Donald Trump might be the the best thing that could happen to our planet. Seriously. His incendiary tweets, campaigns and policies have served to inspire people to rise up, take action and be heard. We can only hope this social activism endures and makes the world a better place.
#GrabYourWallet intrigues me. The campaign promotes consumer boycotts of the retailers that carry Trump-branded products. While this movement won’t likely impact presidential policies, it does underscore the similarities between shopping and voting. Every time we choose one brand or retailer over another, we’re voting for the kind of world we want.
If we can vote with our wallets, why not vote with our jobs? There’s no doubt that some employers are better for the world than others. For instance, I sometimes wonder what it’s like for people that work for a tobacco company to talk about their employer. Is it fine to promote cancer in the name of employment? What about gambling or selling soft drinks? I grew up at a time when any job was a good job. You did what you had to do to put food on the table, and no one judged you. As our species grows more conscious of our planet, there is positive change on the horizon.
If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that you work in technology. You’re lucky! You’re in a field that offers you more career security and satisfaction than just about any other. Your expertise is a ticket to do what you love, where you want to do it. The world is your oyster. You can earn a living doing work that’s meaningful and resonates with your values. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
So, how will you choose your next job? You can apply your knowledge to make the world a better place, or not. You can work for a company that’s in the business of making money or progress for humanity… or both! Next time you’re job hunting make sure you read the company’s mission statement and the ramifications of its products or services. Does the company make rich companies richer? Does it sell clicks or health care? Education or mindless entertainment? Take the time to understand what the company does, then choose with your heart and mind. Remember the immortal words of J.P. Sartre, “We are our choices.”