Career Planning Programme
“What you do with your career is probably the most important ethical decision of your life.“
Find your fulfilling career with us – and make a real positive difference in the world! Whether you are still a student or have decades of professional experience, our 6-week online Career Planning Programme will support you in taking your first or next steps towards an impactful career in a wide range of fields.
The Programme is aimed at people from Germany and across Europe who are familiar with the basic ideas of Effective Altruism (EA), have a high level of English proficiency and want to do a lot of good with their career – and are aiming to find out, in what direction, cause area and role they pesonally want to go.
The next round of our Career Programme will take place online from 31 August to 11 October 2026. Applications are expected to be open from 20 July to 16 August; successful participants of our EA Introductory Course (1 June to 26 July 2026) have a higher chance to be admitted. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to never miss a deadline.
Testimonials from participants
- “During the programme, I explored different career paths related to animal welfare and advocacy, especially focusing on fish welfare. I started networking with professionals in the field and set clear SMART goals to build my skills and knowledge. I also reflected on my biggest challenges and planned ways to overcome them.”
- “It has been great to start building a supportive network in my field.”
- “The facilitator was very supportive and knowledgeable. The sessions were well-organised and helped me think clearly about my career path.”
Successful graduates, autumn 2025
In 2025, we received a donation of €3,000 from the Swiss Life Foundation which enables us to run our Career Planning Programme in particular. If you’d like to support our work as well, we’d be delighted to receive your donation here. Thank you!
Research
Management
Politics
Communication
Programme Contents
Our Programme is based on the well-founded Career Guide by 80,000 Hours, a British non-profit organisation that researches and advises on careers with large positive impact. We, the non-profit organisation Effektiver Altruismus Deutschland e.V., have developed an action-oriented course from this Guide to accompany you on your way to a meaningful career in a structured manner. Find the outline here.
Together with a small group, you will be guided step-by-step through the Guide by your experienced moderator in weekly online meetings. As homework, you will continue to work on your career plan. The meetings take place online in German or English; in some locations, the meetings can also be in-person. All written communication and materials provided will be in English.
All information at a glance
- Course period: 31 August – 11 October 2026
- Application: expected 20 July – 16 August
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Format: online
- Time commitment: ~3-6 hours per week
- Language: written communication and reading materials in English, weekly discussions in German or English
- Prerequisites for participation: familiarity with the basic ideas of Effective Altruism, good knowledge of English, interest in an impactful career
- Fee: Participation is completely free of charge.
- Additional offers:
- Individual counselling by a member of the Effective Altruism Germany team
- Help with connecting to mentors, experts and organisations
- Successful graduates receive a certificate of participation (prerequisite: participation in 4 of the 6 sessions)
At EA Germany, we value and promote a diverse and inclusive community, and therefore encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply for the Programme – for example, people who don’t have an academic education or were born outside of Germany.
Your profile
- Interest in the question: How can I use my career to systematically do good?
- Our Career Planning Programme can be particularly useful for you if you are currently thinking about the following decisions:
- Topic of your final thesis (e.g. Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis)
- Choice of your further degree programme (e.g. Master’s)
- Choice of your dissertation topic
- Application for first professional stations (e.g. internships, first job)
- Desire to change your current career direction (e.g. change jobs, start your own organisation, further education)
- Already ~40 hours of engagement with the ideas of Effective Altruism (EA), e.g. by participating in the Intro Program
- Good knowledge of English (written communication and materials are in English; discussions are in English as well unless you opt for a German-speaking group)
Questions? Feedback?
Reach out to: Milena Canzler (Project Management at EA Germany)
Facilitator Information
Have you already worked on your career plan and would like to pass on your experience to others? Then apply now as a facilitator!
Your Role
- 2-3 hours time investment per week
- Facilitate a group based on our Career Guide: Use our script and adapt it to the needs of your group.
- Coach your group members in their career development.
- Get feedback from your group and implement it in the next session.
Requirements
- 40+ hours of engagement with EA ideas, e.g. by taking part in the Intro Program and planning your own career according to impact considerations
- Experience in moderating or interest in improving your facilitation skills over 6 weeks
- Motivation to provide feedback to participants
Apply as a facilitator and help others take their first steps towards an impactful career! Reach out to Milena if you’re interested in becoming a facilitator for the next programme.
Further Career Offers
You’re still at the beginning and have just started to think about potential impactful career options? Then request a quick 25-minute career advising call with us for a first orientation.
You’re already one step further on your path and have formulated a career plan but you’re looking for motivation and accountability to go your next concrete steps? Then apply to our weekend seminar, the Leap Lab (19-21 June 2026 in Hilders near Fulda).