Quoting Kellan Elliott-McCrea

The Problem

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, many early-career practitioners may feel a sense of loss or disconnection from the motivations that drove earlier generations into technology. Kellan Elliott-McCrea highlights a crucial emotional aspect: the feeling of agency that comes from creating and shaping technology, particularly in the early days of the web. This feeling can be elusive for those who entered the field primarily for job security or the allure of coding.

The Approach

To address this disconnect, it’s essential to understand the underlying motivations that drive innovation and creativity in technology. McCrea suggests that recognizing the intrinsic value of agency—where individuals feel empowered to make impactful changes—can reinvigorate passion and purpose in one’s work. This requires a shift in mindset from merely executing tasks to embracing the role of a creator and innovator.

Implementation of Agency in Tech

Practitioners can cultivate a sense of agency by engaging in projects that allow for experimentation and personal expression. For instance, contributing to open-source projects can provide opportunities to influence technology directly. Tools like GitHub facilitate collaboration and allow developers to see the impact of their contributions in real-time. Additionally, using version control systems can help track changes and foster a sense of ownership over one’s work.

Examples of Agency in Early Web Development

In the early days of the web, developers often worked with limited resources and faced significant challenges. They learned languages like Perl not for their aesthetic appeal but for the sheer joy of problem-solving and building something from scratch. For example, creating a simple web application using HTML and JavaScript not only teaches foundational skills but also instills a sense of accomplishment and agency. Practitioners today can replicate this by starting small projects that interest them, such as building a personal blog or a tool that solves a specific problem.

Key Takeaways for Practitioners

1. Engage in Open Source: Contribute to projects on platforms like GitHub to experience the impact of your work.
2. Experiment with New Technologies: Set aside time each week to learn a new programming language or framework that excites you.
3. Build Personal Projects: Create small applications that solve real problems in your life to foster a sense of ownership and creativity.
4. Collaborate with Peers: Join coding groups or communities to share ideas and gain feedback, enhancing your sense of agency.
5. Reflect on Your Work: Regularly assess what aspects of your projects give you the most satisfaction and seek to incorporate more of that into your work.