After you’ve identified promising problems and roles, it’s time to think about where you can contribute the most. Research shows that those who are most successful in their fields account for a significant portion of the progress that is made. The benefit of different people’s efforts can vary tenfold, sometimes even a hundredfold.
Source: 80,000 Hours
How good you are at your profession can therefore be one of the most decisive factors in how much of a difference you make. What if Alan Turing had become a literary critic instead of a mathematician? Then he would probably have had significantly less influence on the world. This means that it is important to try to find out in which areas you could become prominent in. How well you fit a certain career is likely a multiplier for your impact, something like this:
If you are particularly good in a certain profession, it can therefore be a good option, even if the average person has a lower impact. Similarly, you shouldn’t choose roles that look promising on paper but don’t suit you. When evaluating this, you should think long-term, especially if you’re early in your career, as most of us are most likely best positioned to contribute later in our careers. This is when we likely have the most money, responsibility and influence.
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How to find the right career for you – article by 80,000 Hours