How To Be A Tech Ally.

You know what an ally is right? And you are here, reading this article because you want to make sure that every other techie out there receives the same equal opportunities regardless of race, age, gender, and sometimes, even educational background.

Our field is growing in exciting ways and we now have people from all walks of life diving into tech. They are not aware of the kind of opportunities they have and the dangers that they might face as well. You probably want to know how you can help right?

1. Share Job Opportunities — There are a lot of job opportunities that we come across daily, if you find a job that matches the people you know then share. You never know who needs it.
2. Share Resources — There are tons of free resources on the internet that could help newbies. They might not be aware of them because of limited access. A good example is how I didn’t know Udemy has actual free courses.
3. Share Networks — This is the most valuable asset in any field. A network will take someone to places a degree cannot. Organize meetups and connect people.
4. Be a Mentor — Guidance is essential. You don’t need 10 years of experience to be a mentor. Your level of expertise could be what someone needs to grow. My brother Ryan is a few years older than me but has mentored me since I was in high school and I have achieved so much by following him.
5. Be Open to Learning- To be a great teacher, you need to know what you are talking about. Tech is an ever-expanding field. Keep researching.
6. Don’t Underpay interns-What HR and hiring managers have failed to realize is that a salary is not just compensation but is what helps the interns grow, how else are they going to buy software and upgrade their machines when they are being paid peanuts. Think about it, underpaid workers will struggle to grow because they lack the means.
7. Allow Juniors to Make Mistakes — A good ally should remember where they came from, that they never got it right the first time too. So give juniors room to grow. Be gentle, be kind.
8. Spread Awareness on Social Media- SHARE THIS POST IF YOU AGREE.

I am a strong supporter of Equity. We should all be freed from the bias that has plagued the world. I want to be treated fairly and This post was inspired by my mother who recently left her job because she was earning less than the average housemaid in Zimbabwe. Maids earn around $50-$200. Zimbabwe has the lowest salaries in the world and earning less than a maid is a cause of concern.

I hope one day I will appreciate my worth the way my mother did. When I land my first 5/6 figure tech job. I am going to spoil her.

If you ever get the opportunity to help someone grow, then do it. Do not dim their light.