Be Bold Podcast - Episode 9 (3/2/2009)

Lara Galinsky of Echoing Green answers listener questions about creating meaningful careers. Britt Bravo hosts the show.

Question 1: What professional resources (i.e., legal, marketing, accounting, etc.) are available to take an idea, which has received great reviews from various constituencies that I have discussed it with, from the concept stage to fruition while running a small commercial business with its daily responsibilities? Are there consultants available and, if so, how do they get compensated and how is the concept properly protected?

Question 2: When thinking about my future and what programs of higher level education will best prepare me to make the impact I want to make, I get really caught up in how long it's going to take. I get frustrated thinking about the time it takes, when really all I want to do is start NOW. Move now, and start working now to make people's lives more comfortable, and to help more children survive into adolescent and adult years. However, I know that educational preparation is important to fully realizing my goals. Medical school takes years, and an MD/PhD program can take 8 years or more. I plan to apply for a Fulbright grant for personal research after my senior year to help me get a better idea about what my part should be in the greater scheme of things--but this sets me back a year, and I'm already behind a year because of other exciting opportunities I've taken. What can I do to start making my impact now, while I'm pursuing graduate level education (and will be strapped for cash and therefore unable to contribute financially to programs I support)?