How to Contribute to the Success of the World as a Software Engineer
Introduction Software shapes economies, governments, education, healthcare, and the environment. As a software engineer, you have unusual leverage: a small team can build systems that serve millions, influence policy, or accelerate science. But leverage cuts both ways—without intent and rigor, software can also amplify harm. This article is a practical, comprehensive guide to making your engineering work meaningfully contribute to the success of the world. It blends strategy (what to work on), tactics (how to work), and habits (how to sustain impact), with concrete examples and code you can apply immediately. ...