My office is cramped.
My desk is old and shabby.
My computer is most definitely sub-par.
Some nights I work until after midnight, but I don’t get paid for “overtime”.
Yet, every morning when I wake up, I can’t wait to go to work…
In this culture of capitalism, I’m often asked why I work for non-profit organizations. After all, why would anyone choose to spend their time and talent not making as much money as they possibly can?
The answer is simple. I fell in love.
I live in Austin, Texas, which has the highest number of non-profit organizations per capita in the United States. Over the years I found myself investing my time by volunteering at local non-profits and grassroots organizations.
I fell in love with my community. Instead of a vague idea of what the world was like, I met the very people who make up the world: my neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. I realized how beautiful diversity is, lending its shades and sparkles to otherwise grey and functional agencies. I realized how cool it is to have a unique place on the planet that is part of me—and of which I am a real, working part.
I fell in love with the individuals; People who blazed trails and who were living their passion. Educated, professional, hard working, ethical—and willing to forego a high-paying job to work at a cause they believe in.
I fell in love with the humanness of non-profit work; and with the ‘roll-up-your-sleeves-and-pitch-in’ mentality that permeates it, from the executive level to the volunteer level.
People are multi-faceted. We cannot thrive and be happy by ignoring our basic instincts; the physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual parts of us all need to be recognized and nurtured. No other career path does this like working in non-profit organizations.
My volunteer work with non-profits eventually developed into a full-fledged love affair with the work, the people, and the community. I’m pleased and proud to say that my career was one that I chose for the most important of reasons: because it lets me be the very best person I can be.
