Shifting the Human Paradigm: Tech-First Hiring for Social Impact
Exploring a "Tech-First Hiring" paradigm shift for hiring in impact-driven human service organizations to amplify results. This event will be held during Utah Tech Week to leverage the concentrated presence of tech professionals and the broader community's interest in innovation.
Background
● Tech-First Hiring: This approach prioritizes recruiting and onboarding individuals with strong technological skills and a passion for leveraging technology to address societal challenges.
● Social Impact: the positive change an organization or initiative makes in the lives of others and society, including initiatives aimed at improving human well-being to create a more just and equitable society.
● Utah Tech Week: A prominent annual event showcasing Utah's thriving tech ecosystem, providing an ideal platform to engage with a diverse audience of tech professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and the general public.
● Shifting a Paradigm; a New View on Tech: In today's rapidly evolving world, technology is increasingly becoming the leading measure of success, even in fields traditionally considered "low-tech," such as construction, beauty, non-profit, human services, and social services. These sectors increasingly rely on technology for efficiency, data-driven decision-making, improved service delivery, and ultimately, greater social impact.
Event Objectives
● Showcase and Explore: The importance of harnessing technology to magnify impacts in organizations often perceived as low-tech, such as human-service non-profits. Examine the benefits of implementing a concerted shift towards tech-first hiring to enhance organizational effectiveness for more significant social impacts.
● Discuss: Analyze how to effectively identify, attract, and retain tech-savvy talent within the social impact sector in Utah.
● Identify: Explore innovative approaches to skill development and training for individuals entering the social impact field, equipping them with the technological skills necessary to succeed in today's evolving landscape and maximize their social impact.
● Network: Foster connections between individuals and organizations working at the intersection of technology and social impact within the Utah ecosystem.
Event Format
● Panel Discussion or series of speakers: Feature a diverse set of experts to explore real-world examples of how tech-first approaches are driving social change, including:
○ Tech Professionals: Individuals passionate about social issues who have transitioned their careers into the social impact sector in Utah, bringing their tech expertise to bear on social challenges.
○ Social Impact Leaders: Professionals successfully integrating technology into their organizations within Utah, showcasing how technology is driving their social impact (e.g., using data analytics to identify target audiences' communication systems, possibly leveraging AI to personalize social services, or utilizing mobile technology to improve access to resources).
○ Academics/Researchers: Scholars with insights into the evolving workforce and the skills needed for the future in Utah, emphasizing the growing importance of technology across all sectors and its potential to amplify social impact.
● Interactive Q&A: Encourage audience participation and facilitate open dialogue; invite individuals in non-tech fields to attend and weigh in to challenge the perception that technology is irrelevant in specific sectors.
● OPTIONAL Networking Reception: Provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and explore potential collaborations within the Utah tech and social impact communities.
Target Audience
● Social service professionals in Utah (non-profit leaders, program managers, etc.)
● Tech professionals interested in social impact (engineers, designers, product managers)
● Academics, researchers, and students focused on technology and society
● Philanthropists and investors interested in supporting social innovation
● The broader Utah Tech Week audience, particularly those in sectors often overlooked as needing technology to facilitate and augment organizational workflows.