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The Realities

Let’s consider 5 significant realities:

1. The issues and challenges facing our communities and world have never been greater and require skilled professionals to help our society move forward.
   
   
2. Areas such as healthcare, education, and alternative energy continue to provide high job growth in our service economy.
   
   
3. Traditional expectations of the world of work no longer work in today’s global economy.
   
   
4. There are more choices across sectors available to pursue this path than ever before.
   
   
5. Social entrepreneurship is gaining momentum and you can create your own enterprise to cater to social needs.
   

These realities seem to suggest that the opportunities will be there if you are willing to pursue this path. 

The Best Path

As you think about the best path for you in the socially conscious space, let me suggest that you act like a consultant on a fact-finding mission.
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, begin with your cause in mind.  Then explore the different types of organizations catering to the specific needs of the cause.

Ask yourself:

• What is being done by the government, by non-profits, and by for-profits?
  
  
• Where are the alliances between sectors?
  
  
• Can I start a business that caters to the need?
  
  
• What skills do I have that I can contribute to the cause through any of these various channels?
  

As you think about the skills you have, also think about the skills that you might need to develop so you are contributing to your cause with a level of integrity that allows you to make the right type of impact.  

As you gather the information, begin to look for the opportunities in the data.  You might find a creative solution or type of role that doesn’t exist yet.  As many of my colleagues discuss the new economic job realities, we agree that days of traditional full-time employment are not going to return any time soon, if ever.  However, the more flexible you are in taking on roles that help you build a portfolio of skills, the more adaptable and valuable you are going to be to future employers across sectors. 

Bottom Line

If you create a specialty of working in the socially-conscious space, you’ll be recognized for someone who can take on those types of projects and your versatility will be rewarded.

© Copyright, 2010, 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.