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Anyone ever swap careers from Corporate to Non-Profit or some other Cause: If so, how? (beehaw.org)

submitted 7 months ago by WaterLizard@beehaw.org to c/chat@beehaw.org

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I worked in the food industry for a while before returning back to school to get a degree in tech thinking it would be my path to a better life. While at first I thought where my career was taking me provided exactly that, I'm absolutely miserable working a corporate job in tech. I've seen several layoffs, AI is taking over, and the perpetual culture of playing several roles is killing me. I'm tired of being overworked, stressed, and given more and more responsibility for such trivial matters as selling more of X thing. This is not what I want to do for the rest of my life and I would way rather put in this type of effort for something worthwhile even if it means making less money.

The problem is I am so overwhelmed that it is hard to think of a way to change this. I keep saying I want to bring my experience to a non-profit or charitable cause, but I am unsure on how I can bring my tech/project management background to such a cause or how to sell myself in that way. I'm also debating going to get my masters to be more aligned with this change in career, but it's a similar case of not knowing the best route. For anyone out there who has made this type of career change regardless if it was in tech, I would appreciate any wisdom shared.

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[–] Icarus@beehaw.org 3 points 7 months ago

I've been at my current job, which is a nonprofit in the social services industry for 10 years. I didn't intentionally choose this industry but j found I'm very comfortable here. It can be a stressful job at times, but what job isn't.

Theres no money in most non profits. However I've never hated my job the biggest downside aside from salary, I don't have the budget, tools, or resources to do what I'd like at times. I also tend to wear every hat in our small IT dept. A distinct difference I've found in the non profits I've worked for is company culture is so much better. Ymmv depending on the industry and size, but people who stick with the company are usually in it for the mission. This tends to weed out the "bad eggs".

I have a hard time stepping away from my job even tho j could easily make $50k more at a for profit company. I'm not sad about my choices even tho I'd certainly like to be paid more. I don't live to work though, and the job doesn't demand it of me so it makes for a decent work/life balance.