EA - Getting into an EA-aligned organisation mid-career by Patrick Gruban

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Getting into an EA-aligned organisation mid-career, published by Patrick Gruban on August 8, 2023 on The Effective Altruism Forum.SummaryIn this article, I'll share my journey of joining an effective altruism (EA) organisation in the middle of my career. I'll talk about the misconceptions I initially held, how I came to understand the fundamental ideas of EA, increased my involvement in the community, and started connecting with more experienced members. I will also share how I became more active through volunteer work and then intentionally worked towards transitioning my career to have more impact.IntroductionWithin the EA community, you will find many young individuals who started engaging with EA ideas during their university years, devoting significant time to podcasts and articles. While the movement has a large youth presence, seasoned professionals are less common. EA-aligned organisations are eager for professionals who embody their core values. However, immersing oneself in these values can be a challenge if you're already occupied with a full-time job and commitments to family and friends.I was introduced to EA at the age of 40 and without a university degree. At that point, I couldn't see a clear path to working directly in a high-impact area. Yet, eight years later, I became the Co-Director at EA Germany, guiding individuals on their quest for more impactful career paths. Looking back, I believe I could have made the career transition sooner had I had fewer misunderstandings and focused more on specific areas.My Misconceptions about EAWhen I initially began attending my local EA group meetings, I had misconceptions about the requisites for deeper engagement with the EA community. I erroneously believed that it required a complete dedication to veganism, a commitment to donating at least 10% of income, and a lifestyle wholly centred around maximising impact.One of my first experiences with the group involved a discussion on animal welfare. As the co-founder of a company that promotes higher animal-welfare yarn from sheep's wool, I felt aligned with their mission. Yet, I noticed that many participants advocated for an entirely vegan lifestyle, excluding all animal products. Their backgrounds, largely consisting of younger students, also seemed to widen the gap of understanding between us.Later, I met individuals who committed to donating 10% of their income to impactful charities. I admired their dedication but was uncertain if I could match that contribution level. I also came across people who believed that EA demanded a life entirely devoted to maximising the overall good.However, as time passed, I understood these were individual choices rather than a standard or norm within the EA community. I met actively involved EA members who were not vegans, concentrated more on their careers than on donations, and enjoyed leisure activities unrelated to their impact work. I eventually concluded that, for me, prioritising a career change held more significance than modifying my lifestyle.Core Values of EAWhile it is true that choices are individual, and people have different values and priorities in their private lives, EA has principles that most people follow. These include prioritisation, impartial altruism, open truth-seeking, and a collaborative spirit. Having individuals who adhere to these values in the community and organisations fosters easier collaboration, as there is a higher level of trust and underlying agreement compared to society at large.My previous experiences in business and political activism taught me to present myself in the best light, select beliefs that supported my purpose, and prioritise self-advocacy over collaboration. Engaging more with the EA community required being open to changing my beliefs, practising epistemic hu...