LeadDev's PriorityZero S1E6 From self-taught developer to engineering manager with Incident's Alicia Collymore
Oct 7, 2024
Alicia Collymore, Senior Engineering Manager at Incident.io, shares her journey from self-taught developer to leadership. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a tech lead to an engineering manager. Alicia emphasizes the importance of collaborative goal-setting, especially for engineers who are reluctant to engage. She also delves into the intricacies of managing a major Microsoft Teams integration project, highlighting user needs and effective project management strategies.
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Self-Taught Start To Professional Developer
- Alicia taught herself web development starting from an IT GCSE module and built WordPress sites for local businesses.
- She convinced a CEO to hire her despite no degree and later progressed to more complex frameworks like Angular.
Mentorship Accelerated Her Learning
- At UVTV Alicia sat next to her manager for months to learn complex engineering practices she hadn't encountered before.
- That mentorship accelerated her growth more than any prior role.
Proximity To Decisions Shapes Career Preference
- Alicia realised she preferred being close to product decisions and wanted fast feedback loops.
- That drew her back to startups where decisions and outcomes felt immediate.