Smart people, why work there?
When I was in university, I had the chance to go on exchange to Yale for a year. As you would expect from an Ivy League university, I met many smart and motivated people there. But one thing I remember being struck by at the time was how in demand fields like banking, finance and consulting. So many students competed to score internships with these firms and I suppose many of them went on to build careers in these sectors. I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss on behalf of the world — did the world need so much of its talent clustered around these firms?
It's not like this has really changed now. We just added more jobs like tech/AI to the mix. My unpopular take (?) is that all these "ex-Meta/insert amoral company" types have had to close one or both eyes to enjoy the perks and salaries of their jobs. For instance, it's common knowledge how social media companies engineer to make their content more addictive for adults and children alike, despite knowing of the consequences. AI companies barrel their way through development after development with comparatively little thought for safety and security.
Meanwhile, as I read in Moral Ambition organisations that work on biosecurity, nuclear disarmament, global vaccines run with tiny headcount and budgets. I get that it's easier to go where the money is, since it acts as a proxy for self-worth and gives a sense of accomplishment. The world will not be worse off without more consultants, finance bros, or AI evangelist. But it will be worse off if we only work at places for prestige and money.
What if we can think about making a real difference, and not in a "bullshit job" (to borrow a term from David Graeber), but one that helps the people in your community, however you define it — be it the people around you, or your fellow men and women around the world?
Teach. Make art. Enter public service. Cure a disease. Build a sustainable social enterprise. Improve the lives of hospice patients. Creates real, positive change.
Do anything you can, but you don't have to work there.