Pay it Forward

Pay it Forward

Nathan Jones

Still RelevantIntermediate

A popular car bumper sticker reads, "If you can read this, thank a teacher!" I might say, "If you can read THIS (article on Embedded Related), then you've been blessed with great experiences and/or great educators or volunteers that got you excited about tech and helped you believe that you had a future in this field!" Why not pay it forward by helping other children have those same great experiences? As we enter another season of giving, I hope you consider doing what you can to support the hundreds or thousands of non-profit organizations, educators, and volunteers around the world who are getting kids excited about tech the same way YOU got excited about tech. In this article, I'll share with you a handful of organizations that I know of or donate to that have this mission. How do you like to give back?

Summary

Nathan Jones makes a concise, practical case for embedded engineers to 'pay it forward' by supporting the educators, volunteers, and nonprofits that ignite kids' interest in technology. Readers will learn which kinds of organizations to support, concrete ways to contribute (donations, volunteering, partnerships), and simple steps to run effective outreach or mentorship in the embedded/IoT space.

Key Takeaways

Identify and evaluate local and national STEM nonprofits or school programs that focus on electronics, microcontrollers, and maker education.
Donate or sponsor educational hardware kits, components, or grants that lower barriers for youth to build IoT and embedded projects.
Volunteer time to mentor, teach workshops, or judge competitions to give hands-on experiences and career guidance.
Organize or partner with employers to provide resources, space, or funding for after-school clubs, maker spaces, and teacher training.

Who Should Read This

Embedded engineers, firmware developers, technical managers, and industry professionals who want practical ways to support STEM outreach, mentor youth, or sponsor educational programs.

Still RelevantIntermediate