Pathways to Purpose: Advancing your Career in Social Impact (Q&A panel discussion)

How do you build a career in social impact?

Facilitated by CSI UWA Director, Paul Flatau, a panel discussion featuring alumni and course lecturers unpacks valuable insights about:

• Social impact career pathways and strategies
• Social impact education
• How to build meaningful connection and expand your network within the social impact community

A key theme of the discussion was the career benefits a social impact education can bring.

Watch the recording to see how studying social impact can propel your career forward, or read through the summary below.

Why study social impact?

The social impact sector has considerably grown in recent years, spanning various sectors from not-for-profit organisations to corporate entities. It goes beyond just making a difference and encompasses demonstrating impact through robust evaluation, and securing finance through general funds and impact investments.

This growth has spurred the emergence of social finance, innovation, and the evolution of social enterprises, unlocking a range of career options across sectors.

Below you'll find some of the benefits of studying social impact, as explained by our CSI UWA alumni and course lecturers. Thank you to our panelists, Fiona Reeves, Tim Stricklan, Rebecca Kafetzis, Galen Townson and Renu Burr.

Diverse career paths

A social impact course opens doors to various roles across a wide range of sectors including not-for-profit, government agencies, social enterprise, corporate philanthropy, and ESG reporting within corporations.

Career opportunities in social impact now include:

• Community Manager 
• Not-for-Profit Leader 
• Ethical Investment Professional 
• Social Entrepreneur 
• Charity Executive 
• Government Social Impact Manager
• Social Impact Specialist 
• Corporate Social Performance Analyst 
• Community Development Planner 
• Government Policy Adviser
• Social Impact Consultant

Practical learning

The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact includes real-world case studies and interactions with industry experts, providing hands-on experiences for immediate application in your professional sphere.

“For every unit, you could come to class and go and apply it at work the next Monday.”

“In my current role, I lean into all my skills and knowledge from the leadership unit, also looking at how can we leverage philanthropy. There’s a whole list of toolkits that you'll be able to pull out from your box all the time.”

Leadership with a difference

Unit Coordinator of Leadership of Social Impact, Renu Burr said what the teaching staff aspired to train social impact leaders who were innovative and able to go beyond boundaries and really push that out of the box thinking.

“Certainly Renu’s leadership unit was absolutely transformative and so inspiring.”

“I worked for Anglicare WA across various roles and it's been very timely doing the leadership unit in particular because the program that I managed was quite complex, with 14 different stakeholders contributing to the same service and outcomes.”

Networking Opportunities

The connections forged during the course are invaluable. They extend beyond the classroom and create long-term networks. These contacts can offer mentorship, advice, and even collaborative opportunities in the future.

“One of the highlights of the course is being able to connect with others in the cohort afterwards.”

“The networks that you make in this course are long standing and I often reach out to my networks and it's a very tangible support system.”

“If I'm stuck with something at work, I'll reach out to one of my networks for help.”

Interdisciplinary approach

Social impact isn't confined to a single domain. The Centre for Social Impact courses typically cover a wide range of topics, from leadership and finance to social innovation and demonstrating social impact. This interdisciplinary approach equips you with a holistic skill set to tackle complex social issues.

“It’s great to have the ability to look from different perspectives and see there's a way to connect the social impact in any work that you do.”

Adaptability and agility

The beauty of social impact education lies in its versatility. Graduates often transition seamlessly between sectors, bringing their expertise and fresh perspectives to different realms, fostering innovation and change.

Personal Fulfillment

Beyond professional advancement, working in social impact can provide a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that your work directly contributes to societal betterment.

“Never give up. The course has given me so much passion and purpose to keep on. Keep on fighting. Keep on being curious. The course also helps you understand yourself and your own strengths.”

Indeed, social impact is a field that is inherently human-centric. It's about understanding people, their needs, and how to create sustainable, positive change. It's an area where human empathy and creativity shine, elements that AI can't replicate. So, if you're seeking a career that combines purpose with professional growth, a course in social impact might be your gateway to a fulfilling career trajectory - Renu Burr, CSI UWA Course Lecturer