Women in the Purpose Economy: Finding Fulfilment in Green and Social Purpose Careers

Women in the Purpose Economy

By Eden Demarco

“I want to do more.” If you’ve ever had this thought halfway through the work week, keep reading.

Title and salary aren’t the only traits that define a career. Fulfilment adds a deeper layer of meaning to your work. It connects your career to a cause you’re passionate about, your hobbies, or paves the way to new opportunities.

Women in the Purpose Economy: Whether you want to make a difference as a young woman or are searching for a fulfilling second career, you may find your next opportunity in a social purpose or green position.

What is a green career?

Two types of careers fall under the “beyond profit” umbrella: green and social purpose careers. Green careers encourage transitions to the green economy, which refers to a series of economic practices that reduce environmental impact and encourage sustainable growth. In a direct or supporting capacity, green careers improve environmental health, mitigate climate change, and create sustainable processes and technologies.

What is a social purpose career?

While green careers focus on environmental change, social purpose careers address social and economic inequities by positively impacting local and global communities. Purpose-driven positions generate impact that goes beyond profit and products sold. This type of work increases underserved groups’ access to services and raises awareness about issues experienced in their communities.

A note on purposeful careers

Even though purposeful careers create positive environmental and social impact, these careers can exist in for-profit spaces. A role doesn't need to be non-profit based to fall into the purpose-driven category. At the right organization, performing positive-impact activities can also turn a profit. This is especially evident in the green economy, which consists of economically viable systems that conserve and improve our planet’s health.

Finding purpose-driven careers

Multiple organizations offer purpose-driven career opportunities. Typically, a large number of these careers are found in nonprofits, government bodies, and social enterprises. However, traditional companies offer purpose-driven career opportunities in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) divisions. For-profit companies operating in impact-creation industries, including renewable energy, research, and environmental protection, are other spaces where you can find green and social purpose opportunities.

Green and social purpose careers come in two formats: direct and supporting roles. People in direct roles perform actions directly related to environmental or social change generation. This might include teachers, environmental engineers, and humanitarian aid workers. Those in supporting roles perform work that helps the organization complete its purpose-driven activities. Business analysts, marketers, and financial professionals fall into this category.

Here are some more examples of direct and supporting careers:

Environmental career examples

• Environmental sector: These roles are your most well-known green careers. They include professionals in renewable energy, sustainable operations, climate protection, and environmental science.

• Research and technology: This category includes engineers and climate researchers developing clean technologies.

• Communications: People working in marketing, communications, journalism, and public relations develop messaging that supports the green economy’s growth.

• Corporate services: Financial analysts and supply chain professionals ensure that green companies operate efficiently. Environmental, Social, and Governance Investors (ESG) invest in organizations operating in social and environmental industries.

• On-site support: Many on-the-ground positions improve the planet’s health, including tree planters, waste removal staff, and environmental enforcement officers.
  

Social impact career examples

• Non-profit sector: Organizations operating in this sector are solely focused on improving social, economic, and environmental well-being for marginalized groups.

• Corporate social responsibility: Professionals with various backgrounds can find social purpose careers in corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions.

• Healthcare: Nurses, doctors, mental health professionals, and supporting staff can specialize in fields that reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations.

• Government work: Social assistance program developers, policy analysts, and teachers are all examples of public social purpose positions.

• Corporate services: Supporting social impact careers include positions in finance, sales, communications, operations, and other business services.

Seize your next opportunity

Environmental and social services roles come in every shape and size. By leveraging your transferable skills, you can find a fulfilling career in one of these sectors, regardless of your previous professional background.

For more information on how to build a purposeful career, check out our professional development courses at https://engagedthinking.thinkific.com/ .