This introductory series presents the most important findings from our research since 2011. It covers which global problems are most pressing, how you can best contribute to solving these problems, and how to plan your career based on your individual strengths and situation.
Its especially aimed at graduates aged 20-35 who want to ambitiously focus on social impact, though much of it is relevant more broadly.
This board presents some of the most promising publicly advertised vacancies we know about. If youre a good fit for one of them, it could be your best opportunity to work on one of the world’s most pressing problems, or to get the career capital you need to have a big impact later.
Our ongoing research aims to highlight the most important ideas and information you need in order to lead a high impact career.
Problem profiles
The issue you choose to work on is probably the most important factor that determines the expected value of your career. If you want to maximise your chance of having a big positive impact, you should work on an issue thats large in scale, solvable and neglected. Our problem profile series analyses a number of global problems in these terms.
The highest-impact careers are those which allow you to make the biggest contribution to solving the world’s most pressing problems. Our career review series investigates specific career paths that may do this.
We started 80,000 Hours because we couldnt find any sources of advice on how to do good with our own working lives. Since 2011, weve worked to discover how to best find a career with a positive impact.
Were an independent nonprofit funded by individual donors and philanthropic foundations. They give to us so that we can help people like you have a greater impact. We dont accept any corporate sponsorship or advertising fees.
Ultimately, we want to help everyone in the world have a big social impact in their career. Right now, were focusing on giving advice to talented and ambitious graduates in their twenties and thirties.
Increase your chances of having a big positive impact with your career
Read our key ideas page to get our current take on how to think about careers that have a positive impact, where the best opportunities may lie, and some strategic advice you may find useful.