I'm not sure how to start about this, so let's go with the beginning.
I've been in the webdev industry for just a few years and am the CTO of a small french e-health company that provides programs for people who suffer from weight, insomnia or stress issues. And that feels great, believe me !
So you might be asking yourself where I'm going with this ...
At the very beginning
The thing is, this wasn't quite the career I was aiming at when I started college and then graduated. I did start with a computer science two year course where I learnt the basis of algorithms and how to code in C, C++ and other cool stuff like that, but the teachers, at the time, kept telling us that being a developper was like being a the bottom of the food chain.
Clearly, according to them, the trend was to be on the functional side of tech. So I went on with a masters degree to become project manager. Therefore, I started my career by writing functional specifications (Gasp).
The turning point
I was working for this big power company writing specs on data exchange between the different apps and noticed we had no way to know where the data really was. So I developed a small Java JSX app that enabled us to track the data, it worked so well, they put it into production, I was thrilled !
I thought, what the hell am I doing writing functional specs and wanting to be project manager, I hate all of that! At this point, I was regretting all I had done until then, thinking that I would never be fully happy with my career, ever.
This company then started to replace their awful palm devices by iPads and were looking for developers to build the new apps. So they hired this guy to start working on the stuff and I dared to ask if I could have a try on working with him, and if he would mentor me. This is the best decision I have ever made in my whole career!
They accepted ! They gave me the chance I needed. Up to me to make it worth it.
I worked 2 years there was great to learn, but the thing with big companies is that you never really get to see the whole picture. You just work on a part of a project. So I left, to work as a Lead Fullstack developer in a Startup for 1 year and then had the opportunity to become CTO of another small company.
I decided to give it a try, even though I didn't really feel legitimate for the job. I felt like I was missing so much knowledge and that I would never manage to take the right decisions fast enough.
To the point now
A few points I'd like tech recruiters to not forget:
- Studies are a good thing, but they don't make you a good developer, passion and practicing does.
- Junior developers can be really good if you just give them a chance, we all were Junior first
- It really is possible to learn how to code in just as few weeks (this one is for my CEO who thinks it's better not to hire people who don't have a computing background)
This is the first blog post I've ever written, and it feels right. I didn't want to start with some technical stuff. I really wanted to thank some people I follow on twitter for making me feel legitimate to write here.
So thank you
![[deleted user] image](https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fthepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fi%2F99mvlsfu5tfj9m7ku25d.png)
[Deleted User]
and all the others for making this happen.
Top comments (10)
Great article!
However, I would beg to differ regarding ,,it is possible to learn how to code in just a few weeks...''.
I certainly think it is, but it takes a much longer time to learn how to apply it properly and to the point where it is useful and functional in the long run. So care and time should be invested in order to gain a wider perspective and learn the best practices.
Just my two cents 😄
Hi,
I sure agree with you, what I meant is that as a CTO I wouldn't fear recruiting someone who has just finished à BootCamp of 6 weeks for example.
Learning to write properly built code and projects sure needs more time and this comes with practice. I'm not there yet, I still have a lot to learn :-p
Thanks for your two cents :)
Totally on board with you buddy 🤘
Hey!
Nice testimony and congrats on your first post!
I started just the same and followed with engineering school afterwards. Unfortunately in France most teachers doesn't know the reality of the enterprises where students will work afterwards. And still a lot of enterprises favors diploma and age when really it's the skills and mindset that really matters.
I'm really glad for you that you had the guts to ask for what you wanted and had the opportunity to do it. And congrats on becoming CTO afterwards. Keep a good mindset and keep doubting in a healthy manner and I'm sure you'll be a good one!
Thanks for your message, it means a lot to me.
It's true that schools in France generally aren't connected to the real working world.
My next post will probably be on why I regret being CTO a little. The job is pretty cool, but they are some downfalls ;)
Do share your experiences about that
Nice post 👌🙌
Hey man, thanks for sharing your experience.
Glad you found your passion in development, and advanced in your career relatively quick.
As a junior/intermediate dev myself I always wonder if I am at the bottom of the food chain. But I always have to remind myself that it doesn't matter as long as I love what I do.
Good luck on your journey and I hope you share any future insights!
Thanks for your message. Passion is very important to me, I would always put passion before knowledge or experience on my checklist for recruiting developers. 👍
Welcome to the club Matthew! Very inspiring article; sounds like you have an exciting time ahead of you. I look forward to your next article!
Hey, Matthew. Thanks for sharing your story with us.