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January 19, 2001

Make a difference

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Many people make New Year's resolutions and most of them are already broken by this time. I would like to challenge you with a different type of resolution this year. While others may worry about making more money, making that big promotion or even starting their own company, I would challenge you to make a difference, instead.

More of the same

Despite the grand claims of how the Internet is going to change the world (which I believe it will) the Internet industry has turned into a market filled with more of the same. Instead of developing new products and new services, most companies are content to be yet another Yahoo, yet another Amazon, yet another Hotmail. This has led to a workforce that knows in their hearts, if not in their minds, that they are not making a difference.

The constant movement of talent from one company to another has as much to do with dissatisfaction as it does with perks and layoffs. People who leave a job of their own accord are often looking for a very elusive thing, a job that gives them a sense of accomplishment; a sense that they are having an effect on the world.

Some people may condemn these people as dreamers and unrealistic, but I believe that these people are doing everything they can to insure that they have an exceptional career that not only fulfills their personal goals, but does so in a fashion that makes other people's lives better, as well.

A call to action

It appears that most companies and their founders are content to develop "yet another" companies that attempt to copy the success of others. I would challenge you, as high-tech careerists, to look elsewhere when presented with an offer from a company like this. Search out those companies that are doing something new, something different, something important. You should do this for a number of reasons.

First, company founders need to learn that "yet another" companies will not attract the talent they need. High-tech careerists are demanding something truly different and challenging. If these companies want to make a difference in the market they must first make a difference in the lives of their workers and the lives of their customers.

Second, your career will benefit from working on the most different and challenging projects. You will gain different skills from others in your profession and you will face more challenging problems that develop your existing skills.

Third, and most important, you will gain something that every high-tech worker craves, a feeling that your work is important and respected.

It can happen anywhere

It is important to remember that gaining a sense of satisfaction doesn't depend on being part of a hot new startup or starting your own company. Any company can provide a sense of fulfillment if your work is honored and seen to directly effect their customers. Even if you are working the support line for a company, managers and supervisors can develop methods to show the result of your good work. Maybe you aren't designing or building the next big attraction at the neatest theme park, but perhaps you are developing systems that make that system safer, or more robust or provide a better experience to the guest.

If your managers cannot assist you in seeing the effects of your work then you need to find them yourself. Better still you need to focus on the work that has the most effect and work to remove those bureaucratic bottlenecks that prevent you from having the best effect possible.

I realize that some of you may be in a position that won't allow a dramatic change in your work environment . You may have responsibilities or work commitments that tie you to a certain company or role. In extreme cases such as this you must look outside your job for a sense of fulfillment. This could involve a new hobby or craft that makes you happy. Perhaps you could volunteer for a cause that is important to you. You may find that you simply need to take some time for yourself to think about what you really want out of life and develop plans to help you achieve that goal in the future. Outside involvement cannot replace a sense of fulfillment in your work, but it can show you how that fulfillment might eventually be gained.

If you cannot find any way in which your job is "making a difference" it is time to start looking for a new position, a new company or a new career. The search will not be easy or fast, but the benefits to you, your career and your life can be extraordinary.

about this column.

Douglas E. Welch is a freelance writer and computer consultant in Van Nuys, California. Readers can discuss career issues with other readers by joining the Career Opportunities Discussion on Douglas' web page at: http://www.welchwrite.com/dewelch/ce/

He can reached via email at douglas@welchwrite.com