A Rough Idea: What I secretly want to tell people who want to work for a non-profit

"That must be so fulfilling!"

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Lately I don’t know what to tell students and interns that are looking for a job in an advocacy NGO.

Impending graduates aspiring to Make A Difference reach out at events and over LinkedIn to ask for tips about breaking into the NGO ‘bubble.’ I love that. I love that so many of you want to help.

But over the last weeks I’ve watched my coworkers and friends being made redundant one by one as a direct result of funding cuts by the new far-right political blocs. I see that the newsletter on toxic workplaces in Brussels is our most-read edition ever. I see how governments are rolling back the environmental legislation we spent years campaigning for.

And I wonder whether it’s ethical of me to encourage people to pursue a career in this sector.