What are people’s jobs actually like—and how do they get them?
Making a meaningful impact with your career requires a lot of strategizing and thinking ahead. Sometimes things go according to plan. Other times, a career journey involves unexpected turns, uncertain risks, or changing course completely.
In our Career Journeys interview series, we chat with people in a wide range of career paths, all working to make a difference in the world. Each conversation explores how people got to where they are today, what their day-to-day work entails, and what advice they’d give to others pursuing a similar path.
From Civil Service to Starting a Charity
Joel Tan didn’t set out to start a nonprofit, but his career path eventually led him to found the Centre for Exploratory Altruism Research, where he helps uncover high-impact philanthropic opportunities, and guides funding and talent to the causes that need them most.
Read Joel Tan’s career journey
Preventing Biological Threats Through AI Research
Jake Pencharz is a researcher at the UK’s AI Safety Institute where he investigates how AI could democratize research in biology and chemistry. His path has been anything but straightforward, shaped by evolving ambitions and unexpected opportunities.
Read Jake Pencharz’s career journey
Exploring Big Ideas in Development Economics
Ranil Dissanayake is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development. His career journey spans several countries and unique experiences—including over 15 years working in international development policy-making.
Read Ranil Dissanayake’s career journey
Communicating for Nonprofits and Advocating for Animals
With over 20 years of work and volunteer experience in various nonprofits, Jenna Riedi’s path to her current role as the Communications Manager at Faunalytics involved significant reflection, experimentation, and shifting directions.
Read Jenna Riedi’s career journey
Astronaut ambitions, leaving clinical medicine, and eliminating lead exposure
After a varied career of exploration and changing course, Bal Dhital now works as a program manager for the Lead Exposure Elimination Project, a charity that aims to end the use of lead-based paint and products around the world.
Read Bal Dhital’s career journey
Navigating academia & researching morality
Matti Wilks is a lecturer (assistant professor) in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. Matti’s research uses social and developmental psychological approaches to study our moral motivations and actions.
Read Matti Wilks’ career journey
From construction engineering to non-profit operations
After many years in construction engineering and a five-year bicycle journey in sub-saharan Africa, Bell Arden now runs the Operations team at The Future Society, a non-profit organization focused on improving AI governance.
Read Bell Arden’s career journey
