Impact vs. Profit: Choosing a Career that Makes a Difference
Did you know that the average person will dedicate 90,000 hours to their career over a lifetime? That's a significant portion of our lives, and it prompts one to reflect on whether they are spending that many hours doing something that truly matters and brings them genuine fulfillment.
Striking a balance between a career that pays the bills and one that satisfies your passion and impacts the world is no small feat.
While traditional corporate careers often only promise financial rewards and professional growth, a growing number of professionals are seeking roles that align with their values and positively impact the world. Careers in the social impact space offer a compelling alternative, providing opportunities to make a tangible difference while earning a living and building a rewarding career.
Impact over Profit
For-profit organizations typically prioritize financial gains, directing their efforts toward sectors with the highest revenue potential. In contrast, non-profits are driven by a mission to create meaningful social change, focusing on where they can make the most significant difference rather than where the money is. This mission-first approach often involves thorough trials and pilots that may take longer, but ensure that the solution offered delivers the highest possible impact rather than the highest profits.
“What I enjoy most about my role is the impact we make on the lives of farmers! Our work ensures that farmers don’t simply subsist but live well. Seeing the organization’s positive impact figures reinforces the significance of the contributions we make.”
At One Acre Fund, we put farmers first in everything we do. We believe farmers hold the most important jobs in our communities—they are the backbone of our food systems, environment, and economies. We live and work alongside farmers, aligning our goals to support them in growing more and improving their livelihoods. Witnessing our impact on the lives of the 4.8 million farmers we serve brings our teams a deep sense of fulfillment. When teams feel fulfilled and supported, they are more engaged and dedicated, leading to even greater impact and success in our mission.
“Impact is our “north star” at One Acre Fund. Each season, we physically measure our clients' harvests to ensure that our services deliver a strong long-term return on their investment. For our teams, it’s about empowering them with the resources they need to advance their learning, growth, and development.”
People as change agents
Staff members are the lifeblood of any organization, and in the social impact space, they are the architects of change. Careers in development offer a unique opportunity to create lasting change. At One Acre Fund, whether our teams are developing sustainable farming practices, providing essential training, ensuring market access, or optimizing our staff operations, each team member contributes to the organization's mission. As with any career and role, the work is challenging but incredibly rewarding, as staff witness firsthand their efforts' positive impact on millions of families' lives.
“I am motivated by our mission to make smallholder farmers more prosperous. My role focuses more on optimizing our operations than on direct farmer interactions. I strive to foster an environment where each staff member can be effective, i.e., they understand what they need to do to succeed, receive support, and are compensated fairly. The foundation of simply being a smoothly run, predictable workplace often goes unnoticed but is pivotal in our overall effectiveness. I take immense pride in ensuring that our people systems operate seamlessly, contributing to a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
“My biggest motivation is the realization that the Recruitment team is at the forefront of driving impact to the farmers we serve because the hiring decisions we make have a direct effect on the mission of the organization. We’ve been tasked with assembling the best talent from all over the world, and the satisfaction that comes with making an outstanding hire fuels our team each day.”
Staff Development and Career Growth
In for-profit organizations, performance assessments often focus on a clear-cut metric: are you contributing to revenue growth? At One Acre Fund, our performance evaluations include both quantitative and qualitative outcomes, such as how well staff embody our values and contribute to the mission. It's not just about the effort put in, but about using that effort effectively to achieve meaningful, lasting impact for the communities we serve. This balanced approach ensures every team member is aligned with our goal of delivering tangible results for smallholder farmers.
In addition, our culture fosters continuous learning and growth. Regular check-ins, mentorship, and training programs equip our teams with the tools to excel. We work closely with staff through performance feedback and career reviews to define their goals and development areas. As the organization expands, so do career growth opportunities.
Imagine using your expertise to earn a living and drive social change. Join us and be part of a team that values impact, where your skills and passion can help shape a better future for millions of farm families. Take the step today – choose an impact career with One Acre Fund.
A Manifesto: Why More Leaders Should Pursue Careers in People
People-related work is foundational to any managerial and executive role. Learning how to call leaders to your banner, multiplying the performance of large teams, and shifting culture - all incredibly valuable leadership skills.
How coaching is helping our teams better adapt to a changing business landscape
Stephanie and Nyamongo share their experiences with coaching, and why it is a valuable investment for organizations and employees alike.
Seven Surprising Careers in Agriculture
Working in agriculture means more than simply farming. Here’s how you can use your professional skills to make an impact.
Why I Left Google for a Career in Development
More and more millennials are looking for purpose in their careers. Here’s why some members of our staff left the corporate world to give back to their communities.
