Software Developers Journey

Can one's fascination with technology begin with a childhood story of a laptop reward? For our guest Sophie Obomighie, that was indeed the case. From there, Sophie describes her journey through the tech world, from building a website on halitosis to participating in Google developer group events. Despite her medical background, she found a way to marry her interests in tech and medicine, proving that multiple passions can coexist and even compliment each other.Sophie's path wasn't without its hurdles, as she navigated the world of programming education and sought out job opportunities in the tech field. From her time at a transcript processing company to her stint at Hotels.ng, Sophie was continually challenged. Yet, she rose to the occasion, learning and growing with every new experience. She is a testament to the importance of embracing challenges on the path to success. In the final chapters of the episode, Sophie recounts her experience as a Quality Assurance person. She openly shares about her struggles and her triumphs. Her story is a reminder to us all that sometimes, our greatest passions and career paths can be discovered in the most unexpected of places. Join us for this fascinating conversation with Sophie Obomighie.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Join us on an enlightening tech odyssey with Coleen Shane, a trans woman who's made her mark in the realm of information security and networking. From the humble beginnings of tinkering with a Texas Instruments TI-99 in the 80s to a successful career at the VA hospital in Indianapolis, Coleen's journey is an inspiring tale of determination and passion. She shares insights from her experience and illuminates us on the delicate equilibrium between convenience and security.Ever wondered how to strike the right balance between ease of use and ensuring your digital world is secure? This is a key challenge we dissect with Coleen. We also delve into the murky waters of phishing attempts, exploring how to identify and mitigate them. Coleen's vast experience lends a wealth of knowledge on this pertinent issue. As our digital landscape evolves, the importance of security continues to heighten, a reality that Coleen emphasizes repeatedly.In the wake of the AI boom, concerns about privacy and security are more significant than ever. We dissect the pros and cons of AI, its potential for good, and the inherent security risks that come with it. We further explore the importance of prioritizing security in software development. Wrapping up with an insightful comparison of Apple and Google's differing approaches to security and privacy, this episode will leave you with a fresh perspective on the complexities of the digital world and the importance of security. Tune in for a captivating conversation packed with nuggets of wisdom from the tech world.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Who says a childhood dream can't shape your adult career? Dr. Jodie Burchell would undoubtedly argue it can. As a data science advocate at JetBrains, she's living proof that a meandering career path can lead to extraordinary places. Join us for a heartwarming journey that starts with her fascination for paleontology, travels through studying psychology and German in university, and ends up leading data science teams in Europe. Enjoy a chuckle with us as she recalls her forgotten German skills and a high school art project that sparked her interest in psychology.Making a career transition can be daunting, but Jodie provides valuable insights into how these shifts can lead to unexpected fulfillment and purpose. With engaging tales from academia, she elaborates on how her experiences shaped her understanding of the significant role of data science and the real-world impact it can have. The conversation doesn't stop there as we explore the ever-evolving world of data science, its specializations, and the shift towards a greater emphasis on developers with computer science and engineering backgrounds.Have you ever wondered how to transition from academia to industry? Jodie shares her candid experiences and lessons learned, proving the journey isn't always straightforward but worth it. She opens up about facing her fear of the command line, overcoming insecurity about her engineering skills, and how this journey expanded her appreciation for the work of engineers. Bonus: we delve into her journey from academia to developer advocacy and the importance of multidisciplinary skills in data science. Whether you're already in the thick of data science or considering it as a career, this episode is a goldmine of insights and reflections.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

What does it take to transition from a life in pharmacy, business, and PR to becoming a successful software developer and business owner? Alexandra Spalato, our guest for this episode, has done just that. Her unconventional journey, fueled by a passion for learning, has led her through many roles - from actress to Developer Relations (DevRel) Engineer - and eventually brought her into the realm of software development.Alexandra's story is as inspiring as it is educational, shedding light on the fascinating journey of becoming a developer. Starting as a self-taught developer, she delved into WordPress and immersed herself in a JavaScript boot camp to upgrade her skills. She credits many of her accomplishments to her friend and mentor, Zac Gordon, whose impactful course in JavaScript for WordPress helped set the foundation for her success.Alexandra wasn't content with just being a software developer; she started her own business and faced all the challenges that come with it. From dealing with imposter syndrome to managing toxic projects, Alexandra's experiences provide valuable insight for anyone considering a similar path. Despite the bumps along the way, she turned her passions into a successful product, ending up with a career at Storyblok. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that guarantees to inspire and educate.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

What happens when a gaming enthusiast transitions into the world of tech, data science, and community management? That's the intriguing journey we explore with Chuck Ting Hall, a Community Manager at OpenSSF and prolific contributor to various tech libraries. From her early love for gaming, Chuck's passion for technology took a unique turn, leading her down a path that merges both the worlds of academia and business. Chuck Ting's story begins where most of us find ourselves, at crossroads. Trying to choose a career path is never easy, and her decision to delve into either Physics or Computer Science was no different. Listen in as she navigates the pressure of academia, shares her struggles of being a scientist in a business-centric place like Hong Kong, and candidly discusses how family expectations factored into her choices. Chuck also takes us through her experiences of working in odd places like an ad company and a theme park, before ultimately finding her niche in the tech world.As Chuck's narrative unfolds, she candidly discusses her first conference talk proposal, her battle with imposter syndrome, and the importance of community in honing professional skills. From submitting conference talk proposals, to transitioning her career from data science to community management, the challenges of visa applications, and becoming an active contributor in the tech community - Chuck's story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of community. So, whether you're a tech enthusiast, a student caught between choices, or someone seeking to transition careers, let Chuck Ting Hall's journey inspire and guide you to embrace your passion in technology.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Inspiring Tech Leaders - The Technology PodcastInterviews with Tech Leaders and insights on the latest emerging technology trends.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Aleksandra Sikora, a software engineer based in Wrocław, shares her journey from learning to code in primary school to becoming a full-stack developer. She discusses the power of patience, the art of listening, and the invaluable skill of delegation when leading a team. Aleksandra reflects on her experiences with impostor syndrome and discusses her transition from programming to management. She offers valuable advice for new developers on stress management, seeking help, and understanding work preferences.

From humble beginnings to scaling the corporate ladder, Ori Keren's career in the tech industry is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for software development and team dynamics shines through as he recounts the challenges and rewards of evolving in the ever-changing tech world. Ori’s experiences have shaped not only his professional life but also the very fabric of how he views the confluence of technology and business.Ori placed the start of his journey at the age of 13 when he discovered BASIC and the joy of seeing someone interact with a program he wrote. Fast forward a few years, and we discussed how development came back into his life while working a data-entry job. He then described how he sought a formal education, what he learned during his studies, and how it prepared him for the future. We then talked about fighting (at first) and then embracing management. We finished by talking about entrepreneurship, engineering leadership, and LinearB.In this episode, Ori dives deep into his transition from a developer to a managerial role and eventually the establishment of his company, Linear B. He discusses the importance of maintaining company culture amidst growth, the lessons he learned about team building and his advocacy for achieving a work-life balance.If you want to learn more about the intricacies of scaling a tech company and getting inspiration from Ori's incredible journey, tune in to this episode.Three reasons why you should listen to the full episodeGrowth Insights: Ori delves into his journey from a software developer to a leader, offering invaluable insights into the transitions and challenges faced in the tech industry.Beyond Technical Skills: The episode emphasizes the importance of soft skills, work ethics, and the dynamic of teamwork, crucial areas often overlooked in the tech world.Practical Business Acumen: Combining tech with business, Ori's experiences provide a rare perspective on how software development intertwines with business strategies, ideal for those looking to venture beyond just coding.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

From graphic design to coding, Anna Sala's foray into software development was anything but conventional. Anna's initial curiosity was sparked by a chance conversation with a tennis player who shared insights about the world of development. This unexpected interaction set Anna on a transformative career journey, combining her unique design background with the ever-evolving world of software.Anna placed the start of her journey three years ago on a tennis court when a joke involving a Testla, an unexpected mentor, and a pandemic put her world upside down. From there on, we followed the story of her Bootcamp. We then discussed her role as an assistant professor in the same boot camp and her first dev role. We talked about learning, feeling like an impostor, and much more.In this episode, Anna delves deep into her diverse career path, from her time as a graphic designer to her decision to dive headfirst into the world of software development. She talks about the importance of continuous learning in the tech field, her experiences mentoring and teaching others, and the ever-present feeling of imposter syndrome faced by many professionals.If you are interested to learn more about the seamless blend of design and development and get inspiration from Anna's incredible journey, then tune in to this episode!Three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Gain insights into how a diverse background, like graphic design, can uniquely shape and enrich a software developer's approach to problem-solving.Learn about the value of soft skills in the tech industry and how they can complement technical knowledge to foster better communication and collaboration.Understand the importance of continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of technology and how embracing a learning mindset can alleviate feelings of imposter syndrome.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Una Kravets's journey in the tech world has been nothing short of captivating. From her dedication to creating and enhancing the user interface space to her insightful perspectives on the ever-evolving challenges of web development, Una's story is one of passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication. Her experiences span a wide range of tech endeavors, from her involvement in the W3C community and standards to her unique insights into the intricate world of web design.Una placed the start of her journey in her young childhood with Neopets, AIM, MySpace, and the Sims. She described how her passion for design slowly merged into the Web. We discussed her college studies and how she stumbled upon communities at 18. We talked about learning in the open, internships, and learning some more. We discussed how she landed at Google, got into DeveloperRelations, and came to work on the CSS Working Group and OpenUI Community Group.In this episode, Una discusses the complexities of navigating the vast web development landscape and how she has found her perfect spot in the CSS and UI space. She touches upon her involvement in working groups, the challenges of backward compatibility on the web, and the joys of Developer Relations (DevRel). Moreover, Una shares her wisdom on the importance of community involvement, whether by joining, creating, or discovering one, and the impact of documenting one's learning journey through blogging.If you want to learn more about the challenges of backward compatibility on the web and get inspiration from Una's incredible journey, then tune in to this episode!Three reasons why you should listen to the full episodeGain insights from Una's unique journey, blending her arts background with technology showcasing how diverse experiences can lead to innovative outcomes in the tech world.Dive deep into the importance of community involvement, feedback, and continuous learning, essential takeaways for anyone looking to grow in their tech career.Learn about the challenges and intricacies of web development, including backward compatibility and web standards, which are crucial for anyone keen to delve deeper into web tech.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

From facing unexpected challenges in his school days to rising to the occasion as a software developer, Tejas Kumar's journey is nothing short of remarkable. He candidly speaks about facing adversity and how those experiences shaped his perspective, even leading him to unexpected avenues in the world of tech.Tejas placed the start of his journey when he discovered HTML. We then followed the story of his childhood, juggling between a life-threatening medical disease called hemophilia and surfing his desire to understand how things work. Our discussion then centered itself on learning and how it slowly became the core of his work, his business, and his life.In this episode, Tejas Kumar delves deep into his experiences, from the unique way his brain processes learning to the importance of shocking the system post intense focus sessions. He discusses the vital importance of sleep and offers practical advice to young learners to prioritize learning in their early years.If you are interested to learn more about the intricacies of effective learning techniques and get inspiration from Tejas's incredible journey, then tune in to this episode!Three reasons why you should listen to the full episodeDiscover Tejas Kumar's unique approach to learning and how it can drastically change the way you grasp new concepts. Understand the science and technique behind the "90 minutes of intense attention" method.Unearth the significance of sleep in human cognitive functions. Tejas draws a relatable analogy between saving a code file and the human need for sleep.Dive deep into the anecdotes and lessons from Tejas's personal and professional journey. Get inspired by his resilience in facing adversity and using it as a foundation for his successful career in tech.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show