How to Change the World and Your Work

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This is great! Love it.

Jennifer of OH 4:36PM November 04, 2009

I agree w/the author 100%. I'm a correctional professional, and currently work as a community supervision officer. (I started as a correctional officer almost 12 years ago). I love my job.
I'm not into getting "scum" busted, or by helping poor socially wronged individuals. I get juiced by knowing that I help protect my community while at the same time helping trouble individuals access needed rehabilitation services. I don't get dismayed by a 30% "success" rate or a 70% "failure" rate. I think my profession has a 100% success rate, because either through rehabilitation or revocation, a threat to society will be removed.
I view my job as a calling, and my calling is to be a voice of reason and justice in an often irrational and legalistic criminal justice system. By materialistic standards, I'm underpaid and under appreciated. However, by my standard I receive a fair paycheck for a hard day's work. As Theodore Roosevelt said "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
That philosophy has been my guiding light for over a decade, and it's allowed me (in-conjunction-with my wife's career) to help build a comfortable quality of life for my family. Now that's the "American Dream" - and I'm living it.

Roy Odhner of TX 1:59PM November 02, 2009

Curt Rosengreen
Get a real job

joj of CA 11:53AM November 02, 2009

Thanks for posting this article on your site. I now realize why I am starting to feel
an energy and excitement about this new stage in my career: I am resigning as a professional malcontent!!!! I hope to meet with you at the Interview Angel Event tomorrow, 10/27/09 from 4-7 p.m. in Doswell, VA.

Judith Perkel of VA 4:10PM October 26, 2009

Good point, Ray. The questions we ask can have a big impact on where our attention goes.

Curt Rosengren of WA 11:25PM October 23, 2009

Enjoyed your focus on difference making, especially the question you ask: "What difference do I feel called to make today?" The question we ask determines what we find. If we focus the question on making a difference, the outcome is clear, we will make a difference. I speak to difference making throughout my blog http://people.ehe.ohio-state.edu/rcalabrese/
Have a great day and keep on making a difference. RC

Ray Calabrese of OH 12:21PM October 23, 2009