How is it working for a NGO?

cluelessgal · Oct 07, 2015 at 12:15 AM

I've been unemployed for a long time. I suffered horrible burn out the last time I went to work. I am a creative person, but I also suffer burn out easily - mainly because of expectation vs reality. I'm someone who constantly needs "kudos" to know I'm doing a decent job. Also, while appreciation doesn't boost my confidence much, single criticism, I take it to heart, feel horrible, miserable and worthless.

I'm mulling about getting back to work. My family suggested NGO/charity. I sometimes feel it maybe a good option because - I like helping people and I have such low expectation from it, that I may not suffer burn out. But I somehow cannot turn off that voice inside my head where I wanted a high-flying job to tell me that "I'm successful career woman"

I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for reading.

Oct 07, 2015 at 02:49 AM

I was a successful career woman until it all went to hell some years ago as I have serious mental illnesses. I crashed big time and haven't worked since. But one of the jobs I had was in the charity sector. I had also worked in the corporate and public sectors. The trouble with the community sector is that they are usually on a shoestring and are very messy in their management. Everything can be all over the place. So in going for the community/charity/NGO sector hoping for a quieter ride, the opposite can be true. And just as in the corporate and public sectors there are many bullies and people who would climb over you to get ahead, they exist in the community sector too. But there are very committed people too.

Having said that, the years I had in that job are the best career memories I have.

CosmicRose · Oct 07, 2015 at 04:51 AM

Being "Successful" is extremely personal and it means different things for everyone. Its all about perspective. Being successful to you could just mean that you're happy. It doesn't have to do with any title you place on yourself like a job.

fallsfall · Oct 11, 2015 at 12:36 PM

I worked for 14 years in computer startups. My husband stayed home with the kids so I was the family wage earner. I took that responsibility very seriously. Then I crashed with depression and was on SSDI for 10 years. I decided that climbing the corporate ladder was not a healthy plan for me. I went back to school and got a library degree. Now I'm a librarian, and I love it. I spend all day trying to give people things for free to solve their problems and make them happy.
It is hard to turn your back on classic success, but you need to ask why do you think that it is important? Money? Prestige? Or is it something you want to do?
Once you have enough money to have the necessities, your health and happiness are the most important. Find something you are passionate about that will make you happy.
Financial success isn't worth it if it ruins your life.

Oct 11, 2015 at 01:32 PM

I agree it's good to find what you are truly passionate about but echo the comment about charity sector not necessarily being less stressful. I work for a charity, it's something I'm passionate about, but it has it's stresses - we work to key performance indicators just like in business. Then there's the usual stresses of job insecurity due to funding uncertainty.

Not to say you shouldn't consider it but the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Maybe if you're unemployed you could try volunteering in the sort of areas you'd like to work to give you a tester? I was happiest of all when volunteering (still do in my downtime). Good luck!

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How is it working for a NGO?

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