‘Careeranthropy’: Career Social Responsibility

28/05/18

Lois Keay-Smith is Principal Career Coach and Founder of Career Wisdom and a professional member of the CDAA, WA division. A career changer herself, Lois had an earlier career in the financial services industry in corporate relations and management roles. She established Career Wisdom in 2005 with a vision to inspire and support those who are seeking more satisfaction and meaning in their working lives. Lois has worked with a variety of clients including executives, elite athletes, dancers and professional rugby players, as well as young people with cancer.

In this article, Lois shares her experience of doing pro-bono work for West Australian Ballet and volunteering for the Smith Family and encourages us all to consider giving some of our time and talent as a form of what she calls “careeranthropy”.

Most major companies engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, where the organisation chooses to channel dollars, employees’ time and/or resources into social investment to benefit the community. I’m sure most of us would agree that is a great thing, as many charities find it challenging in today’s economic climate to meet their desired outcomes on government funding and private donations.

As career practitioners, many of us work in areas that align with values of inclusion and social justice – we may work in schools, charities, employment services, universities and in a variety of contexts with a diverse range of clients. We probably also give a great deal of our time, freely when asked for help (“can you just take a really quick look at my resume for me?”)

Whilst no longer representative of a big corporate, I propose that even solo practitioners like myself, and those employed by others, can progress the notion of “paying it forward” , through our own mini version of CSR. Why, we can even re-name it ‘Career Social Responsibility’ or perhaps ‘Careeranthropy’?

Pro bono work for careers practioners

Having worked in career development in professional sport, one of my recent contributions of this nature, was to the arts. I give time and resources to assist ballet dancers with their career transition.  Career development in professional sport is well funded in comparison to the performing arts (which has little, if any funding).  I was only too aware of the difficulties faced when a physical performer of any kind must transition to another career due to injury, ageing (which is faced in your 30’s!) or lack of selection / casting.

The ability to perform pro bono (or low bono, where you discount your private practitioner fee or accept lower than usual pay to contribute to a group or organisation in need) offers diversity of practice, builds empathy and awareness and gives a taste of career development practice to a group that may not come across it otherwise (as it is considered an extreme luxury when budgetary pressures are strong). I now offer this for young adults with cancer who are over the age threshold to access free services.

There is much need and a plethora of organisations that would be excited to offer career development services to their clients/members, yet don’t know how to go about it or are concerned about costs of services. Of course with the use of technology, the assistance doesn’t even have to be onerous time-wise or offered face-to-face. An example is The Smith Family itrack mentoring program (this program is available to everyone, you are not required to be a career practitioner.  But imagine the impact, if more of us signed up!)

Giving your time, treasure, or talent

Giving within society tends to fall into the categories of Time, Treasure or Talent, or a combination. Sometimes, it is easy to give money but harder to devote time when we are all busy making a living and spending time with family and friends.  What career practitioners have to offer in spades, is talent. And, it is very valuable talent that can make an enormous difference to peoples’ lives. Volunteering Australia define volunteering as “time willingly given for the common good without financial gain.” Time and talent (which is referred to as ‘skilled volunteering’) are a powerful combination.

Volunteering can even be good for your health, in addition to being cited in numerous studies as benefitting mental health.  A study from Carnegie Mellon University published in in 2013 described adults over 50yrs who volunteered on a regular basis being less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers.  Clearly, volunteering doesn’t only make you feel good, it makes you healthier!

Gifting a small amount of your talents can expand your capabilities, create new connections and belonging and introduce career development services into a community who perhaps haven’t considered it before, thus expanding the understanding of our profession.

We work (or aspire to) in career services for a variety of reasons, but I daresay for many of us, we desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Carving out a small pocket of time and applying our talents in areas of need, can make that impact even greater.

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