Here’s some advice. And hopefully, it’s advice that costs you both time and money. Giving back as a tech professional is vital to our industry.

According to Dick Shay, who leads giving for the tech leadership group Seattle SIM, giving starts with recognizing you’ve been the recipient of a gift: your career.

“Think back on your career, and think back on who assisted you with helpful career advice or mentored you. That individual was giving back and thinking about the next generation. It’s a good time for those thinking about giving back to begin to ask how would I do that?”

Dick is a technology management veteran recently retired after spinning up IT solutions for PEMCO Insurance for more than a decade. During his time there as a hiring manager, he saw a pressing need for diversity.

“The challenge tech leaders have today is the diversification of the workforce, and that’s why we’ve supported Year Up, focused on disadvantage youth, and the Ada Developers Academy, focused on women entering the tech industry. As hiring manager, an issue we all face is assuring we don’t hire people who look just like ourselves, and looking for candidates who can meet our needs and be reflective of the larger community.”

Members of groups like Seattle SIM dedicate chapter resources to charitable giving. Dues from SIM members and sponsorship dollars have helped drive more than $50,000 to groups focused on diversity and inclusiveness in the tech industry, like YearUp and Ada Developers Academy.

“When you’re young you’re absorbed in building your career, asking yourself what risks to take, what roles to go after next. You get to some point, and for me personally, it was watching my children grow up and thinking about that next generation. A number of tech leaders I’ve talked with at SIM are volunteering for mentoring roles, non-profit boards, providing tutoring, and supporting charitable activities. They are beginning to give back time and money to the community that’s fulfilled so many of their aspirations.”

To begin your role in philanthropy in the age of tech, it is as easy as joining a tech group that shares your values.

“I think by joining Seattle SIM and WTIA or other groups focused on tech industry development and giving back will give you an idea on how you can personally contribute.”

And you just might feel some immediate effects of the investment of your time and money.

“When I look at some of these young kids getting into tech that I’ve met and you listen to their voice, for the first time you hear that they believe their lives will be better, because of this lift we’re able to provide. We’re able to help build better citizens and some day we hope they’re in a position to help the next generation continue on up the ladder.”