S27:E1 - Nurturing Relationships for AI Excellence (Shawn Charles)
Mar 13, 2024
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Meet Shawn Charles, Developer Advocate, who shares his journey from maintaining websites for local businesses to thriving in AI. He discusses embracing tech education, community support, and networking opportunities. Dive into his experiences with upskilling programs, building tech communities, and the importance of seizing opportunities for success in the tech industry.
Transitioning to paid work early in tech career boosts value realization and skill development.
Early exposure to technology and self-learning pave the way for a successful tech career path.
Deep dives
Sean's Transition from Pro Bono Work to Paid Work in Tech
Sean shares his journey from providing free tech services for months to landing paid work, highlighting the significant shift in mindset and opportunity that came with being offered thousands of dollars for his tech skills. Motivated by the realization of the value he could bring, Sean illustrates the transformative power of transitioning to paid work early in his tech career.
Childhood Influences on Sean's Tech Interest
Sean recounts his early exposure to technology as a child, starting with a computer in his household due to his mother's profession as a teacher. His interactions with computers and gaming systems from a young age fueled his interest in technology, laying the foundation for his later career path in the tech industry.
Discovery of Tech as a Viable Career Path
Sean reflects on not initially realizing the potential of turning his tech interests into a career, sharing his journey from high school elective web design classes to realizing the lucrative opportunities in creating websites. It was his job at an escape room company that sparked the realization that he could learn tech skills to save thousands of dollars for website creation and maintenance, leading him to pursue tech as a viable career path.
Learning Journey and Career Progression in Tech
From watching free online tutorials to landing his first client and eventually transitioning to a developer advocacy role, Sean's learning journey in tech showcases his perseverance and resourcefulness in acquiring new skills. His progression from self-learning to formalized training at programs like Resilient Coders underscores the importance of continuous learning and community support in advancing one's tech career.
Meet Shawn Charles, Developer Advocate & Community Manager at The Hunt. Shawn shares with Saron how he got into tech solely by building and maintaining websites for local businesses, what inspired him to level up by enrolling in a bootcamp, and his advice on those who might feel overwhelmed in identifying their career path in this new world revolving around AI.