Make a Living and Make a Difference

by Russ Finkelstein
Action Without Borders/Idealist.org

A new generation of civically engaged individuals is entering the workforce. Young and old, college grads to retirees, are seeking a balance between their work and the world around them.  While some wish to focus on wiping out global poverty and famine, others are looking for ways to serve children or connect to issues in their own communities.

Is there such a thing as a work-life balance?  Or is work itself life?

At Idealist, we are privileged to sit between people seeking purposeful, community-focused work and more than 65,000 nonprofit organizations looking for both full-time employees and volunteers. As the nonprofit sector continues to grow, we are excited to see it strengthen as a force for positive impact and as a place that helps individuals purposefully contribute to society.

Opportunities Already Exist

Unfortunately, many people think effecting positive change needs to be an either/or decision between "real" life and "philanthropic" life. One way to begin creating a meaningful career involves understanding the myriad opportunities that already exist. You can volunteer your time through work, church, or a professional association; participate in community action groups that clean up parks or serve hot meals; collaborate with a network of friends and family; or take advantage of the connective power of technology. Passionate causes can coexist with your daily life and interests.

Be Realistic

It's especially important for anyone interested in connecting their passion and their career to approach the desire to make a difference with a hearty dose of reality. It's easy to be too idealistic when setting expectations for such work. Being aware of one's own limitations, understanding the amount of work involved, and setting realistic personal goals can help prevent the burnout and skepticism associated with not first considering the big picture.  (See "10 Myths about Nonprofit Employment" and "Advantages and Disadvantages to Working for a Nonprofit.")

Successful change agents also balance the work they do with other, equally important aspects of their lives. Part of the balance for change-makers is in tackling small pieces of an enormous issue without getting overwhelmed. The issues that face our communities and the world at large cannot be immediately solved, but that does not mean we shouldn't roll up our sleeves and get started.

You Are Not Alone

Recently, Michael Gilbert of the Gilbert Center published a study examining how much people's identities are tied to their jobs. Gilbert found that the "vast majority of people who work in 'civil society' see their job as part of their identity, as compared to 'society at large,' in which nearly half of all workers see their job as just a way to earn a living."

These results explain what we've seen at Action Without Borders/Idealist.org. Approximately 500,000 people receive our daily e-mails, attend our career fairs, and search our website to find opportunities that will allow them to incorporate their passions into their careers. In other words, if you're not currently connecting your passion with your work, know that you are not alone.

So, take the first small steps into the world of philanthropy and discover the possibilities awaiting you. There can be a balance between making a living and making a difference.