Career Development Roundtable: Getting Great Work in Tech
Jul 22, 2019
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Join John Anthony Rivera, a cross-platform mobile developer who recently joined Amazon's photos team, as he shares his inspiring journey from low-wage jobs to a fulfilling tech career. He dives into the importance of networking and self-advocacy, recounting a pivotal networking event that changed his trajectory. The conversation also emphasizes unconventional paths to tech, the balance between technical and soft skills during job searches, and strategies for maintaining well-being while pursuing career advancement.
Successful tech careers often stem from non-traditional pathways, emphasizing personal passion and initiative over formal education.
Networking and relationship-building are critical for career advancement in tech, highlighting the importance of community engagement and visibility.
Balancing technical skills with soft skills is essential, as effective communication and understanding user needs significantly impact project success.
Deep dives
Career Development in Tech
Career development in tech requires a blend of skills and personal growth. It's crucial to not only focus on technical abilities but also to understand the importance of networking and relationship-building. Developers are advised to actively engage in communities, attend meetups, and make their work visible, such as through blogging or sharing projects. This visibility can lead to unexpected job offers and connections, showcasing the value of building a personal brand.
Non-Traditional Pathways
Many successful tech professionals have taken non-traditional pathways to their careers, often lacking formal computer science degrees. Origin stories frequently involve early interests in technology, such as coding for personal projects or graphic design. This highlights the importance of personal passion and initiative in pursuing a tech career, which can often be more significant than formal education. Learning from hands-on experiences, online courses, and community projects can effectively substitute for traditional education.
The Importance of Persistence
Persistence is key in the tech industry, particularly during job searches and career transitions. Candidates may face rejections and obstacles, but resilience can lead to eventual success. It's important to keep learning and adapting, as well as networking actively, to create opportunities. By demonstrating a willingness to overcome challenges, individuals can distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.
Balancing Technical and Interpersonal Skills
In tech roles, a balance between technical knowledge and interpersonal skills is essential. While strong coding skills are important, the ability to communicate effectively and understand user needs is equally valuable. Developers should enhance their soft skills, as these often play a critical role in team dynamics and project outcomes. Employment interviews increasingly focus on behavioral aspects, emphasizing the necessity of empathy and collaboration in addition to technical expertise.
Strategic Focus in Learning
New developers are encouraged to focus on fewer areas deeply rather than spreading themselves too thin. This means prioritizing projects that genuinely interest them and can demonstrate their skills effectively. Taking on challenging projects or roles that push personal boundaries can foster significant growth. Ultimately, cultivating a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability is vital in navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape.
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Roundtable: Getting a Job in Tech
Between books - Discussion about career development in tech
Guest: John Rivera - Link?
John S to lead discussion -
Where do you work now? What do you do?
John S: Run an agency, we are a small team of remote developers, we do mobile apps and web apps.
John R: Just started working on Amazon photos mobile app for the prints feature team, I do cross-platform mobile development primarily using React Native. But I’ve also gotten to do my fair share of project management with ChefSteps, and am seeking to pursue that at Amazon
JP: Opendoor
Where did you start? Where were you before tech?
5mins each on origin story
John S: Dabbled in design + web for ever — I was working in the corporate world a job I didn’t love but I was successful. Stepped back and switched careers at November 2015 - switched career at 25
John R: I worked at uhaul and albertsons as a meat clerk. Started things off by saving up for a bootcamp. Did freelance.
JP: MySpace layouts in 9th grade, 13-14 years ago. Then web design until about 2015
What’s been a key practice or tool in moving your career forward?
John R: Networking, Diving deep, embracing things that aren’t in my domain
John S: Consistency, Keeping up with friendships (networking), Blogging, pushing outside comfort zone.
How do you balance getting work done now vs ongoing learning?
John S: Use new tools and techniques in the day to day
John R:
JP: Being proactive with code review and looking to senior engineers
How do you get a good Job in tech?
John S: Network, publishing, making your work visible, random blog post from 2016
John R:
JP: I got my job from meetups
What would you have told yourself 3 years ago?
John S: Consistency, life is a marathon not a sprint. Keep stretching yourself outside comfort zone. Focus on less, go deeper on less things.
John R:
JP: Take breaks, you won’t forget how to code if you take a day off
CLOSE - no picks
John R - Where can people find you?
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