#139 Spotify Developer Emma Bostian Talks Coding, Hiring Devs, and European Work Culture
Aug 30, 2024
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Emma Bostian, a software engineer turned manager at Spotify and active coding teacher, shares her unique career journey. She discusses the tough love advice she received early on and its impact on her growth. Emma critically examines the relevance of Computer Science degrees in hiring, emphasizing skills over credentials. She provides insights into Swedish management culture and the importance of open communication. The conversation also touches on innovative hiring practices, mentorship's significance in tech, and managing ADHD in a developer's life.
Emma Bostian emphasizes the importance of developing self-learning strategies to bridge gaps in knowledge critical for tech success.
She acknowledges that while Computer Science degrees provide credibility and networking opportunities, they are not the sole path to success.
Emma’s hiring process focuses on skills over degrees, showcasing her belief in practical experience as a crucial criterion.
The podcast highlights the value of cultural diversity in tech, which enhances innovation and fosters an inclusive work environment.
Deep dives
The Importance of Learning How to Learn
The speaker reflects on a pivotal moment in their career when feedback from a mentor revealed a significant gap in their self-learning abilities. Initially feeling affronted by the critique, they later recognized its value and how crucial it was to develop effective learning strategies for success in the tech industry. This realization emphasized that understanding how to acquire knowledge independently was a primary barrier they faced. As such, they advocate for the importance of cultivating learning skills that enable individuals to seek resources and answers proactively.
Career Paths and the Influence of Environment
The speaker recounts their upbringing in a tech-savvy family, influenced by parents who worked for a leading tech company, which sparked their initial interest in technology. Despite early aspirations in biology and actuarial science, a pivotal computer science course ignited their passion for programming, leading them to shift their academic focus. The impact of the speaker's childhood environment on their career trajectory highlights how access to resources and inspiration can shape future aspirations. This narrative underscores the importance of understanding one's personal background and the resources available as pivotal factors in career development.
Navigating Early Career Challenges
The speaker candidly shares their struggles during the initial years of their software engineering career, particularly the overwhelm of adapting to a new work environment and technology stack. They express feelings of inadequacy stemming from undiagnosed ADHD, which complicated information retention and task completion. Importantly, they highlight the common experience of encountering reality shock in the workforce, revealing how early perceptions of competence can significantly differ from actual performance. Through their journey, they emphasize the necessity of seeking help and being vulnerable in acknowledging challenges.
Understanding and Addressing ADHD in Tech
The speaker discusses their journey toward understanding their ADHD diagnosis and how it manifests in their daily work life. They explain the challenging process of obtaining diagnoses in Sweden and the coping mechanisms they've developed to manage attention difficulties effectively. These experiences have led to realizations about the need for adaptability and the importance of creating environments that accommodate diverse working styles. Through discussing personal strategies, they aim to normalize the conversation around mental health and productivity in the tech industry.
The Value of Asynchronous Mentorship
The speaker reflects on the concept of mentorship and how they initially envisioned it as a synchronous process of guidance between a mentor and mentee. However, they later recognized the power of asynchronous mentorship via resources like blogs, open-source projects, and online courses, which can reach a wider audience. They emphasize the need for mentees to come prepared with specific goals and frameworks to maximize the effectiveness of mentorship interactions. This approach promotes empowerment and accountability in the learning process, allowing both parties to benefit from the arrangements.
Navigating the Job Search Process
The speaker outlines essential considerations when evaluating job opportunities, particularly the importance of the interview experience and company culture. They indicate that companies characterizing themselves as a 'family' may not genuinely have employees' best interests at heart, implying a need for caution. Moreover, the manner in which candidates are treated during the application process can reflect the organization's values and culture. This perspective encourages job seekers to look for environments where respect, collaboration, and support are prioritized over rigid hierarchies.
Celebrating Diversity in the Tech Community
The speaker discusses the enriching experiences of working in a culturally diverse environment and how it positively impacts personal and professional growth. They underscore the importance of gaining multiple perspectives, which fosters greater innovation and understanding within teams. The speaker's dedication to promoting inclusivity and mentorship in technology demonstrates their commitment to building a supportive community. This focus on diversity not only enhances individual experiences but also contributes to the overall betterment of the tech industry.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Emma Bostian. She's a software engineer turned manager at Spotify and Prolific coding teacher.
We talk about:
- How at her first developer job at IBM, Emma's boss told her: "You need to get your stuff together or you won't make it in this industry." And the transformation that followed.
- Emma's thoughts on Computer Science degrees. "Going to college gives you credibility and a network. You can get opportunities that way."
- How Emma hires software engineers. (Hint: she tries to disregard degrees completely.)
- How Emma intentionally procrastinates some big tasks to give her mind time to figure out the puzzle pieces
Can you guess what song I'm playing on my bass during the intro? It's from a 1979 punk song.
Also, I want to thank the 10,776 kind people who support our charity each month, and who make this podcast possible. You can join them and support our mission at: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Links we talk about during our conversation:
- Emma on Twitter: https://x.com/emmabostian
- The Ladybug Podcast about women in tech that Emma helped host for several years: https://www.ladybug.dev/
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