People Want Jobs That Make A Difference, Even If It Means A Pay Cut

This is shocking or new news to me that young people are looking for positions that make a difference or can create an impact.  I don't believe that this frame of mind is only attributable to young people either.  People all of ages, genders, and backgrounds want to feel that they are apart of something special.  They want to have a direct impact on the success of a project, product, or even an entire company.

People are willing to do a lot in order to secure a job that they can feel good about even taking a pay cut.

Via Fast Company article here, Talent Report: What Workers Want in 2012 from Net Impact, which surveyed 1,726 college students about to enter the workforce as well as employed four-year college graduates (including Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers) on their life goals, job satisfaction, and desire to have an "impact job."

• Somewhat surprisingly, current workers said that having an impact job was more important than having children, a prestigious career, wealth, and community leadership. The top two most important things to have for happiness: financial security and marriage. Financial security still matters more than making a difference, but wealth isn’t important for people if they can do some good.
• That’s especially true for students: 58% of student respondents say they would take a 15% pay cut to “work for an organization whose values are like my own."
• Almost 60% of students also expect to have multiple job offers to choose from (that may be a little overly idealistic); 37% believe they can make a positive social or environmental impact within five years.
• Among current workers, work/life balance is the most important aspect of an ideal job. A positive environment is the second most important piece (it’s most important overall for students), and interesting work is third. Having a prestigious employer is the least important piece.
• There are a few big differences between students and workers: 50% of students say it’s important to have an employer that prioritizes CSR, while only 38% of current workers care. Half of current workers care if their job helps make a better world, but 65% of students care.

• Overall, women care more about impact jobs than men: 30% of women say they would take a pay cut for an impact job, while 19% of men say the same thing. And 60% of employed women believe that working for a socially and environmentally conscious employer is important, compared to 38% of men.
• In spite of the student population’s idealism, Boomers are most likely to vote (73% compared to 43% of students in the last year), boycott a product or company, or volunteer outside of work.