How to Find a Job With Purpose

With one tragic story in the news after another, it's really difficult to live happily. If our own lives don't seem to have meaning, it makes it even more difficult. One of the raps against millennials is that we are looking for jobs that mean something. We're not as interested in the salary, but how what we do affects others. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? Yeah, I am shouting. We don't want to work in meaningless jobs. I think the world needs more people who want to work for the good of others rather than the almighty dollar. If you're working in a meaningless job, you're probably a little less than satisfied with your life right now. You can do something about it. Here's how.

What is Meaning?
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The answer to that question is up to you. Lots of us work in retail or hospitality jobs that seem to leave little room in our search for meaning. That may not actually be the case, however. In fact, many who work in retail or hospitality feel good about working for a company if giving back is part of its business model. For example, Los Angeles-based company Yoobi, a school supplies company, donates classroom supplies to area schools in need. Every purchase is also a donation. Who wouldn't feel great about working for Yoobi? 

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Meaningful Millennial Careers

Young Invincibles, a national nonprofit organization that engages young adults in dialogue about jobs, higher education and health care, published a study in Aug. 2015 that outlined the best jobs for millennials. The study outlines the professions that offer economic and professional growth. It just so happens that many of the "best" jobs are also important.

The top job on the list is physician assistant (PA). Job opportunities for PAs are already expansive and expected to grow by 38 percent by 2022. PAs are medical practitioners who examine, diagnose and treat parents. Typically part of a team of physicians and other health care providers, PAs are state-licensed certified professionals who work hands-on with patients every day. Other health care professions that made the list include therapists, dental hygienists, pharmacists and dietitian/nutritionists.

Research and science careers made up a good part of the list as well. These jobs have meaningful potential  depending on the type of research involved. Top research careers for millennials include medical scientists, agriculture and food scientists and biomedical engineers.

Of course, the list includes seemingly boring careers such as actuaries, statisticians, logicians and financial advisers, but even those jobs can add purpose. You just have to choose the one that works for you.

Your Personal and Work Lives - How to Make Them Fit Together

Given the slow economic recovery, our student loan debt and the fact that we have to eat, some of us find ourselves working in jobs merely to pay the bills. If your day job has a few essential perks, though, there are ways you can feel better about it.

Does your job offer any of the following?

• Personal time off: Does your job make it easy for you take personal time off for family or volunteer pursuits?
• Flexible hours: Do you have the freedom to schedule flexible hours?
• Paid vacation time: Can you take a day off if you need to and not lose money because of it?
• The company engages in charitable and giving back activities: If your company seems rather lax in the giving back department, maybe it's time you came up with a plan to improve the situation. Then present it to the powers-that-be.

If you still can't find a meaningful job, how about starting your own socially responsible business? But, that's a subject for another day.
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How about you? How do you find meaning in your job?