Finding Your Passion Amid the Great Resignation

By now, you’ve likely heard the term the “Great Resignation,” and perhaps you’ve even been a part of it. It refers to the high rate at which U.S. workers have quit their jobs since the spring of 2021. The Great Resignation is a reflection of a larger cultural shift brought on by the monumental events of the past few years, and is intricately connected to the pandemic, mental health, and the racial justice movement. The environmental field has not been left out of this movement, and I would argue has actually been a unique part of it. 

In the early days of the pandemic, you may recall spending a lot of time outdoors and trying out new hobbies. One study found that within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, metro areas experienced a significant increase in park visitation: Washington D.C. increased by 94%, and Baltimore, MD by 87%. During this time, people started discovering the outdoors, trying out new hobbies, and finding their passions - both outdoors and indoors. At the same time, many people lost their jobs and decided to pursue something different. New opportunities, along with the growing emphasis on self-care and mental health during the pandemic, has led to millions of people deciding to leave toxic workplaces or unfulfilling jobs, and move towards better opportunities where they feel a stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

In response, companies have had to attract candidates with better pay and benefits, more flexibility, and a better workplace culture. The pandemic, the racial justice movement, and now the Great Resignation have shed a light on unhealthy and disrespectful work environments, and have called for an overhaul in how workplaces function. Unfortunately, the environmental field has been no exception - a wave of environmental organizations have unionized in the past few years, including the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the National Audubon Society, and the Center for Biological Diversity. Several of these unionization efforts were in response to claims of low wages and benefits and a lack of diversity and inclusivity. 
There is still a long way to go before we achieve true equity in the workplace, and in the environmental field in general, but the Great Resignation movement is a step in the right direction. The lesson to be learned from this unique time is that we all deserve to feel valued, respected, and included in our workplaces, and life is too short to spend it unfulfilled.