What are the keys to building a successful career in Social Impact?

1 Identify your purpose

Before you start looking for opportunities, you need to have a clear idea of what motivates you, what skills you have, and what causes you care about. Your purpose is your personal vision and mission that guides your decisions and actions. It can help you find your niche, align your values, and communicate your story. To identify your purpose, you can reflect on your experiences, passions, strengths, and goals. You can also use tools like the Ikigai framework or the Hedgehog concept to find the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.

2 Build your network

Networking is essential for any career, but especially for social impact. You need to connect with people who share your vision, who can offer you support, advice, or opportunities, and who can amplify your impact. You can build your network by attending events, joining communities, reaching out to mentors, volunteering, or collaborating on projects. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn, Idealist, or Bmeaningful to find and follow relevant organizations, influencers, or peers. Remember to be genuine, curious, and generous when networking. Don't just ask for favors, but also offer value, feedback, or referrals.

3 Learn continuously

Social impact is a dynamic and complex field that requires constant learning and adaptation. You need to stay updated on the latest trends, challenges, and solutions in your area of interest. You also need to develop your skills, knowledge, and mindset to be effective and innovative. You can learn continuously by reading books, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters, taking courses, workshops, or webinars, or participating in hackathons, competitions, or fellowships. You can also learn from your own experiences, failures, or feedback, and apply them to improve your performance.

5 Diversify your income

Working in social impact can be rewarding, but also challenging and uncertain. You may face funding gaps, budget cuts, or contract changes that affect your income and stability. You need to diversify your income by exploring different sources and streams of revenue. You can diversify your income by applying for grants, donations, or sponsorships, offering consulting, coaching, or training services, creating products, courses, or memberships, or joining platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Patreon. You can also leverage your network, skills, or impact to attract and retain your income.

6 Balance your wellbeing

Finally, you need to balance your wellbeing while pursuing your career in social impact. You may experience stress, burnout, or compassion fatigue due to the high expectations, demands, or emotions involved in your work. You need to balance your wellbeing by setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, or saying no. You also need to practice self-care, mindfulness, or gratitude, and seek support, feedback, or help when needed. You can also join or create a support group, community, or network of peers or mentors who can relate to your challenges and celebrate your successes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?