What do you do if your career is impacted by social justice issues?

Gone are the days that cultural competence and meaningful awareness and commitment to operating in fair and ethical ways is considered "optional." That is a great thing because it means those we serve and collaborate with expect us to do the right thing. Toward that end, every person and organization should be deliberate about building their cultural competence and identifying actionable ways to be more equitable, inclusive, accessible, and, as simple as it sounds, just kind.

It make sense that social justice issues should affect a career in social impact. In fact, social justice issues should shape your career in social impact. Use this as a guidance, what are the challenges, what are people talking about, where is the most need and the implications if we don’t solve for them, how is ideology shifting or evolving, use this as data to drive your own ethos on social change.

With information being so readily available, it is crucial to be mindful of what content is being consumed. We need to be mindful of misinformation and factual evidence in relation to current events, as well as any personal biases. With this in mind, there are various opportunities for individuals to become more informed through virtual or in-person resources. Not just on the social justice topic on hand, but how to be trauma-informed and culturally competent when engaging with the populations being impacted.

Collaboration is such an important aspect of making a lasting impact. The combination of voices, and perspectives, can shed light on aspects not considered by the greater movement. It creates a space for people to share their experiences, have the support of others, and come together to create the necessary changes.

Regardless of position or role within your profession, your voice matters. We have the opportunity to add perspective based on our lived experiences. Use that, seek the opportunity, or create the opportunity, to speak on the things you see, what is lacking, and what needs to change. The drop of a pebble can create waves; be that pebble.

Strategic adaptation to the evolving landscape of social justice is crucial for career development. It involves a proactive approach to change, readiness to embrace new challenges, and the foresight to anticipate shifts in the social paradigm. By aligning one's career trajectory with the principles of social justice, professionals can ensure they contribute positively to society while staying relevant in their field. This dynamic approach to career planning not only fosters personal growth but also promotes a more equitable professional environment.

Everyone’s work and career is impacted by and should deliberately impact social justice issues. The de-whitetization of corporate boardrooms, core leadership roles and organization — however superficial and limited — is the result of social and racial justice movements and demands. If you are not deliberately addressing the racial and gender inequities in your field and in the purview of your sales, distribution and production then either you are making sure your work works for justice or justice work against your work.