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By Marianne Perez
October 2008
Hello—
My name is Katia, and I'm 18 years old. I have high hopes and dreams in changing society, and I dream big of even changing the world someday. Of course I do realize you must start small, but I was wondering if I can make this into a career? One revolving around peace and helping out society and even all over the world, spreading the message of peace. Which careers meet these requirements?
Dear Katia,
Thank you for your question and your interest in peace professions. I am happy and hopeful to hear that at 18-year-olds like you are already thinking about your career and want to do something in the field of peace.
Like with any career advice, I urge you to first think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. Knowing what your interests and skills are will help you focus your studies and then your job search.
Because I see peace as something that we each individually contribute to, I believe that you can work for peace in almost any job. The difference is in the attitude you have, how you interact with your colleagues, and what you choose as your focus. For example, you could write for your local paper, but deliberately employ the methods of Peace Journalism (PDF).
If you are looking, however, to do something more concretely related to peace, start by looking into various peace organizations and see what types of jobs they have to offer.
I would categorize peace professions as:
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Community organizers, other civil society activists, labor union organizers, etc.--no matter what the politics--where people are engaged in the political system nonviolently
- Teachers
- After school program workers, coaches, tutors (any profession that keeps youth positively engaged between the hours of 3 PM and 6 PM)
- Therapists, emotional literacy coaches, and anger management professionals
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation professionals
- Health and human services workers
- All professions where healthcare is provided equitably
- Aid and disaster workers (both domestic and international)
- Conflict workers and mediators
- Clergy
- Peace researchers, peace journalists, peace educators
- Corporate social responsibility managers and social entrepreneurs
- Green jobs centered on protecting the environment
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Any profession that helps alleviate poverty and violence or increase access to basic healthcare and political voice
- Various government service professions, including:
Some good websites to get an idea of what kinds of jobs are out there include:
Good luck, Katia, and keep us posted!
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