I can feel it in the air. There’s something electric out there, something new and exciting. I see it all around me - and it gives me a sense of hope. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like right now we’re experiencing a fundamental shift in the way the world works and the way people do things. More and more people - especially young people - are finding service-oriented careers more attractive. It seems to me that although there’s constantly negative talk in the media about the state of the world, there is actually a seismic shift underway. It’s just up to us to recognize it - and join in. Here’s why and how the world is changing:
The election of President Obama
This shift accelerated greatly around the election of President Obama. He mobilized young people to support him at unprecedented levels - and at a time (after President Bush’s time in office) at which people had very little reason to believe in politics, and every reason to be disillusioned. This was not only an impressive feat on his part, but he caused young people to begin having more faith in their country and democracy. He reduced cynicism and provided people with hope and inspiration. His election caused young people to think that just by voting, they could make a difference: their voice was being heard, and even one person could make an impact. Moreover, Obama has made public service cool. More and more students are considered community organizing as a viable profession after college - no doubt inspired by President Obama’s own experiences. After his election, more people are going into government and public sector jobs as well, especially as he has created so many new ones.
Graduate schools of government and public policy are seeing a surge of applications. “The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration found that 82 percent reported an increase in applications this year, and many saw the largest percentage jumps in several years, or ever. The most-cited reason was the expectation by students that government will be hiring.”
President Obama’s election is a resounding “endorsement of government activism” - which has pretty amazing implications for the career choices of our country’s future leaders.
The financial crisis and recession
When the economy recently tanked, the financial crisis was widely hailed as the “end of capitalism.” I doubt capitalism is going to end anytime soon, but going into finance is sure a lot less attractive for fresh graduates. Not only is the industry a mess due to the subprime crisis, but bankers and Wall Street are constantly being attacked now for their greed and mismanagement of the economy. Finance is no longer prestigious; in fact, it’s looked down upon. Making money at any cost is just not cool anymore. And at the same time, job prospects at top Wall Street firms are dwindling, making even business majors consider alternative careers.
Of course, a tough economy helps attract people to professions they might not have otherwise considered, as does a crusading time when Wall Street has become a symbol of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility.
So, with society beginning to turn away from six-figure finance and consulting jobs, more and more young people will be looking at public service, government, the sciences, and teaching, according to the NYTimes. Business students with work experience at top investment banks are now considering programs like Teach for America, starting jazz clubs, or even becoming rabbis. If nothing else, this shows that times are changing.
The increasing popularity of social enterprise
Social entrepreneurship: it’s the ultimate mix of for profit and non profit. Social businesses are like regular businesses, except they often have a “triple bottom line” - profit, social objectives, and environmental objectives. The advent of social enterprise has created the “thoroughly modern do-gooder.”
Earlier generations of benefactors thought that social service should be like sainthood or socialism. But this one thinks it should be like venture capital.
The days of just “charity” are over. Instead, entrepreneurs are tackling some of the toughest social problems in intelligent, innovative ways - and sometimes even making money while they’re at it. Doing good has become cool. Applying solid business principles to problems like poverty or discrimination makes organizations working towards these goals even more sustainable; while charities had to rely on donations and fundraising, social enterprises can become self sustainable. Social enterprise is getting some of the most intelligent people out there interested in “doing good.” The movement has been pushed forward by the likes of Bill Drayton of Ashoka, Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank, and organizations like the Skoll Foundation and Echoing Green, among many others. Every day, more and more social innovation competitions pop up, aiming up help budding social entrepreneurs. Never has the idea of social business been so popular and enticing - people, we’re seeing a movement forming before our eyes.
Everything’s going digital
With the advent of social media and Web 2.0 technologies, it’s becoming more and more easy to get your voice heard online. Online media makes it simple to blog about your views and spread the word through platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Social media reduces some of the biases of “old” news media and democratizes the news. News is now something coming from the people. You go to Twitter and read blogs to learn about the latest issues, rather than picking up a newspaper.
This is vital for social change since it allows deserving lesser known causes and voices to be heard. Like the execution of Delara Darabi, which new media reported but old media ignored. There are also so many blogs about the latest development of technology and innovation in Africa, issues which are largely ignored by the western media. These are just a couple of examples, but they are powerful. Social media also provides a new way to advocate for causes through exciting new marketing techniques.
Finally, in the context of repressive regimes, we are hearing more and more news from bloggers in countries where basic freedom of speech is often restricted. This offers us an unprecedented chance to learn what is really happening under some of the most oppressive dictatorships in the world - firsthand viewpoints of issues that the mainstream media have difficulty gaining information on. Social media is giving these people a voice, where previously they wouldn’t have one. Social media is driving forward social change.
So here’s the thing: all this change - and much much more - is happening right now, at this very moment. Everything I’ve mentioned is pretty common knowledge - but the thing is, all these factors are interrelated and together are creating a movement for social change. It’s a powerful feeling to imagine the positive change that’s occurring around the world, and I believe we’re living at a historic time. So are you ready for this? And are you going to join in?
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