The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#130 From Fashion to Software Engineer with Alison Yoon

Jun 28, 2024

Software Engineer Alison Yoon discusses transitioning from fashion to coding with freeCodeCamp. She shares insights on learning coding through challenges, working in the UK, and leading Korean translations. The episode covers her journey from fashion to software engineering, working at Octopus Energy, and the importance of language learning and localization.

01:26:11

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Episode guests

Alison Yoon

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Transitioning from fashion to software engineering is possible through dedication and self-learning.

Understanding user perspectives and conducting usability testing are essential in tech product development.

Prioritizing functionality, accessibility, and simplicity over creativity leads to successful web design.

Deep dives

Transition from Fashion to Tech

The speaker transitions from studying fashion to pursuing a career in tech, starting as a UI/UX designer. Dissatisfaction with the repetitive nature of design work leads to a decision to learn programming and enroll in a coding boot camp, gaining a full-stack role afterward.

Intro

2min

Localizing Free Code Camp into Korean and Unique Upbringing

4min

Challenges of Moving, Mandatory Military Service, and Childhood Aspirations

6min

Transitioning from Fashion to Software Engineering

14min

Transition from Fashion Design to Software Engineering at a Startup

16min

Transition from Fashion to Software Engineering

5min

Discussion on Working at Octopus Energy's Tech Company and Building Software for Energy Providers Globally

2min

From Design to Development: A Journey into Tech

11min

Pair Programming, Rubber Ducking, and Company Culture in Software Engineering

18min

10.

Importance of Language Learning and Localization Efforts

10min

On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Alison Yoon. She's a Software Engineer who started off in fashion design and taught herself to code using freeCodeCamp.

We talk about:

- What it's like to work in fashion. "You're surrounded by exhausted, unhappy people."

- How she used freeCodeCamp and the 100DaysOfCode challenge to learn to code and start her software development career

- How she learned English and how to work on engineering teams in the UK.

- How she's leading the Korean translation effort for the freeCodeCamp community, with 10,000s of people now reading Korean articles each month

Can you guess what song I'm playing on my bass during the intro? It's from a 1985 song.

Also, I want to thank the 9,779 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:

- freeCodeCamp's Korean edition, including Quincy's "Learn to code and get a developer job" book translated into Korean: https://www.freecodecamp.org/korean/news/learn-to-code-book/

- Alison on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aliyooncreative

- Devil Wears Prada trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOZwUQKu3E

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The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#130 From Fashion to Software Engineer with Alison Yoon

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Transition from Fashion to Tech

User Experience Design at Airbus

Current Role at Octopus Energy

Importance of Functionality in Web Design

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Advice for Aspiring Developers

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts