Should you wait to make a difference?

Abstract

If you’re committed to making a difference with your career, you may well find that there is a tension between doing good now and laying the groundwork for doing good later. For example: Next year, you have two choices. You could work for an effective charity, making an immediate difference to its beneficiaries. Or you could go to graduate school and build up your career capital, (hopefully) allowing you to have a larger impact later.