Every career starts somewhere. For many, that beginning is filled with jobs that pay the bills but lack real meaning. You clock in, you do the work, y

The Reality of Working as a Software Engineer in Nonprofit Organizations

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2024-10-23 22:30:03

Every career starts somewhere. For many, that beginning is filled with jobs that pay the bills but lack real meaning. You clock in, you do the work, you get paid — but something feels off. You’re solving problems, sure, but are they the problems you care about? For me, the question was simple: Could I align my work as a software engineer with my values? Could I create something that didn’t just function but had a purpose?

Turns out, I could — and it all started when I discovered that working in a nonprofit could combine the two worlds: passion and practicality.

I think that especially when you start working, most of the time it’ll be something that you can do and that will let you get some money, but it may not be aligned with your principles or goals.

It is like making art. You can create things that you enjoy or things that will allow you to pay your bills. If there’s a big intersection between those things, then great, you are living the dream — otherwise, you will need to decide.