Ethical organisations: an interview with Helen Wallis

I interviewed Helen Wallis, the Ethical Careers Service Manager at People & Planet, and I thought you might like to see what we talked about.

DH - What jobs are out there?
HW - The range of opportunities has expanded immensely. Whether you want to be a leader in sustainable business, work in ethical PR, become a solar engineer or campaign for change - whatever your ambitions - there is something out there for you. There are also thousands of other ways in which you can incorporate ethics into your career, whatever direction you choose. These include everything from introducing a recycling scheme in your office, installing a Fair Trade vending machine or undertaking an environmental audit in your organisation. Many of these are simple to achieve and can even save time and money.

DH - What are the salaries like?
HW -Being ethical doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a decent salary and benefits. Whilst some jobs do unfortunately mean accepting less than the average mainstream graduate salary, this isn't true for everything. For example, pay ranges from £18,000-£20,000 for first jobs in local government or national charities and up to £30,000-£100,000 for human rights lawyers and chief executives of green businesses. But equally important is the fact that money isn't everything. Many people working in the sector stress that they are far happier than their higher paid friends working in more mainstream jobs.

DH -What jobs are the most ethical?
HW -The fact is that ethics or values are highly personal and there is no one size fits all solution. We are all individuals and have different principles, beliefs and goals. Whilst an activist job might suit one person, tackling the dilemmas associated with the mainstream appeals to someone else. Choosing a socially and environmentally responsible career is therefore about you, your values, skills and what you want and need.

DH - So why choose an ethical career?
HW - Ethics are a major motivational force behind the decisions young people are making about their careers and futures. According to recent research by Ernst and Young, 89% of recent graduates would not work for a company with a poor ethical record and more than half would choose an ideal job over a higher paying job, despite having large debts to pay off. Employees' concerns are also a strong agent for change, with a recent survey of UK small business owners indicating that two thirds were likely to be influenced by their employees to be more socially active.

Working for an organisation you can believe in will give you a sense of personal fulfilment and a feeling that you are doing something rewarding. Young people are growing increasingly disillusioned with the prospect of working for large corporations and are seeking rewarding careers that offer the satisfaction associated with doing something that makes a positive difference. As something that we dedicate over 70,000 hours of our lives to, careers offer enormous potential for enabling individuals to influence positive change.

DH - Where can I find more information?
HW - Until recently it has been really difficult to find out about all the opportunities open to you. People & Planet have changed all that through providing the only service in the UK dedicated to helping you find a socially and environmentally responsible career.

The service is based around a website with over 1,000 links to essential resources, an ethical job bulletin and magazines packed with information, advice and job profiles. Whether you are just looking to see what's out there or are ready to start applying for jobs, it's the most comprehensive guide to ethical careers, opportunities and lifestyles in the UK.

Finally, don't make a rush decision. This isn't the milk-round where you just apply and your entire career is mapped out. An ethical career doesn't have to be just 9-5 or for your entire life. Being ethical means incorporating your values into your entire lifestyle. That can mean campaigning in your spare time or shopping for organic and fair trade goods, the nature and extent of the commitment is endless.

If you would like to find out more about socially and environmentally responsible careers, lifestyles and opportunities, People & Planet run an Ethical Careers Service visit their website: www.ethicalcareers.org