Cultivating Your Own Lens: How Social Impact Practitioners Should Approach Learning (Part 2)

 Throughout my time covering South Korea's social impact landscape, I noticed a striking common denominator among most practitioners: an earnest thirst to study and grow. From an outside perspective, working in social impact might appear straightforward or driven merely by goodwill. In reality, it demands rigorous professionalism. Furthermore, with related policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks constantly shifting, ongoing learning is indispensable.

 

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Why Social Impact Practitioners Must Keep Studying: The Case for Lifelong Learning (Part 1) 

Yet many practitioners find themselves submerged in daily operations, struggling to carve out dedicated time for professional development. Because authentic learning is not something that can be achieved through short-lived sprints, taking that very first step often feels overwhelming. On top of that, many are left wondering where to begin or which institutions offer meaningful learning opportunities.

 

When I met Kang Min-soo, Standing Director of Korea Social Solidarity Economy and Director of the Social Solidarity Economy Education Institute—a veteran who has spent decades leading field education and capacity-building—I asked him candidly about these struggles. I posed the question with a hint of nervousness, ready to accept whatever response he offered. His answer, however, cut straight to a surprising fundamental truth.

 

For adult learners, the most critical step is not figuring out where or from whom to learn, but cultivating a conscious awareness of ‘why’ they need to learn. Once you have a clear, personal answer to the question "Why am I pursuing this knowledge?", logistical considerations like where to study or whose lectures to attend become entirely secondary. An exam-prep mentality that passively follows a pre-set curriculum has no power in the social sector. Once that internal "why" is anchored, the pathways open naturally: learning from seasoned colleagues on the ground, reading specialized literature, watching domain lectures, or even pursuing graduate studies.

 

So, what constitutes true learning in the social impact sector from an expert's point of view? Because this field cannot be reduced to a single school subject like mathematics or language arts, I waited for his insight with keen interest.

 

His answer was remarkably grounded: "Cultivating the right mindset and attitude toward your work is the most fundamental study of all." He emphasized that practitioners must build a firm foundation rooted in history, philosophy, and a deep understanding of society and community, alongside business acumen, economic insight, and hands-on operational execution skills. If one focuses solely on attitude and theory, they remain an abstract philosopher rather than a functional problem solver.

 

Ultimately, tackling social issues means understanding human nature. Human beings are complex: inherently self-interested yet altruistic, competitive yet deeply cooperative. Therefore, real learning does not mean memorizing grandiose academic dogmas; it means establishing your own philosophical lens to interpret people and society. In short, it requires balance. Knowledge, practical execution skills, personal attitude, and human empathy must be cultivated in harmony.

 

Why Do We Study History?

 

During our conversation, Director Kang turned the table and asked me a counter-question:

"Why do we study history?"

If knowledge, skills, and attitude are all essential to working in social impact, why is historical inquiry necessary to shape that knowledge and perspective?

 

"You must hold your own answer to this question," he explained. Studying history simply because someone told you to provides zero intrinsic motivation and makes genuine retention difficult. Even if historical context does not immediately help draft tomorrow’s funding proposal, it builds long-term perspective and grounds your core professional posture. Furthermore, understanding historical precedents and past systemic failures ensures that modern tools and technologies are deployed with wisdom and intentionality.

 

There are many ways to engage with this learning. One can turn to books, graduate seminars, or digital lectures. If formal routes feel out of reach, forming peer learning circles with like-minded colleagues or bringing in an experienced facilitator can be just as potent. The real hurdle is that many try to study social impact the same way students prepare for university entrance exams—cramming for an external test. The problem is not that studying is unneeded; it is that practical methodologies and community environments that facilitate sustainable adult learning are still critically lacking.

 

Director Kang believes that the social impact ecosystem and the social and solidarity economy (SSE) will become far more vital in the years ahead. While traditional markets allocate goods and services efficiently through price mechanisms, market failures are inevitable. When markets fail, governments step in. Yet public institutions are also prone to systemic and bureaucratic failures.

 

Addressing the critical gaps that neither the state nor the private market can resolve—using participatory, community-driven mechanisms—is the exact domain of social impact. That is why this sector remains indispensable for humanity’s collective resilience.

 

For young changemakers striving to reshape society through horizontal solidarity rather than rigid corporate hierarchies, learning is not merely about stacking credentials on a resume. It is the most formidable anchor and tool to plant your feet firmly on the ground and claim authentic ownership over your life and mission.

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