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I work for companies that create things I find valuable. Currently I work for a company that makes electric vehicle chargers. Previously, I worked for a company

I work for companies that create things I find valuable. Currently I work for a company that makes electric vehicle chargers. Previously, I worked for a company that was making software to help streamline medical approvals. Profit is a requirement for these companies to exist, but they are creating things that do good in the world. That said, to me the purpose of life isn't in work. It's more that I want to feel that the amount of effort I put into work isn't going to negative outcomes. So I find jobs that i believe are a net positive for society, but still only put in my 40ish hours a week and go to find my meaning in my personal life. I'd say that no matter where you wish to find purpose my advice will be the same. Find a company that you believe is a net good to the world, and then put in however much effort you wish to that company. It does limit the amount of companies you are able to work for, but there are so many openings available for good people in software that you'll probably find plenty of opportunities regardless.

lcall 5y ago
I felt the same way when I worked for a semiconductor (memory) manufacturer, who also (at least said they were) quite environmentally conscious. Helping lower the market prices for a life- and world-changing commodity, and helping make the jobs of esteemed fellow employees somewhat easier, and supporting a family, felt rewarding.
garrickvanburen 5y ago
This ^ To me the question - independent of whether the organization is non-profit, for-profit, public, or private - is the organization itself mission-driven? And if yes, do I deep-down want to that mission to be successful?
DavidPeiffer 5y ago
>I work for companies that create things I find valuable. I've found this to be really important for my satisfaction. My current employer ships food to people who otherwise would have a tough time getting nutritious food (largely Medicare patients). This helps people age in their homes and delays the need and cost of nursing homes. It improves people's health outcomes significantly. The work I do every day helps that happen more efficiently. This helps us offer the services in more areas, remain competitive, and help more people. It's a for-profit company, but we get lots of amazing feedback about how much of a difference we make in people's lives. The team you end up with is also incredibly important. I have a great team, and have found other teams I work with to share a similar passion and mission driven focus. This is the first company I've worked with that has a really strong "feel good" aspect to it, so I'm not sure if the mission focus comes with these types of employers, or if that's something my employer specifically focuses on.
- xhkkffbf 5y ago
  Exactly. And people get to choose whether they buy them or not. So you know if people are spending their hard earned money, they want them. There are definitely times when governments need to force the people to work collectively and spend tax dollars together, but there are many times when they don't. For instance, I don't drive a car very much and when I do, I'm happy with dirt roads. I would much rather we didn't spend billions on roads and maintenance. Other people will have a different list of seemingly wasted spending. The great thing about the private sector is you're letting people choose. That's not just a selfish act either because it unlocks their power to guide society. The consumers in a free society are a hive mind. The proles in a centrally-controlled society are just blobs that sit there.
- openknot 5y ago
  I'm genuinely glad to hear that you've found a mission-driven workplace with a healthy, supportive work culture. In my experience, I've found that many mission-driven workplaces use the righteousness of the company's purpose to justify pressure tactics paired with low pay. This is a commonly-reported experience at non-profits and even for-profit companies like SpaceX. I'm now at a crossroads where I'm seriously considering working for companies that don't create particularly useful things for society, but where the culture is better to work at. The ideal would be to find a company with both a good purpose and a positive work culture, but I believe these are hard to find.
  - hellisothers 5y ago
    This is the conclusion I found after working for a company people are passionate about working for. I prefer my current company which has a fine (if bland) product but the culture is fantastic, I have a lot of agency in my work, and the pay is great. I enjoy my day to day life in this situation.
- lcall 5y ago
  what is the name of the company, if you don't mind? thanks either way.

lcall 5y ago

I felt the same way when I worked for a semiconductor (memory) manufacturer, who also (at least said they were) quite environmentally conscious. Helping lower the market prices for a life- and world-changing commodity, and helping make the jobs of esteemed fellow employees somewhat easier, and supporting a family, felt rewarding.

garrickvanburen 5y ago

This ^ To me the question - independent of whether the organization is non-profit, for-profit, public, or private - is the organization itself mission-driven? And if yes, do I deep-down want to that mission to be successful?

DavidPeiffer 5y ago

>I work for companies that create things I find valuable. I've found this to be really important for my satisfaction. My current employer ships food to people who otherwise would have a tough time getting nutritious food (largely Medicare patients). This helps people age in their homes and delays the need and cost of nursing homes. It improves people's health outcomes significantly. The work I do every day helps that happen more efficiently. This helps us offer the services in more areas, remain competitive, and help more people. It's a for-profit company, but we get lots of amazing feedback about how much of a difference we make in people's lives. The team you end up with is also incredibly important. I have a great team, and have found other teams I work with to share a similar passion and mission driven focus. This is the first company I've worked with that has a really strong "feel good" aspect to it, so I'm not sure if the mission focus comes with these types of employers, or if that's something my employer specifically focuses on.

xhkkffbf 5y ago
Exactly. And people get to choose whether they buy them or not. So you know if people are spending their hard earned money, they want them. There are definitely times when governments need to force the people to work collectively and spend tax dollars together, but there are many times when they don't. For instance, I don't drive a car very much and when I do, I'm happy with dirt roads. I would much rather we didn't spend billions on roads and maintenance. Other people will have a different list of seemingly wasted spending. The great thing about the private sector is you're letting people choose. That's not just a selfish act either because it unlocks their power to guide society. The consumers in a free society are a hive mind. The proles in a centrally-controlled society are just blobs that sit there.
openknot 5y ago
I'm genuinely glad to hear that you've found a mission-driven workplace with a healthy, supportive work culture. In my experience, I've found that many mission-driven workplaces use the righteousness of the company's purpose to justify pressure tactics paired with low pay. This is a commonly-reported experience at non-profits and even for-profit companies like SpaceX. I'm now at a crossroads where I'm seriously considering working for companies that don't create particularly useful things for society, but where the culture is better to work at. The ideal would be to find a company with both a good purpose and a positive work culture, but I believe these are hard to find.
- hellisothers 5y ago
  This is the conclusion I found after working for a company people are passionate about working for. I prefer my current company which has a fine (if bland) product but the culture is fantastic, I have a lot of agency in my work, and the pay is great. I enjoy my day to day life in this situation.
lcall 5y ago
what is the name of the company, if you don't mind? thanks either way.