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About The Author
BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
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Of course.
Here’s a question that I’ve always wondered…What is it that folks on here do for a living? I’m currently in the midst of changing careers, I really hated my previous job and I’m looking for something else to do. Since I probably have a fair bit in common with many of the other inhabitants of this site, I’m just curious what you do and if you enjoy it. Any suggestions? I’d love to work for a non-profit or do something that would make me feel like I make some sort of difference…
I’m a university professor. Don’t make too big a deal out of it though – I work long hours in a state that pays its higher ed professionals about $11k below national average. I love the work though, and especially that I get a great deal of freedom to do much of what I want to do. Not bad for someone who comes largely working class and agricultural roots.
I’m a professional computer geek and I hate every single second of it. As far as suggestions go, I’m clueless, but I wish you the best. Just stay away from anything that leaves you dead on the inside. My wife is a teacher and she loves it. She wanted to teach since she was a kid and she can’t ever seem to get enough of it. She’s very lucky and very happy. I wish I could relate.
You are looking for career counseling. You need to do some research. Try MOIS or ONET. Try your local job training office. Things you need to consider are interests, aptitude, job market/labor market demand and can you afford the job you want, i.e. starving artist.
I’ve worked in non-profits my entire professional life. Started out as a counselor at a residential program for kids who were chemically dependent, went on to get a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, worked as a Family Therapist at a program for runaway kids and now am the director of a non-profit working with troubled kids.
I’d suggest that you look for the web site of your local United Way. It will direct you to most of the established non-profit human service organizations in your area. See if you find anything that trips your trigger.
I will say what you probably already know, most people who work in non-profits don’t make much money. Three excpetions, those who do the fundraising, finances, and those who manage their IT systems. Most nonprofits are desperately in need of those services. Just like small businesses, the smaller nonprofits tend to hire consultants or part-time for these services and the bigger ones have them on staff. Folks who do that don’t get rich – but they tend to make a good living working for something they can believe in. So if you have computer skills, accounting skills, writing skills, or PR skills – it might be a good fit.
I’ve been listening to another radio interview with Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop Elect of the Episcopal Church. This one was on Oregon Public Broadcasting. Given that religion and science are supposedly at odds with each other in America today, I am of course fascinated to hear the perspective of a bishop who worked as a scientist at a university.
More from that interview here.
From After Downing Street
For larger Version Click HERE
DEMOCRACY NOW COVERAGE
On 1 July 2006 After Downing Street cover the story of a veterans who was arrested at a Veterans Administration Medical Center for wearing a Veterans for Peace t-shirt. Now, you can listen to Mike Ferner and Amy Goodman on Democracy Now discuss the incident.