Dear HackerNews,<p>I am in a rut and don't know which step to take.<p>My background is liberal arts in Polish literature and history. I have got a baccalaureaute in these and am pursing a master's degree, having once wanted to become a diplomat or a curator.<p>While initially single-minded in my passion, in recent years I have become more invested in a variety of social issues: social inequalities (regional, racial, religious), helping domestic violence victims, improving education and securing humanitarian aid. Among those, climate change and combating it have become my primary field of interest.<p>I might not make a good biologist or an engineer, but I have shown promise in activism. I have co-founded and run a local youth organization. I have participated in a UN HRC session (3 weeks), as well as in last year's UN Climate Change Conference in Poland, thanks to an NGO with which I collaborated: thus I know of that work environment. I also have partial command of law. In light of these, I would not mind becoming an ecological activist, or for my career to have elements of that.<p>Problem is, I am lost. I feel that I don't know what is out there, nor do I have anyone to ask for directions.<p>In particular, I am at a loss in these areas:<p>1. What are the ways in which one can make a meaningful impact (realistically, not idealistically)?<p>2. What background is needed to get involved in that? I am ready to return to university. Which schools or majors are the most suitable?<p>3. What people do you know who are involved whom I can ask or whose impressive example I could follow?<p>4. Which people or institutions can I ask for further guidance?<p>All input and opinion appreciated. Assume all country, language, money requirements met.<p>Background information: 25 years old, female, Polish. Lives in Zürich. Knows Polish, English, French, Italian. Fledgling interest in data science.<p>Best regards,
Marta Szameto <marta.szameto@gmail.com>