[NEW EDITION AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE] The 80,000 Hours Career Guide

[NEW EDITION AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE] The 80,000 Hours Career Guide

Author: Benjamin Todd & the 80,000 Hours team Language: English Episodes: 22
If you've ever felt that nagging tension between wanting a job that pays the bills, feels personally meaningful, and actually makes a positive dent in the world's problems, this audio series is for you. The 80,000 Hours Career Guide-Find a fulfilling career that does good is a direct, thoughtful conversation hosted by Benjamin Todd & the 80,000 Hours team, adapted from their comprehensive 2023 research. It moves beyond vague inspirational talk to tackle the concrete, often counterintuitive questions that really shape a working life. You'll hear detailed explorations on what the evidence says about finding a dream job, the practical ways to build valuable career connections, and how to honestly weigh up which paths might help others the most. The structure is clear: eleven core chapters walk you through the major decision points, followed by nine deep-dive appendices that cover specific dilemmas, like whether it's ever justifiable to work in a harmful industry for a greater good, or what the collected research says about simply being more effective in any role you choose. This isn't about quick fixes or generic lists; it's a methodical, evidence-backed guide for rethinking how you use your skills and time. The tone is grounded and conversational, making the team's substantial research feel accessible and immediately useful. Tune into this podcast for a structured, challenging, and ultimately hopeful framework to navigate your own career choices with more clarity and purpose.
Episodes
Part 1: What makes for a dream job? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
Research shows that to have a fulfilling career, you should do something you’re good at that makes the world a better place. Don’t aim for a highly paid, easy job, or expect to discover your “passion” in a flash of insig…
Introduction: Why read this guide? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:59
You have 80,000 hours in your career. That’s a long time. Spend one or two of those hours on this guide, to help you work out how to use the rest. We believe you might be able to find a career that is both more satisfyin…
Part 2: Can one person make a difference? What the evidence says. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:30
Answer: Many common ways to do good, such as becoming a doctor, have less impact than you might first think. Other, more unconventional options, have allowed certain people to achieve an extraordinary impact (including o…
Part 3: Three ways anyone can make a difference, no matter their job [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:16
Answer: With the right approach, you can make a major difference to the lives of others without changing jobs, or making a major sacrifice. You can do this by giving 10% of your income to the world’s poorest people, prom…
Part 4: Want to do good? Here’s how to choose an area to focus on. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:12
Answer: To maximise your impact, work on areas (1) that are large in scale, (2) that others neglect, and (3) where it’s possible to make progress. Many people fail to compare the scale of different problems, work on the…
Part 6: Which jobs help people the most? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
Answer: When we think of jobs that help people, medicine, teaching, and charity work are what first come to mind. But these are not always the highest-impact options. To help the most people, think broadly about the path…
Part 7: Which jobs put you in the best long-term position? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:14
Answer: Especially early in your career, take options that will give you career capital — skills, connections, credentials, character, and runway that put you in a better position to make a difference. Examples include w…
Part 8: How to find the right career for you [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
Answer: Don’t expect to figure out what you’re best at right away, especially through introspection, going with your gut, or career tests. Instead, think like a scientist: make best guesses, clarify your key uncertaintie…
Part 9: How to make your career plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
Answer: Rather than try to pinpoint the single best option, accept that your plan is likely to change. But don’t try to “keep your options open”. Instead, think about your career in three stages: exploring, building care…