I’m not sure that I disagree overall, but I think variance really matters here: both within subcauses/​areas and between individuals. Some areas and profiles within farmed animal advocacy still seem much more talent-constrained than others, and those differences can be quite stark. Likewise, individuals often have a much greater comparative advantage for certain types of direct work depending on their skills, experience, and networks.
Because of this, while the nonprofit sector may indeed be approaching saturation in some areas, there are still pockets where additional high-quality talent could be really impactful. Similarly, for some people, a direct nonprofit role may still be the highest-impact option, even if for others the best opportunities lie in policy, industry, government, or elsewhere.
<<Because of this, while the nonprofit sector may indeed be approaching saturation in some areas, there are still pockets where additional high-quality talent could be really impactful.>> I completely agree with this, which is why AAC continues to highlight and work on this issue. My earlier comment may have come across more bluntly than intended. I feel we’ve perhaps overcorrected toward the idea that non-profit roles are the main or even the only path to driving meaningful impact for animals (both within AAC and more broadly I have observed in the EAA space). In doing so, we’ve often overlooked other promising career opportunities, such as roles directly within the system, that could potentially have an even greater impact, particularly because at least right now, they’re so neglected. Too often, I hear these alternative paths framed mainly as ways to build career capital before pivoting back into the non-profit sector, rather than recognising that they can be impactful in their own right (unless they’re earning-to-give roles).
Hey Kieran! I guess you’re thinking about fish and invertebrate welfare as the more talent-constrained subcauses (correct me if I’m wrong?) but I’m curious which kinds of profiles or job types you think are more talent-constrained than others? Also interested in your take, @lauren_mee 🔸 !
Hey! Yes, on subcauses, that sounds right to me. WAW as well, though that’s somewhat outside the scope of this discussion.
On profiles/​job types, I’d highlight government policy and lobbying, management, fundraising, and local experts in specific but neglected populous countries.
I’m not sure that I disagree overall, but I think variance really matters here: both within subcauses/​areas and between individuals. Some areas and profiles within farmed animal advocacy still seem much more talent-constrained than others, and those differences can be quite stark. Likewise, individuals often have a much greater comparative advantage for certain types of direct work depending on their skills, experience, and networks.
Because of this, while the nonprofit sector may indeed be approaching saturation in some areas, there are still pockets where additional high-quality talent could be really impactful. Similarly, for some people, a direct nonprofit role may still be the highest-impact option, even if for others the best opportunities lie in policy, industry, government, or elsewhere.
Hey Kieran! I guess you’re thinking about fish and invertebrate welfare as the more talent-constrained subcauses (correct me if I’m wrong?) but I’m curious which kinds of profiles or job types you think are more talent-constrained than others? Also interested in your take, @lauren_mee 🔸 !
Hey! Yes, on subcauses, that sounds right to me. WAW as well, though that’s somewhat outside the scope of this discussion.
On profiles/​job types, I’d highlight government policy and lobbying, management, fundraising, and local experts in specific but neglected populous countries.
I don’t have anything to add beyond the below and my anecdotal evidence that campaigning roles (particularly more senior ones) outside of (ICAW- who just seem to get everyone!) are hard to hire for, curious to hear what Kieran thinks:
https://​​animaladvocacycareers.org/​​talent-survey-2024/​​
https://​​animaladvocacycareers.org/​​post/​​animal-advocacy-bottleneck-survey-2022/​​
https://​​animaladvocacycareers.org/​​post/​​animal-advocacy-bottleneck-survey-2021/​​
https://​​animaladvocacycareers.org/​​post/​​animal-advocacy-bottleneck-survey-2020/​​