How to carve yourself a career in social entrepreneurship

Are you interested in business but refuse to believe that profit must come at the expense of social purpose? Then social entrepreneurship could just be the right pathway for you. 

Social entrepreneurship can generally be described as a business model that aims to create positive social change. Social entrepreneurs seek to pursue opportunities that allow them to create social value. 

The 2018 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends notes: “Leading companies are developing strategies that address societal concerns such as longevity and wellbeing — and doing so in ways that help improve productivity and performance. 

“Those in this vanguard are finding rich opportunities to build social capital and become a leading voice on key societal issues.”

Shifting careers to social entrepreneurship

If you’re looking to pivot careers towards one that will help you create a positive impact, there are many programmes — from executive education courses to master’s degree programmes — that can help you make that shift. 

Which programme you choose would depend on factors such as your interest, budget and how much time you have to spare.

London Business School, for instance, offers Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility, a six-week online programme that can help you create positive social impact without compromising financial results.

The course will help you build the fundamental knowledge of sustainability and corporate responsibility to address your organisation’s goals and challenges.

You will also learn to develop these innovative business models; understand the trade-offs from integrating sustainability into business practice; and how to generate profit through creative resolutions, notes its website.

London School of Economics (LSE) offers the Executive MSc Social Business and Entrepreneurship programme, designed for “students who wish to combine entrepreneurialism and business rigour with a commitment to public benefit, and conversely those who want to bring a social focus to business.”

Conceived as an antidote to the MBA, LSE notes that the programme is designed for full-time working professionals to ensure they don’t need to take a break from their career to study.

This programme is ideal for entrepreneurs and executives from for-profit, non-profit or funding organisations involved in furthering the common good. Typical candidates hold a leadership role, such as CEO, founder or senior management, for social entrepreneurship, impact business, venture philanthropy or impact investing activities.

Ultimately, there are many options for you to upskill and build your knowledge and toolkit to create a rewarding career in social entrepreneurship.