It is possible to work at non-EA orgs while still contributing meaningfully to AI risk, but the impact usually comes from what you do outside your main job independent research, collaborations, and earning-to-give to support aligned projects. Direct s-risk or alignment roles in profit-driven companies are rare, so many people build financial stability first and then self-fund research or transition later. It’s not ideal, but it’s a realistic path that still lets you stay engaged, keep learning, and contribute where opportunities exist.

Hi! My superficial understanding is that grantmakers in s-risks have a certain bar for what they're open to funding, and that they generally have the capacity to fund a marginal independent researcher if their work is sufficiently promising. If, in the future, you seem like an individual with a track record that is good enough in funders' views (maybe that can come through doing independent research, applying to fellowships, doing non-S-risk related research at AI labs, etc.), then receiving funding will be possible, as money does not seem to be the primary constraint (at leas that's not what grantmakers in the field seem to think). But that is a high bar to pass. 

If you actually manage to save a 150,000$ per year, Macroscopic can advise you in donations to reduce S-risks, which would be a considerable contribution to a cause you seem to care about a lot. (I have no ties to Macroscopic, the information is publically available on their website)

I’m actually currently a first-year university student, double-majoring in medicine and computer science. (Different from the US, In Taiwan, medical education begins at the undergraduate level, and one obtains a doctor’s license after completing the medical program.)

 I’ve still been struggling with a major decision: whether I should continue my double major in medicine or focus solely on computer science. In EA's community’s reasoning, medicine seems less relevant to priorities like AI safety or s-risks. However, one major advantage of studying medicine is financial stability. Before transformative AI arrives, I suspect that computer science jobs might become increasingly competitive, whereas doctors may still earn a stable income. Therefore, in an uncertain future, I’ve considered working as a doctor temporarily (perhaps for around 10-15 years), saving most of the earnings to reduce future financial pressure.

(Although, I’m aware that future AI progress could eventually automate much of medical/dentist work.)

Therefore, if it's really difficult to find EA jobs in non-EA companies, it would increase the argument of double majoring in medicine/dentist.