The Launchpad by Second Day

Overall estimated read time: 30 minutes

Last updated: July 2021

The core thesis behind impact investing and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) work is that government and philanthropy cannot make lasting social change on their own. Impact investors believe that for-profit institutions can and should play a role in making the world a better place, rather than focusing exclusively on making money. Over the past decade, the interest in investing with a social impact focus has exploded—with the dollars and jobs associated with this field growing quickly. There are new impact investing and ESG initiatives launching all the time, addressing every imaginable social issue, location, and financial return. So whether you are passionate about a specific cause or just excited about the general opportunity to use private capital for social good, there are many opportunities to get involved.

If this career path sounds exciting to you, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about working in impact investing or ESG careers. To inform our work, Second Day has spoken to experts in the field and gathered the best information out there for upcoming and recent graduates. First, the guide will take you through the different entry-level positions to look out for in this field. Then, we’ll provide tips on actually getting those jobs and building a career over time. We’ll finish with our next three steps: actionable items you can take to make progress towards finding your first job in impact investing. Let’s get started!