Does your daily grind have to also provide you with a sense of purpose? The Boomers just did the grind without considering job purpose very much at all. It didn’t even figure into the equation. The X’ers accepted the grind but are increasingly disillusioned by it. The Millennials just want a piece of the action, and the Gen Z’ers look like they will reject the grind altogether. “Cubicle, schmubical. I’m going to go live in a van and become a YouTuber!” Hey, man…if you can make that work, more power to ya. Most of still us need and want a steady paycheck.
Contribution Will Lead to Job Purpose
So, does job purpose matter or not? Our view of this question is that work creates an opportunity for you to consider and design your purpose. To the youngest working cohort (and those young at heart) we’d like to reorient the conversation a bit. Ask yourself, “what do I want to use my time, including work, contributing to?” You may be transitioning from school to your career. You may be deep in the workforce wanting a change of pace. You may even be between jobs. But every single person has the opportunity to contribute. Because we spend so many hours at work, it is natural to want to devote some of that time to amplify meaning and purpose.
Of course, we can match you to a variety of jobs based on your skills, but we wanted to share some examples of how those jobs turn into contributions to the world around us.
Our Planet
Our Earth is impacted by every industry, but there are specific sectors that have a greater impact or have taken on the responsibility of fixing or managing what we do to it. If you want to make a difference in what is happening with the planet, consider some of these industries:
If you are fascinated by other people, how we exist, how we take care of ourselves and each other, choose a career where you can focus on the health and wellbeing of people.
Commerce is the stuff of the world. It’s the widgets, clothes, and goods that are created, manufactured and distributed from the business or brand to the consumer.
This is where you make ideas, products, and services move and manage the risk and gain of it all. The economy could be our greatest opportunity to help humanity flourish.
Do you thrive on adventure or novel experiences? Do you think stuff is totally overrated? Then, you’d be ideal for a job in experience industries. These types of careers cater to individuals that value encounters over physical goods.
Do you love to tinker? Are you are curious about how stuff works and get a sense of satisfaction from solving complex problems? Then, a career in tech is ideal. Technology intersects every single industry in some way. It might be web development, computer hardware and electronics, software development and coding, or data management. Technology careers are not going away any time soon, but tech changes fast. Therefore, prepare to be an evergreen student. Staying on the cutting edge of emerging trends will help you lengthen your career.
If given the opportunity to explore, most of us will find ways to make a positive contribution to the working world. If you are the next generation of the workforce, don’t feel burdened with trying to solve all the world’s problems now. Get the job you can do today, explore your interests and spend the time to consider the work you want to do tomorrow.
Summary: Find a Job Purpose
Please don’t wait until you are in your “dream job” to contribute. Finding ways to polish skills like sales, customer service, and problem-solving will only increase your employability – in any industry. By paying attention to what you value, you can angle your education and/or skill stacking to fit the needs of employers. Make yourself into a great asset. Build your skills and figure out how to become the person you need to be in order to get in the right field for you.
That’s how you bring value to your employer and maintain your earning potential in a field that brings you purpose.
Pepelwerk is the job match-maker of the working world and can help you get matched to the right job. Our app offers a Career Coaching feature in order to help you discover the right career path. Download our app, create your Talent Profile today and benefit from all the cool features that are waiting for you.