something to ponder

I went to see a career advisor last week, and she asked me a question I hadn't really thought about before. She asked me to think about about my role within an organization or company versus the organization or company itself- which is more important to me? For example, if I had a great job working with people and performing tasks which were fulfilling for me, would it matter if Exxon Mobil (the enemy, obviously) wrote my paycheck? That's a pretty extreme example, but the point is, do I need to feel like I've contributed to the greater good at the end of the day, or would I be happy by simply being in a position which was challenging and professionally fulfilling? For the last two and a half years I've worked for a government funded exchange program which I truly believed contributed to small but important perspective changes from foreigners about the U.S. I constantly met brilliant people from around the world, many of whom I really believed were doing amazing things to make the planet a nicer place. Before that, I worked/ interned for GirlSportWorks, the UN's World Food Program, Maine Audubon Society, Environment Maine, and the Organization for American States. ALL of these places have a mission which involves a cause. I suppose that's what I've always been naturally attracted to, and to be honest, I'm really NOT sure I could make the switch at this point. I also wonder if my age has something to do with it- I'm young and have very little responsibility. I only have my mouth to feed and no mortgage. Does this make me more selfless and more likely to work for little money but for a cause I believe in? Does solving- or helping in any minor way to solve- the innumerable problems this country and world has seem so important to me because I don't have a family to think about? And will those priorities shift as I DO have to be more selfish about time and money? Not sure...

I would love love love to hear your thoughts about this one!