We connect graduates with social impact organisations

The For Purpose Social Impact Graduate Programme was established to provide a structured and unified graduate programme for the charity and community sector in Ireland. It is designed to provide a career path into the sector, support early career professionals and help meet the current and future needs of the sector.

We offer a rolling 12-month development programme whereby we pair early career professionals with an external mentor, and we also host monthly learning seminars in-person to support them during the transition from education to employment in the sector.  

We also connect social impact organisations with talented graduates who are searching for purpose in their careers and the chance to make an impact on society. We recruit positions across a range of career paths, from fundraising and communications to finance, HR, and more. For Purpose is part of 2into3, who have been working since 2006 to build the capacity of organisations to have a transformative social impact. 

Why Invest In Graduate Talent?

Why Invest in Graduate Talent

Social Impact Development Programme

Our learning seminars were developed following consultation with our alumni regarding the main challenges they faced in their first year, and topics which supported them during their transition from study to full-time employment in the social impact sector.  

We have developed 12 structured sessions which are a mixture of various ‘work skills’ topics such as time-management and team dynamics, and ‘sector deep-dives’, such as governance, advocacy, funding, etc.  

All seminars include individual tasks or reflection pieces, paired work and group work to encourage members to build a network with other people at a similar stage in their career.  

Graduates are assigned a mentor once they begin the programme. This is an external, independent professional who will meet with them for a one-hour session every month for the duration of the programme. The role of the mentor is to provide directed guidance and act as a sounding board during the transition from education to employment.  

See our brochure below for more information.

For Purpose Brochure

“From our very first meeting with the team at For Purpose, they made the process incredibly easy. The For Purpose team took complete responsibility for every stage of the process including drafting the job specification, advertising the role, screening applications as well as preparing us for the final stage interviews.

During the interviews, the real value of For Purpose became apparent as each of the shortlisted candidates were nothing short of exceptional. We were delighted with the entire process and could not recommend the services of For Purpose more highly.”

“Within an organisation, a graduate might be the only person at that level, so it is good to have a wider network where everyone is in the same boat.

Grads engage with others at the same level of experience/ inexperience so there is camaraderie, support and it is a comfortable environment to learn.”

Co operative Housing Ireland logo

Graduate Recruitment

Screening Interviews

We held 134 screening interviews.

Graduate Career Progression

Upon completion of the For Purpose programme, 65% of graduates progressed within their organisation.

Graduate Roles

In 2023, we filled 9 successful graduate roles.

Applications Received

We received 724 applications throughout 2023 in total – an average of 80 per role.

Shortlisted Candidates

68% of all shortlisted candidates were deemed appointable.

Panel Interviews

We conducted 38 panel (client) interviews.

Our Recruitment Process

For Purpose Social Impact Graduate Programme Process

Why Work With Us?

Organisations Who Have Partnered With For Purpose

 

Tuath Housing logo

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland

Human Resources Assistant Foroige

Co operative Housing Ireland

Jigsaw Logo

 

Aiseiri addiction services waterford

2into3

Our mentoring programme forms one of the three core pillars of our programme, alongside one-year paid employment and monthly learning seminars.

A mentor is a trusted advisor who provides guidance to the mentee (graduate).  Their mentor is there to support them in the transition from education to employment. We match early career professionals with experienced professionals from varied backgrounds who can provide insight into the nonprofit sector and offer unbiased support. Furthermore, mentors also work with their mentee to clarify goals and develop career ideas, identify key learnings and support them in moving forward in their career. Learn more about our mentors here.