A reader named Anthony DiClaudio writes in with a bleg (send us your own here), which is as simple, straightforward, and compelling as a bleg can be (IMHO):
I recently passed the bar and am currently applying for jobs. My main concern is bringing out the most charitable result. Should I work in the nonprofit section where my services are passed directly along to the most needy, or should I get the high-paying firm job and donate the difference in my salary to charity?
I am not so convinced that working for a nonprofit means that one’s “services are passed directly along to the most needy.” (Here’s one reason why.)
But now I will shut up and let you advise Anthony.
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Well I can say that from personal experience that working in foundation and development work can give you the best of both worlds. Having been in the same situation as yourself (graduated with a J.D. and then wondering where I could do the most “good”), there is good money to be made and a chance to do a lot of good work. Personally I have worked in hospitals for almost 20 years. Think it over.
Neither. Find a cause that is close to you that you are willing to be publicly passionate about. Just talking about money, some of the most valuable supporters were not those who wrote the biggest checks, but could bring in additional supporters. Often much more important though is a supporter who brings good ideas, effort, and visibility.
I think in both cases you must ask yourself what is a better reward. Profit the most (and then donate if you want) or work in a place where you think that you directly help the needy?
Maybe though you may not earn as high in the non profit sector, you may be doing what really interests you.
And if you opt for the highest profit job, you are still completely able to follow your interest in charity in many ways, not only by donations but also by volunteering in your free time.
At first look, the high-paying firm job may not seem to contribute to the most charitable result, but that is not necessarily so, because with your high earnings you’re contributing to the increase of resources, and therefore helping the whole community.
As you see both ways are ethical, it’s just that people have different interests and motivations, which they should follow to stay true to themselves.
I think a question that needs to be considered is where you would ENJOY working. I work for a non-profit and though my total contribution to the charity is probably less than if I worked at a for-profit, my overall happiness and willingness to give are definitely higher. Additionally, charity isn’t necessarily only defined in monetary terms. I donate my time volunteering, as well as produce pro-bono graphic design work for other organizations. It is nice to know at the end of the day that I’ve worked toward bettering my company because I believe in what they do versus toiling away at a job that allows me to donate money later.
Imagine there are only 2 lawyer positions in the world. 1 is a non-profit, charitable job and job 2 is a for-profit high paid job. There are only 2 lawyers. Whichever one you don’t take, the other lawyer will. But there is a 10% chance that if you don’t take job one, it will remain unfilled and that guy will go get his MBA instead.
Now, assume you take the high paid job, will you donate more to charity than the other guy if he had gotten the high paid job? Will you donate enough more to make up that 10% chance that he doesn’t take the charitable job at all?
First, decide very honestly whether you think your utility function might change over the next 50 years. Currently, you clearly value charity over wealth accumulation. What about after marrying, having kids, socializing with high-paid lawyers, etc? Be honest, you’ll probably blow the extra money on consumer goods. That’s fine, as long as you donate more than someone else would have, plus a little penalty for potentially leaving a charitable job unfilled.
Anthony,
Do what will make you happy. Most lawyers at firms are not happy. There are a number of socially useful but not soul-deadening jobs out there including: prosecution or public defense work, working at a legal services organization, working in government or for a non profit organization. If you have a social concience and it seems like you do, I would go the non profit route now, because you will want more money later and will not be likely to go down the income ladder. Find as interesting a job with as much responsibility as you can get — and do it as long as you can, while living on as little as you can. Then when you later need more money you will have great skills and experience and will have an easy time getting a higher paying job. Thats what I did — non profit stuff before law school, then DA and US Attorney and non profit stuff after law school until at age 36 with two kids we needed more money.
I say do the one you think you will enjoy more and hence the one at which you will work more enthusiastically. If high returns are the goal, there’s no substitute for being able to enthusiastically apply your full efforts, day after day, for many years.
#4 is right on. Also, your work for the firm will garner lots of contacts who can pledge their donations to worthwhile charities because their rich, brilliant, lawyer directed them to do so.
…and you’ll eat better too.