In-depth career planning process for positive impact - 80,000 Hours

80,000 Hours Career Planning Process

• Purpose: A structured series designed to help individuals create a fulfilling, high-impact career plan based on academic research and experience advising over 1,000 people.
• The "80,000 Hours" Concept: The average person spends 80,000 hours working in their lifetime; the process encourages intentional planning to ensure that time is spent effectively.
• Course Format:
  • Available as a weekly email series (one article and set of exercises per week).
  • All content is also available online for self-paced study.
  • Key sections are marked with a ★ for prioritization.
• Required Preparation:
  • Create a personal copy of the provided career workbook (Google Docs recommended).
  • Schedule dedicated time (a couple of hours per week) to complete exercises.
• Recommended Workflow:
  • Work through the series with a friend for accountability and discussion.
  • Use the 80,000 Hours LinkedIn group for networking and questions.
  • Adopt a "scientific" approach: treat career choices as hypotheses and experiments (6–24 month cycles) rather than seeking absolute certainty.
• Core Philosophy:
  • Focus on balancing social impact with personal strengths and priorities.
  • Accept that "best guesses" are better than no plan; plans should be revised over time.
  • Acknowledge the emotional weight of career planning and seek external support if needed, as the process focuses on strategy rather than emotional counseling.
• Additional Resources:
  • A 3-page summary of the main advice is available.
  • Example workbooks from previous readers are available for reference.