I first encountered  Effective Altruism (EA) in 2017 while browsing the online library of a data science fellowship program. It was there that I stumbled upon the 80,000 Hours career guide. During my commutes into London, I devoured the entire guide in just two days. The core idea of using your resources—time, skills, money, and network—to do as much good as possible immediately resonated with me.

Soon after, I began my first job and started donating 10%+ of my salary to GiveWell’s top charities. Over the next six years, I pursued an earning-to-give path, working in software engineering and management consulting. Donating a significant portion of my salary to effective organisations felt like a straightforward and effective way to create positive change while simultaneously building career capital.

In 2023, everything shifted. I attended an EAGx conference in Cambridge, where I’m based. The event completely transformed my relationship with EA. It sparked a deep dive into EA principles, inspired me to transition into a direct impact role much earlier than planned, and opened doors to incredible opportunities. One such opportunity was joining the Impact Accelerator Program run by High Impact Professionals (HIP) – but more on this shortly. What truly stood out about this experience were the people. I connected with remarkable individuals in the EA community who have since become invaluable to my journey.

Today, EA has profoundly shaped my life and career. I’ve transitioned from advising industry professionals on negotiations to supporting experienced professionals as they pursue high-impact careers. As the Executive Director of High Impact Professionals (HIP), I lead our mission to enable working professionals to maximize their positive impact. HIP supports individuals looking to contribute effectively across high-impact areas like Global Health & Development, Animal Welfare, AI Safety, and Biosecurity.

If this sounds interesting, here are three ways you can get involved with HIP:

1. Join our Talent Directory:  database connecting professionals with high-impact organisations. Whether you’re exploring career changes or hiring, the Talent Directory can be a valuable resource.
2. Apply to our Impact Accelerator Program: A six-week program designed to guide mid- and senior-level professionals through high-impact career decisions. Applications for the next round open in March, but you can sign up for our Expression of Interest form to stay updated.
3. Join the HIP Pledge Club – Take the 🔸10% Pledge or a 🔹Trial Pledge to explore effective giving. The HIP Pledge Club connects professionals committed to impactful philanthropy.

HIP operates globally, welcoming professionals worldwide to join the Talent Directory, the Impact Accelerator Program, and the HIP Pledge Club.

Engaging experienced professionals is essential for the effective altruism movement. These individuals bring a wealth of industry knowledge, skills, and networks that can make a transformative difference when applied to high-impact causes. By expanding EA’s reach to include seasoned professionals, we can multiply our collective impact.