Mentoring Developers

Mentoring Developers

Helping software developers thrive

Archives for June 2021

Episode 89 – Burton on design systems and KickStand-UI

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We discuss why UI design systems are important and how can they help you. Also, Burton gives us a demo of Kickstand UI – a design system he created. Watch the video to see how it can consistently help you make usable and accessible websites.

YouTube Demo: https://youtu.be/n-tuU-PlTvE

Burton’s Bio:

Burton Smith is a senior software engineer at Bunzl North America where he works with internal business stakeholders and external customers to build digital solutions.

He is the creator of the Clarion style framework for design systems (projectclarion.com) as well as Kickstand UI which is a design system based on web components that can be used everywhere (kickstand-ui.com).

In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife and three daughters, practicing martial arts, jamming on his ukulele, and learning new things (usually about software engineering).

Important Links

Burton Smith’s Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stuffbreaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burton-smith-48132a34/

E-Mailing: burton@breakstuff.io

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xmSi1ytopsssR1i3kKveg

Thanks for Listening!

Do you have some feedback or some advice for us or our audience? Please give us a review on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher and share your thoughts.

If you found this episode useful, please go ahead and share it with your friends and family. You can also listen directly and give your feedback on the website.

You can subscribe to Mentoring Developers via iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. 

Episode 88 – Burton Smith: How To Breakthrough In Tech

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How do you sneak into a career in software development? Surely, you need a Computer Science degree and certifications to land a great job? Not quite – according to Burton Smith.

Burton stumbled into software development but was it a mere coincidence? Listen in as we discuss how he got his start and how new and aspiring developers can handle the myriad curve balls thrown at them.

So what has all that got to do with Albert Einstein? The answer to that riddle is found in Episode 88!

Burton Smith’s Bio:

Burton Smith is a senior software engineer at Bunzl North America where he works with internal business stakeholders and external customers to build digital solutions.

He is the creator of the Clarion style framework for design systems (projectclarion.com) as well as Kickstand UI which is a design system based on web components that can be used everywhere (kickstand-ui.com).

In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife and three daughters, practicing martial arts, jamming on his ukulele, and learning new things (usually about software engineering).

List of topics

We discuss: 

  • What got Burton into the tech industry?
  • A quote that inspired him to change his perspective. 
  • What drew him towards technology?
  • How to apply Einstein’s philosophy in your daily life.
  • What does it take to get better at anything?
  • Why it is important to surround yourself with things related to the tech industry
  • Imposter syndrome is still prevalent in the tech/software industry.
  • How imposter syndrome affects newcomers
  • Why GitHub is a great platform for newbies
  • Why work-life balance is important and how you should find it.
  • How you should communicate with your co-workers.
  • About the upcoming tutorial video.

Burton Smith’s Links:

Thanks for Listening!

Do you have some feedback or some advice for us or our audience? Please give us a review on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher and share your thoughts.

If you found this episode useful, please go ahead and share it with your friends and family. You can also listen directly and give your feedback on the website.

You can subscribe to Mentoring Developers via iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.