Pros
A real sense that you’re doing something meaningful.
Cons
While the mission of the organization is admirable, the internal culture often undermined the work being done for vulnerable populations. Leadership turnover was constant, with management structures frequently changing and new supervisors appearing every few months. There were often multiple layers of management with unclear roles, creating confusion, competing priorities, and a workplace environment that felt more focused on internal politics than supporting staff.
Many employees were deeply committed to the mission and routinely gave far more of themselves than was sustainable. I know I did. The workload and culture made it easy to lose any sense of work-life balance, and there was little meaningful support for the emotional toll of the work.
What was most disheartening was watching an organization built to care for vulnerable people become, at times, one of the most difficult places for its own employees to feel valued and supported. The disconnect between the mission and the treatment of staff was significant. Several years later, I still recognize the impact that experience had on my professional confidence and overall well-being.