Responsible Tech: Exploring Career Opportunities
Whether you are looking to break into or grow your career in Responsible Tech, there is a need for mentorship & networking, understanding job titles & career paths, opportunities for upskilling, and more. Here at All Tech Is Human, we are committed to connecting and expanding the nascent Responsible Tech ecosystem in order to co-create a tech future aligned with the public interest. One of our three key workstreams is around disrupting the traditional tech pipeline to inject a greater diversity of backgrounds, disciplines, and lived experiences.
What does it mean to work in Responsible Tech?
Responsible Tech is the emerging field related to reducing the harms of technology, diversifying the tech pipeline, and ensuring that technology is aligned with the public interest and human flourishing. “Responsible Tech” is an umbrella term that encompasses Responsible AI, Trust & Safety/integrity work, public interest technology, humane tech, and tech & democracy. We currently have hundreds of jobs listed on our curated Responsible Tech Job Board.
No matter where you are on your career journey, All Tech Is Human has activities designed to assist you. Join our mentorship cohort (new cohort this Fall), our global Slack community of over 3.3k members, Responsible Tech University Ambassadors programs (80 universities), attend an online or in-person mixer, summits & gatherings, join an open working group, read our reports, and check out our Responsible Tech Guide (new version arriving September 13). Our organization is a connective tissue between employers, universities, and the broad range of individuals breaking into and expanding their careers in Responsible Tech.
How can we build a better Responsible Tech ecosystem?
Here at All Tech Is Human, we gain a significant amount of insight into issues that individuals are having with advancing their careers. We learn from both the successes and the struggles, allow knowledge and mentorship to be paid forward to blaze new pathways and understanding for new voices to enter the ecosystem.
For our upcoming livestream, we asked individuals what issues they are currently facing along with what types of activities and resources have been helpful for their career growth.
What issues have you had with growing in the Responsible Tech field?
A lack of direction/guidance for current opportunities in the space.
Don't know much about it or where to find information
Entering the field as an experienced professional but without previous experience in tech.
Finding jobs that will take entry level candidates.
Finding the first role - especially as a professional rather than academic.
Finding the relevant jobs is quite a challenge, the general job search engines are not much help. Additionally, some of the job postings require a person to perfectly excel in both technical and non-technical skills.
Getting entry role positions as an African
Getting entry-level positions.
I have the ethics background but not the tech skills so I am locked out of positions due to lacking skills I could learn OTJ for the specific role
"I recently obtained a master in public policy with a concentration in AI policy and am eager to join the conversations that will help shape the future of AI. My thesis on AI governance was recognized by the school for its academic rigor and contribution to global affairs and was awarded best global policy paper. Meanwhile, its manuscript has just been accepted for publication in a respectable journal. However, as a double-career-switch candidate (I used to work in PR and marketing in the private sector) I'm concerned that my past professional experience is deterring or confusing employers to see me as a valuable AI researcher / tech policy analyst with many transferable skills that will be advantageous for their organization.”
I want to hear underrepresented groups and voices be part of the process in creating guidelines and rules. This is much harder to find than I thought it would be.
I wish I knew what Responsible Tech looked like coming out of undergrad, so I have a better experience navigating this field.
I'm in my early career and there aren't many roles for people who are starting out. Companies have small teams and only hire seniors.
It often seems like there aren’t a lot of openings in the field, especially for someone who is more entry level or not much information on how to start, how you can pivot to grow in this field
It’s challenging finding roles that are mid-level. I see entry level and director and a above - not so many mid-level. Also what is pay like? Kinda hard to benchmark for someone who wants to move from the AI space to responsible AI.
Just learning about the field
My current studies are not addressing ethical aspects of either the design process or work environment enough.
Pivoting from private tech marketing and unsure how to pitch myself.
Pivoting into a tech role from working in human services has been very difficult.
Still too far ahead of most investors.
Lack of direct tech experience
Not enough internships/new grad opportunities
Responsible tech is a passion of mine, but I have found it is hard to actually pivot *officially/professionally* into the responsible tech field without professional responsable tech experience.
The right balance between having background experience and knowledge on specific relevant topics and issues and "learning on the job." Juggling programmatic and substantive responsibilities in early-career roles. Building a brand as a subject matter expert.
I'm new in the industry and this field seems to be difficult to get into if you're just starting.
Not enough material related to interviews like we have for law firm interviews.
Gaining respect for non-technical experience.
Finding employment and communicating how my skills as a community advocate, policy specialist, and higher education professional are transferable to the tech industry. Mentorship that is not unaffordable.
Getting an overview of the field and the roles and opportunities that are available.
Finding suitable roles or opportunities and gaining clarity on what skills, competencies and experience will help.
Lack of professional experience.
The field is relatively new and feeling like need a specific academic background in it as some job postings list.
Finding entry level positions, especially based in Australia.
Finding alternatives!
Not even job opportunities or not sure where to look.
Responsible tech still seems like a "nice to have" or a "let's do the minimum just so that our customers feel like we're being responsible" - so, it doesn't feel like something I'm able to actually prioritize in a role AND be valued for it within an organization.
Limited opportunity for someone who is pivoting.
I don’t know if I will get hired if I champion responsible tech as it is the antithesis to current business models.
Being given an opportunity even though I come from the Global South (i.e. from an education background that is not as prestigious in the North) and am not a native English speaker.
Aligning with business objectives / client priorities.
How can I measure the added value of my work as a responsible technology consultant?
Tech may widen the opportunity gap between the privileged groups and marginalised groups.
There's so much to learn - feeling a lack of expertise robust enough to help suggest meaningful alternatives to the status quo.
I'm not sure where to find potential career opportunities that don't require 7+ years of experience and/or a STEM background.
I'm still completing my MS, so am trying to get my foot in the door :)
The main obstacle was high barriers to entry, but now that I've made it into the industry I find difficulty with figuring out the best path forward to gain experience and establish myself as a professional (that doesn't involve grad school).
I’m just still a beginner in tech field and want to switch careers.
Few early career opportunities with no template to follow.
Finding information about existing companies and opportunities.
Coming from nonprofit sector with transferable skills and varied experience but lack connections in tech.
Securing a place in the field via funding/work/training.
Finding early career opportunities for those without tech experience or training.
Locating opportunities.
Leadership issues, lack of alignment with the business strategy, performative DEI.
Identifying valuable skills/knowledge for growth.
I am having trouble breaking in to the field with a paying gig.
Confidence with abilities, breaking into the field.
Most tech design considers children as an afterthought.
As a decentralized Web-3 becomes mainstream, I would like to embark on a career path that not only challenges the toxic characteristics that have come to define online environments and businesses, but to also shape and build the future of the technology and consumerism with ethical considerations in mind.
I don't have computer science as a degree but have worked in the tech industry. Seems that the majority of jobs are only for developers.
With a lack of experience, or educational background in tech, even as a Data Analytics bootcamp graduate, I'm having the hardest time convincing employers that I am a competent hire.
Finding mentors and entry level positions in the responsible tech and cybersecurity fields in Toronto, Canada.
What types or resources or activities do you find most helpful to growing in the field?
Artists to help promote complex multidimensional ideas.
Communities such as Responsible Tech, networking with people who are in roles or organizations I aspire to, and getting concrete advice on my applications since I'm a double-career-switch candidate who's not familiar with the hiring norms in this field.
I don't know, I just really want to change jobs and be helpful in this field.
I love the job board! Also, some type of mentorship program for early-career/university students.
I’m a student so I hope to learn more about this from the event.
Job postings, informational webinars, networks.
Job postings, insights/blogs/content from the field
Learning and networking opportunities
networking and learning from others who have roles in areas I am interested in.
Networking opportunities.
Networking, attending workshops, continuous learning, and connecting with other mid-career pivoters.
Reports and academic papers related to the topic. Following the relevant news is also important to stay informed.
Training and certification.
Opportunities to learn and access to resources/research.
I can’t thank Rebecca enough for pulling together the All Tech Is Human Responsible Tech job board. It’s been an I valuable resource for me over the last several months.
Networking events, mentorship programs, structured fellowships suitable for working professionals.
How to commit to responsible tech if your company or team don't care about it or think it's a nice-to-have.
Job listings
Documents/articles/videos on applying for Responsible tech job, understanding the JDs and the process to prepare for interviews at different organisations.
Networking opportunities.
Webinars and livestreams, even if the event is held in person. It helps build connections and learn about the field in a more accessible and economical format.
Connecting to interesting peers in the field and being able to personally exchange with one another.
Job boards, actionable insights, career advice.
Career networks, hybrid (in person and online) workshops for developing technical skills.
Networking
Networks and community to discuss and learn best ways to advocate for and infuse responsible tech in every role.
Live coaching and connections to ppl in the field.
Networking and resources about acing interviews and job applications.
Academic research and policy advocacy.
Mentorship, portfolio building activities, networking opportunities.
Mentorship and learning resources like books or online courses.
Networking! Also learning about the types of jobs that exist in responsible tech, especially ones other than engineering or director-level ethicist roles.
Specific job listings, resources for learning and growth.
Funding/Work/Training.
Conversations with those already in the field, the job board.
Volunteering and networking,
Center for Human Tech's website,
Having honest and transparent conversations with people who are either going through the same or who have overcome things.
Mentorship
Inclusive resources for onboarding new members into the community.
Networking and talking to everyone you know about it, everyone knows someone.
I started the Center for Humane Technology’s 8 part module but I have not completed it. The info is very helpful. Also, listening to experts in the field has been really helpful.
Both in my professional and personal life I have studied and experienced the toxicity and insularity of unjust consumer businesses and anticompetitive financial markets, and have reveled in the opportunities presented from a more decentralized world.
Networking online and locally. Having free events like this that explain the idea and concepts behind responsible tech to educate people.
A combination of technical and other resources. Networking.
Hands-on, structured learning opportunities meant for someone with a non-tech background to hone their new-found skills.
I am shifting into a second career, i haven't seen apprenticeships for Canadians from major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, IBM, etc. in the fields of cybersecurity, IT, or data analysis. Without entry level positions or apprenticeships, or experts willing to invest in mentorinv, it is very hard to get into cybersecurity and responsible tech in Canada.
Trainings.
