TLDR
When we look across all jobs globally, many of us in the EA community occupy positions that would rank in the 99.9th percentile or higher by our own preferences within jobs that we could plausibly get.[1] Whether you work at an EA-aligned organization, hold a high-impact role elsewhere, or have a well-compensated position which allows you to make significant high effectiveness donations, your job situation is likely extraordinarily fortunate and high impact by global standards. This career conversations week, it's worth reflecting on this and considering how we can make the most of these opportunities.
Intro
I think job choice is one of the great advantages of development. Before the industrial revolution, nearly everyone had to be a hunter-gatherer or a farmer, and they typically didn’t get a choice between those.
Now there is typically some choice in low income countries, and typically a lot of choice in high income countries. This already suggests that having a job in your preferred field puts you in a high percentile of job choice. But for many in the EA community, the situation is even more fortunate.
The Mathematics of Job Preference
If you work at an EA-aligned organization and that is your top preference, you occupy an extraordinarily rare position. There are perhaps a few thousand such positions globally, out of the world's several billion jobs. Simple division suggests this puts you in roughly the 99.9999th percentile of job preference.
Even if you don't work directly for an EA organization but have secured:
* A job allowing significant donations
* A position with direct positive impact aligned with your values
* Work that combines your skills, interests, and preferred location
You likely still occupy a position in the 99.9th percentile or higher of global job preference matching. Even without the impact perspective, if you are working in your preferred field and preferred country, that may put you in the 99.9th percentile of job preference
Thanks for posting this - I certainly relate to something similar. But, it seems like you've taken a step in asking for support, so that's a great start :))
Do you have a sense at all of what might be blocking you, or if/why you've felt blocked on similar things before?
I'll share a few thoughts that might help based on my experience - they're not groundbreaking, but maybe just reading them might help name what's going on.
If you're feeling overwhelmed...
Does it feel like 'EAG followups' is a big amorphous task?
Try breaking things down into smaller, manageable chunks. I sometimes make two lists:
Then stop there. Making the list is one task. Starting on items is tomorrow's task. Sometimes just knowing what to do next helps me get over the hump.
You could just go through each 1-1 or session you went to and think about what followups might be good there and then prioritise them. If the tasks themselves seem big, like 'finish updated work plan' can you make them smaller? like fill in x section, send imperfect draft to a friend, look at comments from reviewer etc.
If something else is blocking you, maybe sit with the feeling for a bit and see what comes up? Common culprits for me after conferences in the past:
Practical things that might help?
Good luck with your next steps, Onyekachi!
Hi Charlotte,
This was so warm to read. I'd try some of the practical things and hope they work for me too. Oh and Yes, the Imposter syndrome and the worry that I possibly didn't do as much as I needed really bothered me. So, thank you again for the insight.