With summer vacations coming to a close and children getting ready to go back to school within a few weeks, August may not initially appear to be the best month for hiring new employees. But it’s actually a fantastic time to attract fresh college graduates to your organization.
Today’s Job Market Can Be Tough for New Graduates
Companies across the country have pulled back on their hiring plans in recent months. According to research conducted last fall by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, many companies had planned to ramp up their hiring for 2025. But when the group updated their research this spring, companies were now reporting plans to scale back their hiring instead.
This change in the job market has hit recent college graduates particularly hard. Companies which are hesitant to bring on new hires often prefer candidates with experience who require less training and bring an ability to contribute to company goals right away.
This perception may give your nonprofit an advantage in the current job market. New graduates who have struggled to land interviews with traditional companies may be extremely open to working for a nonprofit group – especially once they learn about the opportunities for skill development and career mobility.
By offering new employees a diverse range of responsibilities and the chance to develop a wide variety of skills, nonprofits can be highly attractive to recent grads who are focused on gaining valuable experience while exploring different areas of interest. In fact, this broader range of responsibilities could be critical in helping them expand their careers in the future.
More College Graduates Are Looking for Jobs During the Late Summer Months
When you combine the large number of students who typically graduate from college in May with the additional graduates coming into the job market just a few short months later during summer graduations, the result often means a larger pool of applicants competing for entry-level positions.
Many nonprofit groups have found that this situation gives them the ability to attract and hire talented new graduates who may not have considered working for a nonprofit prior to their graduation.
IMPORTANT TIP: A well-planned onboarding program can be key to setting new graduates up as successful additions to your organization. UST invites you to take advantage of the 60-Day Free Access to HR Workplace powered by Mineral for helpful training modules and other ideas to get new employees off to a great start.
Fewer Job Opportunities Mean Recent Graduates Are Now Accepting Jobs at Lower Salaries
Budgets are notoriously tight in the nonprofit sector. But thanks to today’s tight job market, many new graduates are finding themselves forced to lower their salary expectations.
The job-search firm ZipRecruiter surveyed 2025 graduates about their starting salaries for their first job. The results revealed a larger-than-normal gap between the salaries new graduates had anticipated earning for their first job and the paychecks they actually received. In fact, almost 30% of new graduates reported that they were earning less than expected.
This situation is another opportunity for nonprofit organizations. Your group may find themselves in a position to hire a “superstar” graduate who brings exceptional skills to your mission … at a salary that is more likely to fit within the parameters of a nonprofit’s limited budget.
New Graduates Often Prioritize Having A Meaningful Impact
Today’s graduates belong to a generation which is strongly motivated to make a positive impact on the world around them. As a result, they actively seek opportunities that align with their values or causes they believe in.
As a nonprofit, your group may stand out from other companies in your community because recent graduates can easily visualize how joining your organization gives them a direct avenue toward making the world a better place.
In essence, a job with your organization would ideally give a new graduate the opportunity to put the skills they learned in college to work in real-world situations that can make a big difference to a cause they’re passionate about.
Reaching Out to Future Graduates for Fall Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
If you don’t currently have a full-time position available, August and September might be ideal times to reach out to local colleges or universities about internship and volunteer activities.
Working with students can be a smart way to expand your group’s workforce at an economical cost. Your nonprofit can benefit from the extra hands and new ideas students bring to your events and projects. The student gains experience which can help them stand out from other job applicants once they graduate.
In addition, internships and volunteer activities allow you to build a pipeline of potential new employees who could join your group with a firm understanding of your mission and a dedication to making a difference through their work.
Whether you’re looking for a new full-time employee or want to fill internship positions or volunteer activities, late summer can be the perfect time to attract new college graduates to your nonprofit. With today’s highly competitive job market, you just may find yourself in a position to hire energetic college graduates who may eventually grow into your nonprofit’s future leaders.
Would you like ideas on building a benefit package that’s attractive to new graduates? You can get helpful recommendations through HR Workplace. This online resource is available at no cost for 60 days through UST.
SOURCES:
“Panicking: Why recent college grads are struggling to find jobs,” NPR.org, 7/13/25
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/13/nx-s1-5462807/college-graduates-jobs-employment-unemployment
“The Graduate Divide: Expectations vs. Reality For The Class of 2025,” ZipRecruiter.com
https://www.ziprecruiter-research.org/annual-grad-report
“4 Reasons New Grads Should Consider Working At A Nonprofit,” RippleMatch.com, 7/28/23
https://ripplematch.com/career-advice/reasons-new-grads-should-consider-working-at-a-nonprofit
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