Hajnalka Fényes

University of Debrecen,

Hungary

E-mail: fenyes.zsuzsanna@arts.unideb.hu

ORCID 0000-0002-1509-0534 

The characteristics of potential target groups of young Hungarians offered paid and voluntary work by employers

Márta Mohácsi

University of Debrecen,

Hungary

E-mail: mohacsi.marta@arts.unideb.hu

ORCID 0000-0002-3031-2342

Abstract. The aim of this research is to investigate the background characteristics of young people combining paid work or volunteering with their studies. Recent studies have indicated an increase in the number of young people in Central and Eastern Europe who engage in paid work alongside their studies, and a concurrent rise in their rate of volunteering. Our secondary data analysis is based on the Hungarian Youth Survey, which constitutes a representative sample of young people aged 15–29 (N=8,000). The hypothesis that individuals with more favourable backgrounds choose to become volunteers, while disadvantaged young people are forced to seek paid work, was not confirmed. Logistic regression results demonstrate that the target groups that receive both types of work offers are composed of recent graduates or university students, children of non-graduate parents, residents of smaller settlements, and those in a favourable financial situation. However, it was found that young people are more likely to engage in paid work if they are male, older, and financially independent, and more likely to volunteer if they are female, younger and financially dependent on their parents. The findings will be useful for potential employers in developing their HR strategies.

Received: August, 2024

1st Revision: May, 2025

Accepted: July, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2025/18-3/1

JEL Classification: M12, M54, O15

Keywords: voluntary and paid work of young people, characteristics of target groups of employers, HR management, quantitative analysis, Hungary