Escaping to Social Enterprise- with On Purpose

On Thursday evening Tom, current associates Stephanie and Ann, and fellow Harriet spoke at an Escape the City event on social enterprise. We all shared how we 'escaped the city' then answered numerous questions about On Purpose and social enterprise. Check out the main take-aways from the event below (or in the embedded link), written by Rob from Escape the City.

Escaping to Social Enterprise- with On Purpose

A massive thank you to Tom Rippin, Stephanie, Ann and Harriet for a fantastic Q&A and talk at last night's 'How to pursue a career in social enterprise'.

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Here are 5 areas that struck us as being useful to think about if you're interested in transitioning into the social enterprise sector...

Any remaining questions / comments / connections you would like to make please just leave a comment below and we'll see if we can help you out.

1. Myths about Escaping from Corporates

There are a few myths / preconceptions that are hard to fight if you're considering leaving the corporate world:

• Will I find something as stimulation elsewhere? You can - not everywhere, but there are plenty of places and change itself can be stimulating!
• Will my skills apply to a new sector? Some will some won't but it's also a chance to learn new skills. Think carefully about how your existing skills can apply
• Will I work with as good and dynamic people as I currently do? Great people exist everywhere and if you search them out, you can find them. No one company has a monopoly on them!
• Should I stay for another 6 months to get that promotion/pay-rise/project finished? Before you know it, this turns into 6 years. Think instead of where you could be in 6 months' time in a new place

2. When is it time to move?

Write down your motives for why you took you current job. If you've already ticked those boxes and your motivation for being there is waning. Move. If you don't want your boss's job or their boss's job. Move.

3. Skill-set insecurities

You can apply your corporate experience to social enterprise sector: measuring impact, analysis, transferable skills. Don't feel that you are committed to your sector. The majority of your skills can be put to work in a social enterprise setting. Not to say you will need to learn new skills too - but that's half the excitement!

4. Leaving isn't as scary as you think.

There are a range of orgs that do social enterprise work... from v corporate ones (O2) to "classic" social enterprises to those on the charity end of the scale. Have a think about where on the scale you would most like to work. Narrowing it down will help you search and you will be more specific in your applications. Also think if you have a preference for how big or new an organisation is.

5. It's a broad sector. How to find what you're looking for?

There is so much information / advice / events out there. Start researching!

• Obviously On Purpose itself: http://www.onpurpose.uk.com/
• You can also find them: @onpurposeuk, www.facebook.com/onpurposeuk
• Robert Ashton - How to be a social entrepreneur.
• UnLtd - a charity which supports social entrepreneurs
• The Guardian Social Enterprise Network
• The RSA - lots of talks on social issues
• ClearlySo - hub for social enterprises / social businesses
• School for Social Entrepreneurs
• Social Enterprise London
• Social Enterprise Live
• Social Enterprise Coalition

Check out the Social Enterprise Coalition's 'Work in Social Enterprise' PDF by clicking here.

More about On Purpose...

• Application guidelines::

We're looking for high-achieving people with 2-5 years' work experience in any sector. You need to have great leadership, problem solving and communication skills and a lot of motivation and persistence.

You should also have a track record of social (enterprise) engagement, though we understand this may well not be in a professional capacity.

• See here for more detail:

http://www.onpurpose.uk.com/what-you-can-do/become-purpose-associate

To express your interest in applying (our online application site will be up soon), please email recruitment@onpurpose.uk.com

• Advice for applicants:

If in doubt, apply! And don't forget to tell us why you want to work in the social enterprise space

• Deadlines:

Application deadline will be at the end of August (exact date TBD).