How can you actually make an impact? Research ways to be an effective advocate for a cause, someone you know, or even yourself. What are 3 things you could do today to start making a difference? 

Skills

Be an advocate.

Search listings on Idealist.org for internship or volunteer opportunities with nonprofits near you! Explore whether this is a job sector you would enjoy working in.

Advice

Intern or volunteer at a nonprofit.

Are you passionate about making a difference in your spare time? Search for some local social justice organizations or projects and offer to volunteer! What cause(s) are you most passionate about?

Volunteer for a social justice organization. 

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Second Interest High-Point

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

First Interest High-Point

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Management Occupations

Top Executives

Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.

Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.

Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.

Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.

Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.

Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.

Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.

Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.

Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.

Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans or activities, the selection of directors or other high-level staff, or establishment or organization of major departments.

Preside over or serve on boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards.

Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.

Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among departments and sites.

Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.

Coordinate the development or implementation of budgetary control systems, recordkeeping systems, or other administrative control processes.

Direct non-merchandising departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting.

Deliver speeches, write articles, or present information at meetings or conventions to promote services, exchange ideas, or accomplish objectives.

Serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.

Nominate citizens to boards or commissions.

Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.

Make presentations to legislative or other government committees regarding policies, programs, or budgets.

Refer major policy matters to elected representatives for final decisions.

Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies.

Direct or coordinate activities of businesses involved with buying or selling investment products or financial services.

Direct or conduct studies or research on issues affecting areas of responsibility.

Attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.

Organize or approve promotional campaigns.

Conduct or direct investigations or hearings to resolve complaints or violations of laws or testify at such hearings.

Represent organizations or promote their objectives at official functions or delegate representatives to do so.

Prepare bylaws approved by elected officials and ensure that bylaws are enforced.

Review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support interests of the general population or special groups.

10-key calculators

Desktop computers

Laptop computers

Personal computers

Personal digital assistants PDA

Smartphones

Universal serial bus USB flash drives

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat

AdSense Tracker

Atlassian JIRA

Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge

ComputerEase Construction Accounting

Database reporting software

Databox

Email software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Exact Software Macola ES Labor Performance

Extensible markup language XML

Fund accounting software

Graphic presentation software

Halogen e360

Halogen ePraisal

HCSS HeavyBid

HCSS HeavyJob

Human resource information system HRIS

Infor SSA Human Capital Management

Intuit QuickBooks

Listserv software

Lyris HQ Web-Analytics Solution

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft FRx

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft Word

Nedstat Sitestat

Norchard Solutions Succession Wizard

Online advertising reporting software

Oracle E-Business Suite

Oracle PeopleSoft

Oracle Siebel Server Sync

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

Relational database management software

Sage 50 Accounting

Structured query language SQL

Web browser software

President

<p>Meet Antoine, Hannah, and Nika of team Crazy, Babbling, Sunshine. Antoine has never left Southern California, but feels that he's ready to get out and explore. Hannah left her job as a weather broadcaster in South Korea to move back to the U.S. to figure out what she really wants to do with her life; while Nika grapples with whether she should transfer to a performing arts school or do what is expected of her. After the Roadtrippers meet for the first time in Southern California, they hop into the Green RV and head to their first interview with LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) president Hannah Song who tells them to "tap into their inner passions." After their conversation, the team is inspired and ready to take on their next interview in Los Angeles.</p>

Los Angeles

I think that even though I did all of these other things, one of the things that I think my parents will always really proud is the fact that, even if I became nobody, and I had this career and I stayed in advertising and I didn't do anything and I wasn't greatly successful, was the fact that, there were still parts of my life, or things that I did that they were really proud of. I don't think people are gonna figure out what they wanna do with their lives right away. I don't think that even the things that you worked toward in college and after gonna be the things you end up doing in five years. They say that, in our generation, we'll end up changing, not just jobs, but careers, five times. And that's really crazy because no real generation before us has been that all over the map, but I don't think you have to put all your eggs in one basket is what I'm trying to say in a very uneloquent way. I don't. >> Yeah, I know what you're saying, yeah. >> You know? I think that you work toward this. This might be something you work on your whole life. Maybe you don't even start a business and do something and become successful until you're like 60 or something. And there are people that don't end up that way. But I think it's about what you're able to do along the way. Because you haven't just focused just on this. I have to succeed, this is the only thing, I have to figure out what is that one thing. But along the way, if you're doing good, and you're helping people, and you're doing smaller projects or things here and there. Those are always gonna be things that I think that you can take pride in. You can be proud of yourself, and I really think that your parents will be, too. 

Pride

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket

[Roadtripper #1] Nice. [Hannah S.] I'm Hannah. [Roadtripper #1] Hello! I'm Antoine, nice to meet you. [Roadtripper #2] I'm Hannah. [Hannah S.] Oh, hi! [Roadtripper Hannah] Nice to meet you. [Roadtdripper #3] Nika. [Hannah S.] Hi, it's nice to meet you all. Welcome to our office! [Roadtripper Hannah] So, first of all, thanks so much for meeting with us today. This is our first interview, and we're a little nervous, too, so why don't we just take a minute. Everyone take a deep breath. [everyone taking a deep breath] [Roadtripper Hannah] Okay, cool. [Roadtripper Hannah] We're good, we're good? All right. Pretty much, our whole I guess mission is to look, like, search for leaders or people that we particularly find inspiring. [Hannah S.] For sure. How old are all of you guys, if I can ask? [Nika] I'm 21. [Roadtripper Hannah] Twenty-five. [Antoine] Twenty-two. [Hannah S.] Okay, so it's pretty diverse age range. [Roadtripper Hannah] How old are you? [roadtrippers laughing] [Hannah S. clearing throat] Let's just say that I am still barely in my 20s. Um, that's great. I'm really excited to have you guys here, to hear your stories. Um, so my name is Hannah Song, and I am the president of LiNK (Liberty in North Korea). It was begun in 2004, and I was not there when it began at a student conference, but I started volunteering with the organization later that year after it began. And I was already out of college by then, and I was working in corporate at that time. I actually was working in advertising, and I realized there was that-that-that lacking I think a lot of people come to. They hit a wall or they don't feel fulfilled or they don't feel purpose or worth or any of those things and, um, I realized that this other thing was just pulling at me while I was at my job. And it just got to a point where it was too overwhelming and I was like, "You know what? "I'm gonna quit my job and go and work full-time "for this organization." I felt like I was still young enough that I could do these crazy ridiculous things, and even if I fell flat on my face and I made the worst decision of my life, I would still have time to make it back up or work toward something else. And I feel like there's a unique season in our lives when we have the opportunity or the privilege to do that because I wasn't married or dating or have kids or anything! There was no baggage or any responsibility. So I jumped ship, went and worked full-time, and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I am not cut out for this position. There is no reason why I should be in this role as the president or working in this issue. I don't have a poli sci background, I don't have internships working in policy or on the Hill. It just doesn't make sense, but I think that I'm here for a reason, and I think that that's really all it's about and that's what life's journeys are about, and I'm sure that that's what this roadtrip will be about for you guys. [Nika] Speaking a little bit more about, um, the challenges to take, to take a risk as a big, a big issue, it's like your family expects so much of you, society expects so much of you, and so when you're leaving something that's so secure for something that might not be guaranteed, how did it affect you to make that risk? [Hannah S.] I pretty much... dropped everything: my job, my family, my friends. Um, no income. Moved down, and by then I was in my mid-20s. I was living with people I worked with. Um, we weren't making a salary. We didn't really have money. I was waitressing at Cheesecake Factory at night, while I was working, like, nine to five during the day and then on the weekends. And I think that what's really important is whatever your passion is or wherever you choose to go, you have to have a certain amount of conviction in that, um, or just don't do it. Because if you kind of creep around it and tip-toe, I think it's gonna take so much longer for you to realize you've either failed or succeeded. And I stuck it out. I've never once said that I hate my job. It's, there are times I'll say I'm frustrated, I'm tired, or I'm stressed, but I've never hated this job because this job has nothing to do with me. For me, this job has everything to do with this issue and for the people that I work for. There are so many other people that don't have the luxury to do that. They don't have a supporting family or a husband that will let me do this because he's the one that's gonna, you know, go and work the stable job so I can do this. And I feel it is an extreme privilege for me to be doing this work. [Antoine] To touch a little bit more on like parents, like, they're completely supportive in whatever I do. But it's weird, on my side, I feel like I have like an obligation, like, I need to succeed for them. Did you ever feel like maybe, like, if you didn't have something to show for it at the end, like you'd feel like you'd be letting them down? [Hannah S.] Yes. I'm a second-generation Korean, which means my parents immigrated here. Um, most of the immigrant story, um, for parents is that they all struggled. I mean, they could have been lawyers in-in Korea or wherever they came from, but they come here and they run dry cleaners instead because there's no opportunity for them. They don't speak the language, they can't do that. It kills them all the same that they worked so hard and sacrificed so much for their kids to go off and to try to become, you know, non-profit bleeding hearts because in their minds, they're like, "I want you to be "what I was supposed to be." I think the older we become, we become so conformed to certain ways and mindsets. You know, staying the safe path, it's tough to break out of that, and I think that that's really maybe where our parents are at. But we're also spoiled in that way. We're spoiled because there were people that came before us that laid it out for us so that we could have an easy way up until that point. People suffered, people took those risks, and people did things for us to even get here, and we have to acknowledge that. And for us, it's now on our shoulders to continue to push that forward. Maybe we won't see the success or the fruits of whatever our labors are in our lifetime, but maybe all we're doing is laying it out for that next generation that's gonna come and to continue to push that forward. And so yeah, it's much easier to be safe and comfortable, but uh...I think it's up to us as individuals to really determine how far are we gonna be willing to push ourselves, and what are we willing to risk? [Antoine] RV time! [Hannah S.] I think that all of you seem like the type that even if you don't figure out what you wanna do by the end of it, you'll still walk away being like, "Wow, "that was one of the most amazing experiences I'll "probably ever have in my life." This is awesome! [Antoine] This is it. [Hannah S.] That's so cool! [Roadtripper Hannah] If you wanna do the honors, you'll be the first one on our trip! [Nika] Thank you so much for-- [Hannah S.] It was so good to meet you! [Roadtripper Hannah] Bye! [Hannah S.] Good luck, guys! 

Interview

My dad sat me down in the sixth grade and we had a talk about mediocrity. Okay, like being mediocre. You don't want to be mediocre in life. You don't want to do a lot of things and just not be good at anything. And yes, I'm sure that was emotionally and challenging a little bit for me and stunting in some ways, but it always stuck with me. And I think that for me that was always where I found myself. I know that my personality, I don't want to just, not only be mediocre, but do things in a mediocre way. And I think I'm kind of, now I'm like, go big or go home, kind of an attitude. 

Fulfillment

Hard Work

Go Big or Go Home

I worked in intern for four years throughout college doing television because I as in the same boat and I was like I don't wanna miss out opportunities. Feel like everyone, there's so many people ahead of where I'm at, I need to figure out what I'm doing. And I worked really hard to try to do that because I thought I was building steps to a career, only to find out that here I am years later and it's not really anything at all what I had studied or really worked or done. 

Pressure

New Industry

I don't think there are things that I see as being major risks. I think I'm kind of like, I'm either gonna do it and jump and then I'll figure it out or I'm just not gonna do it. But I don't think I look back and think that there was ever a time that I regret not doing something. I don't look at my life and be like, man, I could have been a professional figure skater, or man, I could have been a really good lawyer. I just look at this life and I think I go, if I'm gonna die tomorrow would I be able to look back and think that if I've worked so hard that it's been worth something? I just wanna experience as much as I can, because I think that I never know when those opportunities will come again. And I think that those are the things that really, not only open us up as individuals, but really help to shape our perspective on the world and how we live our lives. 

Experience

Regrets

Experience As Much As I Can

I like to pretend like I'm a spontaneous person, but I'm really not. I'm the person that likes to plan, that likes to plan and have a backup plan, and know, and set my path out and figure out where I'm going and where I should be. And I just think that it doesn't, you build this, you build limitations with that. And to a certain point, part of that is, yes, being responsible as an individual. But to a certain point, sometimes you have to either just jump or go to the person that you know will just push you, because that's all you know you need, is just that push. And I think that I was getting there more and more. I was just burdened by this issue. And for me, it was just something I was surprised at how passionate I was about it. And it was a very emotional thing I think at first and now it's much more just practical thing. It's more cerebral thing for me now, but I really think that sometimes it's just needing to just take that risk. And I don't really know how else to say it, but I'm more all relatively independent in a way. And it seems like we're gonna make the decisions that we want to make for our lives, and playing it safe means that sometimes you're only gonna live within the confines of that safety, then. And I think that, what is that cliche phrase? Big risk, big reward, so small risk, small reward. And I think that for me I didn't want to find myself in 20 years turning around, regretting not having gone out and done things. 

Choices

Planning

Risk

Jump Or Be Pushed

I think a lot of times, even when we do good, we're being more selfish because we feel so good at doing good. >> [LAUGH] >> So yeah, why not? And I think it's something that you can be proud of and say, I don't know what I'm doing with my life, but every weekend I know what I am doing and that's helping these kids learn how to read and doing these things. And I don't think it's just about necessarily being hero. It's gonna be about you feeling like even though you don't have this all figured out, you know for sure that you are still making an impact in this life. And with what you are doing and with what you do have now. 

Values

Do Good

I was living with people I worked with. We weren't making a salary. We didn't really have money. I was waitressing at Cheesecake Factory at night, while I was working, like, nine to five during the day and then on the weekends. And I think that what's really important is whatever your passion is or wherever you choose to go, you have to have a certain amount of conviction in that, um, or just don't do it. Because if you kind of creep around it and tip-toe, I think it's gonna take so much longer for you to realize you've either failed or succeeded. 

Hannah Song Highlight

I pretty much dropped everything, my job, my family, my friends, no income, moved town. And by then, I was in my mid twenties. I was living with people I worked with. We weren't making a salary. We didn't really have money. I was waitressing at Cheesecake Factory at night while I was working like 9 to 5 during the day, and then on the weekends. And I think that what's really important is whatever your passion is, or wherever you choose to go, you have to have a certain amount of conviction in that, or just don't do it. Because if you kind of creep around it and tiptoe, I think it's gonna take so much longer for you to realize you've either failed or succeeded. 

Passion

Perseverance

Convictions

I actually was working in advertising and I realized there was that lacking I think a lot of people come to. They hit a wall where they don't feel fulfilled or they don't feel purpose or worth, or any of those things. And I realize that this other thing was just pulling at me while I was at my job. And it just got to a point where it was too overwhelming and then I was like, you know what? I'm gonna quit my job and go and work full time for this organization. I felt like I was still young enough that I could do these crazy, ridiculous things and even if I fell flat on my face and I made the worst decision of my life I would still have time to make it back up or work towards something else. And I feel like there's a unique season in our lives when we have the opportunity or the privilege to do that. Because I wasn't married, or dating, or have kids, or anything. There was no baggage or any responsibility. So I jumped ship, went and worked full time. I mean it was the best decision I ever could have ever made. I am not cut out for this position. There is no reason why I should be in this role as the President or working in this issue. I don't have a poly-sci background. I don't have internships working in policy or on the hill. It just doesn't make sense. But I think that I'm here for a reason and I think that that's really all it's about. And that's what life's journeys are about. 

Exploration

Instincts

Crazy Decisions

I'm a second generation Korean which means my parents immigrated here. Most of the immigrant story for parents is that they all struggled. I mean they could have been lawyers in Korea or wherever they came from but they come here and they run dry cleaners instead, because there's no opportunity for them. They don't speak the language, they can't do that. It kills them all the same that they worked so hard and sacrificed so much for their kids to go off and to try to become nonprofit bleeding hearts because in their minds they're like, I want you to be what I was supposed to be. I think the older we become we become so conformed to certain ways and mindsets, staying the safe path. It's tough to break out of that, and I think that that's really maybe where our parents are at. But we're also spoiled in that way. We're spoiled because there were people that came before us that laid it out for us so that we could have an easy way up until that point. People suffered, people took those risks, and people did things for us to even get here, and we have to acknowledge that. And for us it's now on our shoulders to continue to push that forward. Maybe we won't see the success or the fruits of whatever our labors are in our lifetime. But maybe all we're doing is laying it out for that next generation that's gonna come and to continue to push that forward. 

Hannah Song

President

Videos

Hannah Song

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Government

Non-Profit Organizations

Upholding a Cause and Belief