We can and must learn to acknowledge -- indeed respect -- the sincerely committed social innovator without unthoughtfully endorsing every social innovation.

No question, but that it is easier on the soul to work for a NGO, a social enterprise or an economic development agency. Purity is emotionally safe.

Falsely, neophyte social entrepreneurs often suppose that innovative social change starts with a great idea -- a brilliant insight. Maybe.

Social entrepreneurship is undeniably an adventure, an elixir, an exhilarating rush... a one-person fountain of youth. Well and good, but a social change career is not intended as personal therapy, these social change experts are warning social change novices.

Social entrepreneurs hate admitting failure. None of us brags about our failures unless we can spin them (hide them?) with a triumphant social-entrepreneur-overcomes-adversity success story. I'm as guilty as anyone.

We are bruised by long hours, stress, rejection and constant disappointment. Bruised by the enormity of intractable social problems. Worn thin by the constant need to sell solutions and pitch programs -- to be the hot new idea (or claim to be).

Next month, I'm going to save a mom from dying in childbirth. I am not a doctor, not even a trained paramedic. I don't plan to make a donation or heroically travel to some impoverished village in some distant and dangerous place to volunteer.

Getting on-the-ground work experience is so important early in your career. It's the one thing college graduates lack. I would much rather hire someone from a so-so university who has actually done field work versus someone with a degree from a great university with just a theory.

The ugly, terrible vastness of global poverty seems to demand leaders with the skill to create large systems of opportunity, the talent to reach millions and the urgency of purpose to never sleep, never rest, never flag.

"We have forgotten to acknowledge when we hold power. We act as if money doesn't matter. That's really dishonest."

What does it mean to be a change-maker without courage or character? Is it even possible? Is it old-fashion and antiquated, maybe even a bit sappy, to openly applaud personal valor?

Rajasvini "Vini" Bhansali, the super-charged, super-smart CEO of the International Development Exchange, recently talked with me on camera about community and coming out as a 19-year-old "queer woman like me."

Networking is not about you, it's about building relationships. If you want people to think you are charming and smart, don't work at it.

With millennials poised to comprise 50 percent of the global workforce by 2014, I am unabashedly optimistic. In fact, I can't wait. Saul Garlick is one reason.

Today, Chid advises "know thyself" -- the indispensable missing skill for new social entrepreneurs. If you know yourself, you can "really understand people" -- both the impoverished client and, of equal importance, the potential impact investor.

You just know that taking her "What moves your heart? What makes you light up?" advice is solid and sound. Her twinkling eyes, nurturing smile and smart charm are enveloping and encouraging, but with her strength she is pressing you to change yourself while changing the world.

For many of us, economic justice work is triggered at any early age and continues over a lifetime. Simple steps lead to big change.

In a series of straight-talking conversations with accomplished social entrepreneurs, iOnPoverty viewers will gain information they need to get and keep social justice jobs.