Contributing to society. Sincerely or by accidental.

Couple of days ago, I had an email chatting with one of my friend. We talked about a few issues, including the opinion on how you may contribute to society....

Normally, when we talk about this issue, the fundamental of argument lies upon the urge to repay the country/society/government by working, after you have graduated. It's always awkward if you are a graduate student but you don't work....

I think the discussion should take into consideration many underlying factors such as what work you do, what course did you take back in U and whether you are working in the same field, and if yes, how much you earn and are you satisfy enough? and what kind of contribution we want to emphasize on (these are so far the most popular questions being asked by people, right).... because contribution per se is a general statement and it can bring you to many directions.

But lets take everything briefly....

Many of us have this kind of thinking: You have to enter university, strive hard, get good result, so that you can get good job, high salary - achieve self satisfaction and contribute well to society. End of story.

And in between that pathway, many of us think like this: OK, most important thing is just the certificate, and after that work. And since we owe money from the government (or earn scholarship), so we have to work in oder to repay to the society/government/country....

So now, whatever is in our thinking, the one common thing is, we have to work in order to give back to the society. Fact: Not all of us can afford to chase our dream ambition, starting from the course we'd been offered to enter the university... Many of us have to grab whatever we'd been offered, and when it comes to finding work, we have to do the same - don't be too choosy otherwise you're jobless. So don't bother much. Just work. (exception to those who'd been in the right track, already into your dream career. kudos guys)

I don't say that it is wrong. In fact, this is how it works, right? But is that all? You work, you contribute. You don't work, you screw.

Not many of us think of other ways to contribute to the society... Like doing voluntary work (within our job scope like 2+1 work and voluntary work, or out of the job scope, as our extra activity)

I am so glad and thankful to have the opportunity to know a lot of great people in my life. They are good people, really. Some of them are professionals (and you know how professional's life, busy, busy, and busy) but they still make up some time for voluntary works. These people inspire me to be a better person, and a better citizen.

And there are a lot of voluntary works we can do. In group, or individually... A lot! It's up to us to choose whichever we love doing. (Nama pun voluntary work kan, so up to us la)

Maybe we can't afford big contribution, but even the little tiny contribution means a lot to the ecosystem. Right?!

Of course you can contribute to the society and family, even if you are a housewife. Because giving contribution to the society doesn't just imply being a career person.  As my friend said that he prefers if his wife is a career woman so that it's fair for both of them to have the chance to contribute to  society and family, I think this is why I bring up the argument. You know, to perhaps open our mind for different way of thinking, or maybe to give fair opportunity to the jobless to stand up and think of the other way around, so that there's no excuse to be somebody with no money :-)

And thinking back, I am not sure how true is the claim that we work in order to return the favor to the society and government. Of course it is true in economic calculation. Especially through the income tax that you have to 'contribute', or shall I rephrase 'sacrifice' :P But is it really the society that we really concern about, or it's actually our own stomach? :)

Do we really care about how our job could tremendously affect our country development? and therefore, taking into consideration the opportunity he have had, plus the responsibility we are appointed, so we work hard everyday, don't waste the time with unrelated working loads during working hours, and don't play ass-kisser to be in good career position.

Or all we aim is the salary, and don't bother how decent way should we earn it...

Do we really care about what happen to the world, country and society?

Or let just say 'none of my business coz I don't get paid by being care.'

If we have both the quality (work wholeheartedly and earn decent salary + care about the society), then it's good... But if we're not?

So here...

I think we can claim that we are contributing to society by working sincerely (especially by means of economic value). But that's not the only way. Whatever we do for living, we can contribute... yes, even if we broke.

I think, after all, it's not about the contribution at all, but the awareness of being a good citizen. Haha.

And at least, by masuk U, you should be able to think wisely, and openly :)

P/S: Yang penting jangan lupa bayar balik hutang belajar.

Image taken from here