Throughout my life, a lot of people have advised me to “Make money now, and do good later.” I am often told to find a lucrative job at a prestigious firm and focus on building skill sets and wealth in the short term. In the long run, many say, I can do something that makes a greater impact in the world.
While this career path may be fulfilling to some individuals, it is not so to others. I tend to fall in the latter category. While I do acknowledge that there is merit to the idea of obtaining a position of power and prestige within society, and then using that power, wealth and influence to make a difference in the world, I don’t think it’s something I could do. Certainly, I don’t deny that the entrepreneurs, politicians, and powerful CEOs of the Fortune 500 – like Bill Gates, Jeff Skoll, Bill Clinton, Warren Buffett – are making a significant impact in the world of social justice and philanthropy today – I just don’t think I could follow such a path. And I think there are many others out there who share my sentiments.
Why not? Primarily, I feel like working for the greater good and towards social change has to start now, not later. Attempting to get a job at a top corporate firm or investment bank would force me to focus on only one thing – myself. In the short run, I might be making money, gaining valuable skills, and rising to a position of social power and influence by taking up such a position, but ultimately such a career path would mean that I would spend years simply attempting to attain prestige, power, and wealth for…myself. And at the end of the day, I simply don’t think I could spend years focused on my own personal advancement. That strikes me as a diversion from my ultimate goals, and perhaps even a bit selfish.
Second, taking a job primarily for the wealth or power the position would afford most likely would mean that I’m not very passionate about that job. If I’m not passionate about something, I simply can’t do it well. I wouldn’t be able to focus on a job position that I didn’t care about, and I probably wouldn’t perform very well as a consequence. I wouldn’t be motivated enough to push myself to achieve greater success at a position which simply served to increase my own wealth and power. I’m usually most motivated when doing work I know is making a difference and is serving to further causes I strongly support. By going the “corporate route,” I’d be setting aside my passion for social change – and as a result, I doubt I’d be motivated enough to rise in the ranks of whatever company I was a part of. As a result, I likely wouldn’t gain the level of influence needed to become a major philanthropist.
Finally, I don’t believe that working in a non-profit or on social change issues is incompatible with power and influence in society. I just don’t buy this excuse! I believe that being an Executive Director of a non-profit carries a whole lot of weight within one’s own community and even nationally or internationally – based on the reach of the organization. Becoming the Director of a project at the ACLU or Human Rights Watch carries a lot of weight. Spearheading major initiatives and cases on controversial and important issues within the U.S. or abroad can put you in the spotlight and even make you a media darling. Starting your own non-profit and bringing it to a prominent position can make you an incredibly powerful player within the world of philanthropy. Obtaining grants from social entrepreneurship foundations like the Skoll Foundation, Ashoka, or Echoing Green can be tremendously prestigious. Climbing the professional ladder within international organizations like the World Bank or the United Nations puts you in a position to influence world leaders and policymakers. There are thousands of non-profits and governmental organizations that allow one to do good and simultaneously achieve social power and influence. Moreover, while starting salaries for these types of positions can be low, as one rises in one’s career, the salaries rise too. With professional success come well-paying speaking and publishing opportunities as well (although most of these revenues should go to your non-profit if you’re any respectable non-profit leader…). You can certainly live a comfortable (if not extravagant) life while also working at a non-profit.
Becoming wealthy, starting a foundation and donating millions of dollars to charity is not the only way to make a difference. Certainly, we need wealthy businesspeople, CEOs, and managing partners to donate their money to worthy causes. At the same time, we need smart and talented people to run the non-profits receiving these donations, to ensure that this money is being used efficiently and effectively to solve the social problem at hand. Even if we all decided to follow the path of “make money and then do good,” social problems wouldn’t be magically solved. Unless we have effective non-profit leaders, all the money in the world isn’t going to end poverty, human rights violations, animal abuse, or environmental damage.
That’s why I won’t choose the path of “make money now, do good later.” I would be betraying my passion and also would be ignoring the need for effective leaders in the non-profit field.
So to all those who tell your children, relatives, or friends to make money now and change the world later, I’m here to tell you to think again. Becoming a wealthy philanthropist/donor is not the only way to make a difference. Joining the non-profit field also doesn’t at all prevent one from having a successful career, a prestigious and powerful position in society, or a comfortable lifestyle.
Instead, if your relative or friend seems to be interested in working with non-profits, encourage him or her to follow this passion! We’re always going to have tons of entrepreneurs and corporate executives who want to strike it rich or become famous. Many such individuals will go on to invest some time and money into philanthropy. But I strongly believe that we need many more people to dedicate their lives to the other side – to join the “business” of social change and social justice now…not later.
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