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These explorations may stem from frustration with current and recent events, the evolution of the employer/employee relationship, or simply a yearning to find a career that is more meaningful and fulfilling.

While this might seem like a scary or even unlikely proposition to some, there are a number of trends that continue to emerge that support career opportunities for values-driven professionals.

1. The current administration supports, and is providing funding to, a number of socially-conscious initiatives around such issues as economic development, job growth, healthcare efficiency and accessibility, alternative energy and climate change, and education quality.
   
   
2. The sustainability and social entrepreneurship movements continue to strengthen and grow within the for-profit sector as another channel to address social challenges.
   
   
3. Cross-sector alliances are growing, namely among for-profit and non-profit organizations, to address the growing social challenges facing our nation.
   
   
4. Non-profits need more organizationally savvy “experts” who can help address the demands for increased accountability, enhanced management, and the increased number of cross-sector alliances and partnerships.
   
   
5. Non-profits continue to explore new channels of revenue that supplement traditional fundraising initiatives and funding streams from government and foundation relationships.
   
   
6. Consumers and top talent are demanding that organizations “walk the talk” with regard to their corporate social responsibility initiatives as more than public affairs campaigns.
   
   
7. While retirement plans may have changed for many as a result of the latest economic conditions, there will be still be more opportunities to grow and advance within values-based careers as more leaders and professionals retire from their current roles.

These trends suggest that there are a number of avenues to explore when thinking about a values-based or socially-minded career path. Job seekers who want to pursue this path might consider:

• Joining a for-profit enterprise that is known for its corporate social responsibility initiatives and has created an organizational culture that supports the values-driven professional.
  
  
• Pursuing a career in corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability to help organizations “walk the talk” as they become “good neighbors” in their communities, for their employees, and for their customers.
  
  
• Reframing your current career to incorporate more activities that speak to your values which might include mentoring, training others, or providing additional support to your “clients” for an enriched customer experience.
  
  
• Consulting or teaching organizational best practices to emerging leaders, social-ventures, existing non-profits and government agencies as well as corporations that are committed to addressing the growing challenges in our society.
  
  
• Becoming a social-entrepreneur by starting or joining a social-venture that has crafted a mission beyond merely making a profit.
  
  
• Applying skills and talents developed in the for-profit sector to government and non-profit roles as both sectors continue to grow and evolve and require more advanced skills and abilities.
  
  
• Embarking on a significant career change where there is growing demand for qualified professionals to make a difference (i.e., healthcare, education, social services, alternative energy, environmental, etc.).
  
  
• Exploring opportunities within the government as demand for talented professionals will continue to increase in response to the change in administration, the retirement of many current government employees, and the redirection of many of the administrations initiatives.
  
  
• Enrolling in further education in management at any number of programs for Socially-Responsible MBAs, Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, Education, or Public Health to name a few.
  

Bottom Line:

While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of career paths, this is the beginning of the conversation to explore career options for the values-driven and socially-minded professional. More to come. Stay tuned...

© Copyright, 2009, Sean Harvey. Used with permission.

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Sean Harvey, MSOD, MSEd, is the Vice President of the Talent Consulting at Partners in Human Resources International.