When I was in my early 20’s I turned a corner in my professional career. I was working for a non-profit organization as an Aquatics Director (aka glorified lifeguard), managing (baby-sitting) around 50 part-time staff, and monitoring (making miracles happen..) a $150,000 budget. A job I thought could make a difference in the world, wasn’t making much of a dent at all. What about the greater good? Must help the community! Must give and give!
After working 14 days in a row, I remember thinking how much I hated my job. Not only was I underpaid and overworked, but I also realized this non-profit organization did a horrible job at treating their employees well. Ahhh….I was tricked by a non-profit organization! I remember looking at myself in the reflection of the pool and thinking, “How did I get here?”
I hated my job and no longer believed in the organization. I was only earning money. I decided it was time to give my notice and it was one of the best things I ever did. From that day forward, I would only take part-time work that would allow me to study so I could quickly complete my college degree in International Management. After I finished my degree, I started a small retail business which proved to be a powerful, foundational learning experience. I then founded Global Deaf Connection, an organization to support Deaf people in developing countries. I later travelled the world through a consulting fellowship with Bertelsmann, moved to the UK where I started a business development consultancy, and now I am living my dream as COO of JustMeans. JustMeans is a social media platform that rallies both companies and individuals around social responsibility. I help socially responsible companies promote their good work and encourage individuals to work for a company that is creating positive change in the world. I love my job so much that I actually have to force myself to take time off. Such a great feeling.
My advice:
If you hate your job and do not believe in the company your work for, don’t sit around waiting for something to change. Become proactive: put in your notice, dive into a full-time search, and as a result, you may end up working for an organization you believe in. Monday mornings can become a whole new reality.
