Exploring the impact of volunteerism integration on graduate engagement in sustainability: an analysis of opinions and experiences

Abstract

Dynamics of sustainability restructured the maintained perspectives of educational institutions, governments, civil society and all other actors. Sustainability practices are led by individuals who are socially conscious and who consistently contribute to social cause and needs. Although there is no consensus on the scope and definition of volunteering, it can be described as an activity in which individuals take responsibility to make contributions to community needs for achieving sustainability. Literature analysis highlights volunteering and sustainability along with higher education's role. This study examines whether young adults' higher education volunteering experiences affect their sustainability perceptions and post-graduation participation. It also aims to discuss the importance of volunteering practice in ensuring sustainability, through research that reveals the post-graduation perspectives and activities of graduates who have elected the volunteerism practice-oriented course offered at Istanbul Bilgi University since 2012. According to key findings, most participants possess two to eight years of post-graduation experience, indicating sufficient time for involvement in civil society activities and the fact that participating is limited to offering ideas to decision-makers demonstrates that graduates are ineffective at greater levels of participation. However, while graduates have a high awareness of sustainability and volunteerism, they are unable to put it into reality. PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT Exploring the Impact of Volunteerism Integration on Graduate Engagement in Sustainability: An Analysis of Opinions and Experiences. This study investigates the effects of including volunteerism in university courses on graduates' dedication to sustainability. It shows that although many graduates are aware of volunteerism and sustainability, they frequently find it difficult to put this knowledge into practice. According to the study, graduates have two to eight years of experience after graduation, which suggests that they have enough time to participate in civil society activities. Graduates are ineffective at higher levels of participation, though, as their involvement is frequently restricted to providing decision-makers with ideas. With more than 862 million monthly volunteers globally, this study emphasizes the value of encouraging social responsibility and community involvement with the goal of enabling people to make constructive contributions to society. We can better create educational experiences that motivate long-term action for a more sustainable world if we are aware of the obstacles graduates must overcome.