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I save lives. What do you do?


 This week, I have been thinking about my purpose. Why am I here? Not the big picture, but why in life do I work in workforce development, why bother doing this kind of work when there are more frustrations than achievements. When you start to really ask yourself this question, you see that the day to day is full of giving of yourself, helping people that need assistance in some way, or supporting those that do. Sounds rewarding, but it also leads to burnout. Why wouldn’t you be burnt out? All day long, people come to visit you because they are out of work, down on their luck, in need of resources, or because they have to.

I want to tell you why I am here. Why do I get up every morning, when I could be working in some industry with big bonus, lavish perks, easier hours and, and less challenges that are out of your control. The truth is that I figured out early in my career that the best way to solve the problems of society, to really help people solve all the big issues that keep people from achieving self-sufficiency for their families is to help them become employed.

Why do people have issues with housing, health care access, and feeding and supporting their families? It all comes down to income. The best way to get income is to become employed. Essentially, when you help someone become employed, you are helping the person support his family. You are helping the person become an example of productivity to his children and ultimately helping the children achieve self-sufficiency.  

Another issue is self-confidence. To help people achieve self-confidence they need to have basic needs met. Remember the psychologist Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs? If people do not have basic needs met, then they cannot achieve the other steps on the pyramid- including self-actualization.

So why do I do this? Why get up in the morning? I may not be a doctor. I may not be a nurse, but I save lives. I save families lives. I save society. So now that you know what I do for a living, I ask you “What do you do?”

Pondering Point:

§  Why do you work in workforce development?



Feel free to leave a comment below. I can also be reached at kcirincione@gmail.com. ~ Karen Cirincione

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