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November 03, 2007
Sell Out and Doing Good...
People in my political sphere are generally surprised to learn that I enjoy my paid work. I really do, and it surprised me when I realized that. After all, I create junk mail. It's not a field I ever imagined I'd find interest in.
Here's the thing - I've had nonprofit and for profit jobs in the past. None of them allowed me to take more responsibility in a short amount of time. With labor organizing, my ideas about creating a union differed from the model perpetuated by my employer. With my other jobs, I either lacked the academic credentials for more interesting work (see public health consulting) or did not fit into the dominant culture (see magazine ad sales).
I've been involved in the national management of a peace organization long enough to know that my passion is in nonprofit management & writing. But despite my decade trying to find paid work worthy of my intelligence in the nonprofit realm, it took a for profit direct marketing agency to recognize my worth and give me the opportunity to thrive.
I wonder sometimes if I will be as interested in this work in 10 years as I am after 1 year. Will filthy lucre entice me as much when I've paid off my debt? Probably - after all, I'm anxiously awaiting the day I can afford a new car and my own flat.
Most people have this debate with themselves during college. Many classmates told me they had to make money right out of the gate, to ensure the happiness of their future children, and that once they were financially secure they would pay attention to the public welfare issues they were passionate about. I mocked them as sell outs, and righteously chose the path of future foreign service officer (aka career diplomat).
Life is not as black and white as I once saw it. I'm happy to be in LA, being near my family and sharing the ups and downs of life with them. And really, getting control of my metabolism and finding a social life are a helluva lot more important to me than having a job other people find saintly. After all, I spend a helluva lot of time doing peace work and I'm proud to be a life member active on the local, national, and international level of WILPF. In the end, selling out is as empty a term as doing good.
Posted by cj at November 3, 2007 07:44 PM