Deciding Between Profit and Nonprofit Work

Can you do meaningful work in a profit-driven job? After 15 years of wrestling with that question, here’s what I’ve learned—and how I found purpose in the private sector without giving up on giving back.

Deciding Between Profit and Nonprofit Work

Deciding between working in profit or nonprofit industries has been a personal battle of mine over the past 15 years. There’s no clear answer, but I want to share my journey in hopes that something resonates with where you are in your career or stage of life.

My path started when my parents enrolled me in private Catholic schools. I attended a Catholic elementary and high school, and eventually chose Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago—a Jesuit institution. Looking back, this foundation pushed me toward roles where I could, in good conscience, connect my work to something meaningful—offering a good or service that added value to the world.

After graduating from college and grad school—and wrapping up my time playing professional volleyball (Santasport Lapin Urheiluopisto - Rovaniemi Olympic Training Center) —I knew I wanted to get into the technology industry. But I also wanted to work somewhere that aligned with the values I’d built up to that point.

Like many people early in their careers, just getting in the door was tough. But with some grit and perseverance, I landed my first job at a mid-sized tech company (Softchoice) in an entry-level sales role. I loved the people and the company—but I felt something was missing. There was still a gap I needed to fill.

Instead of quitting or switching industries, I decided to bring my values into the role. I started by organizing small fundraisers, like building and selling Lego phone docks to support nonprofits. I got involved in organizing events and began volunteering Thursday nights at the COOK COUNTY JUVENILE TEMPORARY DET CTR—just hanging out with the kids, playing games and sports, and occasionally saying prayers with them when they asked.

That season of life showed me that I could be in the industry I wanted and give back. It shaped my mindset moving forward. As I moved to Dell Technologies and eventually Amazon Web Services (AWS), I stayed in tech—doing exciting work in the private sector—while using the flexibility of the industry to keep giving back and encouraging others to do the same.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to connect profit and nonprofit communities through a nonprofit podcast I created Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), and by helping underserved individuals find jobs in tech. That’s included everything from resume support and interview practice to financial literacy coaching.

So to summarize: it's not an either-or. Choose the industry or job that excites you most—don’t let your values hold you back from that. Once you're in, assess how you feel. If there's still a gap, find ways to fill it from where you are. That’s where the real impact begins.

Have you found a way to blend your career with your cause? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.