Answer this question: What do you do for a living?

So, how about it: what do you do for a living? What does your organization do? Why should anyone outside your company care?

We are special

I’ve made the argument before—and I genuinely believe—that those of us in science, engineering, and technology are special. We are going to create, invent, discover, and build the things that will be part of the fabric of everyone else’s future. Think telegraph, TV, radio, computers, the internet, and cellphones, then add 10 years.

In order to build a future that’s worth having, and one in which everyone really benefits, we need to have the best and brightest attracted to our professions. And we need the best and brightest from all walks of life. Not just engineers and coders, but thinkers and users.

Your job: recruit the next revolutionary into technology

Toward this very big end, every single one of us should be able to talk about what we do and the benefit that we deliver.

And even though there are a lot of us, most of the people we’ll be talking to aren’t technically inclined and don’t already appreciate what we do. So the language that we use has to be meaningful, straight forward, and jargon-free.

How would you explain what you do to your mom? Have you explained what you do to your mom? You should: she knows people you don’t, some of whom have kids or grandkids trying to decide what to do for a living.

What’s in it for you? Plenty!

In case my big goal is a little too far removed to motivate you, there are plenty of perfectly good career-centered ends to get you going.

1. It’s good for your company

First of all, being able to articulate what your company does is good for business.

Any time you travel to a conference or meeting you’ll be running into people who are your customers and potential customers. Being able to tell them what you do and why they should care will bring your company more business.

Even if—especially if—you aren’t in sales.

I’m all ears if a fellow engineer points me to a new technology, but I’m generally much less enthusiastic about what sales people have to tell me.

2. It’s good for your career

Second of all, being able to tell people what you personally do, and the value that you personally provide, is good for your career.

Being able to clearly articulate your contribution within your organization will clarify your value in your boss’s mind and give him ammo when it’s promotion time.

Outside your organization a clear understanding of your value and purpose will help you sell yourself effectively to someone who needs the skills (and perspective) you possess. And one day you might get a call offering you the sweetest job you never interviewed for.