How do you manage your social impact career growth?

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the world, you might be interested in pursuing a social impact career. A social impact career is one that aims to create social or environmental change through your work, whether in the nonprofit, public, or private sector. However, finding and growing in a social impact career can be challenging, especially in the competitive and complex field of higher education. How do you manage your social impact career growth in this context? Here are some tips to help you navigate your career path and achieve your goals.

1 Identify your values and skills

The first step to managing your social impact career growth is to identify your values and skills. What are the issues that you care about the most? What are the skills that you have or want to develop that can contribute to social change? How do you align your values and skills with the mission and vision of the organizations or institutions that you want to work for? By answering these questions, you can clarify your career direction and focus on the opportunities that match your interests and strengths.

Add your perspective

Getrude Dadirai Gwenzi, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow researching on families, orphans and vulnerable children, care leavers and migrant children. Past Fellowships: Kader Asmal Fellowship (2014/2015)|Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (2016/2019)
Report contribution
In my experience, I used my own story of how I came from a disadvantaged background to being a recipient of three academic scholarships, including two prestigious, international ones. I used storytelling as a way to educate, motivate and inspire younger people wanting to follow the same path to higher education through scholarships. I started providing mentorship to young people from Southern Africa who were encouraged by my story to also realise that they too can pursue their goals of attaining a higher education. So my core values of wanting to see others make it led to content creation around that idea and people resonated with that and sought mentorship from me. Hearing that they applied for scholarships and made it for me is impact.

Like

2 Seek mentorship and networking

The second step to managing your social impact career growth is to seek mentorship and networking. Having a mentor can help you gain valuable insights, feedback, and guidance from someone who has experience and expertise in your field. Networking can help you build relationships, learn from others, and discover new opportunities in the social impact sector. You can seek mentorship and networking through various channels, such as alumni associations, professional associations, online platforms, events, and workshops.

Add your perspective

Load more contributions

3 Pursue learning and development

The third step to managing your social impact career growth is to pursue learning and development. The field of higher education and social impact is constantly evolving and requires you to keep up with the latest trends, research, and best practices. You can pursue learning and development through formal or informal means, such as taking courses, attending webinars, reading books or articles, joining communities of practice, or engaging in self-reflection. By pursuing learning and development, you can enhance your knowledge, skills, and competencies, and demonstrate your commitment and value to your current or potential employers.

Add your perspective

Katie Pate

I can beat you in a game of H-O-R-S-E! Sports nut, smile spreader, and people lover doubling as an expert team builder that specializes in creating distinctive relationships and experiences! One Shining Moment Architect!
Report contribution
I’ve found LinkedIn to be a great resource. I challenge myself weekly to do a few things in the area of personal learning and development: 1. Subscribe to industry-related publications. 2. Read 1-2 articles/week. 3. Save 1-2 articles that really hit home for me ea. month. Then share that article w/ a few sentences on how its impact. Regarding connections, conferences and conversations: 1. I agree to a podcast or radio show ea. month and share details of that conversation online. It drives me to new connections w/ industry folks I don’t know. 2. Respond to DM’e in a timely manner when relevant. I’ve learned an unquantifiable amount of information from simply connecting with professionals and asking questions about their work.

Like

Load more contributions

4 Showcase your impact and achievements

The fourth step to managing your social impact career growth is to showcase your impact and achievements. You need to communicate your impact and achievements to your current or potential employers, colleagues, or stakeholders, in order to highlight your contributions and potential. You can showcase your impact and achievements through various methods, such as creating a portfolio, updating your resume or LinkedIn profile, writing a blog or a report, giving a presentation, or sharing a testimonial. By showcasing your impact and achievements, you can increase your visibility, credibility, and recognition in the social impact sector.

Add your perspective

5 Explore new opportunities and challenges

The fifth step to managing your social impact career growth is to explore new opportunities and challenges. You need to be open and proactive in seeking new opportunities and challenges that can help you grow and advance in your career. You can explore new opportunities and challenges through various ways, such as applying for a promotion, taking on a new project, volunteering for a cause, joining a board or a committee, or switching to a different organization or sector. By exploring new opportunities and challenges, you can expand your horizons, diversify your experience, and discover your potential.

Add your perspective

6 Balance your passion and well-being

The sixth and final step to managing your social impact career growth is to balance your passion and well-being. You need to take care of yourself and your well-being, in order to sustain your passion and motivation for your work. You can balance your passion and well-being through various practices, such as setting boundaries, managing your time and energy, prioritizing your health and happiness, seeking support, and celebrating your successes. By balancing your passion and well-being, you can avoid burnout, stress, and frustration, and enjoy your social impact career journey.

Add your perspective

Load more contributions

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?

Add your perspective

How do you manage your social impact career growth?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your values and skills

2 Seek mentorship and networking

3 Pursue learning and development

4 Showcase your impact and achievements

5 Explore new opportunities and challenges

6 Balance your passion and well-being

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Higher Education

More relevant reading

How do you manage your social impact career growth?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your values and skills

2 Seek mentorship and networking

3 Pursue learning and development

4 Showcase your impact and achievements

5 Explore new opportunities and challenges

6 Balance your passion and well-being

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills