Want to work in impact? The 6-step guide to getting started
Do you feel this need to do a job that counts? Do you dream of getting up in the morning to contribute to something bigger than yourself? You've probably already said to yourself: "I'd like to work in impact... But where do I start, really?"
Between the ultra-committed speeches, the NGOs on the other side of the world and the somewhat vague terms, it is not always easy to see clearly. But spoiler: you don't have to be a radical environmentalist or a CSR expert to find a job that makes sense. Whether you are in retraining, freshly graduated or simply lost in the meaning of your professional life, this guide is here to help you see more clearly, lay your foundations... and above all to get started. 🚀
What does impact mean in concrete terms?
Before rushing headlong, let's take a look at the vocabulary: an impact job or internship is a professional experience that contributes, at its own level, to solving social and/or environmental issues.
Working in a company with a mission
Join an association, a cooperative or an NGO
Having a "classic" job but in a committed structure
Set up your own impact project or why not join an existing project as an associate? We are referencing committed initiatives that are looking for their future co-founder 👉 Become a partner
The impact is not limited to CSR or renewable energy. It can also take the form of a marketing, HR, finance or tech job... With a common objective: to have a societal or environmental utility.
Drop the myths (no, there is no "impact" diploma)
Spoiler n°2: there is no single path to working in impact. You can come from communication, finance, biology, social work... There is no typical profile.
What matters is:
Your values
Your motivation
Your desire to contribute to something bigger than yourself
And if you don't know what you want to invest in yet: no problem! This is precisely the time to ask yourself the right questions 👇
Take stock of yourself (and what matters to you)
No need to drop everything overnight. Start by asking yourself:
What makes me tick?
What issues affect me? (climate, inclusion, sustainable food, etc.)
What skills do I already have?
What skills would I like to develop?
👉 The idea is to find the intersection between what you like, what you know how to do and what the world needs. (Hi ikigai 👋)
Train yourself, even a little
You don't have to go back for five years of study to go into an impactful profession. If you want to change paths or simply expand your profile, training, even briefly, can really make a difference.
Today, there are many accessible, flexible training opportunities designed to support those who want to get involved. Some are designed to help you clarify your professional project, others to develop specific skills related to social or environmental issues or new economic models.
And if you are particularly interested in sustainable development and CSR, we also share 5 concrete tips to get started in this field.
👉 The goal is not to become an expert overnight, but to give yourself the keys to take an informed first step in the right direction.
Get inspired (and play it down)
When you start to ask yourself questions about your professional life, you can quickly feel like you're lost in a sea of possibilities (or unknowns). And yet, many others have already been there before you.
Reading testimonials, listening to podcasts, browsing articles or attending events around impact jobs can help you put your desires into words, identify leads, or simply feel less alone in your thinking.
You'll see that the majority of paths are not linear, and that many people engaged today have gone through moments of vagueness, professional turns, or even big switches. And that's often where the most interesting things start.
Build your network... Your way
Sometimes, a simple discussion can change everything. An idea, a contact, a feedback... And presto, a new horizon opens up to you.
So even if it seems intimidating at first, don't hesitate to reach out to those who inspire you : write a message on LinkedIn, participate in a webinar, ask a question after a conference... You don't need to "sell yourself", just be sincere in your approach.
👉 The more you interact with people who are already engaged or in transition like you, the more you will understand the codes of this ecosystem, and the more you will naturally find your place there.
The important thing is to start somewhere
You may not find THE perfect job right away. And that's ok. The idea is to get you moving, one step at a time:
A volunteer project?
An internship in transition?
A first job "in between" but aligned with your values?
👉 "Working in impact" is not a box to be ticked, it is a path to be invented.
Look for... in the right place (we have a little idea 💡)
Once you start to understand what you want, it's time to find the opportunities that really suit you. And there, there's no need to get lost on dozens of generalist sites where impact jobs are drowned in the mass.
At Meet My Job, we have selected for you companies that are committed, authentic, and above all aligned with the values you are looking for. Whether you're looking for an internship, a first job or a real professional turnaround, you'll find what you're looking for.
So, are you ready to get started? ✨