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Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

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Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#31

Post by stephenhuey »

mooreds wrote: post #20

I interviewed with 18F/USDS and they seem like they fit what you are looking for (assuming you are in the USA, which may not be the case). They work on modernizing the US government programs. Lots of opportunities for you if you are willing to move to DC, some if you are senior and are willing to work remote. More here: https://18f.gsa.gov/

A friend of mine who has repeatedly sought to help out impactful non-profit initiatives over the years jumped from Google to 18F and he is really glad to be there. He has always leaned towards those interests and while he enjoyed some experiences at Google, he has never been interested in making a lot of money and I know he relishes the challenge of solving not just technical problems but also organizational improvement challenges in what is a stereotypical slow-moving bureaucracy! He would invite any interested parties to keep an eye on openings and apply to join 18F. I always think of it as a sort of Delta Force for the government.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#32

Post by i_phish_cats »

I once attended a talk about humanitarian aid during an ebola outbreak a few years ago in africa somewhere. My favorite part was when he went down the list of professions that could help out... from the obvious medical staff, to architects and mechanical engineers for building infrastructure (for building things like containers for storing contaminated feces), etc. He ended with "every kind of engineer can help. except software engineers. you're all useless".

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#33

Post by widforss »

OisinMoran wrote: post #30

The article "What Can a Technologist do about Climate Change?" [0] by Bret Victor is one of the best things I've read in regards to this issue. Not only is it incredibly interesting but it's also massively inspiring. If climate change doesn't take your fancy as a cause, 80000 Hours have put a lot of research into this list of the world's most pressing problems [1]. Maybe you would like to help tackling one of those.…

I'm sorry. I really wanted to read that article, but the website seems unusable in any form of web browser.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#34

Post by fsloth »

I work in an organization that creates software that enables people to do various parts of their complex work better and more efficiently. I consider creating software tools that create actual value to their end user as quite enough improvement as a software developer can.

Anyone can be compassionate. And smile. It may sound trite but that does create a bubble of positive feedback loop whenever you interact with people. That's the most straightforward way that I know of how anyone can improve the world around them.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#35

Post by DoreenMichele »

I have a basically empty GitHub project if you want a goal and a lot of latitude on implementing a thing:

https://github.com/DoreenMichele/PocketPuter

The gist of it: I was homeless for several years and used the internet extensively to develop and online income, do research, have some kind of social life, etc. I run some websites to share info to help others do the same.

Someone suggested that having some code assets to make phones and tablets more useful to the homeless and pre-install links to those assets could play a part in promoting such solutions.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#36

Post by sheldon-b »

Good question. I was wondering the same thing a couple of years ago -- I'd been working at a couple of start ups and felt drained and uninspired by my work and wanted to make a difference. I found Code for America which has job lists for public-good technology work, and through CfA I found a company called Nava where I now work. Nava partners with government agencies to build better, more usable, and more equitable digital services to replace/improve services that fall short of what the public deserves, especially for under-served populations who most need them. We do a lot of work on healthcare programs and veteran's affairs programs.

USDS and 18F are also both great organizations in a similar sphere of work. There's a real need for software developers who want to do good to help design good services, improve existing ones, and rethink poorly conceived ones that don't do their users justice.

Nava: https://www.navapbc.com/ CfA: https://www.codeforamerica.org/

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#38

Post by natestemen »

sampo wrote: post #5

If you are willing to change jobs, look at AgTech startups in general, and FinTech startups that are targeting the developing countries. All those have needs for front end devs (and mobile devs).

i have a hard time believing fintech startups targeting developing countries are going to help improve the world. or any fintech startup for that matter.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#39

Post by adamnemecek »

i_phish_cats wrote: post #32

I once attended a talk about humanitarian aid during an ebola outbreak a few years ago in africa somewhere. My favorite part was when he went down the list of professions that could help out... from the obvious medical staff, to architects and mechanical engineers for building infrastructure (for building things like containers for storing contaminated feces), etc. He ended with "every kind of engineer can help. exce…

I mean is that surprising? African countries need infrastructure, western countries need sw.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#40

Post by ofosos »

hello_asdf wrote: post #12
ofosos wrote: post #9

Have a look at https://socialcoder.org/Home/Index

I can't tell from the site, but are these volunteer projects full time endeavors? Or is this something that you commit a couple hours to every other day?

It's usually part time work for social issues. It's focused on the UK at least from what I saw, but there are other opportunities available. Might be revamping some php software or writing something from scratch.

And this might range from consulting on software architecture to systems administration work. I haven't found my combination yet. But there were some pretty interesting things on there.

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