I Didn’t Study Impact—But Built a Career in It. Here’s How.

Just seven years ago, a younger version of me wouldn’t have believed you if you told me it was possible to make money (work) while doing good (impact).

Back then, I thought of impact as something separate from work—something you pursued through volunteering, donations, or passion projects in your free time. Work was about earning a living; impact was what you did after hours.

But then I stepped into the world of social impact businesses, and my perspective completely shifted.

The Big Realisation: Profit and Purpose Can Coexist

Many people assume that making an impact means sacrificing financial success. You either work for a big corporation and make money or dedicate yourself to nonprofits and struggle financially.

That kind of thinking keeps people from seeing the bigger picture.

The truth?

💡 Profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive.

💡 Impact isn’t just for charities—business can be a force for good.

💡 You don’t have to choose between doing well and doing good.

The more I immersed myself in the social impact space, the more I realised that the distinction between “work” and “purpose” is artificial. Companies can be profitable and ethical, thrive, and contribute to the greater good.

What matters isn’t just what industry you work in—it’s how you approach your work.

What Mattered More Than My Early Experience

I didn’t have an “impact-focused” background when I started. What made the difference wasn’t a specific major or job title but rather a few key things:

✅ Choosing purpose—even when it wasn’t the easiest path.

Making purpose-driven decisions can be challenging at first. It often means looking beyond short-term gains and considering the bigger picture. But trust me, it gets easier with practice and more rewarding.

✅ Bridging business and impact.

Real, sustainable change happens when impact is woven into business goals rather than treated as an afterthought. I learned how to align marketing strategies with meaningful change, which helped me carve out a role in this space.

✅ Carving out my own space.

Especially in Singapore, where we live, breathe, and sleep money, it wasn’t always easy to choose to centre impact in my career. But I found my lane—by focusing on what I was good at and finding ways to apply it for a greater purpose.

You Can Build an Impact-Driven Career Too

If your degree or job title doesn’t scream “impact”, don’t let that stop you.

The world needs problem solvers in every industry—not just in traditional nonprofit roles.

No matter what you do, ask yourself:

💭 "How can I use _______ as a force for good?"

Marketing? Finance? Tech? Education? There’s space for impact everywhere—if you look for it.

So what’s holding you back from aligning your career with purpose?