PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT – YOUR CAREER’S TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

Not so long ago, I might have found it strange to be having a conversation about socially responsible careers that included existing opportunities in the for-profit business world. The two concepts might have even seemed contradictory in a typical “I want to change the world and I want a job that allows me to do so” discussion. Yet, there I was for the second time within a few weeks in the same coffee house having just that conversation. The noted peculiarity was replaced with enthusiasm as I discussed with a student the merits of pursuing a venture-based entrepreneurship which would fund sustainable projects in impoverished communities around the world and the desire to make it her full time job.

When did this shift occur? When did a socially-minded student’s options go from not only nonprofit and government to now include profit-based business? For a hint, we might glance back over the last few years: a General Electric ECOmagination commercial on every other channel, Tom’s Shoes on the feet of every third college student (and mine today – it’s Friday), the influx of ‘green’ products and foods in our grocers, retailers, and restaurants, the multitude of companies incorporating volunteering hours into their employees’ work weeks, and who could forget the infamous day Starbuck’s closed - and reopened with a new mission. These are just a few of the telltale signs that have pointed towards a new era – one where businesses are seeing the value of considering the customer’s (and employee’s) values.  The result is a new way to do business; a new bottom line that counts the social and environmental impact along with the profit margin. 

As a Career Consultant, it only seems logical to consider the career opportunities that might exist in this new public service. After all, these are for-profit businesses; a profit is being made and someone is getting paid to be involved in these initiatives, thus, there must be job opportunities. While we might find  limited opportunities to be hired in social purpose companies like Tom’s Shoes or Seventh Generation or in an upper-level position in a traditional company’s corporate social responsibility department, many have ventured out on their own to start social entrepreneurships (such as my student in the coffee house). Even more common, however, are those students who are taking the path of “intrapreneurship”; they are getting their start in entry level jobs with traditional corporations with the goal of a steady paycheck and the hopes of impacting change from within.

As the business world continues to develop as a corporate citizen, a strategic social or environmental advocate/job seeker might explore how their career and personal values align along the continuum of government, nonprofits, B-Corps, LL3Cs, or Socially Responsible Corporations. If you consider yourself among these students who want more from a career than a paycheck, you might find value engaging in this upcoming presentation:

DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD – A STUDENTS GUIDE TO SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CAREERS
Career Services Presents Donald Asher, a nationally recognized career development speaker to discuss:
·       The Meaning of Social Responsibility
·       The Kinds of Careers Available in Social Responsibility
·       Why Corporations are Hiring Graduates Interested in Social Responsibility
·       How to Find Companies and Organizations that Fit the Graduate’s Values
 
Date: October 13^th 2011
Time: 1:00pm
Location: University Center Shiloh Room

By the way, in case you were curious, the first coffee house conversation was with Mr. Asher. We hope you will join us!

Author: Shawna Hembree