Tired of the Corporate World? Think Non-Profit!

Picture this: It's six o'clock and you've put in a full nine hours of work downtown. Your eyes are heavy, feet are hurting and your carpool just left without you. Normally, it wouldn't matter so much and you could find a way around it, but today was the day your boss sat down with you and had "the talk". You know the one that starts something like, "We really value your hard work and dedication to the company" and ends with "Unfortunately, you're gay (replace with fat, ugly, stupid, slow, irrelevant) and the boss just doesn't want to move forward with you". All of this after completing filing on five large cabinets, conducting an internal audit of timecards for 900 employees and running, literally, down the block to Starbucks to grab your boss a latte he not-so-politely asked you for a moment before his big meeting.

Now, some readers may be laughing at the remarks above, but to those of you who have received some of those comments, you'll find them very accurate. We live in Corporate America where gas is reaching $5.00/gallon and it seems like the rich keep getting richer while the poor continue to get poorer. Unemployment rates are at an all-time high and bank rates are extremely low. Who wouldn't take "any ole job" just to get by? Well, although I completely understand the need to work wherever possible to survive, there is another option. The alternative is giving up the thankless work you've been doing and start working for a not-for-profit company. The differences between a not-for-profit company and a for-profit company are many. I've outlined a couple funny, but very real, examples for you below:

Example #1:

Employee: Boss, I don't understand this form. Do you mind helping me when you have a moment so that I can better work with it in the future?

For-Profit Boss: Are you sure you can handle this job? Do you really think you need me? I have a Red Sox game in 30 minutes with a vendor who I really want to impress and this may have to just wait.

Non-Profit Boss: Of course! Any one of us in this department would be more than willing to help you. I have an important meeting in twenty minutes, but we can sit down right now for a few if it'll help you.

Example #2:

Employee: Co-worker, I am not feeling very well. Do you mind if I forward my calls and emails to you so that I can go over to see the doctor? I just have a bad feeling about this and want to get checked out right away.

For-Profit Co-Worker: Well, sure, I can do that for you. (Turning to her cubicle mate) I can't believe I am getting stuck with all of her crap. I know she is never out sick, but I can't believe she is asking ME to take her workload so she can go check on something that probably isn't even there!

Non-Profit Co-Worker: Not another word about it - please go and feel better. If you are not in tomorrow, please let me know so that I can make sure to be on top of things for your return to work. Feel better!

Now, the above examples may prove to be a bit exaggerative, but they may ring true for some of you reading this article. Changes are, if you are reading this article, you are ready for a change. You may require something a bit more fulfilling that has rewards not only of the monetary value, but of lifestyle value as well. Life is not always about money and what you can afford. It is also about being proud of the work you accomplish day to day and feeling that the work is appreciated and acknowledged. Can you obtain these things in the corporate world? Sure, you can! But, if on the other hand, you have tried failingly and just cannot seem to muster the desire to go into working another thankless job, considering a non-profit company may be something to look into. Will it be the solution for all your work-world woes? Of course not! Still, it is worth a try. If you're reading this article, you probably are ready for a change anyway!

There is an assumption that working for a non-profit organization will pay you less money than a for-profit company. That is not always true! The larger ones (such as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, etc) offer full-time employees great benefits, paid time off and a salary to match and/or beat comparable salaries in the corporate world. Don't limit your options! Your new job is waiting for you right around the corner.