I did earning to give for 18 months in a job that I thought I would really enjoy but after 12 months realised I didn’t. I’m now doing a PhD.
I think personal fit is pretty important, but at the end of the day it’s still just another thing to consider, and not the be all end all. I think its a pretty valid point that you will perform better in a role that you enjoy and thus advance further and have more impact, but if you’re really trying to maximise impact there are limits to that (e.g. Hurford’s example about surfing, unless surfing to give can be a thing).
So you should probably pick a job that you enjoy, but it’s unlikely that the career where you will have the greatest marginal impact is also the career that you most enjoy. If it is, you’re very lucky indeed. Otherwise, I would suggest finding some kind of balance.
I did earning to give for 18 months in a job that I thought I would really enjoy but after 12 months realised I didn’t. I’m now doing a PhD.
I think personal fit is pretty important, but at the end of the day it’s still just another thing to consider, and not the be all end all. I think its a pretty valid point that you will perform better in a role that you enjoy and thus advance further and have more impact, but if you’re really trying to maximise impact there are limits to that (e.g. Hurford’s example about surfing, unless surfing to give can be a thing).
So you should probably pick a job that you enjoy, but it’s unlikely that the career where you will have the greatest marginal impact is also the career that you most enjoy. If it is, you’re very lucky indeed. Otherwise, I would suggest finding some kind of balance.