Some dreams don’t fade. They evolve. They adapt to your life. They might go quiet for a while, but they never truly disappear.
Mine has always been about contributing to something bigger than myself. Not just earning a living - but living with purpose. Doing work that means something. Leaving a legacy I can be proud of.
For years, I’ve quietly imagined working for a foundation or NGO, especially one focused on ecology.
The climate crisis, environmental destruction, the slow collapse of ecosystems - these aren’t distant problems. They feel urgent, personal, and deeply human.
I’ve always felt the drive to be part of the solution - not just someone watching from the sidelines.
It’s not only about big policy shifts. It’s also about daily actions, quiet advocacy, and steady work to protect our planet and support a more sustainable world.
My heart truly connects with the idea of being one piece in that essential system.
So I started applying.
Dreaming of work with ngo
The Rejection That Felt Bigger Than Me
One application still lingers in my mind. A foundation I’ve respected for years posted a role that felt like a perfect fit. It mixed writing, research, strategy, and impact. I had the skills. I had the passion. I had ideas before I even opened the application form.
I spent hours writing my application. This wasn’t just a formality - it was a way to show who I was, what I believed in, and why this mattered to me. I pictured working with their team. I imagined bringing my whole self to work and knowing I was making a difference. I felt hopeful. I truly believed this could be it.
I didn’t make it past the first round. Their response was polite but brief: “We require full-time, onsite availability for this role.”
That was it. A short email that felt like a door slamming shut on a long-held dream.
The Format Is the Filter: Unpacking a Silent Exclusion
At first, I thought this was just one organization. Maybe they had specific needs. Maybe I just wasn’t what they were looking for.
But the more I searched, the more I saw a pattern.
Countless foundations and NGOs list inspiring roles that seem ideal - until the fine print: full-time. In-person. Fixed hours.
Sometimes even unpaid internships labeled as "experience", demanding a level of financial freedom many people simply don’t have.
The issue isn’t passion or skill. It’s the structure.
And the message is clear: if you can’t relocate, work full-time, or be physically present every day, you don’t qualify.
That hits hard for someone like me. I have two young children. A full-time office job doesn’t fit our family right now. Remote and part-time work aren’t preferences - they’re necessities.
And the most exciting NGOs tend to be based in large cities. After relocating many times in the past, I’m not eager to move my family again.
It feels ironic. These are the same organizations championing inclusion, access, and fairness.
And yet, many still operate like it’s decades ago - when being "professional" meant sitting at a desk in an office all day, showing up for meetings just to prove you're committed. It’s a gap that’s hard to ignore.
Inclusion Isn’t Just About Who You Hire - It’s About How You Hire
Inclusion isn’t only about race, gender, or disability - although those are critical.
It’s also about how we structure opportunities. It means questioning outdated ideas about how work has to be done. It means asking: Who gets the chance to apply? Who has access? Whose life circumstances are seen as “professional”?
Let’s be honest: the standard hiring model in the NGO world leaves out many talented, passionate people:
- People living in rural or remote areas, often close to nature and passionate about the environment, but far from city-based offices.
- Freelancers and independent professionals looking for meaningful part-time work and ways to contribute.
- Parents and caregivers juggling family needs, for whom that rigid schedules are simply unworkable.
- People with chronic health conditions or disabilities who need flexible work arrangements.
- Individuals in countries with tough visa requirements, where moving abroad isn’t a realistic option.
- Talented professionals who can’t afford unpaid roles, even though they bring real value.
These situations aren’t rare. They’re common.
And if NGOs want to build a more just and inclusive world, shouldn’t they lead by example in how they hire and work?
Remote Work Isn’t a Trend - It’s a Tool for Inclusion and Innovation
The pandemic made it clear: people can do meaningful work from anywhere. All it takes is a strong internet connection, good tools, and trust.
Organizations that resisted remote work tried it out of necessity - and many discovered higher productivity and more satisfied employees.
So why are NGOs still slow to adapt?
I’ve heard the usual arguments: "It’s about team culture." "We collaborate better face-to-face." "Donors expect visibility." These points may have some truth. But they don’t justify shutting out all flexible work options.
Many thriving global companies have embraced hybrid or remote models without losing their identity or mission.
And here’s the risk: by insisting on in-person roles, NGOs may be excluding the very people they need - those with diverse life experiences, unique perspectives, and the creativity to push change forward.
Flexibility is not a compromise. It’s progress. It’s how we make room for everyone’s potential. It’s a bridge to true inclusion.
What Could Change Today: A Call to Action for the NGO Sector
This isn’t just about one person. It’s a call to reimagine what’s possible.
There are easy, practical steps NGOs can take to welcome more voices without lowering standards. These are already working in other industries:
- Open up hybrid or remote-first roles in research, writing, digital strategy, communications, and partnerships.
- Offer part-time contracts or project-based work for skilled professionals who can’t commit full-time.
- Create remote fellowship or mentorship programmes to support people who can’t relocate.
- Only ask for relocation when truly needed. Challenge the assumption that in-person presence equals greater impact.
- Use inclusive language in job ads like "remote option available," "flexible hours considered," or "part-time welcome."
- Equip teams with tools and training to collaborate remotely and build culture from a distance.
These ideas aren’t radical. They’re reasonable.
So why shouldn’t the world’s most mission-driven organizations be the ones leading this change?
Meanwhile, I Keep Going: Building My Own Path to Purpose
While NGOs navigate their way toward greater inclusion, I’m still here. Still learning. Still working. Still doing what I can for the causes I care about - even if it’s just from my home office on a quiet afternoon.
This is my reality: two young kids, a busy home, and the need for part-time, remote work. After several relocations, I value the stability we have now. Uprooting again isn’t something I want.
I currently work remotely as a marketing assistant for two companies. I’m building skills in content creation, online outreach, and digital engagement. I also support my husband’s project, Goal Watch, where I help build community and spread the message.
These are the very tools NGOs rely on: communication, advocacy, fundraising, visibility. Every email I write and every post I publish brings me closer to that bigger goal.
There was no clear map. So I’m making one. Brick by brick.
Hope Is the Seed You Keep Watering
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Hope isn’t foolish. It’s fuel. Hope is what keeps you going after rejections and silence. Hope is what makes you believe your voice still matters. Hope is the quiet belief that your work - even unnoticed, and behind the scenes - still counts.
Resilience is built in the moments when you decide not to quit. Flexibility isn’t only about where you work - it’s about how you keep moving, even when the road is uncertain.
Let’s Stay on the Path - Together
If you’ve ever applied for a job and felt shut out before even getting a chance to show your worth - you’re not alone.
If you’ve dreamed of meaningful work but knew the format would never work for your life - you’re not alone.
You’re part of a growing crowd of people who want more:
More fairness. More purpose. More flexibility. More room to grow. More impact.
That’s why I started GoalWatch.net - a space for people with big hearts and big hopes. A place where progress matters more than perfection. Where we celebrate the journey, not just the destination.
Whether you’re building a side project, switching careers, or trying to live more intentionally - you belong here.
Join Goal Watch. Let’s keep walking this path - together.
