Posts Tagged ‘career’

Work Is of Two Kinds

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

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(photo credit: Wonderlane)

Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth’s surface relatively to other such matter; second, telling other people to do so. The first kind is unpleasant and ill paid; the second is pleasant and highly paid.

- Bertrand Russel, “In Praise of Idleness”

We all have to work. Even if we don’t have to work, we have to pretend to work (see, for example, the idle heiress halfheartedly designing handbags and “building her brand”).

So if we need to work, why not be as thoughtful as possible about it? First of all, do you agree with Bertrand’s categories of work? Can you be highly paid and unhappy? Can you be happy taking orders from someone else?

What kind of work would make YOU feel best about the way you spend your days and feed your family? What kind would help you achieve your life goals? Is it the same work?

An impressive life, or an authentic one?

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

“You’re probably not doing things right unless the other people in your world are at least slightly uncomfortable with some way in which you’re challenging its assumptions.” – Conor Friedersdorf

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Did you see this Style profile of 19-year-old New York debutante Hadley Marie Nagel? She’s kind of amazing, with skills (skeet shooting?) and interests (like lobbying for a James Madison monument on the National Mall) all over the map. Being wealthy allows her to pursue these activities, and apparently to throw awesome dinner parties.

But according to Mr. Friedersdorf (who unfortunately gets Hadley’s name wrong in his opinion piece), having a lot of skills and interests won’t necessarily win you a good life. Important decisions about career and family are more complicated than having a sparkling resume, he says.

Having wealth and connections can score you all kinds of opportunities, and we think you’d be crazy not to take advantage of them. But those advantages can also lead you down a path that’s just not “you.” So before you start making the big decisions, do a gut check. Do you really want this, or do you think someone else wants it for you? (Or for themselves, for that matter.)

Joel Hollander Created Sports Radio. What Will You Do?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Lifelong radio industry bigwig Joel Hollander agreed to sit down in front of TILE’s camera and talk with us about the future of radio – plus the hows and whys of working your way to the top.

>>TILE brings you exclusive interviews from people doing great things in SPEND, GROW, and GIVE. To view more, click on TILEcasts in the TILE Library.

Have a burning question or someone you’d like to see interviewed? Let us know – just Ask TILE!

Economic Downturn Leads To Unexpected Career Choices

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

One man’s career turn-around in the face of economic decline shows us how finance and philanthropy intersect and how a trying situation might lead down a fulfilling path.

  • After a successful career at Bear Stearns, Kip Schaefer left the private sector and now works for the National Philanthropic Trust.
  • His masters degree from NYU’s fundraising program, combined with his finance background and outgoing personality, made him the top candidate for the National Philanthropic Trust’s opening for director of institutional business development.
  • He relied on passion and gut feelings to guide his decision-making when he ended up with two promising job offers.

Facts & Figures

  • In the last decade, the number of nonprofit groups has increased nearly 40%, to 1.4 million organizations.
  • $306 billion was raised in 2007 by nonprofit organizations.
  • Thirty programs around the country offer master’s degrees in nonprofit study.

Best Quote

“Align your intuitive spirit with your career goals.” – Kip Schaefer

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