Inside the Minds of Young Social Impact Workers (Part 1): "Why Did You Enter the Social Impact Sector?“

Editor’s Note🖋🖍

 

Although I am currently working independently as a solo content creator, I transitioned through numerous organizations during my career. My reasons for moving on varied—sometimes it was a voluntary choice, while at other times, I lost my job due to external factors.

 

When I began working as a social impact reporter, I met countless young professionals who shared similar experiences. High turnover rates were common, and many frequently moved between organizations or left the social sector entirely for other industries. Yet, whenever I met them, their eyes were undeniably bright. They told me their hearts beat faster knowing that their work, even in a small way, contributed to making the world a better place.

 

Despite their passion, however, a vicious cycle of hiring and resignation continues for many young people in this sector.

 

So, I decided to ask them directly. I interviewed three practitioners in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to hear their honest thoughts—from the initial excitement when they first entered the social impact ecosystem to their current realities.

 

This post features their anonymous, raw insights. The interview series will be published in three parts.

 

To protect their privacy, only their nicknames and ages are listed. 

Our interviewees are Cherry (27), Apple (35), and Orange (46).

 

Q. What initially brought you into the social impact sector?

 

🍊Orange: I used to work as a researcher at an institution affiliated with a government ministry, but I resigned because I wanted to pursue more meaningful work. While preparing for my next career move, a friend casually mentioned, “I think you would fit well in a social enterprise.” That unfamiliar phrase stuck with me, and joining a social enterprise became my first introduction to the social impact ecosystem.

 

🍎Apple: To be honest, I started without really knowing what 'social impact' or the 'Social and Solidarity Economy' (SSE) even meant (laughs). I majored in housing welfare in graduate school. Looking back, I only recently realized that the theories my professor taught me back then were actually the core principles of the social and solidarity economy.

 

🍒Cherry: I majored in accounting and initially joined a conventional corporation, handling back-office administrative tasks like expenses and paperwork. Over time, I grew interested in the operational side of social impact initiatives—the actual support work—and wanted to dive deeper into that world. That led me to transition to an organization where I could directly manage social impact projects. That was my true beginning.

 

Q. What expectations did you have when you first entered the social impact sector?

 

🍊Orange: When I first started, I was amazed by the fact that there were businesses operating specifically to solve social problems. I had been interested in social issues since my 20s and 30s, so directly discovering companies that used a business model to address these challenges was a revelation for me.

 

🍎Apple: Since I entered the field without knowing much, I didn't have high expectations. In fact, because I started with a blank slate, I think I was able to make it this far. You could say there was no disappointment because there was no expectation to begin with.

 

🍒Cherry: When I first felt the urge to do hands-on support work, my biggest expectation was having meaningful interactions with various stakeholders. I wanted to visit different fields and hear the raw, living stories from the leaders and practitioners of diverse organizations.

 

To a certain extent, that expectation has been met. I’ve been able to hear raw, unrefined stories rather than polished opinions on paper or neatly organized revenue figures. In fact, I consider this to be one of the greatest strengths of working in the social impact sector. I get to hear everyone's distinct perspective, ranging from project details to the shifting visions and policies of the social and solidarity economy. Even among organizations focused on the same cause, their goals aren't always identical; depending on their organizational type and characteristics, people within the same ecosystem often hold opposing views.

 

For a newcomer like me, this has been an incredible learning experience. It’s much like being advised to read multiple newspapers to develop a balanced eye for analyzing a single issue. Navigating these rich interactions is always challenging yet fascinating, and it has completely fulfilled the aspirations I held before joining.

😎😍😀

In today's society, there is a common perception of younger generations that "they only care about profit" or "they only want to work at high-paying jobs." However, listening to these practitioners made me realize that this might just be a biased prejudice created by the older generation, including myself. Their actual answers were entirely different. They showed a profound interest in public value and were highly motivated by purpose-driven work.

 

Of course, some young professionals simply drifted into the social impact sector by chance. Yet, even for them, spending a year or two in the field sparked new expectations and genuine commitment. Solving social problems, changing the world, and witnessing the vital roles played by change-makers and organizations trying to make a difference—these appear to be the exact reasons why young people choose to stay in this sector.

 

👉👉Stay tuned for Part 2, coming up next!