There is No EA Sorting Hat

Abstract

Some EAs expect to be assigned the perfect impactful career by 80,000 Hours or similar expert organizations, or by following perceived consensus in EA. However, ideal career choice depends on individual factors like aptitudes, skills, values, and circumstances. These are often difficult to communicate concisely to career advisors. Furthermore, impactful careers are not limited to EA-branded jobs. Many impactful roles exist outside of EA organizations and job boards. Finally, simply obtaining an impactful job does not guarantee impact. Individuals must develop their own internal model of how to do good and adapt it to the specifics of their role. Career advice is iterative, requiring continuous reevaluation and adjustment as circumstances change. Over-reliance on external advice can be attributed to several factors: the difficulty of choosing a career, the influence of 80,000 Hours, and the analogy with deferring to expert charity recommendations for donations. A more effective approach involves combining individual effort, expert advice, and community support. Individuals should build their own career capital, seek diverse expert opinions, and form close connections within the EA community for feedback and support. – AI-generated abstract.