What impact are you trying to make on your community?

[nidena]

I don't love my job.  I don't even need my job.  I just really like the extra income that it brings in but I struggle with my Why? and do I want to continue at this pace?  It's not fast-paced or anything but my boss expects 5 days/40 hours/wk.  In ten months, I've been able to do that twice.  My migraines and brain gremlins are definite hurdles to deal with.

So, my question...if you're working, what's your Why for continuing to go?  If you're not, but you worked somewhere for a long time, what was your Why?  (Long time can be defined as whatever you want because days can feel like months and months can feel like days, depending upon the environment so... )

[minnesotapaintlady]

Jul 13, 2021 6:52:43 GMT -5 nidena said:

So, my question...if you're working, what's your Why for continuing to go? 

Um...my kids like to eat and my mortgage lender expects to be paid every month?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jul 13, 2021 6:52:43 GMT -5 nidena said:

I don't love my job.  I don't even need my job.  I just really like the extra income that it brings in but I struggle with my Why? and do I want to continue at this pace?  It's not fast-paced or anything but my boss expects 5 days/40 hours/wk.  In ten months, I've been able to do that twice.  My migraines and brain gremlins are definite hurdles to deal with.

So, my question...if you're working, what's your Why for continuing to go?  If you're not, but you worked somewhere for a long time, what was your Why?  (Long time can be defined as whatever you want because days can feel like months and months can feel like days, depending upon the environment so... )

Because if I don't have health insurance and something happens we're facing financial ruin?  Because my mortgage company doesn't take peace and goodwill as a payment?

[giramomma]

Dayjob:

I work in higher ed. Right now, my main interest is looking at 1) making professional development more accessible to folks who need it, 2) looking at alternatives to traditional college educations (certificates,  competencies, micro-bachelors is now a new thing, delivery options, etc), and 3) looking how to help make undergrads better equipped with soft-skills when they graduate.

I think all of this is important because 1) there's not going to be enough traditional 4 year students to support university systems in the very near future and 2) the traditional experience doesn't meet the needs of a lot of people. So, we need to do better and figure it out.

I'll have had one employer for my whole (30 year) career. I'm a dinosaur, in that regard. That's more of a reflection on the workplace environment/benefits than my actual job.

Part time Job:

I get to enjoy and mentor young people. And I get to teach them something about music. I get notes saying how because of my support they decided to teach music (in the public schools) and were successful meeting their goals. It excites me enough that for the kids I have an amazing relationship with, having lessons with them makes me feel great and energized, even the day after chemo, when generally I don't feel great or energized.

[giramomma]

In terms of impact in my community outside my job volunteering in a food pantry revs my engines. DD1 and I boxed up a couple thousand pounds of food during the pandemic to make sure others had access to food. When I retire, I plan to volunteer one day a week.

Volunteering with scouting is another way I make an impact in my community.

On a smaller level, most of the knitting/crochet I do goes to charity.

[flamingo]

I work b/c I need the money to pay back my student loans, pay for my car, and other assorted bills. I also work b/c I carry our health/dental/vision insurance and it's not super affordable otherwise. I actually like my job/career - i spent most of my career working in Higher Ed within the professional school/degree that I graduated with; now I work in a higher ed adjacent field, still working with the same professional students, just in a different capacity/different point in their education. Like I said, I do like it, but it's really a means to an end. If I found something else that paid me more/didn't require more education, I'd probably be happy with that too. I'm easily motivated by money to help fund the type of lifestyle I've become accustomed to 

I do volunteer with an organization that's near and dear to me. I don't know what will happen with that, as I'm moving out of state, so I'll have to see if I can get connected with them in my new area. My time with this organization certainly feels like it has a bigger impact on my community than my job does.

[stillmovingforward]

Why? Because I am the primary breadwinner, the only one who is offered benefits, and I have an autoimmune disorder. Without excellent medical, I'll die. I'd like for that to not happen.
I like to be housed in a healthy location and to eat healthy food. I like to support my family in healthy living.
And, face it, I enjoy my job and it's related mental simulation. I need that. I wish I didn't need to work so much, maybe more vacation or shorter weeks, but I can do it.

[Cookies Galore]

I work because I need money to live. I continue to work for my employer (12 years and counting) because I still like the work/mission, I like my 35-hour week, I have nearly eight weeks of PTO annually, and I carry our health insurance and my share of the monthly premium is pretty good for high quality healthcare. I look forward to the day when we're not chained to a boring or hated job simply because of health insurance. What a dumb, capitalist society.

I also have a part-time job as an elected member of my town council. Aside from complaints about little things and accusations of being a corrupt politician (I assure you, I am not selling my soul for a $100/month stipend), it has been an incredibly rewarding endeavor. I like volunteering my time for the community and getting the opportunity to shape the future of my town.

[thyme4change]

I have to get both my kids through college, which I could do on a lower salary - but if I am working for money, I might as well make good money.

Once my kids are done, I will likely leave capitalism. I have become quite cynical and can't get on board with a lot of decisions that get made. If I can go do something meaningful, I will, but finding it will be tough for me. Maybe I will slide to an NFP and still do finance and see if being in an organization that has a purpose is enough. Maybe I could go work in a political organization or something like that. I don’t have a passion, or even a hobby, so I think I need to "find myself".

[swamp]

I actually really like my job. I’m primary breadwinner, have good benefits, and make good money. Damn kids expect to eat every day.

I also feel I am making a difference. I’m very lucky

[pulmonarymd]

, I feel very lucky too.

[Lizard Queen]

Nothing really through my job. I had the hardest unpaid job ever for a few years taking care of my mother towards the end, and now I'm focused on making up for lost time with my children, travel and retirement savings.
However, I got asked to join a DEI task force at my job, for which I did my utmost to make a positive contribution. I guess you can find ways to make at least a tiny impact just about anywhere.

[Deleted]

I worked in property-casualty insurance. Didn't influence young minds or help the poor or heal anybody, but...where would we be without insurance? Would a bank lend you money to buy a house or a car knowing tat if either went up in smoke you might not have the funds (or the willingness) to pay back the loan? And I did love what I did, which was mostly computer models, and enjoyed most of the people I worked with.

And yes, the money and the benefits and the fear of being old and poor kept me getting up and going to work every day. I had a partner with comparable income during only 8 years of my adult life; my Ex was unemployed the last 5 years of the marriage and when I married second DH he was 65, we moved for my job and he filed for SS and did some freelance work for his old company for a few years.

[sesfw]

In my 50 + years of employment I've done retail (meh), factory sewing, McDs, quality control for Pepsi, student, calibration tech, widowed ......... and remarried.  My first retirement was in 2003 and I lasted about 3 months before finding something to do.  Delivered for Meals on Wheels, worked part time, cross country move, still delivering meals in the community and working part time in electronic assembly.

Everywhere I have ever worked I found something to be happy about.  It's the people.  I've met very few people that I haven't cared about, and I put up with them on a professional basis.

Some people are just natural JERKS, and those are the ones I put up with.

Otherwise I can look back on my life and say ......... I have been blessed.  I've been married to two excellent men, have kids, g-kids, g-g-kids that I love dearly.  Again I say ....... I have been blessed.

[Deleted]

My work life embraced a lot of realities, some good and some not so good.  I remember them all without regret, acknowledging what I learned from each. 

My volunteer life since retirement is exactly the same-new experiences and new knowledge. 


 

[stillmovingforward]

I will say, my latest company is trying to invent some potentially amazing advances for the environment and poor communities. I can't say what it could be but I am proud to be trying to make it happen.

[teen persuasion]

I'm working to keep an active library in our little village.

Not just best sellers for retired people to read for entertainment, but books on every topic imaginable to entice learning readers. Movies and music and magazines and newspapers and reference materials freely available. Interloans from larger urban libraries with bigger collections. WiFi and computers for those patrons that have neither, for job searching and contacting govt agencies of all kinds, or to check email, or print plane tickets or concert tickets or Covid test results (to visit loved ones in a nursing home). Equipment to scan documents to email for uploading, to fax, make copies, print resumes. Tech help with various devices and e-services. Historical documents. Homework help for kids who drop in (and often paper/pens/markers/glue/calculators/ruler/...). A bathroom for the Amazon driver.

[thyme4change]

Jul 13, 2021 15:32:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Nothing really through my job. I had the hardest unpaid job ever for a few years taking care of my mother towards the end, and now I'm focused on making up for lost time with my children, travel and retirement savings.
However, I got asked to join a DEI task force at my job, for which I did my utmost to make a positive contribution. I guess you can find ways to make at least a tiny impact just about anywhere.

I forgot that my parents may need caregivers around the time my kids are done with college. (They may not - they are looking pretty darn healthy right now.) My Mom has stated that the plan is to pay for care, preferably live in. But, that makes me nervous. So many things can go wrong when there is total privacy. My plan, no matter what is going on in my life is to show up at her house often, unscheduled and randomly - and walk right in.

[Lizard Queen]

Jul 14, 2021 8:17:40 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Jul 13, 2021 15:32:37 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Nothing really through my job. I had the hardest unpaid job ever for a few years taking care of my mother towards the end, and now I'm focused on making up for lost time with my children, travel and retirement savings.
However, I got asked to join a DEI task force at my job, for which I did my utmost to make a positive contribution. I guess you can find ways to make at least a tiny impact just about anywhere.

I forgot that my parents may need caregivers around the time my kids are done with college. (They may not - they are looking pretty darn healthy right now.) My Mom has stated that the plan is to pay for care, preferably live in. But, that makes me nervous. So many things can go wrong when there is total privacy. My plan, no matter what is going on in my life is to show up at her house often, unscheduled and randomly - and walk right in.

In my experience, there is no shortage of ways to assist even if it doesn't involve the daily drudgery of food, cleaning etc. Definitely want someone outside keeping an eye on finances/payments, perhaps driving/accompanying to Dr appointments, of which there can be a lot.

[thyme4change]

Jul 14, 2021 8:35:54 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Jul 14, 2021 8:17:40 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I forgot that my parents may need caregivers around the time my kids are done with college. (They may not - they are looking pretty darn healthy right now.) My Mom has stated that the plan is to pay for care, preferably live in. But, that makes me nervous. So many things can go wrong when there is total privacy. My plan, no matter what is going on in my life is to show up at her house often, unscheduled and randomly - and walk right in.

In my experience, there is no shortage of ways to assist even if it doesn't involve the daily drudgery of food, cleaning etc. Definitely want someone outside keeping an eye on finances/payments, perhaps driving/accompanying to Dr appointments, of which there can be a lot.

My sister lives a few blocks away and is a natural caregiver. I am not far, but much less "soothing". I am sure we will divide up the work and it will fall into our predispositions. But yes, I am sure there is a ton to do. My parent's house is in a suburb, but is on an acre, has a pool and is 40 years old. Just keeping the maintenance will be a whole thing.

[stillmovingforward]

Believe it or not, my mother's most demanding request is to take her somewhere, out to eat, for a drive, shopping, etc. Now, I love her but by the end of the week I'm tired! Plus with my autoimmune disorder, an injured DH, and a house to keep......

[Formerly SK]

I'm really fortunate that I love my job (high school counselor).  I hate the politics, but it's worth it to help the kids.  Also, my job makes my family's life better and removes some of the burden from DH who has been the main breadwinner for years.

I just started volunteering on the board of the school theatre program.  I love supporting the local kids and their plays.  They are just amazing. 

[jerseygirl]

I did clinical research for about 25 years in pharmaceutical companies. Have a PhD in biochem and was director of 2 international clinical teams. That had 5 drugs approved 2 of which were orphan drugs that very much improved life for small but very ill population
Retired but started consulting since I enjoyed the intellectual challenge and liked making a contribution to people’s lives
Well the most recent project was cancelled and I decided to not take anymore consulting jobs. I’m 79 now and physically having difficulty sitting and writing on a computer for hours ,

I’ve also been for 15 years on board of a charity trying to get supportive housing for deaf and deaf blind adults. For years every organization or donor that we approached said wonderful project - but where will it be built? Oops, we don’t have property or a location yet. So response has always been then please call us when you have a location. Property in NJ is very expensive so we weren’t able to buy any. Well now there is a very large former dormitory on the grounds of the NJ school for the deaf. It’s been vacant for 10 years cause most deaf kids are now able to attend their local school with an interpreter supplied by the town.
NJ has offered us this building so now we have a location!! It will cost about $5 million to renovate but Developers of special needs housing are interested and have ability to get federal and state funding.
We’re very hopeful! And I’m busy now with this so not missing pharm research .

[ajmom]

I’m a retired fed. I always wanted to teach, so now I’m working as a Paraeducator at an elementary school, as I like kids. The pay is pretty bad — but it is nice to get something a bit extra every two weeks. I like working with the students, and most of the staff is really nice.

I was just offered a job for the Fall in the school I’ve been working at...I like the school and it’s only 7 minutes commute away!

The pro is it’s only 4 hours a day, and that’s what I wanted.

The cons are — it’s helping really only one student. I was told she didn’t have a behavioral problem, but I’ve observed her, and she can be very defiant...I don’t mind working with students who take a while to get things, but I’m not sure I have the patience for defiance day in and day out. . I was surprised when they said she had no behavioral issues. . I really would prefer working with more than one student...

Plus, just found out I need shoulder surgery, so I may have to negotiate with them on waiting a few weeks to come back.

I’m bummed as I was hoping the school would want to hire me — but it’s not exactly what I wanted, except for the number of hours. Not sure what to do but have to tell them soon.