by Igrom on 6/11/19, 5:28 PM with 19 comments
I am in a rut and don't know which step to take.
My background is liberal arts in Polish literature and history. I have got a baccalaureaute in these and am pursing a master's degree, having once wanted to become a diplomat or a curator.
While initially single-minded in my passion, in recent years I have become more invested in a variety of social issues: social inequalities (regional, racial, religious), helping domestic violence victims, improving education and securing humanitarian aid. Among those, climate change and combating it have become my primary field of interest.
I might not make a good biologist or an engineer, but I have shown promise in activism. I have co-founded and run a local youth organization. I have participated in a UN HRC session (3 weeks), as well as in last year's UN Climate Change Conference in Poland, thanks to an NGO with which I collaborated: thus I know of that work environment. I also have partial command of law. In light of these, I would not mind becoming an ecological activist, or for my career to have elements of that.
Problem is, I am lost. I feel that I don't know what is out there, nor do I have anyone to ask for directions.
In particular, I am at a loss in these areas:
1. What are the ways in which one can make a meaningful impact (realistically, not idealistically)?
2. What background is needed to get involved in that? I am ready to return to university. Which schools or majors are the most suitable?
3. What people do you know who are involved whom I can ask or whose impressive example I could follow?
4. Which people or institutions can I ask for further guidance?
All input and opinion appreciated. Assume all country, language, money requirements met.
Background information: 25 years old, female, Polish. Lives in Zürich. Knows Polish, English, French, Italian. Fledgling interest in data science.
Best regards, Marta Szameto <marta.szameto@gmail.com>
by lacbuddah on 6/11/19, 8:44 PM
Just live life and have experiences with the thought that "I'm going to let life teach me about myself". You don't need more schooling but you do need to put in work at hobbies, a job (you don't need to love the first thing that comes around. There's always another job), personal relationships on all levels (friendly, acquaintance and intimate).
If the above is too ethereal for you, find solace that everyone's lost at 25 (and many are beyond that). You just don't have enough time in to LIFE. Keep doing things until you find the VERY FEW that cause you to find yourself.
Good luck.
by saaaaaam on 6/11/19, 8:06 PM
by abdullahkhalids on 6/11/19, 10:01 PM
The most straightforward way is to look up NGOs (others have posted links) and try to see if you can get a job with the one that seems exciting to you. Change is always brought about by acting in groups, so joining or creating an organization is the best way.
My answer to your question 1 is as follows. You are probably too small to make meaningful impact on a global scale - no one is. This is a task for governments. But you can make impact on a local scale. People often forget that there are many many things you can do at the city level to create sustainable living patterns. You can join or create organizations that are trying to fix your local problems. One interesting thing that someone with your background could do is to use art to drive social change. I know a excellent organization in my city that does community theater activities to educate and impact people, and you can definitely see the positive effect they have in the communities and areas they work in.
by uberman on 6/11/19, 5:34 PM
by provolone on 6/12/19, 1:43 AM
Look towards yourself instead of institutions.
by robomartin on 6/11/19, 10:36 PM
Your background is such that you are far more likely to be used by climate change zealots. Which means you are likely to unwittingly engage in spreading lies and non-solutions.
If you really want to help humanity in some of these domains you have to have enough of a scientific background to be able to understand the subject well as well as to separate science from religion.
The good news is: You can acquire this knowledge. If you are serious about this, shift your focus towards studying science. The rest should follow naturally due to your passion.
by JSeymourATL on 6/13/19, 4:16 PM
Obstacles become the raw material for achieving your goals.
ON this subject, Dan Sullivan is brilliant > https://www.33voices.com/interviews/the-way-to-defeat-your-o...
by hhmartin on 6/12/19, 3:09 AM
https://www.highergroundlabs.com/about-us
You could also consider running for office. There are several organizations now helping novices run for public office from local level to national.
by sergiotapia on 6/11/19, 8:35 PM