If you are creating products that people are willing to pay money for, then most likely you are being a huge help to society.
Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
21–30 of 108 posts
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
Does any of this get open sourced for other departments to use?
Yeah, almost all of it is shared with other departments for free if others are interested. For the most part lot of it is internal to an organization and the business practices and technology differ from agency to agency and as a result lot of it does not implement well. But lots is shared.
That's awesome. Thanks for the response.
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#23http://www.amplify.com/careers (disclaimer: I work here) - we make educational apps for kids
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#24I don't know where specifically to look but these organizations are doing cool (and positive) things with tech:
Raising political awareness and transparency - http://sunlightfoundation.com/ - https://www.govtrack.us/ - https://www.popvox.com/
Defending rights in the information age - http://www.fightforthefuture.org/ - https://www.eff.org/
Alternative fundraising: helping the little guy raise money - http://www.indiegogo.com/ - https://www.wepay.com/
Facilitating online activism campaigns - https://www.change.org/ - http://front.moveon.org/ - https://secure.avaaz.org/en/
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#25If you are interested in getting your hands dirty around the world, you might checkout Engineers without Borders[1] or the Peace Corps[2], or one of many similar non-profit organizations that employ skilled people to help others around the world. You might even volunteer with the Red Cross to help victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.
On the less philanthropic end of things, there are a host of organizations solving problems in the biomedical world. From hospitals to biotech companies, there are many possibilities. I've found working in this space incredibly fulfilling, especially given that I've had a chance to see patient cases where we can make a difference.
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#26Mutually Human: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6139938
Amicus: http://amicushq.com/
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#27There's my http://meaningful-jobs.fiveyearitch.com (so long as you are in the US). We've got jobs in medical research, green energy, and others.
scottalpert, you might consider another part of that site, http://open-source.fiveyearitch.com
I'd say that writing open source is another kind of positive social impact. You can do that in your spare time, but if you can do it on the job, all the better.
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#28If you are interested in getting your hands dirty around the world, you might checkout Engineers without Borders[1] or the Peace Corps[2], or one of many similar non-profit organizations that employ skilled people to help others around the world. You might even volunteer with the Red Cross to help victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. On the less philanthropic end of things, there are a host of organizations sol…
Volunteering's good. I do it. But ya gotta earn a living somehow.
And yes, biomed is a good space to do well while doing good.
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#29http://www.google.com/about/jobs/ Now, before you down vote me consider they have been instrumental in making knowledge accessible that generally just couldn't be found. They're likely to be on the leading of eliminating most traffic deaths with their self driving cars, and they're providing free Internet to the world with Loon. Big and successful companies across the industry are doing great things and having amazin…
Yes, been there, done that. I'm all in favor. But now, I want some of those warm fuzzies....
So I take it you're aware of the concept of buying good feelings, and true positive impact separately? http://lesswrong.com/lw/6z/purchase_fuzzies_and_utilons_sepa...
Re: Ask HN: Where can I find a software job that helps society?
#30[deleted]