Career Ideas For Making A Contribution

Are you looking for career ideas that allow you to serve others in a meaningful way? If so, you're not alone.

Statistics show that people in midlife are returning to the idealism they felt when they were younger. According to the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey (2005):

• half of all Americans between ages 50 and 70 want to do work that helps others in their communities
• 58% of boomers age 50 to 59 want jobs now and in retirement that allow them to give back to their communities
• more than half of Americans age 50 to 70 who plan to work in retirement wish to work in education, social services, health care, and public service

Are you wondering how you as an individual can possibly make a difference? Just imagine the possibilities for social change when you add your efforts to those of others. Whatever you do, someone will benefit from what you have to share.

Today there are many opportunities and career ideas for giving back to society. And the world desperately needs your talents.

What Is Your Contribution?

Your contribution will be as unique as you are. There are many ways to give back.

Your personality and gifts help determine how you would be happiest serving. You might dream of taking on an active leadership role on the forefront of change. Or you may prefer a quieter role, working behind the scenes or directly with individuals and small groups.

Career Change Ideas

Public service jobs are not just in government anymore. You can find a public service career in higher education, the private sector, and nonprofits, as well as at all levels of government. The problems you would be working with could be on the local, national, or global level.

You might be interested in exploring community service ideas. Social service jobs in local agencies deal with an array of issues in your own community - issues like health care, education, public safety, criminal justice, transportation, and community organizing and outreach.

Nonprofit employment offers a variety of work opportunities in many different areas. Nonprofit organizations are mission-focused, so they generally have a specific purpose. If you can't find an organization that matches your cause or your values, you could learn how to start a nonprofit organization.

Are you tired of waiting for others to change society for the better? Social entrepreneurship is a way for you to start a business designed to come up with new solutions to difficult social problems. As a social entrepreneur , you can turn your vision into reality.

Another way you can come up with some career ideas is to ask yourself the following questions.

• What cause or issue speaks to you the most? Look at what moves you, what arouses your compassion. Alternatively, think about what bothers you the most. What wrong do you want to right? What hurt do you want to help heal?

• What group of people do you want to serve? Would you prefer working with older adults, children, families, people who are ill or homeless? Whose issues do you resonate with?

• At what level do you wish to work? Are you interested in tackling problems on a national or even global level? Issues such as poverty, social justice, the environment, or peace? You may wish to work closer to home, in your own community.

If you'd like to find out how career coaching services can help you explore and brainstorm career ideas, contact me for more information.

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