Social and Civic Engagement as a Tech Worker

We take for granted that people know how to engage, especially in impactful ways. This is a guide to tech workers on how to become engaged in their or adjacent communities.

Transcript

1. Social and Civic Engagement as a Tech Worker Korene Stuart korenestuart@mascode.org www.mascode.org
2. 2 ©2017 AnitaB.org What does it mean to be socially engaged? Meaningful interactions, participation or involvement in a community or society.
3. 3 ©2017 AnitaB.org What does it mean to be civically engaged? Working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities. Developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. Promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes. Civic Responsibility and Higher Education, edited by Thomas Ehrlich, published by Oryx Press, 2000.
4. 4 ©2017 AnitaB.org “with every tech innovation you also get disruption, ultimately social and civic disruption” -Nick Hanauer
5. 5 | ©2017 AnitaB.org Left Behind Roughly two-thirds of new jobs created since 2010 required either high- or medium-level digital skills 30 percent, required highly digital skills. Digitally intensive middle-skill jobs pay more than non-digital middle-skill jobs. As the top levels of highly digital skilled jobs grow more advanced the gap grows not allowing the lower tier to “catch up”.
6. 6 | ©2017 AnitaB.org The Affected In the U.S., women made up 50% of the college-educated workers in 2010, but only 28% of the science and engineering workers. Only 7.4% are African Americans and only 8% are Hispanic of all science and engineering workers.
7. 7 ©2017 AnitaB.org How important are role models in tech? People working in tech that are not represented by the majority risk feeling “othered”, the consequence being isolation, lack of confidence and a reluctance to ask for the kind of work that build the skills, experiences and visibility needed to reach your career goals. A role model can show you the path and opportunities that are out there. They can share experiences, ideas and the stamina to pursue your goals because they are proof that it is possible to reach them.
8. 8 ©2017 AnitaB.org Volunteering connects you to others THE BENEFITS
9. 9 ©2017 AnitaB.org Volunteering is good for your mind and body THE BENEFITS
10. 10 ©2017 AnitaB.org THE BENEFITS Volunteering can advance your career
11. 11 ©2017 AnitaB.org THE BENEFITS Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
12. Identify how much time you can spare What is your skill level? How long can you commit to this? What can I do to help?
13. Ask colleagues to join you in engaging Bring engagement to your company Don’t do it by yourself
14. 14 | ©2017 AnitaB.org WEBSITES StartSomeGood Catchafire #charity ChickTech Girls Who Code Women Who Code Black Girls Code VolunteerMatch All For Good Create the good Habitat for Humanity Code for America
15. 15 ©2017 AnitaB.org References https://www.geekwire.com/2015/nick-hanauer-to-tech-community-step-up-your-social- and-civic-engagement/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/10/08/what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-di versity-in-tech/#424b9d6035ad https://createthegood.org/articles/volunteeringhealth Choemprayong, Songphan (2006). "Closing Digital Divides: The United States' Policies". Libri. 56 (4): 201–212. doi:10.1515/libr.2006.201 Reilley, Collen A. "Teaching Wikipedia as a Mirrored Technology." First Monday, Vol. 16, No. 1-3, January 2011 Brookings Institute on the analysis of the O*NET database from 2002-2016 https://www.burning-glass.com/research-project/digital-skills-gap/ Credit Photo by Perry Grone on Unsplash Photo by Rebrand Cities from Pexels
16. Thank you Korene Stuart korenestuart@mascode.org www.mascode.org