I am a Distributed Systems Engineer. I say that because it seems like the only term that can describe everything I do day to day since it’s never the same thing. I love engineering; it’s the one thing I am truly passionate about. But there is a small problem. It’s a me problem, not a grand-scale problem.
I am proud of what I do. I love it and can’t live without it. But all the state-of-the-art stuff I make or create doesn’t exactly add value on a large scale or to many people. So I sat down and did some math and research to find out how many companies truly do good or have a good agenda, or at least good intentions toward human society.
As I dug into this, I discovered that there aren’t a lot of companies out there with such noble goals. Sure, there are a few, but they are rare and often not in a position to pay well. They have good intentions, aiming to improve society and help people. They focus on sustainability, social justice, and making the world a better place. Yet, their financial structure can’t support the lifestyle I “need,” let alone any form of “luxury.” This is a hard truth to swallow.
I realized that the companies doing the most good are not the ones that can offer the kind of salary I need. They are doing amazing work, but they can’t pay enough for me to live the way I want. I need a decent salary to cover my basic needs and a bit more for the things that make life enjoyable. Unfortunately, the companies that pay well often don’t have some grand noble goals. They might focus on profits more than people, which is okay I guess. That’s how most corporations work.
So, that’s that. I’ve settled where I love the people, the environment, and the working conditions. I continue to do what I am passionate about, even if it doesn’t feel like it changes the world on a grand scale. This compromise allows me to find joy in my work and sustain my life comfortably. This balance, although not perfect, is my current solution to the moral dilemma I face.