The Work-Life Sync

The Work-Life Sync

Gone are the days of work-life balance. Younger generations, myself included, are perpetually plugged-in to technological devices making it almost impossible to leave work at the office. I can imagine that this balancing act becomes even trickier when you’re working from a home office and your desk is always only a room away.

For this reason, I was a little worried the first time I met Dawn and she said, “Brian and I decided to work for nonprofits and socially responsible clients because we can’t master work-life balance.” Was she admitting to being an overworked entrepreneur or cuing me in on a personal insight that would be essential for my future? At the time I wasn’t sure, but the past few weeks as an intern have revealed that it is most certainly the latter.

I have realized that BC/DC Ideas measures work-life balance differently.  Instead of trying to manage the two independently, they’ve blurred the lines by infusing their job with their values.

BC/DC Ideas is a perfect example of what so many young adults are searching for in a career. The new wave of workers demands a lot from their potential employers; they believe that companies should be socially responsible. Sixty-one percent of 18- to 26-year-olds polled in a 2011 Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT survey said they would prefer to work for a company that offers volunteer opportunities.

The chance to give back in an everyday work environment allows younger workers to have peace of mind. Employees today are less focused on salary and more concerned with pursuing meaningful jobs. They shy away from the workaholic mentalities of their parents and will risk job security to pursue their passions.

For some, this may mean starting a solo venture headquartered in their home’s extra bedroom. For others, it may involve a devoted job search to find a company with similar values. The process is bound to be tough either way, but fortunately times are changing.

The prevalence of the socially responsible attitude toward work is beginning to make a clear impact on the job searching process. A new kind of organization is continually developing to connect workers with jobs that make a difference as well as a salary.

ReWork and Idealist are both platforms for matching people to meaningful careers. Likewise, Greenbiz and Green Job Search highlight environmentally conscious job listings. The emergence of these types of convenient tools will likely motivate young workers to further pursue the desire for a dream job that mirrors their values.

But this trend is not a bad thing. In fact, it may prove to be beneficial for everyone since studies show that people are much more productive and healthy when they can connect their values with their work.

So, out with the work-life balance and in with the work-life sync.  Find work that encompasses your values, and you won’t want to leave it behind at the office.  For the generations that thrive on being constantly connected, I couldn’t think of any better option.

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Kate Runy

CONTENT & MEDIA SPECIALIST

A passionate technical wizard, Kate thrives on managing online content, social media for communications, and development projects.  Kate is the workhorse of the team, pulling out amazing feats of content creation and management week in and week out. 

Prior to joining BC/DC Ideas, Kate coordinated website and social media content, communications, and advertising for Go Global NC and Alzheimer’s NC.

Things that make her happy: I love animals about as much as I love working for nonprofits.

Mishel Gomez Cespedes

CONTENT COORDINATOR

Mishel brings a passion for video storytelling and quippy social media content to the team.  At BC/DC Ideas, she is most likely editing video or scheduling the next moving social media post for our clients.

Her ear for storytelling is her greatest asset. Mishel has a unique ability to assemble content into a concise story that moves audiences to action.

A graduate of Wake Forest University she spent a semester in Spain and years serving her community through the campus organizations. Now, she is putting her passion for good to work.

Brian Crawford

creative director

Mix equal parts nerd and creativity and that’s Brian. A natural problem-solver, Brian’s ability to cut to the core of any problem helps guide our creative team to the correct solution without wasted time or money. It’s the core, this little nugget of truth, that helps our clients take the next step with their audiences.

Brian gets the greatest joy out of helping our clients realize and connect with their story. He is a true believer that everyone and every organization has a compelling story to tell, you just have to listen with an open heart.

Things that make him happy: Hanging out at the park with family, toddler-speak, hitting the focus pull, and good coffee.

Dawn Crawford

principal

The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Dawn brings her considerable experience and expertise to helping elevate the nonprofit sector. Our team’s lead strategist, Dawn is often seen leading our IdeaStorms, penning communications plans, or checking in with clients.

Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

Things that make her happy: A glass of champagne to celebrate big wins, Basecamp, living in the South, seeing the world, and a well-formatted spreadsheet.