So you want to make an impact on the world. There are many ways to do this, whether it be to work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), nonprofits, social enterprises, mission-driven startups, international development agencies, or even corporate sustainability divisions.
These all form the “impact sector,” which is sometimes also referred to as the social industry or the changemaker economy. Whatever name it bears, it’s to do with the ecosystem of organisations and individuals whose primary goal is measurable positive change rather than financial return.
It is admittedly an unglamorous sort of world where you won’t necessarily earn top dollars. The work demands a lot, and it can be draining.
And yet, for many, this is a calling they wouldn’t have any other way. So, if you’re looking to work in impact, here are some degrees you can consider.
What degrees lead to jobs in the impact sector?
There is no single prescribed degree, but there are certain academic pathways that make for common entry points into the impact sector.
1. Public policy and law
Public policy and law are critical in any society, as it’s necessary for governance.
Policy graduates often move into advocacy, regulatory work, or international development. Meanwhile, law graduates are central to human rights organisations, legal aid, and institutional reform.
These fields have a strong pathway into international and national agencies, such as the UN, WHO, WWF, governments, and think tanks.
2. Sustainability and environmental science
As climate becomes the defining challenge of the century, environmental degrees are increasingly foundational to the impact sector.
Graduates enter conservation NGOs, corporate sustainability teams, green finance, and climate-focused research institutions. The blend of scientific literacy and systems thinking is highly valued.
3. Social sciences
Sociology, anthropology, psychology, development studies, and international relations form the backbone of programme design and community engagement roles.
These graduates are often needed for organisations to understand how change actually happens on the ground.
4. Education
After all, education in itself can be considered as impact work. But outside of teaching and lecturing, those with an education degree can also move into non-profit management and also policy work.
Education graduates can use their understanding of pedagogy to develop curriculum, advocate for policy changes, and oversee community education initiatives. They can also carry out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) roles or work for NGOs focusing on adult education and skill development, translating educational skills to corporate or international development impact.
You can always make an impact even outside of your degree. Source: RDNE Stock project via Pexels
It’s not about the content, but the application
The truth is that impact can happen in many ways. There truly is no one path to making it in this industry.
Just take a scan at social entrepreneurs across the globe.
Suzanne Ling of PichaEats — a social enterprise that empowers refugees in Malaysia to generate income as food entrepreneurs — went for a more direct route. Ten years after getting her bachelor’s in psychology, she pursued a Master of Arts in Migration, Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS University of London.
Then there’s Melia Winata, co-founder and CEO of Du Anyamin Indonesia, focusing on sustainable and ethically sourced corporate gifts and merchandise. She studied biomedicine at Melbourne.
Thabo Mngomezulu, who founded Kasi Gas, a South African social enterprise that converts organic waste into affordable biogas for cooking and biofertilizer, was a jazz musician who studied music performance.
The impact sector cannot be propped up by just optimists and idealists. It needs engineers, economists, communicators, lawyers, data scientists, and even musicians – all doing their part to make the world a better place.
If you’re drawn to the impact sector and wondering whether a certain degree “counts” — the answer is almost certainly yes. The skill is in finding the bridge between what you know and what problems need solving.
