September 25, 2023

Entering the social sector: Expectation vs reality

A Jawan-style reality check.

2 min read

1. You believe you will have the energy to do good work untiringly

Expectation:

SRK walking in a police uniform-Jawan

Reality:

A battered SRK wrapped up in bandages-Jawan

2. What you think an org which calls itself ‘feminist’ will feel like

Expectation:

A group of women holding up guns-Jawan

Reality:

Bare-chested SRK sauntering through a group of women-Jawan

3. What you think overthrowing the system is going to entail

Expectation:

A woman shooting a gun-Jawan

Reality:

A woman on her laptop-Jawan

4. You’re planning your freedom because you heard the social sector has less hierarchy

Expectation:

SRK dancing happily-Jawan

Reality:

A nervous SRK saluting his superior-Jawan

5. What you think your work-life balance will be

Expectation:

SRK with both his arms raised to the same level-Jawan

Reality:

Bald and depressed SRK

6. What you think negotiating with funders is going to look like

Expectation:

A scary man with a pet Cheetah-Jawan

Reality:

SRK singing into a walkie talkie-Jawan

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Saba Kohli Dave-Image
Saba Kohli Dave

Saba Kohli Dave is an editorial associate at IDR, where she is responsible for writing, editing, sourcing, and publishing content. She has a degree in anthropology and is interested in development and education from a ground-up perspective. She has worked with the Social Work and Research Centre, Barefoot College, and the School for Democracy. Saba’s experience includes building models for rural community libraries and making curriculums on democratic and constitutional values.

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