What Is This Program?
The Career Fellowship is an intensive four-day program that helps ambitious, social impact-motivated professionals and students across Africa clarify their career direction and take concrete action toward roles where they can help solve the world's most pressing problems.
Whether you're interested in reducing poverty, fighting climate change, improving animal welfare, preventing pandemics, ensuring beneficial AI development, or addressing other global challenges, this program will help you identify where your unique skills can have the most impact - and how to actually land those opportunities.
Over four consecutive days, you'll work through a structured framework (with support from experienced facilitators and peers) to clarify your strengths, systematically evaluate career paths, and draft applications or outreach to opportunities aligned with your goals. Think of it as a career sprint: four days of focused work that could accelerate your trajectory by months or years.
This program draws on principles from effective altruism - a growing global movement that uses evidence and reason to figure out how to help others as much as possible. But you don't need to be familiar with EA to participate. We welcome anyone genuinely motivated by impact who's willing to think critically about how to maximize the good they do with their career
This isn't a lecture series or a job placement service. It's a structured framework for you to do deep, focused work on your career - supported by experienced facilitators, accountability from peers, and access to the African EA network. Think of it as a career sprint: four days of dedicated time that could accelerate your trajectory by months or even years.
We've adapted this program from CEA's Career Bootcamp, with participants reporting significant increases in their clarity, confidence, and concrete next steps. We're localizing it for the African context, emphasizing opportunities available to Africa-based talent and leveraging our regional network.
Who Should Apply?
You're a strong fit if you:
- You're genuinely motivated by social impact - not just doing good on the side, but wanting your core career to address important problems
- You're willing to think critically about impact - open to using evidence and frameworks to figure out where you can help most, even if the answers surprise you
- You can commit the full time - genuinely able to dedicate 5-8 hours per day for four consecutive days (this is intensive, not something you can do around other commitments)
- You're located in Africa or have strong connections to the continent
- You're at a pivotal career moment - whether you're a student planning your path, early-career professional (0-5 years) considering a pivot, or anyone actively exploring how to maximize your impact
You don't need to:
- Have heard of "effective altruism" before (we'll introduce key concepts) though EA engagement is ideal
- Have a specific cause area in mind (we'll help you evaluate options)
- Be applying to jobs right now (exploring earlier often works better)
- Have an impressive CV or senior experience (0-5 years actually works best)
- Know exactly what "high-impact" means (that's part of what we'll figure out together)
You might not be a strong fit if you:
- Can't dedicate full days to the program
- Are looking for a passive learning experience with lectures
- Expect guaranteed job placements or introductions to hiring managers
- See impact as purely a side interest rather than a potential career driver
- Aren't open to having your assumptions challenged about which problems matter most or which approaches work best
Program Structure
The Four-Day Journey
Day 1: Make the Most of Your Strengths You'll articulate your greatest achievements, clarify what makes you uniquely valuable, and expand your view of possible career paths using frameworks like SELF (Significance, Efficacy, Leverage, Fit). You'll also start connecting with other participants and building your network.
Day 2: Focus and Prioritize
After expanding your options, you'll narrow down ruthlessly. Using weighted factor models and cause prioritization frameworks, you'll choose your top 3-5 directions and identify specific organizations and roles to pursue. Peer feedback helps you see blind spots and discover overlooked opportunities.
Day 3: Take Action This is where planning becomes real. You'll draft applications or outreach messages, map unconventional paths beyond job boards, address blockers holding you back, and submit concrete next steps. Many participants send their first high-impact role application during this day.
Day 4: Make It Real You'll polish your application materials, set concrete goals with deadlines, create accountability systems, and establish weekly check-ins with a partner. The program doesn't end here - this is where sustainable momentum begins.
How You'll Spend Your Time
Each day involves roughly 1-2 hours of group calls plus 4-6 hours of independent work on structured exercises. The program is about 80% self-guided work - you do the heavy lifting using our frameworks and templates. Facilitators provide personalized feedback on your documents, answer questions when you're stuck, and help you see possibilities you're missing.
Synchronous components:
- Daily group calls (1-1.5 hours) - structured peer activities, facilitator guidance, Q&A
- Optional daily stand-ups (15 minutes) - small accountability groups checking in
- Coworking calls
- Self-organized peer calls (2-3 recommended) - networking and mutual support
Asynchronous components:
- Independent work on exercises and templates (4-6 hours daily)
- Facilitator feedback on your documents (ongoing throughout)
- Slack discussions and community engagement
What You'll Get
Immediate Outputs
- A polished 1-3 page career pitch document showcasing your achievements and value proposition
- Systematic analysis of 20+ potential career paths with clear prioritization
- List of 10+ specific opportunities aligned with your strengths and goals
- Draft application materials or outreach messages ready to send
- Written goals for 1, 3, and 6 months with accountability built in
- Network of ambitious, impact-focused peers across Africa
Ongoing Support
- Weekly accountability check-ins with a partner (at least 4 weeks, ideally longer)
- Continued access to Slack community for discussions and opportunities
- Connection to EA South Africa's broader network and resources
Skills and Frameworks
- SELF framework for evaluating career impact
- Weighted factor modeling for systematic decision-making
- Cause prioritization methodology
- Strategies for unconventional career paths
- Best practices for high-impact job applications
- Techniques for sustained motivation through setbacks
Program Dates and Format Options
We're running two cohorts in Round 1, testing different formats:
Weekend Cohort:
Thursday January 22 - Sunday January 25, 2025
Weekday Cohort:
Monday February 2 - Thursday February 5, 2025
Both are four consecutive days. You'll select your preference in the application form, and we'll do our best to accommodate (though we may need to balance cohort sizes).
The weekend format doesn't require taking time off work or university but uses precious weekend time. The weekday format requires leave days but might allow deeper focus without weekend obligations. We're testing both to learn what works best for African participants.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications open: Early January 2025
Applications close: January 5, 2025 (first cohort)
Rolling assessment: We review applications within 48 hours
Confirmations sent: January 12, 2025
Extension option: One additional week for second cohort if needed
How to Apply
You'll be asked about your background, career context, why you want this program, and what you hope to achieve. We'll ask you to briefly describe your greatest achievement and how you'd prioritize between global problems. The form takes 20-30 minutes to complete thoughtfully. CV or LinkedIn is optional but helpful.
One critical question: Can you truly commit the full time? Many people underestimate what "5-8 hours per day for 4 days" means when they have other obligations. Please be honest with yourself and us about your availability.
What This Program Is NOT
Let's be clear about expectations to avoid disappointment:
This is not a lecture series. You won't sit through presentations. You'll work through exercises independently with peer and facilitator support.
This is not a job placement service. We don't guarantee you'll land a role. We help you clarify direction, identify opportunities, and take action - but you do the applying and interviewing.
This is not networking with hiring managers. We may facilitate some connections to relevant people, but only when there's clear value, we have someone appropriate, and you've done your homework first. We don't make referrals or recommendations.
This is not casual exploration. The time commitment is real. This is intensive work that requires focus and follow-through.
This is not just for people already applying to jobs. CEA found that participants who were actively job hunting actually reported lower satisfaction. The program works well for people earlier in their exploration too.
Preparation Before You Apply
If You're New to EA (Recommended)
Read the Centre for Effective Altruism's essay "What is effective altruism?" and explore 2-3 resources that interest you from this collection. This takes about an hour and gives you the foundation to engage meaningfully with program content.
For a more comprehensive introduction, read the EA Handbook or listen to this podcast series (roughly 20 hours total).
If You're Already Familiar with EA (Optional but Helpful)
Consider starting your "[Bootcamp Baseline](link to template)" - a 1-3 page document articulating your top achievements and current career plan. This gives you a head start and helps you get feedback earlier during the program.
Review 80,000 Hours' career guide sections on personal fit and career capital. Skim some career profiles relevant to your interests.
For Everyone
Think seriously about whether you can actually commit the full time. Check your calendar for the program dates. Talk to family, employers, or others affected by you taking four intensive days. Block out the time now if you're planning to apply.
Cost and Accessibility
The program is completely free. There are no fees to apply or participate.
We recognize that internet connectivity can be a barrier in some African contexts. While we don't currently have a formal support program, if data costs would prevent you from participating, please mention this in your application and we'll explore options.
All tools we use (Slack, Google Workspace, etc.) are free for participants. You just need reliable internet access for video calls and document collaboration.
What Happens After the Program
Immediate Follow-Up (Weeks 1-4)
You'll have weekly 20-30 minute check-ins with your accountability partner, reviewing commitments, sharing progress, problem-solving together, and setting next week's goals. These calls are crucial for sustained momentum - most career pivots take months, not days.
Ongoing Community (Indefinite)
The Slack workspace stays active for continued discussions, opportunity sharing, and mutual support. The participant database remains accessible for networking. As people land roles or gain expertise, they update profiles and support future cohorts.
Impact Assessment (6 Months)
In July/August 2025, we'll reach out for a brief survey (15 minutes) about what you've achieved, what roles you've applied to or secured, and how the program influenced your trajectory. This helps us improve and measure our impact.
Additional Support Options
Participants get automatic eligibility for 1-1 career advising with Probably Good and Successif. These are separate services offering deeper, individualized career guidance beyond what our four-day program provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm not sure I'm 'senior enough' or 'impressive enough' to apply."
CEA's data showed that participants with 0-5 years of experience actually reported the highest satisfaction (8.9 out of 10). Less experienced participants often get more value because they have more flexibility to pivot. If you're genuinely interested in high-impact careers and can commit the time, you should apply.
"I haven't done much with EA before - should I still apply?"
Interestingly, CEA found that participants with minimal EA familiarity reported higher satisfaction (9.0 vs 8.0 out of 10) than those heavily involved. As long as you do some basic preparation and understand core concepts, newer people often bring fresh perspectives and benefit significantly.
"Can I participate if I'm outside South Africa but in Africa?"
Absolutely. We're specifically trying to build pan-African connections. Participants from Kenya, Nigeria, and other African countries are welcome and encouraged to apply.
"What if I can't attend one of the group calls due to connectivity issues?"
We'll record calls when possible as backup. However, live participation adds significant value through peer interaction. If you expect frequent connectivity issues that would prevent joining most calls, this might not be the right program for you right now.
"I'm already actively applying to high-impact roles - will this still help?"
CEA found that people already actively job hunting reported slightly lower satisfaction (8.1 vs 8.6-8.8) than those exploring more casually. The program can still add value through application feedback and new perspectives, but it's optimized for people earlier in their pivot journey.
"Can I do both this Career Fellowship and the In-Depth EA program?"
Potentially, but we recommend spacing them out rather than trying to do both simultaneously. Each requires significant time and energy. We can discuss timing if you're accepted to both.
"What happens if I need to drop out partway through?"
Life happens. If you need to withdraw, just let us know as soon as possible. However, please be honest in your application about your ability to commit - dropping out impacts your accountability group and peer feedback partners.
"Will I definitely get feedback on my materials?"
Yes. Every participant receives feedback on at least their Bootcamp Baseline. Depending on facilitator capacity, you'll likely also get feedback on your options ideation and application materials. Feedback provision is our highest priority - it more than doubles completion rates.
"Are there any follow-up programs or next steps after this?"
You'll have continued access to the EA South Africa community, potential participation in future EASA programs, automatic eligibility for external advising services, and connection to the broader EA Africa network. Some participants may also become facilitators for future rounds.
Ready to Apply?
If you can commit the time, are genuinely interested in high-impact careers, and this sounds like what you need right now, we'd love to receive your application.
Application form: [link to Tally form]
Application deadline: January 5, 2025 (11:59 PM SAST)
Questions? Email [contact email] or message us on [Slack/other platform]
We're excited about the potential of this program to accelerate high-impact careers across Africa. Looking forward to your application.
Contact and Further Information
Program Coordinators:
Imaan - imaan@effectivealtruism.co.za
Tandokazi - tandokazi@effectivealtruism.co.za
EA South Africa:
Related Resources: