All jobs are helping jobs

I’m in what many consider a “helping” profession. My job each day is to help people to find the change within them. Because of that, I often field questions from those who want to switch careers and start “helping people”.

Every job is there to help. Whether it’s growing food or growing businesses, the purpose of work is to provide a service or product to someone who needs it. If you want to help, every day is an opportunity.

Altruism is never truly selfless. We gain something, whether it be financial or emotional, from all of our helping actions. Confusing work with altruism can be problematic when working with others.

Feeling good about one’s work is a gift. But it shouldn’t be the goal. The people we work with deserve more. They aren’t there to help me work through my emotional unrest. While I consider what I do to be my purpose, I won’t do it for free because of that.

There are so many ways to make a difference. From something as simple as helping a stranger with directions to as complex as dismantling systemic racism there will always be a role for helpers. But be aware of your motives. While there is nothing wrong with reciprocal altruism it shouldn’t be the driving factor for your choice of career. If you truly want to help start with where you are. For if that is truly the goal there is surely plenty to do.