Job Search: Ideals versus Practical Realities
Gwytherinn | January 15, 2008 | 1:57 pmAs some of you who read this blog already know, I’ve been pulling my hair out and worrying to bits about finding a new job now that I’ve graduated. It probably doesn’t help that I feel like I need to get out of my current job as bookselling plebe ASAP or I’ll be stuck there forever.
Today is designated “job hunting” day, since I did absolutely nothing productive with my weekend. Well, ok, I read 35 pages of Andrea Smith’s incredible book Conquest (by now I should be done with it already) and read some really incredible blog posts resulting from the current “Yes Means Yes” controversy in the feminist blogosphere. Post on that forthcoming.
So… what I don’t want, I am aware of.
This would be anything related to things like web design and development and outreach (Otherwise known as the dreadful fundraising and schmoozing department). Unfortunately, the strengths in my resume largely point to WEB DESIGN and technology related pursuits. I don’t doubt that it’s what got me my Human Rights Watch internship. (But hey, how can I complain, right?)
I’ve been reading a lot of ideas by people who seem to be saying that the reason nothing is changing is because we’re looking to gain power in the same system that is disenfranchising so many, as opposed to changing the system altogether.
I’ve felt that international development in the form of the World Bank, IMF and WTO is nothing more than neocolonialism, a scheme that speaks of “liberating” the poor while taking resources that are rightfully theirs for the purpose of providing amenities to a privileged few. This is what really gets me passionate.
So I’ll admit that in looking through the job listings at idealist.org, I can’t help but gag at the numerous listings that speak of “using markets for change,” encouraging “entrepreneurial spirit”, and garnering “investment portfolios for development.”
At the same time, that’s some incredibly fucked up shit. I’m sitting in a nice, warm house with enough food to eat and a supportive family. So where does my resistance of the status quo fit in when people are still living in poverty and dying around the world for a countless number of reasons that may be alleviated by these programs? I can refuse to take jobs based on the fact that I think they’ll be furthering capitalism, which I feel is an inherently oppressive system. But that doesn’t exactly help anyone either. And let me be clear that I don’t know the intentions or rates of success of these organizations in the way that I feel that the development schemes of the World Bank/IMF/WTO are largely detrimental and do much more harm than good.
As well, I’ll admit that as I continue to look at practical matters, I don’t want to have to watch every dime I spend the way I do now. I would like to be somewhat comfortable. (In which a little voice chimes in, if others aren’t comfortable then where is your right to be?) And again, stemming from the “Yes Means Yes” controversy, I came across a comment by Theriomorph that really struck a chord with me in light of what I’ve been thinking about:
I make choices to be sure the work I do for social justice is not *dictated* by my basic financial needs, because history shows me this is an ethical dead end. If my personal success and survival is contingent on appeasing and collaborating with the existing power structure, I will have to appease and collaborate. I make active choices, as we all do, about how I engage, what tools I choose to use, and how I use them. (Full comment here)
Perhaps I am making this much more complicated than it really is. I simply want to work against the neocolonialist policies of institutions like the World Bank and the IMF. I KNOW what I want to do, so you’d think half the battle is over. Now the “simple” task of finding the job that allows me to do that kind of thing.
No related posts.
I don't think I'll have a hopeful answer for you.
Tiv | January 15, 2008 | 7:39 pmI don’t think I’ll have a hopeful answer for you. At this point in my life, I have realized that while there are people who care about me, *I* am ultimately responsible for me. If that means I work for a soul-stealing corporation so that I can have food and shelter, so be it. Thankfully, it does not mean that right now.
(Aside: The Ushahidi site is fascinating. Kenya’s in our AOR -area of responsibility-, and it’s amazing the impact that country has had on the surrounding area. So much of what’s distributed within the Horn of Africa funnels through the relative calm and peace of Kenya.)
And, a job now is not a job forever. Okay, so web design is not what you want to do. But will it get you into the NGO/company/non-profit you want? I think there’s a distortion that colleges and the media have no problem handing us: Go to School, Get a Degree, Get Your Dream Job. It’s simple! Eh, noitisn’t. My trainer at the gym had a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. So, she started working there as a trainer in order to learn the company and the industry. She had no plans to be a personal trainer for the rest of her life. But she wedged her foot firmly in the door of the company. She worked her ass off writing special programs, hosting roundtables with other trainers, and attending conferences to learn more. My bad luck–she got promoted to a new gym to be in charge of the trainers. And that, hopefully, will get her up the next step, and the next, until she’s spent enough time in the industry to successfully open a gym focused on holistic health (that was her goal).
A career, a goal, a dream…it’s WORK. People don’t suddenly land their dream job. They work for years to create the opportunity to take their dream job. I’m not a “Pull yerself up by yer bootstraps, sonny!” kind of woman. I know that to be successful, most people need support, encouragement, and an environment that will allow them to succeed.
Consider yourself supported and encouraged. Mass send your resume, pronto. Go to interviews. Perhaps, in that process, you will interview somewhere that isn’t right for you, but the interviewer will recommend a place that is THE ONE. Or you’ll talk with another interviewee who tells you about several openings someplace else.
DO IT.
Tiv, I think the problem here isn't the lack of
Pookasydi | January 15, 2008 | 10:00 pmTiv, I think the problem here isn’t the lack of a dream job, it’s not wanting to take a job that reinforces the power structures and systems she’s looking to fight against.
It’s one thing to work your way up and spread your resume around (which I agree to doing. Pokey, get on that right away) but it’s another to take a job at an institution that you think is doing more harm than good.
Still, I agree 100% to the practical advice. When I was in a serious slump a couple of years ago, before I went back to finish my bachelor’s degree, Georgia gave me a great piece of succinct advice. Get moving, doesn’t matter too much in what direction at first. But sitting still won’t solve a thing. Start sending out resumes, then research more in depth as you wait for responses. You can always turn down interviews!
I guess I'd press this topic, then: Rather than what
Tiv | January 16, 2008 | 3:36 pmI guess I’d press this topic, then: Rather than what DOES reinforce the power structure, what DOESN’T?
Small, women-owned businesses? NGOs? Large, women-run businesses? Independent newspapers and magazines? That’s a list that needs to be made.
An interesting idea I read today to get your brain moving was to use the phrase “Under no circumstances will I…” So…”Under no circumstances will I work at Wal-Mart. Under no circumstances will I work for a financial institution that works within the IMF. Under no circumstances will I do data entry.” Or whatever. That gets you moving, gets ideas flowing, and narrows down what you WILL do.
And not only can you turn down interviews…you can turn down JOBS.