Impact Tuesdays
The latest from humanitarian and early impact-careers coach, Daniel Higgins
Hey Everyone!
Welcome to your weekly dose of Impact Tuesdays, your go-to roundup for students and recent grads ready to launch a career that matters.
Each edition, I’ll share 4 quick wins, fresh tools, and real-world lessons to help you move from “just thinking about it” to actually building your impact career. Expect practical tips, honest reflections, and a few shortcuts I wish I’d known when I started out.
Something new with me
Socials are live!
With a grand total of 0 followers on all accounts, the journey begins to post like crazy on Insta, YouTube and maybe even TikTok.
If you fancy receiving more regular content via your socials, or want to help your algorithm understand that you want advice for working in the humanitarian and development sector then follow along!
You can find different content on each channel below:
Daniel Higgins Impact Careers - YouTube
You never know which career advice will set you down a new path, why not subscribe.
Something cool for you
FREE Live Q&A TOMORROW
I feel like doing a Live Q&A session. Come along tomorrow (Wednesday 16th) at 4pm CET and bring whatever struggles you currently are dealing with, hear from others and more.
Join me on Linkedin - See Event Here
No material prepared, answering questions and having a laugh along the way.
More cool things at the end of the page!
Something useful you might not know
ROI on that master's degree you just graduated from
“The number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide reached a record 264 million, a surge of 25 million since 2020 and more than double the total in 2000, according to new UNESCO data.”
I got this message in a UNESCO newsletter the other day. Now, don’t get me wrong, access to education is great. And it has the greatest correlation to higher income and can have a direct impact on pulling people out of poverty.
But what does it mean for the average student studying in Europe or the likes?
Well, it means the return on investment, or ROI, of your degree is decreasing.
Basic economics tells us that scarcity alongside demand drives value.
Right now, you have a commodity (your degree) that is growing commonplace and a market that requires having a degree less and less overtime.
So, do you try to get that 2-year Masters degree?
Yes and no.
Yes, if you are still exploring life and enjoying the benefits of an affordable student life. You are looking for more intellectual exposure and want to challenge yourself academically. And of course it will boost your profile, somewhat.
No, if you are serious about starting your career and accelerating as quickly as possible - more than you are set on enjoying a student lifestyle.
OR, if you are putting yourself into serious debt by taking on a Masters, where you might otherwise already have the opportunity to start building practical (and paid) experience that boosts your profile.
Caveat!
This doesn't mean you should stop learning. Far from it. You can get the best of both worlds by tapping into the massive world of online education.
You can gain specialized, career-focused skills through programs like MicroMasters® or professional certificates from top-tier universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. While not a full degree, these credentials can seriously boost your profile for a fraction of the cost and time. Think of them as executive-level training that demonstrates your commitment and expertise in a specific area.
The best part? Many of these programs can even count as credit toward a full Master's degree if you decide to pursue one down the road, saving you both time and money. It’s a powerful way to start building practical, in-demand experience right now without closing the door on higher education in the future.
Build new skills. Advance your career. | edX
Quote from the sector
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
— Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activist
Interested in hearing more?
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