4 Social Impact Careers for Changemakers

Social impact careers can be a rewarding option for graduates looking to make a positive difference in their communities throughout their professional lives. For aspiring changemakers, these careers can take on various forms. From roles in nonprofit work to entrepreneurship, human rights, philanthropy, and environmentalism, social impact careers across different industries are taking on a range of issues.

While many careers focusing on social issues may have once been primarily in the nonprofit sector, many private sector organizations are now integrating responsible strategies and initiatives into their business models. By pursuing advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree in social impact, future graduates can develop the skills they need to become leaders and changemakers in their fields.

What Are Social Impact Careers?

Everyone has different reasons for choosing their careers or earning a social impact degree. For many people, knowing that their work makes an impact on the lives of others is critically important. Spanning a range of industries, these careers can look significantly different, but what links them is the fundamental goal to effect positive change.

Social impact careers aren’t one-size-fits-all. They may require that graduates be changemakers and entrepreneurs, social leaders, investors, or organizers or work one-on-one with members of their communities. Depending on their industry or specialty, future graduates can benefit from various skills and leadership expertise. Through programs such as a Master of Arts (MA) in Social Impact, graduates can build the foundation they need to begin rewarding careers.

4 Rewarding Social Impact Careers

Rewarding social impact careers are available to driven graduates in various industries in the private and public sectors. With the right knowledge and skills, graduates are able to pursue causes that they’re passionate about. Whether graduates are driven to effect environmental change, work within their local communities, or steer philanthropic ventures and other nonprofit organizations, the opportunities available to them continue to grow around the world.

1. Nonprofit Administrator

Nonprofit administrators and directors work to ensure that their charitable organizations run smoothly. Nonprofits in vast industries offer social impact careers that work toward different moral, ethical, and strategic goals. The most established nonprofit organizations include UNICEF, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and nature conservancies.

In leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, graduates may be required to fulfill responsibilities such as:

• Acting as liaisons between the organization and stakeholders, such as organizers, boards of directors, potential donors, or team members
• Overseeing marketing and advertising
• Spearheading events, marketing efforts, and fundraising
• Managing human resources, including hiring managers and directors for organizational roles
• Handling financial decisions or helping to implement business strategies
• Helping to shape public perception and ensure that the organization acts ethically, staying true to its cause

Depending on its size, the organization may have many different moving parts that need to work together for it to be as effective as possible and financially viable.

Nonprofit program administrators earned a median annual wage of around $59,800 as of May 2024, according to Payscale. The size and location of the organization and the candidate’s level of education and experience can significantly impact the annual salary.

2. Philanthropy Manager

Philanthropy managers handle charitable activities in both profit and nonprofit organizations. Often spearheading the humanitarian efforts of corporations and businesses, philanthropic management is a social impact career that involves administrative and financial duties as well as coordinating client relationships.

The responsibilities of philanthropic managers include donor stewardship and acquisition; grant writing; fundraising; and effectively communicating with clients, team members, and the public as leaders and brand ambassadors. According to Payscale, the median annual salary for directors of philanthropy was around $97,700 as of November 2024.

3. Impact Investor

Impact investment is a business strategy that prioritizes both financial gain and a positive social impact. Impact investors are the financial professionals who plan, implement, and oversee ethically and environmentally conscious investment programs for businesses or organizations. Ultimately, the role aims to use money as a way to effect positive social or environmental change, funding efforts that serve society as a whole.

As a specialized social impact career in the finance sector, impact investors may choose to complete both a program to improve their financial literacy and an advanced degree in social impact. Depending on the impact investor’s level of education, job location, type of organization, and workplace experience, their annual salary can vary. As of May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual salary of $99,010 for financial and investment analysts, including impact investors.

4. Environmentalist

Environmentalism is a field encompassing social impact careers that advocate for the preservation and conservation of the environment and natural resources. Whether working as scientists, educators, lobbyists, administrators within an organization, or environmental advocates, environmentalists work to ensure that natural resources are managed ethically.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for environmental scientists and specialists was $78,980 as of May 2023, with job growth of 7% predicted between 2023 and 2033.

Make a Difference With a Fulfilling Career in Social Impact

Pursuing a social impact career can be a great way to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Whether working in the public or private sector, graduates with a range of skills and interests have plenty of opportunities. By investing in a well-rounded education, such as the online MA in Social Impact at Claremont Lincoln University, future professionals can prepare themselves for a fulfilling career.

A fully online program featuring interactive learning platforms, an asynchronous format, and taught by dedicated professors with a range of professional experience, the master’s degree program at CLU was designed to provide students with the practical skills they need to succeed.

Discover how higher education can help you make a positive difference with a career in social impact.