Back to programs

    Social Impact

    Lead change. Don't just talk about it.

    Work on real social problems with mentors who've built nonprofits, policies, and movements.

    Students go beyond awareness and into action — researching a real issue, designing an intervention, and running a small pilot. They leave with a project, not a poster.

    Why this domain

    Why explore this field?

    Every major industry today — from finance to tech to media — is being reshaped by social and environmental questions. Students who understand this lead the next decade.

    Builds civic awareness and ethical thinking early

    Teaches the discipline of measurable impact, not just intent

    Develops empathy alongside execution

    Stands out in college applications and scholarships

    In the program

    What students will actually do

    Hands-on work, every week. No passive lectures.

    1

    Pick a focused social or environmental issue

    2

    Research the problem deeply

    3

    Map stakeholders and existing solutions

    4

    Interview people closest to the problem

    5

    Design a small, testable intervention

    6

    Build a simple campaign or product

    7

    Run a real pilot in their community

    8

    Measure outcomes honestly

    9

    Reflect on what worked and what didn't

    10

    Share findings publicly

    Sample projects

    12 projects students can take on

    A mix of beginner, intermediate, creative, research-oriented, and industry-inspired projects.

    Waste Segregation Pilot

    Run a 4-week waste pilot in one neighbourhood.

    Behaviour changeMeasurementOps

    Menstrual Health Campaign

    Awareness and access campaign for a target group.

    Campaign designSensitivityOutreach

    Local Literacy Initiative

    Tutor a small group and measure learning gains.

    CurriculumEmpathyAssessment

    Mental Health Peer Network

    A structured peer-support model in school.

    Trust buildingFacilitationPrivacy

    Climate Action Audit

    Audit a school or building and propose changes.

    Data collectionReportingPersuasion

    Inclusive Public Spaces

    Identify and recommend fixes to a public space.

    Accessibility auditStakeholder mapping

    Anti-Bullying Program

    Design and trial an anti-bullying intervention.

    Program designMeasurementSensitivity

    Local Vendor Support

    Help small vendors with simple digital tools.

    Service designPatienceTeaching

    Civic Tech Tool

    A tiny app that helps citizens with a local issue.

    Tech for goodUser research

    Policy Brief on a Local Issue

    Research-backed policy recommendation.

    Policy writingEvidence review

    Cultural Preservation Project

    Document a local craft, dialect, or tradition.

    EthnographyStorytellingMedia

    Awareness Documentary

    A short, well-crafted doc on a chosen issue.

    InterviewingEditingNarrative

    Skills developed

    What students will walk away with

    Technical Skills

    • Issue mapping and stakeholder analysis
    • Field research and interviewing
    • Campaign and program design
    • Basic impact measurement
    • Reporting and storytelling

    Professional Skills

    • Empathy and active listening
    • Working with communities respectfully
    • Project management
    • Persuasive communication
    • Ethical decision making

    Future-Ready Skills

    • Systems thinking
    • Civic leadership
    • Collaboration across difference
    • Mission-driven execution

    Career pathways

    Where this could lead

    A glimpse of the careers students may explore — and why they're exciting.

    Social Entrepreneur

    What they do — Builds ventures that solve social problems.

    Why it's exciting — Combines impact with the rigour of building a company.

    Policy Maker / Advisor

    What they do — Shapes rules that affect millions.

    Why it's exciting — Long-term, structural impact.

    Nonprofit Leader

    What they do — Runs mission-driven organisations.

    Why it's exciting — Hands-on impact at the community level.

    Impact Investor / Analyst

    What they do — Allocates capital to social ventures.

    Why it's exciting — Steers money toward good outcomes.

    Development Sector Professional

    What they do — Works on global development problems.

    Why it's exciting — Operates at the intersection of policy and people.

    Mentor experience

    • Mentored by social entrepreneurs, policy professionals, and nonprofit leaders
    • Weekly working sessions focused on real progress
    • Feedback on both intent and execution
    • Final review with a mentor panel

    Deliverables

    • Project report with measured outcomes
    • Campaign or pilot artefact
    • Reflection and presentation
    • Mentor recommendation

    Who should join?

    • Students who already care deeply about a cause
    • Future changemakers, founders, and public leaders
    • Students applying to liberal arts or public policy programs
    • Anyone tired of awareness without action

    For parents

    • Builds empathy and leadership in equal measure
    • Channels strong values into real action
    • Mentorship from professionals doing meaningful work
    • A standout artefact for applications and scholarships
    • Lifelong confidence to lead, not just follow

    FAQs

    Common questions

    Care deeply. Act seriously.

    Pick an issue, get mentored, run a real pilot — and learn what real change takes.