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How Can I Create Meaningful Change While Bound to Capitalism?
Throughout my time in education and academia I have dedicated my time to advocating for marginalized students on my campus. I want to use my experience and my passion to do more, but I also need to participate within the capitalist system in order to live.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Evelyn !
Yes, that is true. It's true for all of us. I am not sure what your concern or issue is exactly, but maybe I can give some advice.
If it's that you really, really feel "stuck" in a country that runs on a capitalistic republic form of government, then the question is what do you want to do about it ? Have you explored your options ? It would mean immigrating after you graduate. Countries that do not participate in capitalism are China, North Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Moldova, and Cuba. In no way am I saying to immigrate, but you'll need to examine these countries form of economics and decide if the country you're living in isn't quite all that bad after all. It's up to you since this seems to be the concern you have stated.
While you're in college, the best way to not feel alienated by having to have a job, especially one that you would find boring or not interested in, is to apply for work study. If you are majoring in one of the social sciences, as you've mentioned that you do advocacy, you can very well get paid to do counseling on campus through Work Study. Remember, advocacy is not the career, it's part of counseling. Speak with your Financial Aid Officer on campus about Work Study.
A little bit about counseling and advocacy - the U.S. is probably the best country to create change. That being said, you will not always be able to create change. It depends on too many factors. Advocacy requires two or more people and your clients will be the change, you do not create it. You do not go seeking clients, they come to you with a need and that's the professional viewpoint on this career. The most effective counselors must be comfortable in their own skin and never bring their issues into the mix. This is very important.
If you decide that capitalism is not such a bad thing and you stay in the U.S., you can apply for social service grants to do your counseling and advocacy work. Speak with your professors about this first and there'd be a lot of material in libraries and online for grants to begin a community services office. The countries that I mentioned above hardly offer people this opportunity. So, you may want to consider going into a non-profit service business for yourself.
Make sure you are getting the right Degree for the work you want to do because you didn't mention what your major is in. Anyone can to "advocacy", but you'll need a Degree in something that will support and qualify you to do advocacy work within a specific service.
I suggest that you speak with your academic counselor about this and any issues that are causing your dissatisfaction. You will need to work on adjusting to the world around you before you can help others change their lives or the world around them. I think you can do it. You just need to take one thing at a time and reach out more to those who can help you with any other issues you are having.
I wish you the best in all you do !
Yes, that is true. It's true for all of us. I am not sure what your concern or issue is exactly, but maybe I can give some advice.
If it's that you really, really feel "stuck" in a country that runs on a capitalistic republic form of government, then the question is what do you want to do about it ? Have you explored your options ? It would mean immigrating after you graduate. Countries that do not participate in capitalism are China, North Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Moldova, and Cuba. In no way am I saying to immigrate, but you'll need to examine these countries form of economics and decide if the country you're living in isn't quite all that bad after all. It's up to you since this seems to be the concern you have stated.
While you're in college, the best way to not feel alienated by having to have a job, especially one that you would find boring or not interested in, is to apply for work study. If you are majoring in one of the social sciences, as you've mentioned that you do advocacy, you can very well get paid to do counseling on campus through Work Study. Remember, advocacy is not the career, it's part of counseling. Speak with your Financial Aid Officer on campus about Work Study.
A little bit about counseling and advocacy - the U.S. is probably the best country to create change. That being said, you will not always be able to create change. It depends on too many factors. Advocacy requires two or more people and your clients will be the change, you do not create it. You do not go seeking clients, they come to you with a need and that's the professional viewpoint on this career. The most effective counselors must be comfortable in their own skin and never bring their issues into the mix. This is very important.
If you decide that capitalism is not such a bad thing and you stay in the U.S., you can apply for social service grants to do your counseling and advocacy work. Speak with your professors about this first and there'd be a lot of material in libraries and online for grants to begin a community services office. The countries that I mentioned above hardly offer people this opportunity. So, you may want to consider going into a non-profit service business for yourself.
Make sure you are getting the right Degree for the work you want to do because you didn't mention what your major is in. Anyone can to "advocacy", but you'll need a Degree in something that will support and qualify you to do advocacy work within a specific service.
I suggest that you speak with your academic counselor about this and any issues that are causing your dissatisfaction. You will need to work on adjusting to the world around you before you can help others change their lives or the world around them. I think you can do it. You just need to take one thing at a time and reach out more to those who can help you with any other issues you are having.
I wish you the best in all you do !