Some companies undoubtedly contribute negatively to the world, such as Lockheed Martin or DuPont. I firmly believe that accepting a job at these companies is never a good idea. I do recognize that (as the reading talks about) some people may need a job at an unethical company to sustain themselves or their families. In my opinion, if that were to happen, accepting the job temporarily while searching for an alternative is the best course of action. I think the key is coming in with the idea that you are not there to stay.
However, some could argue that Meta does provide some benefits to society. For example, WhatsApp connects millions of people every day with end-to-end encrypted messages. Without it, people may have to pay to text their family and friends. Having said that, I would personally not accept a job at Meta, as their track record consistently proves that they do not prioritize the privacy of their users. Even if hired in the best possible position to effect change (e.g., the privacy department), getting a colossal company like that to change direction is not something that can happen without a fundamental shift in structure and values within the company, something a single person is essentially unable to change. Over the last two years, I have had the immense pleasure of working for a climate-tech company during the summer, and for me, a significant part of my satisfaction at the end of the day is knowing that I am making a difference. I want to be able to look back on my career and feel like I didn’t let the world go down without a fight. Even if this means being in a less remunerated position, I want to wake up every morning excited to contribute to whatever I am a part of, and I cannot see myself doing that at Meta (or any other big tech company). There are numerous issues in the world worth tackling, and if you have the opportunity to address them, I believe you should (while utilizing your skillset and strengths effectively).
No matter how good you are at “pretend[ing] like the ethical stain isn’t there,” at some level, you are aware that you are lying to yourself. You can’t go home after a day at Lockheed Martin, thinking about all the lives you have saved today by helping build the ultimate killing machine that will be used for “self-defense.”
