You Don’t Have to Choose Between Impact and Income
- Vanessa Hope
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
A common belief many mission-driven professionals wrestle with is this: You can either work for a cause you believe in and make a positive impact, or you can earn a high salary at a for-profit company whose ethics you question. It’s often presented as an either-or choice. And while it may be hard to believe sometimes, it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to sacrifice your impact for income.
According to Harvard Business Review, the average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours working over the course of their career. That’s about one-third of your adult life. That’s an enormous amount of time to spend on something that doesn’t fulfill you or align with your values. The most rewarding careers are where your work aligns with your purpose, you can grow professionally, and have financial stability. When you find that sweet spot, your career becomes a source of energy, motivation, and satisfaction, not just a paycheck.
How to Break Free From the Either-Or Mindset
If you’ve been caught in the trap of believing you must choose between a “mission job” and a “money job,” here are some ideas to shift your perspective.
Define your purpose. When you can articulate your purpose along with your unique strengths, perspective, values, and needs, you can start to align your career goals and chart a path towards roles that will fulfill you.
Expand what impact means to you. Impact can take many forms—leading a team that champions diversity, driving sustainable business practices, or developing products that enhance lives.
Explore organizations that blend profit with purpose. We live in a world full of complex challenges — from climate change to social justice, from healthcare to education. The good news? There are numerous organizations and companies dedicated to solving real-world problems, offering career opportunities with competitive salaries.
Real Examples of Impact + Income in Action
To prove that you don’t have to choose between impact and income, here are some concrete examples of careers where you can do both:
Sustainability Managers at Corporations: Many large companies now hire sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers who lead initiatives to reduce environmental impact, promote ethical sourcing, and support community programs. These roles often come with competitive salaries and influence strategic decisions at a high level.
Tech Professionals Building Social Good Products: Engineers and product managers at tech companies focused on healthcare innovation, clean energy, or education technology often earn strong salaries while developing tools that solve real problems. Think about companies like Patagonia, NextEra Energy, Impossible Foods, or startups in the clean tech space.
Consultants in Nonprofit and Social Impact Sectors: Consulting firms specializing in social entrepreneurship or public health hire experts who command lucrative fees and help organizations maximize their positive impact.
Social Entrepreneurs: Founders of social enterprises create businesses that prioritize social or environmental goals alongside profitability. Examples include companies like TOMS Shoes or Warby Parker, which have successfully married mission and margin.
These are just a few of many paths where impact and income intersect. The key is finding—or creating—a role where your values and your financial goals align.
Ready to Redefine What’s Possible?
If you’re ready to break free from limiting beliefs and design a career that fits your definition of success, the time to start is now. And you don't have to do it alone. Working with a career coach can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. A coach can help you:
Define your purpose and reconnect with what truly motivates you.
Identify your strengths and transferable skills, even the ones you tend to overlook.
Clarify your next career goal—whether that’s a new role, a new industry, or a new mission.
Market your skills and value with clarity and confidence, so you can pursue opportunities that align with both your values and your income goals.
You’ve dedicated your career to contributing to a mission you care about. Now it’s time to invest in yourself—to design a future that energizes you, sustains you, and honors your potential.
The most fulfilling careers are those that blend meaningful impact with financial stability. I'd love to help you have both, and you deserve to.
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