4 places to search for motivation when you're working in edtech

For more than 10 years, learning with tech motivated me to become a better student. After graduation last spring, I've repurposed this motivation to market edtech products as an industry professional.

If you're also a member of the industry you know that in some way, your work is contributing to an ultimate goal of improving the quality of education concerning:

academic performance
SEL needs
ease teacher demands
something else!

Can you become motivated at your job knowing the products your company serves are easing teacher demand?

Yes. But you can feel more linked to your work by taking a deeper dive to connect your work story to something more concrete.

Here are some specific places you can look to find motivation when you're working in edtech, so you can plan which avenue you're going to conquer first.

Start with yourself: Find your edtech origin story

If you have memories learning with tech in school, channel them to connect to your career journey! I know I do!

Maybe there was an edtech platform you loved. Or one that haunts you to this day. No matter what your feelings are, connect them to the work you do and how it will eventually impact kids!

But maybe you don't have solid experiences learning with tech specifically, In that case, think more broadly about moments in school that frustrated you or motivated you, and make a similar connection as in the above example.

A third option, if revisiting your time in school is a path you'd rather not go down, it's okay to think more generally about your kid experiences playing sports, going to theater camp, or spending time with your family.

No matter how you choose to connect your life to your edtech job, thinking about your journey into the industry can be a strong way to connect your dots and feel passionate.

Prioritize face time with kids to learn their needs

You don't have to just rely on yourself to feel motivated to work in edtech.

So many of us enter this industry because we want to help kids.

A key industry issue is the disconnect between people who work in edtech and the kids they support. Here are a few reasons why:

Visiting kids isn't in many industry job descriptions
Sourcing testimonials or getting efficacy at regular intervals can be expensive
None of the above are enforced

You can still connect with students even if the above is true!

Volunteering or becoming a mentor gives you the chance to observe kids' likes and pain points, so you can return to work with a better sense of what your work is contributing to.

Don't sleep on social media as a motivator...

Your feeds can do more than take up mindless minutes of your life.

By following industry creators and brands that inspire me, I've read posts and watched videos that have moved me to tears or to take action.

Time is elusive. We can't always show up for our kids in the most present ways we'd like. So while you're figuring out how to make a volunteer session fit into your schedule, check out how others are using those experiences to make learning better.

...and invest in content that inspires you

Social media is just one way you can consistently take in content that inspires.

Consider following podcasts or blogs that cover the industry broadly, or focus on a niche that interests you, like your role or a specific issue in education.

I started the Channel Your Tech Kid blog after becoming motivated to learn with tech for over 10 years. Subscribe to the blog for reminders and advice to channel your tech kid and feel motivated at your job!