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So you want a career in tech?

nicky
October 20, 2018

So you want a career in tech?

A look at some mistakes I've made and fun I've had along the way in a 20 year career in programming, and gives tips on how to get into it and how to tell if you'd be good at it and enjoy it.

I gave this presentation at DojoCon 2018 - use the code "DojoCon18" for a discount on an upgrade for a FutureLearn course.

Some other useful links from the deck:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories/tech-and-coding-courses
https://www.futurelearn.com/career-advice/become-a-developer

https://findingada.com/blog/2018/10/08/new-careers-poster-what-kind-of-technologist-could-i-be/

http://thisisengineering.org.uk/

Humanities poster: https://umarket.utah.edu/um2/humanities/product.php?product=7

Have fun! Be cool :-)

nicky

October 20, 2018
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Transcript

  1. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS COULD I DO? futurelearn.com Programming, ops,

    tech & customer support UX Graphic design Product design, development & management Research Data science & analysis
  2. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS COULD I DO? Other software VR

    & AR Video games Mobile/desktop apps Mobile games
  3. WHAT’S GOOD AND BAD ABOUT IT Programming can be very

    well paid, especially in sectors like finance
 less than 1% unemployment in tech overall Still a lack of women & people from ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+, especially in senior roles You can do things that improve the world and improve peoples’ lives 
 (and still get paid well) Can be easy to slip into a 
 sedentary lifestyle It’s fun & exciting!
 It’s still being invented, 
 there’s always something new to learn It’s fun & exciting!
 It’s still being invented, 
 there’s always something new to learn
  4. Freelance vs working for a company You don’t have to

    get a job at all..! WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  5. Agency vs product Agencies make websites for lots of different

    companies, product companies just do one thing WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  6. You can choose projects that align 
 with your interests

    You can work in lots of different industries
 WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  7. You can choose timelines that align 
 with your interests

    You don’t have to work 9-5, Monday to Friday, with four weeks paid leave. 2 days a week? 6 months a year? WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  8. Image © http://www.lyndseyscott.com/ Chase your dreams Lyndsey Scott splits her

    time between acting and iOS development WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  9. Other different ways of working Working for a very established

    company vs working at a startup All hands on deck! A very big company vs a very small one They feel very different day to day Specialist vs generalist Depth vs breadth of experience WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
  10. Should I study computers? Maybe Image © University of Utah,

    via https://twitter.com/mayli/status/1040661695394340865/photo/1
  11. What else could I do 
 to get the experience

    I need? 
 Programming clubs, bootcamps, online learning, meetups, project based, 
 make a thing, ask for help
  12. What else could I do 
 to get the experience

    I need? 
 Get a job! Apprentice, graduate scheme, entry-level, they are out there
  13. Sewing, knitting, woodwork, crafts, cooking & baking = 3d modelling,

    maths, how to improvise & recover when instructions aren’t clear