Why I Quit IR Consulting for the DIG Program

I have always sought inspiration in my work. Something I could passionately get behind. Something that was meaningful, that really helped people.

I did get little tastes at the start of my career as an Andersen Consultant, and then in a two-decade run as a consumer products and technology analyst. I had bigger bites when I went out on my own on two occasions. When I tried a third time over five years ago, first by helping tech companies with marketing content, and then evolving into an investor relations (IR) consulting practice, I got to dine out on the experience.

While it’s been rewarding in many ways, that “something” was still absent. Until now.

The Source of Inspiration

Last year, I met a tech savvy career high school teacher and librarian named Shari J. Stein. A common thread in our conversation was how technology was impacting students - both positively and negatively.

She noticed that growing numbers of students were struggling with emotional issues stemming from their overuse of devices and social media apps, a problem that has mushroomed nationally. It has spilled into their performance and attitudes at school. Cyberbullying, sexting, ranting and other similar online conduct are making teens depressed, anxious, fearful and isolated. FOMO and hours of gaming are causing eating disorders and sleep deprivation.

Students are jeopardizing their safety and reputations by exposing themselves to risks and dangers that could have severe consequences. In extreme cases, we’ve witnessed those consequences unfold on all-to-frequent newscasts.

School shootings, threats, teen suicides are all statistics that keep going in the wrong direction. Think what you may about gun control laws, but from what I’ve learned, that’s only part of the solution.

Unfortunately, many students don’t get help at home with this. While parents may set controls, most of them are not knowledgeable enough about the apps their children use or the sites they visit. Between work and family, their schedules are too busy to be more proactively involved. Some are in denial, and also suffer from their own digital addiction. And some parents who cannot communicate with their teens feel like this is a lost cause.

Guidance counselors can only do so much. School administrators are aware of the problem, but may not have the resources or know-how to establish a formal program to educate students about becoming responsible digital citizens.

I was fascinated.

Enter the DIG Program

Shari had an idea that had been germinating for over a year. Instead of the ad hoc efforts at most schools, she wanted to develop a comprehensive program. One that would address all of the aspects of digital citizenship - from habits and addiction, and how to change or break them, to guidance on how students should conduct themselves online, be mindful of their reputations in the future, tighten their safety and privacy exposure, and be true to themselves.

The more we kept talking over the past year, the more research I did. My due diligence also revealed that there were few people as qualified as Shari to create such a program.  

We began outlining what the program would look like and what it would cover. I added my tech research background and business acumen to help flesh out the business model.

Along the way, I found that inspiration. I recently quit my IR consulting practice to join the DIG Program as President.

About the DIG Program

The DIG Program is a turnkey, flipped classroom, online solution that is easy and efficient for schools to administer. It helps students develop habits for outstanding digital citizenship.

The Program consists of five interrelated segments, each of which provides students with action plans they can implement immediately to have smarter, safer and healthier online experiences. 

Upon completion of the Program, students receive a certificate and a benchmark DIG Score, which measures their digital citizenship profile. Their answers to an ongoing monthly questionnaire updates their score so they can track their progress.

There are separate editions nuanced for Middle School, High School and College. There is also a Family edition for parents to sign up the entire household for a shared learning experience.

The name of the Program originates from Shari’s original intent to enable and empower students: Like all of us, students are Digital Individuals who can learn to Govern their own digital habits.

The DIG Program is out of stealth mode and launching this month. We are self-funded and we are hiring. We are also seeking sponsors and public advocates to spread the word. We welcome your comments and feedback.