askchapo

22763 readers

19 users here now

Ask Hexbear is the place to ask and answer ~~thought-provoking~~ questions.

Rules:

Posts must ask a question.
If the question asked is serious, answer seriously.
Questions where you want to learn more about socialism are allowed, but questions in bad faith are not.
Try [email protected] if you're having questions about regarding moderation, site policy, the site itself, development, volunteering or the mod team.

founded 4 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

109

I've come to realize I will never be happy with a job unless it materially helps people. How do I even start facilitating this? (hexbear.net)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

63 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've worked in SaaS tech my whole life. Been out of a job for a few months now, and while I do have debts to pay that would be much easier with a paycheck from the tech field, I wouldn't be fulfilled with an office job.

The thing is, I'm not even sure what Id want to do yet. I've known my whole life that I was put here to help others, and there are so many causes out there I could work with that would help. So I think figuring that out is probably the very first step.

I'd also need to make above a certain threshold to be able to really function unless/even if I get a roommate (someone is checking my place out this month, so that might happen in January for me). Seems like figuring out what that number is between bills, rent, food, etc would be a good second step.

Beyond that, anyone else here made drastic career changes (I also don't give a shit about having a "career") that worked out for them like this? Would love any advice or tips! Tell me your story!

Thanks all, love you!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

I work in homeless shelters. It's union work, lived experience with homelessness or recovery is worth more than a degree, and there are lots of cool leftists in this field. We aren't solving the problem but we're doing good work.

The pay is...okay. Some agencies pay better than others, and some shelters are easier to work than others. It varies so much. I started working night shifts 6 years ago when I needed a job in a new city, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else now. I've worked everything from part time overnights, to managing programs, low-barrier, clean-and-sober, DV, all sorts of background roles if anyone has questions about the work or is looking for a career change.