In recent discussions, it has been noted that the percentage of members of Congress with military backgrounds has declined below that of the general population, a stark contrast to the situation before 1995. Concurrently, our tendency to utilize military force has increased.
Reflecting on my educational experiences at prestigious institutions, I don’t recall anyone from my circle at either Exeter or Brown pursuing a military career. Even at Columbia Law School, the only individual I remember who joined the military was a classmate who entered the JAG Corps, and her choice stood out as an anomaly. Among graduates from elite universities, the prevailing interpretation of ‘service’ often leans more towards community aid rather than military enlistment.
Although schools like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia have recently reintroduced ROTC programs, there are numerous non-military pathways for students interested in service. Options such as Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and City Year dominate the landscape, conveying the idea that service primarily involves working with youth, supporting the underprivileged, or engaging in non-profit endeavors.
My Path to a Different Kind of Service
I must admit that upon graduating from college in the mid-90s, I didn’t actively consider these service-oriented opportunities. Instead, I immediately enrolled in law school and began my career as a corporate attorney. While I did engage in some pro bono work and volunteered for friends’ initiatives, these efforts felt secondary to my main goal of professional success.
This is not an uncommon trajectory. Many young individuals aspire to secure good positions at reputable firms, manage their finances, and build their lives, all while perhaps volunteering on the side. Such ambitions are commendable. As Theodore Roosevelt noted, a person’s primary responsibility is to provide for themselves and their families; only after fulfilling this obligation can they truly serve the greater good. With the rise of women in higher education, this sentiment is increasingly relevant across all genders.
The Human Drive to Create Value
Upon entering the law firm, I discovered that corporate law was not the right fit for me—not because I wasn’t helping others, but rather because my work felt interchangeable and devoid of purpose. The tasks I performed seemed to lack inherent value; I could easily be replaced without any noticeable impact on the organization.
I decided to co-found a startup, CharityConnect.com, designed to help celebrities effectively raise funds for their favored non-profits through sponsored engagements (think of it as a celebrity-driven platform similar to freerice.com). Unfortunately, the startup failed, partly due to my inexperience. I then transitioned into the tech sector, eventually becoming CEO of a test preparation company acquired by a major media outlet.
While I could argue that these roles were about helping others—be it through enhancing charity fundraising or improving healthcare systems—the motivation behind my decisions was more personal. I sought to make a meaningful contribution to my organization each day. It was about feeling that my work was significant, not merely about the tasks themselves.
For me, the essential questions were not whether I was helping others, but rather: Am I creating value? Am I making an impact? Do I appreciate my colleagues? Am I evolving as a person and a professional? If I stopped showing up, would anyone notice? This led me to establish Venture for America, aiming to guide talented young individuals towards environments where they can affirmatively answer these questions. Our mission is to connect ambitious graduates with emerging companies in cities like Detroit and New Orleans, fostering job creation and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, with a goal of generating 100,000 new jobs in the U.S. by 2025.
While military service and dedication to aiding the less fortunate deserve admiration, it’s important to recognize that not everyone can pursue these paths. I have observed many idealistic youths who enter large non-profits only to become disillusioned or burned out. By broadening our definition of service to encompass ‘helping organizations thrive,’ ‘creating value,’ and ‘opening new opportunities for oneself and others,’ we can empower many young people to engage in sustainable pursuits that contribute to society.
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In summary, rethinking our concept of service can lead to broader, more inclusive opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to society while achieving personal fulfillment.
Keyphrase: redefining service in America
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