Routes to world changing career path

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. declared ‘“No work is insignificant”, which is true, in that all work puts food on the table and shoes on your kids’ feet. But for many of us in the 21st Century the binary choice between ‘work to live or live to work’ simply doesn’t cut it.

We want to make a living, and also make a difference in the world. And, why wouldn’t we? Those whose work makes a valuable social or environmental contribution enjoy high career satisfaction.

If you’re already working in sustainability, social impact or even the traditional ‘purpose’ careers of medicine or public service then you know what I mean. But if you’re not, then perhaps you’ve fantasised about a career jump into change-making.

As global social and environmental problems become harder to ignore, so the opportunities to make a living out of solving them grow. And it’s not only millennials seeking more meaningful work.

Every day I’m asked by those at the peak of their career and ‘legacy aware’ near-retirees “how do I get work in sustainability?” So many are desperate to serve a higher purpose and feel that their working lives matter.

And I tell them that the opportunities to start, or switch into, a career into saving the world are huge. But the formal jobs in ‘sustainability’ are rare. Most go to in-house folk and many require very specific technical skills and experience. Thankfully, it’s not only those with sustainability or CSR in their job title who get to make a difference. There are three routes to a world-changing career that are available to everyone:

Don’t leave your job, change your job.
The biggest influence you can have is where you already are. You know your sector and your workplace’s internal politics. You know the positive impact your company could make and you probably already know who you must convince to make that true.

There are specific terms for people who try to change their current workplaces for the better: social intrapreneurs or internal activists. They ask questions about social impact, they start recycling schemes, organize volunteering days, challenge decisions and even drive sustainable NPD. Some of the most impactful change-makers I know are people who are changing their workplaces from the inside.

Make a difference on the side.
It’s still meaningful work even if you only do it for a few hours a week. There are thousands of charities and community groups who would appreciate your professional skills and expertise. Management and HR expertise, financial/business planning and communications skills are especially welcome.

I always advise anyone seeking a Non-Executive Director role in business to have spent at least a few years as a charitable trustee first – to appreciate high-stakes decision making.

Make your own work.
If you can’t work for a sustainable business, then start one. Last year 9% of all businesses in the UK were classed as social enterprises – all working to solve social or environmental problems.

According to the UK Cabinet Office, they contribute over £20 billion to the economy and employ nearly 1 million people. One of my favorite things about social enterprises isn’t just that they make a difference, but that 40% of them are led by women (compared to only 18% of regular small businesses).

This is the path I took. And my advice is simple: find something that is broken, and set up a business to fix it.
These are all non-linear career paths, but we now live in a non-linear world. Waiting for the perfect sustainability role in the most purposeful business is a waste.

Right now, you could be solving global challenges, serving society and doing meaningful work.

Dr King also said that “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence”. And that’s the best description of a world-saving career I can find.

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