Answering Your Top 5 #CodeNewbie Questions

Sjoukje 👩‍💻 @ 🇳🇱 — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:43:06 +0000

What advice would you give to a new engineer?

My advice would be to find a mentor, a community and take time to learn about every area in tech. At the start of your journey as an engineer you’ll fall into a role that you’ll work in, and it’s important to stay curious and realise that there are many areas you could go into over the course of your career. You can do this at internal events in your workplace, like attending workshops and talks outside of your scope of expertise, but you can also attend external network events online.

How can I improve my programming skills?

Your skills will grow in time as you take on more responsibilities at work. A great way to learn is by pair programming with more senior engineers. You can see how they approach problems, debug and release features - this as helped me a lot in the past as I learned new programming languages and processes. In addition, I would take advantage of any subscriptions to learning platforms you may get through work.

Another great place to learn is Free Code Camp’s learning journeys and places like HackerRank and Leetcode for quicker challenges.

I am interested in public speaking, where can I find new speaker opportunities?

A great way to become a speaker is to join a local or online tech interest network such as the BCS, Ladies of Code or a community that specialises in a technology that interests you. These groups have regular meetings in which members come forward to do quick talks about topics of interest, both technical and non technical. Ladies of Code in particular are a great place to start.

I also recommend applying for calls for speakers at conferences that interest you. Global Diversity CFP Day is also great!

Finally, most workplaces have informal speaking or presentation opportunities that you can take part of.

I wanted to give back to the tech community through teaching, which organisations can join?

My favourite place to volunteer is with Code First Girls, who I have collaborated and taught with for over five years. I teach women how to code through 4 and 8 week web development or Python courses. You can sign up to be an instructor on their website and join a local course, or set one up at your workplace with the help of other engineers. GirlCode is another group that you can be an ambassador for if you’re interested in creating digital content to get more women into the industry.

There are also likely opportunities to teach in schools near you, in person on online. This is a great way to give back to your community.

Technology is a male-dominated industry, where can I meet other women?

From my experience, I’ve benefited from joining women in tech networks to be able to interact with a huge number of women in the industry and that’s been very uplifting in times I’ve needed guidance in a situation. There are lots of male and female allies and mentors in tech ready to lend a helping hand, you just have to know where to find them!

The Importance of Community

Sjoukje 👩‍💻 @ 🇳🇱 — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:27:28 +0000

The first time I realised how special tech communities were was when I started teaching web development for Code First Girls at the start of my second year of my undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews. I had been one of few female students taking introductory computer science courses the year prior and had seen enough ‘tech bro culture’ to seek solace elsewhere - the first opportunity being lecturing a crowded lab filled with women like me wanting to learn how to code. Helping other women build confidence and excitement for coding and tech careers was cathartic and fulfilling for me and still is five years on.

Attending network events outside of my company allows me to learn about topics and technologies outside of my focus at work, and lets me meet people I otherwise would not cross paths with whether they hold far more senior positions or live outside of my city.

You can’t be what you can’t see - Someone incredibly wise, probably

It’s really hard to dive into the deep end of a new career without an idea of what your goals are. From my women in tech groups at university like CFG and SHE++ to the broader networks I joined such as BCSWomen Scotland, I learned to pick out which skills and qualities I needed to develop to become the professional I wanted to be from those who attended each meet-up, lecture and workshop. Networks are a great place to meet future mentors, role models or people that will guide you to your next role in a more informal setting.

The benefits of joining a network early in my career seemed straightforward - accelerate my growth as a young professional, build a network and learn from lots of interesting people. What I hadn’t expected was to be embraced by my new communities on a more human level, that they would reassure and encourage me when I struggled and cheer me on when I took exciting chances in my life and career.

With most working or studying remotely, there has never been a better time to join your local diversity in tech or technical networks. Joining and contributing to a network allows you to grow your career and expand your horizons to new opportunities, skills and opinions.

Although the networks that I contribute to and benefit from are mostly female-oriented, men should also consider attending diversity in tech events to help push the gender equity in tech agenda forward. At BCSWomen we believe that diversity of thought is only possible when everyone’s voices are allowed to be heard, and we encourage men to join our conversations so that we can improve how we discuss and achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In turn, male attendees could find it rewarding to be able to learn about and champion this movement when they return to their workplaces.

Joining a network has increased my awareness of the setbacks that minority groups in tech experience in education and the workplace. When I attend events in my networks, whether it be at work or externally, I listen to how other women have overcome challenges to achieve success in the arcs of their careers. Sharing my story with others and hearing theirs made me realise that I was not alone in my experiences, which in turn fired me up to make the changes I wanted to see in my community.

I want to add that I agree with the adage that turning up is 80% of being successful. Absorbing the wealth of technical knowledge, local market insights and career wisdom from the amazing people that attend network events is priceless. Even as an early career woman in tech or first time attendee you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Surprise yourself with a new experience and turn up to your local women in tech network!

Which communities do you appreciate the most? Shine a light on them and their contributors in the comments below!