I cam across EA just over a year ago when I was feeling dead in my job because I was not making an impact(the difference I wanted to see) just meeting deliverables. 

-I went back to school to study for masters in behavior research methods in 2023, 

- interviewed at open philanthropy for grants associate role but didn't get the job but still felt like a win to be screened, 

-applied to high impact professionals founding to give to start career guidance org, didn't get in.

-quit my job and started giving career guidance based on 80,000hrs principles tailored to high schools and universities. Couldn't reach  many students out of my pocket so I collaborated with ministry of education and other charities to run capacity building sessions for teachers. 

-completely ran out of money and my dad start panicking about my wellbeing. Had to play it cool. 

-applied to a government office (that is similar to DOGE, but not in the bad ways) as a technical program manager, didn't get the job (because the opening was closed) but the person I would be reporting to really wanted to work with so he helped me get  work as an intern at charity organization  that is doing  high impact supporting the government and the president in improving children's health through school.

-starting the new job at healthy learners i have paused my work giving career guidance, its a new experience because its not the remote work I have worked for 5 years. I am building new skills and working with a team that sees my potential and values my opinions. there are some politics and etiquettes that I am wrapping my head around.

-my old company where i quit also asked me to come back as an independent contractor to work on hourly basis which is helping manage my living expenses, which i wouldn't be able to do on my intern salary. Its still the same culture that made me leave but happy i am not as attached. 

-I have been thinking which is better, earning to give at a company you don't enjoy working at or working a high impact job where you don't earn enough to meet your living costs. 

-also haven't finished writing my reseaRch paper yet. I got good feedback and have to resubmit but trying to stay afloat has made me procrastinate on this. 

-All in all I am enjoying the growing pains  😅

Update #2 

A lot is happening even when you think nothing is happening.

• This is huge and maybe unrelated, but I am happy I was invited to take the charity Entrepreneurship test task 1. I don't know if I will succeed, but it's been a very enlightening experience, and I got to explore this project as a long-term option. I have come a long way reading about EA, interacting with less than five so far, and talking about EA at my Toast Masters meetings. This is an important note because if you are new to the EA community or believe you are "a normie," there is still so much growth, regardless of your circumstances.
• I am ready to start hosting virtual meetings, with a special thanks to the ea resources. I have reached the stage where I need to focus on cause areas relevant to my country, for example, nuclear weapons and Zambia. This is where prioritization research skills come in 😅.
• I am considering switching from building an audience to LinkedIn to build my first set of converting audiences. The reason is that the professionals I seek are on LinkedIn and have their audience there, too. However, the audience I want to reach is on TikTok. 

Thank you for this post, I am working on EA from Zambia in my free time and this has been insightful

I just wanted to check in on this posting as I recently submitted my application. I'm not sure if you're still hiring, but I'm really looking forward to the possibility of discussing this opportunity with you. Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon!🤞🏽

This is still the case. I used it for my Google UX certification. Not a lot of people know that and they turn away just at the thought of buying a $9 course.

This is indeed a thought-provoking question.

While I'm not an economics expert, my perspective leans towards the idea that capitalism, at its core, is driven by profits. However, what becomes crucial is how organizations, essentially run by people, choose to utilize those profits. Take Patagonia, for instance, which allocates 98% of its profits to address climate change and protect underdeveloped land. It highlights that the impact on society is more about the decisions made by the people within the system rather than inherent flaws in the system itself. Unfortunately, the system has been flawed from the beginning, and money, rather than being a tool for positive change, is often wielded as a weapon.

Addressing cultural traditions that may clash with Effective Altruism (EA) values, I'm relatively new to EA, but I find it aligns well with the practice of tithing in the SDA church. I'm intrigued by your mention of cultural traditions that go against Effective Altruism (EA) values. Could you provide more details on specific traditions you have in mind? I've encountered challenges in aligning with other EA causes, particularly those related to animals, given my everyday experiences, like literally seeing chickens crossing the road all the time. It's a reminder that life's complexities vary for everyone. Nevertheless, what I appreciate about EA is its accountability, allowing me to ensure that my financial contributions are making a positive impact. Importantly, EA doesn't restrict how one chooses to allocate money and resources. In the end, 'Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver' - 2 Corithians 9:7.

Thank you for this article; I am currently navigating a similar situation. I am still waiting to find myself in a sufficiently favorable position to introduce myself in this forum.

While I enjoy learning, I'm not particularly fond of examinations. Nevertheless, this aversion didn't hinder me from earning my mathematics degree. My initial job was in the government for the developing country where I reside. In my second and current position, I briefly served as a software engineer and am currently engaged as a product designer.

One of the driving forces behind my work is the knowledge and understanding of the impact I make on people's lives, prioritizing it over the profit generated for the consultancy firm. I feel fortunate and grateful that the startup environment has afforded me the opportunity to delve into various areas, such as operations, marketing, and shaping the company's culture. However, hitting the proverbial ceiling brings about significant disruption, affecting not only one's daily tasks but also one's mental state so I can relate to your sense of losing status and achievements.

Fortunately, my love for growth prompted me to consider pursuing a master's degree, aligning with both human-centered design experience and my Mathematics background. However, upon reflection, I realized that my goals did not align with the company's current stage and the absence of senior management support for my career progression.

I discovered effective altruism while working on my dissertation proposal, and it's a bonus to find a community with individuals like yourself. Thank you