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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno where you are but my group of friends and mom friends at school is amazing. friends working on legislature to improve peoples lives here in the US, voting rights, researchers working on cutting edge vaccines and treatments, doctors and nurses serving under privileged communities, lots of friends working in big name and small nonprofits that actually serve local populations, countries and animal needs. But nearly all of them are pretty chill about oversharing or bragging about their work. Many have been published, features/quoted on the news. None wanted a "big fancy job" and all wanted to do something useful for the world and still be able to be a part of their community and most raise families.

Curious is this a private or public school that has all these types? And where is this in the DC region?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Entrepreneurs change the world. Not employers.

Entrepreneurs are employers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Join a country club or professional club or networking association. Or LinkedIn.

This happened to me today. Someone met someone at the club and gave them my number because we have the same area of interest.

[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.

Twitter, Mastodon, LinkedIn

[Anonymous]

My husband and both have had these jobs - we both worked all the time - we weren't out meeting new people and talking about work to them. We now have less exciting, less "big" jobs but I still think we are making a difference - that type of work is usually both high stress and not the highest pay, which isn't a great combo with kids.

[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.

Get over yourself. Grow up already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Because meaningful jobs are specialized and you wouldn't understand them, even if you are doing meaningful work in a different field. And after 40+ hrs/week, people want something else when they go home.

I was trying to find a nice way to say this. I work in policy in a technical field and discussing it with someone who is not an expert is exhausting. Not that they aren’t capable of understanding, but it’s like teaching a college seminar; it’s just so complicated and everything has caveats and conditions. It’s just not something I want to do in my limited spare time.

My DC’s school is loaded with people who are current/former government appointees, think tank types, etc. in the same field as I am, and we never discuss work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I wanted to say, that I think you are being narrow minded about what changing the world can mean?

Social workers, teachers, disease researchers, aid workers (volunteer or paid) Im sure so many others - want to make the world better. Maybe the scale is too small for you?

This!

[Anonymous]

OP you’re asking the wrong questions. If you’re introducing yourself with the standard “what do you do?” you’re pretty boring and limited yourself. It’s way more interesting to talk to someone who is excited and asks what others find exciting or interesting and lets them talk. If you expect people to open up with “I’m a big name xyz and just did this” only people with big egos will start like that. You have to get to know people.

And anyone who is happy and fulfilled is changing the world, by the way. I remember a high school acquaintance whose dad was on his third wife and the kids hated him. And he had one of those big positions at a huge place. You tell me - does his big work make up for the fact that his ex wives and kids didn’t respect him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno where you are but my group of friends and mom friends at school is amazing. friends working on legislature to improve peoples lives here in the US, voting rights, researchers working on cutting edge vaccines and treatments, doctors and nurses serving under privileged communities, lots of friends working in big name and small nonprofits that actually serve local populations, countries and animal needs. But nearly all of them are pretty chill about oversharing or bragging about their work. Many have been published, features/quoted on the news. None wanted a "big fancy job" and all wanted to do something useful for the world and still be able to be a part of their community and most raise families.

Where do you live? I want to move to your neighborhood! My neighbors talk about book clubs, country clubs, and other boring topics I haven’t found my people here…

[Anonymous]

B/c most people don't care enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno where you are but my group of friends and mom friends at school is amazing. friends working on legislature to improve peoples lives here in the US, voting rights, researchers working on cutting edge vaccines and treatments, doctors and nurses serving under privileged communities, lots of friends working in big name and small nonprofits that actually serve local populations, countries and animal needs. But nearly all of them are pretty chill about oversharing or bragging about their work. Many have been published, features/quoted on the news. None wanted a "big fancy job" and all wanted to do something useful for the world and still be able to be a part of their community and most raise families.

Where do you live? I want to move to your neighborhood! My neighbors talk about book clubs, country clubs, and other boring topics I haven’t found my people here…

OP here. This is exactly what I’m looking for. It’s funny that some posts mention that I need to look for it in more elite circles while others say to look in less elite, further out suburbs. We live in a regular suburb. We lived in a fancy one before and people were pretty arrogant and shallow. Here, people are more down to earth but I haven’t met anyone who likes to talk about their work.

I get that a lot of people choose flexible jobs when parenting, or don’t like talking about work, or the work is too technical. There’s nothing wrong with discussing tomatoes if that floats your boat. But somewhere out there, there must be people who want to talk about new discoveries in psychology, education innovation, effective healthcare interventions and other cool things happening in their industries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Did any real VCs see your pretty unique business and back you?

Or is this a bad cut & paste TROLL post?

I do have investors, they’re really interesting people but not local and too busy to pursue friendships or even frequent conversations with.

I’m not a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You seem to be determined to change the world.
Curious to know what impact you have already made. How have you changed the world?

Hmm I think if I get too detailed, it’ll be immediately obvious who I am. Basically I came up with an innovative model for connecting people that is mutually beneficial and helps them develop skills, opens new opportunities (including better jobs), and forges real friendships. Because I’m a parent of young kids and want to work 40 hours and be involved with my children, I haven’t been growing too aggressively, we’ve reached about 50,000 people.

[Anonymous]

My husband works in climate change, and literally every single one of his colleagues is like this.

I'm a writer, as soon as I published a nonfiction book, I was invited into all of these intellectual circles and have met so many people like this. Through conferences, public events, people reaching out and inviting me to things.

We live in DC proper ("lower" NW)