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Mentoring Developers

Mentoring Developers

Helping software developers thrive

Episode 90 – How to get your first job after bootcamp

August 31, 2021 By Ammar Shah Leave a Comment

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/p/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_90-kim_Luu.mp3

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Kim started her software engineering career during the pandemic from scratch. She lost her job and started learning code from a bootcamp. In 4 months she got a job as a software engineer. Watch as she describes her experience.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/9ss1KedFLvo

Kim’s Bio:

My whole life’s purpose is to be helpful to other people. Originally, that desire led me to pursue a career in hospitality, where I could directly impact the one-to-one consumer experience through her attention to detail, clear communication, and forward-thinking. After moving to the US, I regained touch with my innate curiosity. Through the perspectives of new friends I’ve made in the US, I realize that I had long ago shut off a valuable part of my mind – one that was more about seeking and exploring. But this led me to a career crossroads.

I started looking into other options, harkening back to her childhood self, when her desire for answers sent her on interesting rabbit trails that led to even more questions. I was always looking for things and asking questions and making things that were crafty. I started thinking, what can bring me that sort of excitement again?

A friend suggested me try coding but I brushed off the idea at first because I’d never worked with computers in any serious way.

Then one day, I decided to try it on a whim, taught myself some Javascript and enrolled to Hack Reactor’s immersive program. I realized that with software engineering, I can make an even bigger impact because the world is changing so fast, only software can keep up.

After the bootcamp, I landed her current job as a Software Engineer at Intellivision Entertainment, a company whose mission is to unite people through affordable, family-friendly entertainment. work on the infrastructure cloud team, doing backend work to build out services for consumers. I have a lot of autonomy on the job, but simultaneously feels like part of a passionate, supportive team with mentors and coworkers all working together toward common goals.

Episode Highlights and Show Notes:

List of topics

0:07 – So tell us the story of how you got your first job during COVID Pandemic!
2:14 – What was it like going to a demanding coding bootcamp?
3:44 – Which technologies were taught in your bootcamp?
4:49 – How did you approach looking for your first job out of bootcamp?
6:24 – How much does it cost to go to a good bootcamp like Hack Reactor?
7:24 – During the COVID Pandemic, are the classes virtual instead of in-person?
9:40 – Do bootcamp offer guidance and mentoring and if so what does it look like?
11:01 – Is it hard to be accepted as a software engineer without many years of experience?
12:30 – How did you prepare for your interview to get your first job?
14:45 – Did you find it overwhelming in your first job when you started right out of a coding
bootcamp?
17:17 – Did it get easier after the first week as a new developer in your first job?
18:30 – How long have you been working at your first job?
18:40 – Is there anything you are passionate about?
19:31 – How can people get in touch with you?
20:04 – Salutations

Kim’s links:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimhienluu

YouTube: 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.

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_90-kim_Luu.mp3

Episode 88 – Burton Smith: How To Breakthrough In Tech

June 1, 2021 By arsalan Leave a Comment

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/p/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_88-Burton_Smith.mp3

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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:

  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/stuffbreaker
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burton-smith-48132a34/
  • E-Mailing: burton@breakstuff.io

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. 

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_88-Burton_Smith.mp3

Episode 89 – Burton on design systems and KickStand-UI

June 1, 2021 By arsalan Leave a Comment

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/p/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_89-Burton_Smith-Design_System_Demo.mp3

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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. 

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_89-Burton_Smith-Design_System_Demo.mp3

Episode 87 – Rocky Lhotka: How to be successful in tech

May 25, 2021 By arsalan Leave a Comment

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/p/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_87-Rocky_Lhotka.mp3

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Discover how Rocky Lhotka got his start as a software developer without a computer and went on to become a tech CTO. In this amazing story of resilience, Rocky shows us the path for the rest of us to follow. What a remarkable story!

Rocky’s Bio:

Rockford Lhotka is CTO at Cognizant Softvision and is the creator of the open-source CSLA .NET development framework. He is the author of numerous books and regularly speaks at major conferences around the world. Rockford is a member of the Microsoft Regional Director and MVP programs. Magenic (https://magenic.com) helps you deliver your digital products to market faster. For more information go to http://lhotka.net.

Episode Highlights and Show Notes:

List of topics

  • Rocky’s origin story – what got him into the software industry?
  • What drives Rocky?
  • What problems do new software developers face?
  • Rocky’s college experience
  • What you need to keep in mind while in college.
  • Internship tips
  • How to build a killer resume while in college
  • What Rocky looks for when hiring new developers
  • What skills you need as a software consultant
  • Type of companies to avoid when looking for a new job
  • Why finding a good mentor and role model is important
  • New technology vs Old Technology
  • Rocky offers additional pointers to new and aspiring developers

Rocky’s Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockyLhotka

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockylhotka

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockfordlhotka

Website: https://lhotka.net/

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. 

https://media.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/content.blubrry.com/mentoringdevelopers/Episode_87-Rocky_Lhotka.mp3
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