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Want to attract emerging talent to help drive sustainability goals and SDG initiatives in your organization?
Employers, hiring managers and recruitment specialists take note. Emerging talent want work that supports a greener and more equitable future.
By 2025, Generation Z (Gen Z), will account for 27 per cent of the workforce. Born between 1996-2014, Gen Z is the most diverse group to ever hit the workforce.
Research from Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute (WxL) shows that Gen Z values differ from those of previous demographic cohorts.
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As employees, they value benevolence (helping others), hedonism (enjoying life) and self-direction (exploring curiosities). Gen Z was raised in a digital world and lived through a global pandemic. Today, they experience the effects of climate change and ongoing racial injustice. They want to drive change.
Advancing sustainability goals through the strategic framework of environmental, social and governance (ESG) are an important reflection of Gen Z’s lived experience. Research from WxL indicates Gen Z talent expect balance and security in the workplace.
They will prioritize a workplace culture that considers equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDI-R). These are at the foundation of ESG and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Yes, according to research from WxL. Before working at a company, Gen Z talent will look at the company’s ESG goals and performance:
For biotechnology company Ceragen, reducing waste is key.
The company works to help farmers increase crop yields through plant microbiome engineering. Ceragen hires co-op students as laboratory research assistants and bioinformatics assistants. The company is focused on improving the environmental impact of their products, services, protocols and processes. Ceragen’s initiatives include:
Ceragen’s efforts directly contribute to SDG 7 affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 climate action and SDG 15 life on land.
Ceragen wants to maximize our positive environmental impact through our products. We’re very cognizant of the fact that a lot of biology labs traditionally produce a lot of waste, so we strive to minimize our environmental footprint generated by the research and development process.
At Definity, environmental sustainability is a top priority.
The property and casualty insurance company makes informed decisions to protect the environment. Co-op students play an active role in shaping a culture of sustainability at the organization. A recent Waterloo co-op student organized and led a sustainability-themed case competition for all the co-ops at Definity. The competition showed how helping clients and the community can build a better world.
The organization’s goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Some of the initiatives to achieve their goals include:
Definity’s efforts directly contribute to SDG 7 affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 climate action and SDG 17 partnerships for the goals.
Definity recognizes the role we can play in reducing emissions to mitigate climate change and support Canadians and their businesses to be more resilient to the effects of our changing climate.
Environment and Business co-op student
With the effects of climate-related events becoming increasingly visible, for Ayman Gostar, sustainability can help contribute to a better future. Through co-op, Gostar has gained valuable experiences while working with talented individuals passionate about ESG. Gostar’s co-op roles include:
Gostar hopes to advance SDG 12 responsible consumption and production.
Co-op has allowed me to work at organizations across countries, sizes and industries. I’ve learned that the sustainability field is experiencing significant growth and will be a crucial element for organizations in the present and future to drive progress and positive change. This has driven me to develop my career in the sustainability field.
Environment, Resources and Sustainability co-op student
Nigharika Senthil Kumar is drawn to the transformative power of education in developing countries. A member of Waterloo’s SDG Impact Alliance, her co-op experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her decision to pursue sustainability in her future roles upon graduation. Senthil Kumar’s co-op roles include:
Senthil Kumar hopes to advance SDG 4 quality education and SDG 7 affordable and clean energy.
Co-op has provided me with practical insights, hands-on experience, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field, affirming my desire to pursue a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of others.
Definity Financial Corporation (Definity) supports positive change in their community through a sustainability lens. The organization utilizes co-op students to help lead their sustainability and corporate citizenship initiatives.
Arup believes a sustainable future starts now. Through a global collective of designers, engineers and sustainability consultants, Arup works across multiple markets with the goal of supporting sustainable development.
Prioritizing sustainability and developing eco-efficient systems can be challenging. However, these systems can help manage economic influx and create a great social impact.
A Canadian home automation company, ecobee produces smart thermostats, home monitoring cameras and a variety of sensors aimed at creating a more sustainable world.
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The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.