Defining your career path is an inherently personal process which is shaped by each individual’s values, experiences and priorities. And having a fulfilling career which also has a positive social or environmental impact involves many facets. It is about waking up in the morning looking forward to the day. It's about dedicating your work to topics that you believe to be important. It's about making a positive contribution. And of course, it’s about fully realising your potential.

And while we can’t provide you with a one-size-fits-all solution, we can give you some guidance for embarking on your own journey to find a career that’s both personally rewarding and world-changing.

It is important to understand that, contrary to the clichéd soundbites we so often hear, we don’t all necessarily have ‘one true passion’. The key to a fulfilling career is finding work that allows you to spend time becoming skilled at something meaningful or which has a positive impact on society or the planet. As time progresses and you become more skilled, you enjoy your work more and can also have a greater impact, or ‘give back’ more. So don’t waste time worrying that you haven’t yet found your one passion or ‘calling’ but instead focus your energy on building your skills and doing work you enjoy today.

Additionally, the perception that working in social impact or sustainability solely means working for charities is now thoroughly outdated. As the desire to effect positive change has dissipated through the labour market, the UK’s social impact and sustainability ecosystems have grown rapidly, and impact career paths have expanded considerably. Prestigious, challenging, creative and impactful new pathways have emerged.

In this chapter, we’ll guide you along the first steps down such paths by:

  • Establishing your career priorities - answer key questions which will help you to truly understand the dimensions of your career which are most important for you.
  • Changing your career trajectory - are you feeling bored and unfulfilled in your current job? If you’re considering shaking things up and making a change from a more conventional, corporate career this section is for you. Read a personal account from somebody who took the plunge themselves and figure out if now is the right time for you to do the same.