Emily, a recent college graduate, posted a query to the Information Systems Forum about career paths in nonprofit technology on Thursday. This has prompted me to reflect once again on how we don't do enough to create career paths (i.e., entry level opportunities) and career ladders (i.e., opportunities for increased responsibility and a living wage) for those who want to enter this field.

There are some wonderful programs out there for giving idealistic young techies an experience of using their skills to serve a noble cause.  Geeks For America,* CTC VISTA, Teaming for Technology, and Geekcorps all come to mind immediately.  However, I'd like to raise three crucial questions: 
Do these programs (and others like them) have the capacity to work with the numbers of aspirants to nonprofit technology careers that are out there?

Do these programs (and others like them) have the capacity to train enough candidates to meet the expanding technology needs of nonprofit organizations?

Do we have any prospects in view for career development beyond entry-level or service-learning programs?

As I have previously mentioned in my blog, I have been particularly worried about how this issue is playing out in Massachusetts.  However, I am extremely interested in comments and reflections from folks in every part of the world.


*  Here I must boast:  I came up with the name and the basic concept for this one while I served as TechFoundation's national nonprofit liaison officer.