What makes a career ethical?

What is an Ethical Career?

Ethical Careers should not be seen as a separate sector, or an alternative to the norm. Seeking an ethical career is an aspiration; a signal that you want to achieve something more than profit in your working life. Careers with positive social impact can be found in the charitable, public, and private sector. There is no set definition, as each of us has different values and beliefs, but we believe that an ethical career is one which is meaningful; which allows you to see the tangible benefits of your work on the people and environment around you.

This could mean working for a charity, but it could also involve social enterprise, or corporate social responsibility. In fact, almost any career can be ethical if you make the effort to create change.

The possibilities are endless.

“The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat” Lily Tomlin

Why choose an Ethical Career?

People in the world can make a difference. This is a fact that is apparent with the recent success of fairtrade products, the increase of green energy suppliers and the gradual growth of social enterprises and ethical investments.

People everyday are becoming more and more ethically aware of the world around them, there is a growing realisation that how they spend their money and their time can, for some, be literally life changing.

By choosing a job in the ‘not-for-profit' sector or an ethical career, you can go home at the end of the day with the warm glowing feeling that your hard work has at least been an attempt to make the world a better place.

40 hours a week for the next 50 years. Think how much you can achieve in that time. It’s a lot of time to have a positive social impact.  

How to find an ethical career?

This, in reality, is a huge question. The sector is so wide ranging it is impossible to give specific advice. Read on to learn what is on offer and equip yourself with the necessary skills and experience.