GVI’s new sustainable development program targets 72% of Millennials and Gen Zs who want a career with impact

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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.

GVI contact:
https://www.theimpactacademy.org
Andrew Valentine
CEO, GVI
+ 44 20 8144 2707 andrew.valentine@gviworld.com

About GVI
The Impact Academy is powered by GVI, an experiential education organization that has been in operation for over 20 years. Guided by the 17 Global Goals of the United Nations, and the development goals of local communities, its programs seek to address the greatest challenges in development today.

UC Riverside Extension contact
https://impactacademy.extension.ucr.edu/

Monica Lagos
(951) 827-1627
mlagos@ucx.ucr.edu

About UC Riverside Extension
UC Riverside Extension offers exceptional educational experiences and lifelong learning opportunities for all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. We adhere to the highest quality education standards of the University of California. Courses are taught by real-world professionals, and our programs integrate academic rigor with practical knowledge, in unique ways. The use of diverse learning technologies, and our flexible access formats, help provide tailored solutions to individualized learning needs. For more information, visit www.extension.ucr.edu

UNC Charlotte contact
https://impactacademy.uncc.edu/

Karri Kennedy Hahn
(704) 687-8900
karri.hahn@uncc.edu

About UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. It leverages its location in N.C.’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs in the undergraduate, graduate, and noncredit/professional development sectors. UNC Charlotte Continuing Education is committed to helping people achieve their goals with courses conveniently offered at locations in Charlotte and online. For more information, visit continuinged.uncc.edu

University of Richmond contact
https://impactacademy.richmond.edu/

Lindsey Campbell
(804) 287-6317
lcampbe4@richmond.edu

About University of Richmond
Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions.

As a top 25 liberal arts university, Richmond offers its 3,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students a unique combination of programs across five schools. Our School of Arts & Sciences anchors Richmond as a nationally ranked liberal arts university. A top-ranked business school, the nation’s first school of leadership studies, a highly respected law school, and the community-focused School of Professional and Continuing Studies build on that strong foundation and make this University something unique.

The School of Professional & Continuing Studies offers degree and certificate programs, enrichment opportunities, professional training and summer programs to part-time and non-traditional students of all ages. We aspire to be an exemplar of continuing education for working professionals and lifelong learners and a top choice for those seeking transformative learning experiences.