Although I am sure most everybody has experienced career phobia to some extent in their lives, I have literally never been certain about what I want to be when I grow up. It has always made me feel a little unfocused and scared, but the whole concept of social entrepreneurship has changed that for me.
I realized that whatever I do, in the grand scheme of things, I want to make an impact that transcends money and glory. I want the thing that I choose to do with my degree and skill set to speak to people and inspire optimism.
For a while, I thought I would have to settle for some job that suited my Economics major and search for the opportunity to inspire by participating in extra-curricular volunteer activities. This is certainly a viable approach, but my itch to pursue my true passions is too great to spend eight hours in a day job I do not necessarily want to be at. Social Entrepreneurship is the remedy for that itch.
The Global Engagement Summit, particularly, is an organization that understands that sometimes the conventional route is not always ideal for certain mindsets. Individuals can come in with their ideas based on personal experiences and take a creative stab at changing the world. We debated TOMS being a socially conscious brand at the last meeting, but, regardless, the idea that a shoe company can use local business savvy to provide a global service is living proof that with sound strategic planning, philanthropy can survive our profit-driven economy.
Now is the time to take conventional business and redefine it. Especially if you are in the same boat as me, where nothing seems to fit as best it could, you can choose to be the boss and society can benefit from your “boss” idea. This is how great things start, so do not be afraid to create from scratch. And if someone asks you why, just say, “Why not?”

-Yasha Saxena