What volunteering at youth tech events can do for your career and community

Technical.ly

23-06-2025

This is a guest post by Tim Weedon, a UX developer and the executive director of Tech Turn Up, a digital literacy and education organization serving underrepresented youth in the DC area through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programming.
Traditional networking can be awkward — stiff conversations in hotel conference rooms, business cards exchanged with the hope that someone might follow up.
But what if real connection, career growth and inspiration weren't waiting at formal mixers, but instead in school gyms, libraries and community centers?
At grassroots STEAM events, such as hackathons, coding workshops and robotics challenges, young learners get to dive into the world of technology with excitement and curiosity. But alongside them, the adults guiding these events often discover something unexpected: their own personal growth.
From stranger to connector
Alexandre is an international student from Canada, currently pursuing his MS in Information Systems Technology at George Washington University. He reached out to our Tech Turn Up one day, eager to help. No expectations, no conditions. He just wanted to volunteer at one of our youth hackathons.
After the event, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation in which he shared his struggles to build connections in DC. As someone who isn't naturally outgoing, he had tried a few meetups but found them intimidating and cliquish.
Volunteering at a STEAM event felt different. There was a shared purpose.
Instead of struggling to make small talk, he found himself collaborating with tech professionals and corporate sponsors to support students while forming real relationships.
'There's no pressure,' he said. 'It doesn't feel forced. You're just helping, and you learn so much about people through the work.'
That day, he met a database administrator, a nonprofit director and an HR leader — people he might never have approached in a traditional networking space.
'I'll definitely follow up,' he told me. 'It felt like a genuine conversation, not just networking.'
A pivot from policy
Kim came to us from the policy world. She was in an entry-level role and curious about technology but unsure where to start. Volunteering felt like a low-pressure first step toward a new career.
Her assignment: Supporting elementary and middle school students in learning the basics of coding and UX/UI design. But what started as service to others quickly became a form of professional development for her.
Working alongside professionals from various tech disciplines, Kim became increasingly drawn to data analytics. Through informal conversations and exposure to new tools, particularly through another volunteer who worked in the field, her curiosity evolved into a genuine interest.
She began taking free online courses, incorporating data-informed thinking into her policy work, and eventually took on analytics responsibilities in her job. It all began by showing up to help a few kids learn how to code.
Why This Works
Stories like Alexandre's and Kim's aren't rare. They highlight something that's often overlooked in professional development: the power of service as a pathway to growth.
Here's why volunteering works, especially in local tech communities:
• Personal values: For many, volunteering aligns with core values, such as mentorship, inclusion and equity. It feels meaningful because it is.
• Extrinsic motivation: Volunteering can also be a strategic choice. Especially with smaller or newer nonprofits, there's space to try new roles — data analyst, project manager, UX designer — before you officially have the title.
• Social norms and networking: People connect more authentically when cooperating for a shared purpose. You meet mentors, collaborators and future colleagues in environments that invite real engagement, not just business card exchanges. As the saying goes, you can 'fake it till you make it' by testing new paths, stretching your skills and building confidence in a supportive setting.
How to get involved
Whether you're entry-level, mid-career or seasoned in your professional journey, here's a simple invitation: show up.
Explore volunteer opportunities beyond your job or alma mater. Look for events that match your interests or align with where you're looking to grow. In the tech field, these could be one-off hackathons, recurring coding workshops or ongoing mentorship programs.
By stepping into these community spaces, you'll access new networks, expand your skills and gain clarity on your next move.
Supporting STEAM programs with your time, your skills or commitment to amplifying a mission builds a better tech ecosystem for everyone. Even the smallest gesture can spark real, lasting change.
These experiences open doors for young people, help volunteers grow their skills and strengthen community bonds. It's more than service — it's shaping futures through shared effort and purpose.