroundings. Common examples include the environment, political shifts both at home and abroad, or economic and social strife. If today’s young adults feel as if their efforts are likely to make a fundamental impact in one of the above areas, they are statistically more likely than any previous generation to do so. It is because of the increased representation by Generation Z that this generation has been defined as the “philanthrokids”, or the most likely to voluntarily support a cause or initiative by use of personal time, money, or resources.
As a young professional currently working on my degree, I found myself to be a part of this sweeping social movement almost by accident. It was no accident, however, that Covid-19, which drastically altered the lives of billions of people across the globe, changed my future plans as well. I saw volunteering not only as a way to benefit my community, but as an avenue to pursue real-world experiences, to gain skills and insights that, due to Covid-19, more traditional paths could no longer offer. Today’s young adults are more driven by the subject and impact of their work, which naturally lends itself to the focus of many non-profit organizations which focus on reducing poverty, environmental impact, and political activism. They also believe that, despite volunteer organizations not offering a wage, the experience and skills gained during the work are more than worth the cost.
Studying abroad is an experience which a growing minority of college students are interested in partaking. While some believe this will be their only chance to “see the world” before joining the workforce, others take it as an opportunity to grow their cross-cultural skills and build on their understanding of the countries and cultures around them. Despite the negative impact Covid-19 had on the study abroad industry, that hasn’t stopped determined students from seeking alternative ways to pursue their dreams. One such method was the CAPA Remote Global Internship, which paired students with the willingness to work with foreign companies while teaching them varying aspects of understanding, communicating, and interacting with these companies. Using CAPA, I was able to not only find a way to study abroad, but provide a meaningful impact on the world around me at the same time. CAPA paired my interest in making a meaningful difference with my desire to gain skills and experiences that I can use for future employment opportunities.
Anahi Lima and Ben Gould, fellow interns who joined Homeless Entrepreneur through CAPA, describe their experiences and how Homeless Entrepreneur became the best opportunity for their ambitions.
“I found CAPA through my school’s study abroad website. I had been searching for a new internship opportunity since the internship I was planning to do in Prague was cancelled because of Covid-19…I realized Homeless Entrepreneur was a good fit into transitioning to more of a volunteer role while also working on my own skills.”
Ben also describes how after looking into what his school’s department of social science had to offer, he found CAPA to be a good fit.
“I believe I was placed with Homeless Entrepreneur because of my interest in social work and community service.”
Our combined experiences are only a tiny fraction of how today’s young adults get involved. However, if this philanthropic trend continues to increase despite Covid-19 restricting movement and options, it is an encouraging sign for organizations like Homeless Entrepreneur and many others who depend on eager, energetic, and passionate volunteers.
