Ale Thomas, Developer Advocate and Web Developer at Kubeshop | Mixed Change, talks about her journey into tech without a CS degree, the importance of mentors and community, and her work for inclusivity in the tech industry.
Diverse representation in the tech industry is still lacking, making it important to advocate for oneself and create an inclusive work culture where diverse voices are heard and respected.
Ally Thomas, a developer advocate, shares her journey into tech, from being introduced to computers at an early age in Mexico to pursuing a career in software engineering without a CS degree, highlighting the importance of mentors and nurturing curiosity in one's tech journey.
Deep dives
Representation and Diversity in Tech
Representativeness in the tech industry is still a work in progress. While there has been an increase in the number of women in tech, there is still a need for more diversity and inclusion. The lack of representation can make it challenging for individuals from underrepresented groups to feel like they belong. It's important to advocate for oneself and create a positive work culture by ensuring diverse voices are heard and respected.
Early Introduction to Tech
Ally Thomas, a developer advocate, shares her journey into tech. Growing up in a small city in Mexico, she was introduced to computers at an early age. She fell in love with using them, even without internet access. In high school, she had the opportunity to take a Java course, which sparked her interest in coding. Ally also explored various software applications for illustration, animation, and website building, nurturing her tech interests.
Transitioning into a Tech Career
Despite not knowing that software engineering was a viable career option, Ally pursued her passion for programming. While studying industrial and systems engineering, she took additional programming courses to hone her skills. With support from mentors and educators, Ally realized she could pursue a career in tech. After gaining experience as a Java software engineer, she delved deeper into frontend development. Ally's curiosity and drive led her to become a full stack developer.
Navigating the Challenges and Striving for Balance
Ally discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in tech, including the lack of representation and feeling like an outsider. However, she acknowledges the support she received from her peers and mentors. Ally emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and setting boundaries. She also advises newcomers to stay focused on their individual journeys, avoid comparing themselves to others, and nurture their curiosity and openness to new experiences.
Saron talks to Ale Thomas, Developer Advocate and Web Developer at Kubeshop | Mixed Change. Ale talks about growing up in Mexico and learning to code on her own. She walks us through her career history and how she paved her way into tech without a CS degree. She highlights how mentors played a critical role in her coding journey and how important finding those mentors and a community is. Finally, Ale shares her thoughts on what inclusivity in tech means to her and the work she is doing to make an impact in the space.
Ale is an Industrial Engineer turned Software Developer from Mexico. Now based in NY, she's passionate about Open Source Software, developing for non-profits, and helping out in the tech community.
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