u/Temporary-Till-8649

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking academic and career guidance regarding postgraduate study options for building a long-term career in the CSR/social impact sector in India.

My qualifications is somewhat unconventional for this field. I graduated in 2020 with a B.Sc. in Fashion Design and subsequently pursued acting and theatre. Through theatre, I began working as a trainer in schools, which eventually led to a freelance opportunity with an organization that partnered with apparel brands and garment factories.

In that role, I delivered training programs for women workers focused on leadership, career progression, and soft skills development. Through this experience, I discovered a strong interest in the social sector and would like to transition into a more permanent role involving program design, implementation, CSR initiatives, and social impact work.

As I explore this career path, I'm trying to determine whether pursuing a postgraduate degree would be beneficial and, if so, which academic route would be most appropriate.

Some questions I would appreciate guidance on:

• For someone with my background, would pursuing a postgraduate degree be advisable before seeking full-time roles in the sector?
• How do an MSW (Master of Social Work) and an MBA in CSR/Sustainability differ in terms of curriculum, skill development, and career outcomes?
• Which degree is generally better regarded within the Indian CSR, NGO, foundation, and social impact ecosystem?
• Are there particular universities or programs in India that are especially well-regarded for careers in CSR and social development?
• For those working in academia or the sector, what academic preparation would you recommend for someone looking to move into program management, CSR, or social impact roles?

I would be especially grateful for perspectives from faculty members, current students, alumni, or professionals who have pursued either an MSW or an MBA related to CSR, sustainability, or social development.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some career guidance regarding a transition into CSR/social impact work in India.

I graduated in 2020 with a B.Sc. in Fashion Design. After graduation, I pursued acting and theatre, and through theatre I started working as a trainer in schools.

Last year, I got an opportunity to work as a freelance trainer on a project with an organization that partnered with apparel brands and garment factories. My role involved delivering training programs for women workers, focusing on career progression, leadership, and soft skills development.

Although I initially joined as a trainer, over 6–7 months I realized that I genuinely enjoy working in the social sector and would like to build a long-term career in this space. I don't just want to facilitate trainings; I want to be more deeply involved in program design, implementation, CSR initiatives, and social impact work.

My concern is that my academic background is quite unconventional for this field, and my experience so far has been project-based/freelance rather than full-time.

My questions are:

• Given my background and experience, would it make sense to pursue further education?
• If yes, would an MSW be more valuable than an MBA in CSR/Sustainability?
• How are employers in the Indian CSR/social sector currently viewing these qualifications?
• Is it possible to transition into full-time program or CSR roles without another degree if I continue building relevant experience?

I'd really appreciate insights from people working in CSR, NGOs, foundations, ESG, sustainability, or social impact roles in India.

Thank you!