Build tech that matters.
Tech has hit the social impact sector with a bang, and there are open tech jobs at nonprofits, government agencies, B-corps, and rare mission-driven for-profits — all solving problems that matter at scale. Philanthropic foundations, billionaires, and governments are investing in innovative social impact organizations. Social entrepreneurs are joining fellowships, incubators, and competitions to get their ventures funded. You can do it. You can be a social entrepreneur or get a tech job in social impact.
You can have both craft and impact.
You love building tech products. You want to hone your craft, deepen your skills, and make a difference. To accomplish this, you thought you'd have to work at a VC-backed, for-profit company like FAANG, or some sweathouse startup. But you know that if you do this, you will wither and burn out — because that job won't feed your hunger for impact.
You have an intrinsic need to solve problems that truly matter, that will help nudge the world toward a better future. You can do both. You can have a successful tech career AND positive social impact.
From Silicon Valley profiteering to leading tech for good.
My name is Jen Mazzon, and after 30 years working in for-profit Silicon Valley tech, I led a tech team at a U.S. national nonprofit.
I've written a book about how I pivoted my career to social impact, how working in social impact differs from working in traditional for-profit companies, and how product development works differently (or not so differently) in a social impact organization versus a traditional for-profit company. I want to encourage others to pursue their dreams — building tech and making social impact.
Get the BookP.S. Check out this awesome article by Stephanie Harrison entitled "How to Find Your Purpose."
"People who view their work as a calling have higher work satisfaction and life satisfaction."