Mentoring Developers

Mentoring Developers

Helping software developers thrive

Episode 19 – What’s it like to be a guest on Mentoring Developers? Sarah Mei special!

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What’s it like to be a guest on Mentoring Developers? Sarah Mei special!

Hello dear listeners! I’m your host Arsalan and I am really glad you could join me in Episode 19. This episode will be different from the first 18 episodes and we will look back at the way the podcast has gone in 2015 and where it’s going in 2016.

If you have listened to past episodes, you may have heard me talk about doing panel discussions with a diversity of opinions from people at different experience levels and backgrounds. Well, now the time is right to alternate between in-depth and thoughtful interviews that you love so much with these panel discussions that are badly needed. We need to understand each other better in order to create better professional environments for everyone and it always starts with open and honest discussions. I am excited about these discussions and I am sure many of you are as well.

Please let me know if you would like to be part of a discussion panel or if you would like to share your ideas, opinions, or questions. This is, after all, a safe place for everyone. Alright, people. Let’s go!

Sarah’s Bio:

Sarah Mei is a Ruby and JavaScript developer based in San Francisco, California. She is the Chief Consultant at DevMynd Software, where she spends most of her time pairing with her clients’ developers, helping level up their team. Her particular areas of interest are OOP, service refactorings, growing teams, and inter-developer dynamics.

She has written here about her experiences pair programming while she was at Pivotal Labs, and also her approach to testing. Her most popular article, by a huge margin, is about the dangers of shiny new technology.

Sarah is writing a book with Sandi Metz about how to refactor Rails applications towards happiness.

You can find her on Twitter, GitHub, and LinkedIn.

 

Episode Highlights and Show Notes:

In this episode, you will hear a recent pre-Interview I had with the indomitable Sarah Mei. The full interview is scheduled for February 2016. Sarah is a fantastic conference organizer, speaker, and certified Nice Person™. If you ever wondered, what it’s like to be on the show, you will enjoy this part of the episode.

I hope you listen to this episode and let me know what you think. I will be thrilled if you did!

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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 90 – How to get your first job after bootcamp

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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.

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. 

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

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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. 

Episode 86 – Career Advice From A Bootcamp Instructor!

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Matt Eland, a Bootcamp instructor, gives new and aspiring software developers great career advice and shares his struggles and triumphs in his fascinating journey towards professional and personal fulfillment.

List of topics

  • Intro
  • We discuss why we love computers and how it’s a creative escape
  • How Code schools give you targeted information and don’t leave you in messy student debt
  • The opportunity inherent in the software industry
  • What challenges new coders are facing and why imposter syndrome is common in the software industry
  • What are employers looking for and how to sell yourself
  • How to convince someone to hire you
  • How to get started in software development
  • How software is eating everything
  • Why a coding bootcamp may be better than a 4-year college degree
  • What college won’t teach you

Matt’s Bio:

Matt Eland is committed to helping people achieve greater things through programming. After over three decades of coding Matt put away his mechanical keyboard and made teaching his primary job as he looks to help others grow through his role as an Instructor at Tech Elevator. Matt specializes in .NET and JavaScript technologies and has been working extensively with .NET since beta 2 back in 2001 and with JavaScript and TypeScript “since they were fun”. Matt currently helps lead the Central Ohio .NET Developer Group (CONDG) and is an active speaker in the community. Matt’s current side project, Side.dev, can be described as a free web-based social project management application for developers. Side.dev is intended as a way of encouraging new developers to gain momentum by sharing progress on their side projects, finding an encouraging community, and learn new technologies which may be beneficial to them. Side.dev is in active development and will hit closed alpha on December 18th. You can get in touch with Matt via Twitter at @IntegerMan, LinkedIn, or E-Mailing admin@Side.dev

Matt’s Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/integerman

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

E-Mailing: admin@Side.dev

YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/matteland

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 85 – Oscar wins the battle!

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Oscar Delgadillo is a software engineer and podcaster who has battled adversity and found success. This is a fun discussion.

Oscar’s Bio:

Oscar is a Mexican-born Chicago-raised Software Engineer with experience in supply chain management. He has an obsession with fountain pens and making sure everyone feels safe. Oscar has a passion for helping folks of underrepresented communities break into tech and support them throughout their career. He currently fulfills this passion by helping organize People of Color Code, a Meetup, and a group that shares his same ideologies of making tech careers accessible. He has also recently launched a new podcast, Casual Viernes, a collaboration with LatinXAmerica Media in order to increase the representation and stories of Latinx folks.

Watch it on YouTube!

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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 84 – Sara is on a ROLL! | Mentoring Developers | #GirlsWhoCode | #React.js #HowToSucceed

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Sara Inés Calderón is a mobile app developer (iOS & Android via React Native) and a community leader.

In this exciting episode of Mentoring Developers, I talk to my friend, Sara. Her story and career progression is inspirational especially for women and people who come into technology from other professions. Get ready for this amazing no-holds-barred discussion about women in technology.

Share your thoughts in comments!

Sara’s Bio:

Sara Inés Calderón is a mobile app developer (iOS & Android via React Native), community leader and writer based in Austin, Texas. She works as a Lead Mobile Developer and has worked on several music-related apps. She has previously worked on musx and Tribl and currently works at Artistory.

Important Links

  • Sara’s Blog: http://www.sarainescalderon.com/

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 83 – Rob does Android and you can too!

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Rob Joseph is a UK Software Developer practicing his craft in the exciting Android mobile industry. 

Rob is thriving as a freelancer and he will show you the how and why of freelancing in software and why that might be a good choice for you if you are a new or aspiring software engineer. We’ll learn the crazy story about him giving up the chance to be part of a startup that could have made him a millionaire. Share your thoughts in comments!

Rob’s Bio:

Rob J is a self taught Android Developer that has been a freelancer since 2012. he’s worked with startups, corporates & even solo founders, at the same time he’s released more than 20 of his own apps on the Google Play Store over those years that have even been featured on BBC News & Lifehacker. He’s a tech enthusiast, a health & fitness fanatic and he’s the host of the app development focused podcast – Coffee & Coding. 

 

Important 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. 

Episode 82 – How do you even break into a software career | Mentoring Developers | Newbie Developer

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How do you even get into the field of Software Development without first going to a 4-year college for Computer Science or an expensive code academy?

How hard is it to switch careers and be accepted as a legitimate software engineer? Will you be considered an imposter? Tune in to this episode to find out! We discuss with Kevin Schwartz his career-switching journey into software and the ways he may have stumbled and fumbled and finally found his way. For show notes and to listen to the audio podcast, visit http://mentoringdevelopers.com/episode82 and let us know what you think!

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

Kevin’s Bio:

Kevin Schwartz is 27 and very recently switched careers into the development field after learning on the side for years.  He is working with BYBE and doing some freelance projects for income and mostly interested in Front End Web Development. He graduated from The Ohio State University for New Media and Communication technology with a minor in design. 

 

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 80 – Greg Thomas shows you how to move up the tech ladder

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Greg talks about his journey into software development and how he moved up the ranks to lead software teams and how you can do it too! Subscribe and write a comment with your career level (Unemployed, Junior, Senior, or Manager) to get the chance to win a free copy of Greg’s new book: Code Your Way Up!

Leave a comment with your career level to get the chance to win a copy of Code Your Way Up for free.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

Greg’s Bio:

Greg Thomas has been writing code, leading projects, breaking builds or developing and launching products – all while amassing an impressive wealth of experience as a team leader. 

He is the Founder of BetaRover Inc, a cloud solution provider that helps customers onboard their organizations to the cloud.  He leads a team of developers in delivering solutions on the Azure platform stack building services, databases and any other integrations they need to make the successful transition to the cloud.

Important 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.