Impact investing has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially among young people looking to make a positive difference while advancing their careers. California offers great opportunities for impact investing internships due to its thriving startup ecosystem and prominence as a hub for social innovation. On Reddit, many students and young professionals exchange tips on finding the best impact investing internships in California. Here are some of the key takeaways.
Look into impact investing firms and funds in the Bay Area and Los Angeles
The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles region are home to many pioneering impact investing firms, funds and nonprofit organizations. These include names likeDBL Partners, Newday Impact, RSF Social Finance, Santa Monica Group and Pacific Community Ventures. Browsing listings on sites like ImpactAlpha can uncover openings. Students at local universities like UC Berkeley, Stanford and UCLA often land internships through campus recruiting events and online job boards.
Leverage connections through social impact groups and events
California has an active ecosystem of social impact groups that frequently host speaker events, conferences and mixers. Attending these allows you to expand your network and connect with professionals at impact investing organizations. Groups like Net Impact, IMPACT and SoCap encourage young people interested in social finance. You may discover unposted internship opportunities through conversations and relationships built at local chapter events.
Look into startup accelerators and incubators
For those interested in early stage ventures, startup accelerators and incubators like Unreasonable Group, Village Capital and Impact Engine offer immersive programs for impact entrepreneurs and opportunities to get involved. Interning at one of these organizations is a good way to get dealflow experience and support social startups raising impact capital.
Consider impact-focused MBA programs and courses
Leading California MBA programs like UC Berkeley Haas, Stanford GSB and UCLA Anderson integrate impact investing and social entrepreneurship into their curriculum. Taking related MBA courses as a non-degree student or pursuing a specialized certificate program can open doors. Many professors and guest speakers have connections to impact investing funds and startups that lead to project work or internships.
Browse listings on online platforms and social media
While many opportunities come through direct outreach and networking, don’t neglect casting a wide net online. Browsing sites like LinkedIn, AngelList, Idealist, Devex and SimplyHired can uncover openings. Following impact investors, funds and organizations on Twitter and Facebook can provide exposure to opportunities as they are posted. Building connections and joining conversations on these platforms can enhance your discoverability.
In a hub of innovation like California, there are many avenues for students and young professionals to find exciting impact investing internships. Tapping into local networks on and offline and persistently pursuing leads can land you at the intersection of career development and driving social change.