We should avoid the temptation to think it’s an all-or-nothing between direct work now until retirement and earning-to-give from now until retirement. (Not saying that was exactly your view.)
Here’s one example of something in between these extremes. One can work at for-profit jobs as a means of skilling up such that your talents can be used for direct work projects during non-work hours and/or later on in one’s career. And meanwhile one can earn-to-give in the short term, remaining agnostic about the long-term path.
We should avoid the temptation to think it’s an all-or-nothing between direct work now until retirement and earning-to-give from now until retirement. (Not saying that was exactly your view.)
Here’s one example of something in between these extremes. One can work at for-profit jobs as a means of skilling up such that your talents can be used for direct work projects during non-work hours and/or later on in one’s career. And meanwhile one can earn-to-give in the short term, remaining agnostic about the long-term path.
Peter Hurford has an interesting profile making similar points, here. I love the term ‘exploration value’: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/member-stories/peter-hurford/ https://80000hours.org/2014/10/update-on-peters-career-story/
You can also do some direct work while also doing ETG. :)