Why can’t I meet anyone who wants a big career that changes the world?

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived in several major metro areas, most recently here in the DMV. I’ve met so many people (mostly parents like me.) But everyone’s jobs seem a little blah. No one is passionate about their work or using their skills to leave the world a better place. Some people like their jobs (“it’s interesting, I appreciate the flexibility”) but no one really wants to talk about their work.

I am always reading about entrepreneurs, psychologists, lawyers, researchers and policymakers who are doing fascinating work and changing the world. Where are these people and how do I meet them in real life?

I run my own pretty unique business and I’m happy with my job and the impact I’m making (which I truly believe can change the world as we grow). But I just feel so alone because none of my friends or acquaintances get my ambition, my interest in figuring out complex problems or trying to create something new that makes a huge impact.

[Anonymous]

Because most people are a very small part of a larger effort and individually they aren't making much of a difference. You have to be pretty high up to be making a material difference in the world. Alternatively, look for people in lower paid non profit jobs that help the homeless or similar missions.

[Anonymous]

Go get a job with people in the fields you find to be most impactful.

But honestly OP most people don’t want to talk about their jobs outside of work. They have lives they want to live. Work-life balance.

[Anonymous]

Most people are just trying to survive OP.

[Anonymous]

Most of those people aren’t socializing with random people. They work long hours and spend time with colleagues and family.

[Anonymous]

I work in that kind of field, and people do talk like this. We're not changing the whole world but a piece of it.

Talk to people at mission driven nonprofits. You'll find a lot of idealists along these lines.

[Anonymous]

OP: Have you considered living in a university town where a lot of R&D occurs ? (Berkeley, California for example.)

You might find an area with a lot of start-ups interesting. Boulder, Colorado is an example.

[Anonymous]

Because at the end of the day, change is hard and most people don’t want to spend their money doing it.

People need money to exist in society, and therefore the jobs that pay are the jobs follow what people actually want to buy. Which is cheap fantasy and comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in that kind of field, and people do talk like this. We're not changing the whole world but a piece of it.

Talk to people at mission driven nonprofits. You'll find a lot of idealists along these lines.

+1. DC is full of these people.

[Anonymous]

A lot of people in DC do work like this. But talking about it in the terms that you are using easily comes across as narcissistic, self-promoting, or naive. It is more popular here to appear to be self-deprecating but use terms and lingo that other like-minded people will pick up on. Of course people can also be self-promoting braggarts but they usually do it in a more subtle way than places like NYC and San Francisco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people in DC do work like this. But talking about it in the terms that you are using easily comes across as narcissistic, self-promoting, or naive. It is more popular here to appear to be self-deprecating but use terms and lingo that other like-minded people will pick up on. Of course people can also be self-promoting braggarts but they usually do it in a more subtle way than places like NYC and San Francisco.

This. People who talk a lot about making the world a better place often have an overinflated sense of self-importance, and might even be ignorant to how they’re doing more harm than good. (All those Silicon Valley startups reallt made the world a better place, didn’t they?)

The real difference makers are going about it much more quietly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The real difference makers are going about it much more quietly.

Exactly. Humility is a virtue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve lived in several major metro areas, most recently here in the DMV. I’ve met so many people (mostly parents like me.) But everyone’s jobs seem a little blah. No one is passionate about their work or using their skills to leave the world a better place. Some people like their jobs (“it’s interesting, I appreciate the flexibility”) but no one really wants to talk about their work.

I am always reading about entrepreneurs, psychologists, lawyers, researchers and policymakers who are doing fascinating work and changing the world. Where are these people and how do I meet them in real life?

I run my own pretty unique business and I’m happy with my job and the impact I’m making (which I truly believe can change the world as we grow). But I just feel so alone because none of my friends or acquaintances get my ambition, my interest in figuring out complex problems or trying to create something new that makes a huge impact.

PR + exaggeration + narcissism

[Anonymous]

What does your business do, OP?

[Anonymous]

I do work like this. It is exhausting and super stressful, and I don’t particularly like talking about it.

As a senior leader in my org I also make $140k. My husband does similar work and is paid much less. So we may not be running into you at the playground, because we live in a neighborhood most of DCUM would sneer at.