7 Ways to Change the World Through Your Career
Making a difference isn’t just one path.
My career began in non-profits, and while it was so rewarding and I would absolutely recommend it, I’ve learned that path isn’t the only way you can make your job impactful - if you take the time to design your career intentionally, that is.
There are three main routes you can take to making an impact through your work, and you can combine them or switch between them at different stages of life as you see fit. Let’s map out your options.
But First: Pinpoint your cause.
None of these paths will work effectively until you know what it is that you're trying to change. If you haven't done this yet, try starting with the Find Your Cause activity. It will help you get specific about what's closest to your heart so you know which areas to focus your energy on, to help you make a bigger splash in your chosen causes instead of spreading yourself too thin.
Route 1: The 9-to-5
Your career is where you spend most of your waking hours, so it's the most powerful place to make an impact.
1. Make it your career.
Non-profits, B-Corporations, medical institutions, schools, and government agencies all have roles where the impact is in the job description. If your cause and your career can overlap, this is often the most sustainable version of doing good, because you're not squeezing it in around the edges of your life. Keep in mind that these workplaces need a lot of different types of employees to keep their programs running (from HR teams to custodial staff), and choosing to bring your expertise and time to a meaningful institution can make a real impact even if you’re not doing the frontline work.
2. Bring it into the job you already have.
You don't need a new title to make a difference. Wherever you are right now (retail, an office, a coffee shop, an internship), you can build impact into how you work. Push for more sustainable practices, speak up for a coworker who isn't being heard, create a union or employee resource group, or offer to organize an inclusivity-focused professional development workshop for your colleagues. If you have any kind of leadership role, even a small one, use it. Every little bit helps, and you can even add these examples of taking initiative to your resume to help you land your next job or promotion.
Route 2: Off Hours
Not everyone can (or wants to) build a career around their cause, and that's completely valid. Volunteering lets you contribute on your own terms, and many meaningful organizations rely on volunteers to keep their programs running.
3. Pick your level of commitment.
There's a version of this for every schedule. Low-commitment options include a food bank shift, a lobby day, or attending a protest. Higher-commitment levels could look like a seat on a non-profit board, helping an organization with its fundraising, or taking on a specific project like organizing an event. If volunteering is your main method of impact, consider finding a career that provides ample paid time off, or a job that offers unlimited vacation days, so you can make a bigger difference.
4. Build in accountability.
Good intentions fade without a system. If your schedule is limited, one volunteer day every six months still absolutely beats doing nothing. Put a recurring reminder on your calendar so time doesn’t get away from you. Better yet, make it a regular meetup with friends to make it both more fun and more impactful. Sure, you could have your monthly friend group vent sesh over happy hour, but how proud would you all feel if you instead made it a monthly shift at a local food bank (which could of course still be followed by well-deserved cocktails)?
Route 3: Your Paycheck
This route is also known as the ‘earn to give’ model. If making a high salary is important to you, that can allow you to make an amazing impact through philanthropy.
5. Make a giving promise to yourself.
Decide on a number that works for you: a percentage of your income, a chunk of your tax refund each year, or small recurring monthly gifts. You can give to the same cause every time or rotate causes each quarter. If money's tight, even $5 every three months is better than $0 forever.
6. Automate it.
Set up a small (or big) recurring donation to an organization you love so that you're not relying on willpower every time, or giving yourself one more to-do list item to juggle. Then without even having to think about it, you’ll know that your paycheck is doing some good.
7. Write a letter to your future self.
Explain why charitable giving matters to you right now, and why you're holding future-you accountable to it. Then schedule-send the email to yourself three years from now, with a subject line you won't forget. It's a shockingly heartwarming little time capsule, and it can be just the motivation you need to not disappoint the version of you that knows the world needs your help.
Choose Your Route(s)
Are you going to choose one of the above routes, or mix and match? There's no wrong answer. Whatever you pick, pick one small next step this week. Your impact doesn't have to be a giant leap. It's a set of choices you get to keep making, in large and small ways, throughout your life. Don’t save it for ‘one day’ - do what you can now, and adjust as your career grows.
In addition to the above big routes, you can always take smaller important actions on the side like making a little donation here and there, voting according to your values, educating others in casual conversations, spreading awareness on social media, donating lightly used items, and more. It’s not all or nothing, and every bit will make a real difference to someone in need.
Still feeling a little stuck?
No pressure, but if your brain is doing that thing where it spirals about your future at 11pm, a Career Clarity Call might save you a few sleepless nights. We’ve got you! Hop on a quick 30 min call with me for just $20, or grab a package of longer sessions for a deep dive into your next steps.
