Find Work in a Socially and Environmentally Responsible Organization
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 06. 6.05
We all would rather work in a job that we like than a job we don't like, that's just normal. But treehuggers like us tend to be sensible, and rightly so, about the impact that their job has on society and the environment. Many of us are torn between the need to put organic bread on the table and act coherently with our beliefs. Should you keep that cubicle job at Big Bad MegaCorp just because it pays? How to find the right job? Respected environmental thinker Dave Pollard recently wrote about "ten ideas that can help you find a meaningful job and make the world a better place at the same time." More or less a guide to help you find a job in a socially and environmentally responsible organization. I'm curious: How many of our readers have considered a career change to work in a field more compatible with a green life? Please leave a comment with your story.
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My career path has been all over the map. People ought to take more risks in finding fulfillment and feeling good about their work. Do it while you're young and without a family; it's easier. Do it while you're raising family; you'll be wiser.
I certainly feel awful about working for Calgene pre-Monsanto days, and after two years of supporting agricultural biotech, I fled for the hills to find greener pastures.
It's a bumpy road that requires faith, diligence and focus. If you're going to leave a mega-corp, ask them if they'll help you with your career transition. My former software start-up employer supported my transition by offering me part-time contract work and by paying for green conferences. Through attending conferences, I networked my way into a green new-media company leveraging my existing skills.
About 2 months out of the year, I'm working to pay for America's military defense (through taxes). I'm going to make sure that the other 10 months are spent working for positive change.
I'm currently a web designer; at the design studio I work for we mostly do work for real estate developers. Thus, I earn my living creating websites to help real estate developers sell more vinyl sided condos to rich people. Can we say soul-less?
Needless to say, my job is not only unfulfilling but I take no pride in my work, and actively disagree with the nature of the work I do.
So, I am making a change. I will be quitting my job this week, and this fall I am going back to school to study nutrition, a field which I strongly feel makes a positive contribution to humanity. Aside from educating people on how to eat better to maintain their health and thus avoid supporting the pharmaceutical industry, I also look forward to being able to educate people on the benefits of organic/sustainable agriculture and turn them onto CSAs.
Plus, I will be moving to an area with a kick-ass CSA in town, and I will be walking distance to the bus that will take me to campus so I won't even have to depend on my 1981 diesel Rabbit that much.
Oh, and the place I am moving to has no vinyl siding. Plus, it's an old house so it was made with pretty natural materials - good for my chemical sensitivies.
Apologies for the plug, but I think many of the folks reading this post would be interested in the SBLNetwork.com job board where you will find a nice assortment of sustainability and green business jobs.
Good Luck
I would also highly recommend checking the site idealist.org.
They have a great amount of job listings all over the states that focus on values-oriented organizations.
-a
Check out this magazine:
http://www.greenatworkmag.com
Says it all don't it?
They've been around for quite awhile.
Nice recycled glossy paper mag.
Bill McDonough and Carl Frankel are regular columnists.
Not on newsstands, Green @ Work is one of these very well kept secret internal corporate publications.