Have you ever taken a step back, looked at your work, and wondered what good it was doing? Maybe you have a big, important job inside your own company, but it doesn't seem all that important when you think about your work outside your organization. At first, this kind of realization can feel a bit deflating, but it may also be just what you need to inspire you and fuel your desire to find more meaningful work.
Since 2020, we’ve experienced the “Great Resignation” or “The Great Awakening,” where workers have quit their jobs in record numbers searching for something better. There are a handful of reasons this significant shift occurs, but one of them is that people are searching for work that matters. However, the challenging part is that meaningful jobs often require specialized degrees–like doctors or lawyers–or ask us to sacrifice financially by working for a non-profit. So many of us quite literally feel like we’re selling our souls because as much as we’d love to work for that humanitarian organization, the pharmaceutical industry pays better, which is a factor that is essential to supporting a family financially.
It also begs the question: is there such a thing as meaningful work that pays well? And, if so, how in the world do we find it?
What Is Meaningful Work?
There is no single definition of meaningful work because it looks different for everyone. It’s a combination of what you value and prioritize, what inspires you, and what can sustain you (whether it’s emotionally, financially, or something else).
Some of the apparent types of meaningful work include providing quality healthcare or legal service at an affordable rate, teaching, providing easy access to necessities to underserved communities, or providing protection to your community in some way. All of this work matters, but it’s not the only work that matters.
For instance, you don’t have to be a doctor to help provide affordable healthcare. Instead, you can contribute to that mission by working in their office as an administrator or by assisting them with marketing strategies to reach more people. Similarly, if you’re a teacher, but the job isn’t paying you enough, you can look for employment at the county or state level where you can still make a meaningful difference, even if you’re no longer inside the classroom.
You don’t even have to be in an industry that’s been classically labeled “meaningful” to have work that matters. Maybe you have a passion for cars and love working on them or engineering them–that can be a meaningful job because it makes you want to wake up and go to work in the morning. You’re adding value to society by simply being a happy and fulfilled person (after all, wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we were all fulfilled instead of tired and grumpy from work we don’t care about)?
Suffice to say, as long as the work you do means something to you, then it matters.
Identifying What Matters To You
If you’re in a position where you’re feeling stuck professionally because you don’t think your work is meaningful, then that’s step one. You have identified that you’re unhappy, unfulfilled, or that the work you’re putting out into the world doesn’t align with what matters to you. While this is a big step, it’s also the easiest one. It’s easy to be bitter, frustrated, or angry about a situation, but it is much more challenging to figure out how to change your circumstances.
Now, to move forward to find more meaningful work, you have to decide what matters to you on various levels because it’s not as simple as finding a significant job. You also have to consider your family, bills, lifestyle, and general happiness. If you’re a mom to two small kids, it’s not practical to run off with the Peace Corps for a year, even if it’s something you’d love to be able to do. Also, if you’re not willing to live a frugal life, then you’re going to need a job that pays enough to support you. There are a lot of moving parts to consider.
Here are some tips to help you figure out what your ideal meaningful job would look like:
- What are your priorities in life (such as kids, finances, free time, etc.)?
- Are there any causes you are incredibly passionate about pursuing?
- What kind of work/activities do you genuinely enjoy doing?
- If you could drive meaningful change, what would it be?
- What do you need from a job to feel fulfilled (whether it’s the actual work, the industry, its philanthropic activity)?
- If money didn’t matter, what would you love to do?
Maybe, for you, the most meaningful job you can think of is being a parent to your child, but being a stay-at-home parent isn’t an option for you. In this case, a job that matters to you could simply be working for a company that pays you enough to support your family while also allowing you sufficient work-life balance to be there with your kids as they grow up. This work still matters. You’re contributing to the world by being present in your kids’ lives and raising them to be kind, responsible humans, which is a worthy cause.
Finding Meaningful Work
Once you’ve figured out what you’d like to do, think about your skills and what you’re able to do. As mentioned earlier, if you care about an industry requiring specialized degrees to do the big jobs, look at other roles within the field that you qualify to apply for. Maybe managing the social media account for your local art museum doesn’t seem like much, but if you love art and want to share it with the world, then this is a perfect fit for you, even if the role isn’t as glamorous as a museum curator or board member.
It is also something to keep in mind when looking for a well-paying job. For example, going back to healthcare, there is a lot of money in the pharmaceutical industry. There are so many different types of jobs available that pay well. Let’s say you’re an accountant. You can make a good living doing accounting for a company specializing in therapeutic drug research and development for medications that help chronically sick people feel better. You’re using the skills you have, playing a part in the bigger picture, and you’re not sacrificing your lifestyle to do it.
Meaningful Work Outside of Your Job
If you’re in a situation where there just doesn’t seem to be an employment opportunity for you that aligns with what matters, you’re not out of luck. You can still do meaningful work outside of your job. Here are some examples:
- Look for an employer that prioritizes philanthropy, whether it’s donating to a specific cause or matching your contributions to something that matters to you
- Start an ERG or volunteer group at work with other like-minded employees
- Speak up when you see an opportunity for your company to get involved in something you care about; like a recruiting event for veterans or quarterly volunteer days
- Get involved with an organization you care about outside of work. You may be able to reduce your working hours to volunteer more frequently, or a volunteer role could lead to a job opportunity at some point
There is Value in Every Job
It can take a while to find the perfect job that matters to you. But try not to get discouraged in your current situation. There is value in every job in the market, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Whether you’re in a position of power or an entry-level job, there is something good in what you do. At the very least, there is always an opportunity to drive change, no matter how big or small.
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