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 :-)

Transcript

1. So, you want a career in tech? Nicky Thompson
2. Why should I go into a career in technology? What kinds of things could I do?
3. Image © https://findingada.com/blog/2018/10/08/new-careers-poster- what-kind-of-technologist-could-i-be/
4. 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
5. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS COULD I DO? Other software VR & AR Video games Mobile/desktop apps Mobile games
6. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS COULD I DO? http://thisisengineering.org.uk/
7. What’s a career in programming like? What’s good and bad about it?
8. 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
9. What’s a career in programming like?
10. Freelance vs working for a company You don’t have to get a job at all..! WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
11. Physical products vs digital https://www.moo.com WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
12. https://www.moo.com WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
13. Agency vs product Agencies make websites for lots of different companies, product companies just do one thing WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
14. Edgar Wright: Brandon Generator WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
15. Image © Oleksandr Pidvalnyi from Pexels Working remotely/working abroad
16. You can choose projects that align 
 with your interests You can work in lots of different industries
 WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
17. WHAT’S A CAREER IN PROGRAMMING LIKE?
18. 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?
19. 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?
20. 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?
21. Ok, how do I do it?
22. Should I go to university?
23. Should I go to university? Maybe
24. Should I study computers?
25. Should I study computers? Maybe Image © University of Utah, via https://twitter.com/mayli/status/1040661695394340865/photo/1
26. 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
27. What else could I do 
 to get the experience I need? 
 Get a job! Apprentice, graduate scheme, entry-level, they are out there
28. Ok, but can I really do it? Yes, you can!
29. Ok, but can I really do it? Yes, you can are!
30. CoderDojo = coding, but also building your network
31. Code is just the first step
32. Other non-technical skills If you like doing these things, you’ll probably 
 be good at this
33. Video & board games 

34. Video & board games = teamwork, strategy, delegation, communication
35. Sewing, knitting, woodwork, crafts, cooking & baking
36. Sewing, knitting, woodwork, crafts, cooking & baking = 3d modelling, maths, how to improvise & recover when instructions aren’t clear
37. TV/movies/reading/learning a new language
38. TV/movies/reading/learning a new language = critical thinking
39. HUMANS WANTED
40. https://www.futurelearn.com Dojocon2018