Does An Ethical Job Have To Mean Working For A Charity?
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Ethical jobs can be very varied – and don’t have to involve the rainforest or building schools!
When we think of ‘ethical’ jobs – we always assume it is helping people or places around the world – but ethics can just as easily mean working for your local community, your county, state or anything. And you don’t have to speak a second language or live abroad to make a difference!
And getting paid a tidy sum for doing so as well – it’s not all about volunteering!
There are plenty of jobs right on your doorstep that can make a huge difference to your world and the world of others – and you may already be more than qualified to help!
Ethical Jobs:
If you have ever used an Internet search to find your next job, then you will know how difficult it can be to limit your search without missing any potentially great jobs – as for example – administrative jobs can be found in all sectors, so you can’t just look in the ‘Office Work’ section.
This has it’s advantages therefore when you are thinking about changing jobs and maybe your industry. By this I mean that all companies need someone who can do a whole range of jobs not necessarily highly experienced in the ‘ethical ‘field’ so to speak.
For example, an ethical company may need a graphic designer or someone who has sales experience – regardless of their previous employer. For example I knew a retail manager from a supermarket who became a retail manager for a high street branch of Oxfam, and I know of many people who had a degree or other qualifications in economics, planning, sociology or statistics – all valuable skills when planning ahead for sustainability and community projects.
Planning Your Move:
Obviously, to get a job for an ethical firm – you need to find out which firms are ethically run in the first place, and what skills are required.
There are many resources you can use to scale your companies for in terms of whether you want to help communities, reduce pollution, improve cityscapes, teach children, raise money for projects or working in the areas of law and finance.
And you need to find out where they advertise their jobs and what they advertise for. So go job hunting well in advance and take a look at their criteria way before you need it – and add it into your 2, 3 or 5 year plan!
For example training and interpretation roles now include a huge graphic and marketing element which wasn’t the way a few years back – so if you find that many such jobs ask for this skill – then start getting that experience in advance or sign up for a course to improve your chances.
Getting in through the bottom is always a great strategy if you are worried you don’t have the right skills, but want to learn. Volunteering is one of the entrances, as it a part time admin or PA job – but there are many other ways you can get involved in that company and meet the right people along the way.
Types of Ethical Roles:
There are 3 types of ethical roles if you narrow it right down, and they are 1) Campaigning: Getting things done in person – and with all the facts (and a touch of politics and funding)! This would suit a very pro-active person and can involve travel, confrontation and media work.
2) Personal Work: Actually working on the front line talking to individuals and working slowly towards a result. This include social work, working with disadvantaged people and communities, one to one rehabilitation and the like. Very personal – and very rewarding for the right person.
3) Ethical Business: Working behind the scenes – making the right thing still turn a profit and get the relevant funding. There is no point starting a project if you can’t make it work long term – and that’s where the business team come in. Without admin, accounts, marketing and research – the whole project could fall apart!
The Fourth Role?
There is always the hope that this special 4th type could be one of the most important: and it could be you.
Why not take it upon yourself to make your current role – and your current employer – think and act more ethically? Could you find some small areas of your business to make a difference? Could you help your boss put practices into place that can benefit wider communities or individuals?
I think you can – and I think you should!
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