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If values inform the why of what we do and give insight into the impact we hope our work has on the world, impact is the more specific, concrete articulation of the impact we’d like to make in our work. In academic terms, think of “values” as the “theory” and the “impact” as the practical application of that theory.

You may review the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as one possible reference to think of the kinds of impact you’d like to have in your work.

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Watch the video on the UN’s 17 SDGs. As you watch, consider if any of the SDGs resonate with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XTBYMfZyrM

Several of the SDGs, such as “reduced inequalities,” “sustainable cities and communities” or “good health and well-being” can be a helpful resource for identifying employers and types of work that are committed to have SDG-related impacts.

When reading over the SDGs, you may use the following prompts to reflect on them and connect them to your values and needs:

  • What SDGs (if any) relate to you, and why?

  • What problems related to those SDGs do you want to solve through your work?

  • How might some of the SDGs connect to the types of projects you are drawn to?

  • Do any employers or types of work come to mind when reviewing these SDGs?

Broadly connecting to values or SDGs will still leave things too general.

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Wording like “helping people,” “creativity” and even “commitment to sustainability” or “anti-racism” are useful places to start but will likely not articulate any specific commitments to impact in your work. Be specific and concrete when articulating the potential impacts you hope to have.

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The different levels of impact

The term “impact” might carry a lot of weight and to some folks it might mean “change the world.” While you can aspire to change the world and focus on systemic issues, there are different impact levels that, especially early in your career, might feel more relevant. Below are the various levels of impact that can occur in your career:

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titlePersonal impact

  • A job has an impact on you and your life. A job’s personal impact can be “increasing mental well-being and confidence” or “achieving financial stability” or “feeling safe and authentic in the workplace.” For personal impacts related to the SDGs, check out GoodLife Goals’ Flash Cards.

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titleInterpersonal/team-level impact

  • What kind of impacts would you like to bring to your current or prospective teammates and/or clients you work with or will work with in your career? This can look like “increasing collaboration” or “fostering inclusive and safe environments for colleagues and supervisees.” On an interpersonal level beyond work, you can also think about impacts you would like to bring to your family and friends.

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titleCommunity-level impact

  • Thinking more systemically, you may be concerned with the impacts you can bring to your local communities. Community-level impact can be “increasing access to affordable housing in the GTA” or “improving the quality of mental health services in the Kitchener-Waterloo region for immigrant communities.”

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titleSystemic or societal level impact

  • Systemic- or societal-level impacts are like community-level impacts, only they are not tied to a specific community. Examples can include “increasing adoption of green energy solutions in the tech sector” or “improving ethical applications of AI within the health industry.”

By breaking down “impact” into these levels, you can more confidently identify different impacts that seem manageable and can set out other impacts that are long-term goals.

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Note: It is completely fine and reasonable to focus on only one type of impact throughout your career; you do not have to strive for every level of impact listed above. It is also okay to change your impacts over time. The goal of naming an impact is to focus on what matters most to you; not how large it is.