I like to say I am making evil people less evil, but sometimes I think I am making it worse by helping them be better at their jobs (I work in a sector of HR and have some "evil" clients). My H still works at the nonprofit where we met, so that link is much clearer.
Yes, I'm a behavior therapist for kids with developmental delays and their families. When I graduated college I had a job offer to work in my current field or to do market research. I chose my current field based on the fact that I'd probably be more emotionally fulfilled by helping people.
At the level I'm at now, it's a little more removed with more meetings and paperwork, so I definitely know that working directly with the kids is my passion.
No. My last job was with a disease-specific nonprofit. I really felt like I was doing good things in the world, and it made going to work really easy. I loved my job.
My current job involves working on publications for a trade organization. I am pretty sure no one reads them. It's not life altering work, but it does pay the bills.
Maybe to SOME extent, but it'd be a reach to say that I'm directly helping people. I'm in editing and my specific publication occasionally runs pieces on safety procedures and equipment. But it's nothing that can't be found elsewhere, and honestly I don't think it's anything that people in the industry aren't already aware of. Unless they've been living under a rock all their lives.
I don't have a job right now, lol. But my previous job was at an educational testing company and I do feel like the organization does good things. They really do focus all their work on helping people succeed and as someone in HR I supported the people doing that work by helping THEM succeed.
My most recent job there had less connection (I worked on the team that hired people, which has a direct effect, but I wasn't actually the one doing the hiring so it was less direct from my role).
It is one thing that scares me about finding a new job. I really liked working in that kind of environment. I am seeing jobs at McDonalds and Monsanto (among others) and I'm just not sure I can make that much of a jump from feeling great about my employer to feeling like I work for someone ruining the world.
PDQ I may have to delete that last paragraph if I decide to apply at either place, lol.
I work with adults who have swallowing, speech, voice, and language disorders following stroke, head and neck cancer, brain injury, etc. Additionally, working in an urban setting allows me to serve culturally diverse populations and people who are very much in need.
As much as the early hours suck, my job enriches my life.
Yes, I won't get into detail, but I do think that what I do is important and while it may not be a direct impact, there is definitely indirect positive impact.
I no longer work there, but DH currently does so I'll answer for both of us. It is an industry that is often vilified by the media however, the work DH directly does directly benefits individuals all over the globe. I think when a lot of people think of well-paying finance jobs they forget the fact that these people are hired to make money for THEM – the police unions, the teacher unions, the health care workers, anyone who has a 401(k) or pension is directly benefiting from having an experienced portfolio manager looking after their retirement portfolio. Yes of course there's clearly a lot of greed in the industry but at the same time someone who is performing well and consistently earning double-digit returns is making a lot of money for a lot of people and allowing people to reach their financial and retirement goals. It's certainly not curing cancer but I think it has a direct impact on the happiness of others.
I work with adults who have swallowing, speech, voice, and language disorders following stroke, head and neck cancer, brain injury, etc. Additionally, working in an urban setting allows me to serve culturally diverse populations and people who are very much in need.
As much as the early hours suck, my job enriches my life.
My H's grandpa had his third stroke a few weeks ago. His prognosis isn't good. His SLP has been so incredibly helpful every step of the way. Honestly, probably more helpful than his physicians and nurses.
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's grandfather, but I am glad to hear your family feels supported by your SLP. Big hugs to you and your H.
@buckybells, I get you. I would have a very hard time working for some of my clients (I laughed when a handful of them were named in the OITNB career episode in season 2; then I cried).
We are helping people but I am under no illusions that we are helping people in need or anything.
This is pretty much where I am professionally. However some of this is balanced by my company's efforts to be a good corporate citizen, contributing to charities, taking great care of employees and their families, and supporting volunteering.
My career allows me to donate and volunteer and overall enables me to strike a balance that on the whole makes the world better.I don't think I'd have the fortitude required to work full time in social services and not burn out.
Post by jerseyjaybird on Jul 11, 2014 8:22:29 GMT -5
Yes.
I edit and publish art books and help curators and others write scholarly-ish texts that are accessible to broader audiences. We're not saving lives, but I absolutely believe we're enriching them.
Post by rondonalddo on Jul 11, 2014 8:22:36 GMT -5
Yes and no. I mean, I work for an arts related non-profit, and I do believe that the arts are important, but my particular role is mostly administrative, and I think a healthy dose of perspective is necessary. People can become entirely too self-important and, uh, small-pictured about the work we do. I admit that I'm also a little jaded.
I work in engineering and we design and purchase equipment that makes our processes more efficient, but at the end of the day that eliminates jobs. I think what we do is important for our bottom line, but there are tradeoffs associated with it.
Yes. I don't always see it on the day-to-day, but most of our projects involve keeping people safe or improving people's quality of life.
I'm working on one project that involves bringing running water to people who don't have it, and I met a woman who hugged me and told me she'd been praying every day for water, and that her goal was to save up to buy a trailer by the time they got running water so that she could take a shower inside. It nearly broke my heart, but was a really neat reminder that we are doing good, important work (for the most part anyway).
Post by dcrunnergirl52 on Jul 11, 2014 8:47:12 GMT -5
Yes, I work on marketing and advertising campaigns related to wide range of social topics, including environmental issues, helping to reduce energy use, transportation safety, welfare, flood risk, homeland security, etc.
Right now as a grad student, no. But the job I will have once I graduate could depending on how you look at it. I will probably be designing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. So on one hand I will be making medicines for people, but on the other I will be working for big Pharma so...
Post by lexxasaurus on Jul 11, 2014 8:50:21 GMT -5
I do. I work in the benefits department for my local government, and I issue assistance to people who need it. We help those who are disabled, those with families in need, single mothers etc. I am aware that some people take advantage of the system, but I do feel like there are a lot of honest people that come in just needing a bit of help, and I feel good being able to do that for them.