Software Developers Journey

Christina took us back to her early childhood when her parents tried to encourage embrace computer science. She told us about her deceptions failing to enter a med-school and had to introspect. She explained how she took a job, rediscovered programming, and rejected it again; going for animation instead. We spoke about Lord of the Ring and animating movies before coming to the point where Christin...

Rotem took us on a wild ride, which started in a leadership position in Unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Force. After five years, she loved her impact, but she felt that software engineering was where she wanted to go next. But instead of entering a leadership position right away, she thought she needed to start "from the bottom" by learning how to code. She told us about her studies and...

Susan took us from her maths studies to discovering C++ and deciding on following a career in computer science. We talked about her discovery of verification and functional programming and how it became her main interest. We spoke about distributed systems and how you can view organization structures through their lens as well. Here are the links from the show: https://www.twitter.com/SusanPotter...

Steve took us back to primary school, where he discovered computers in form of a BBC Micro. We brushed over his early days, and how he slowly made his way toward computers with the help of certifications. Steve explained how software development was a side activity for a very long time. We then discussed interviewing and the important help of his wife to help him to take a leap of faith (twice). W...

Emma took us from her computer science studies and start at IBM all the way to her current role at Spotify. We spoke about privileges, struggling, reality-check, playing catch-up, learning on your own. Emma told us how she chose to become an asynchronous mentor, putting ever more content out there. We finally talked about the Ladybug podcast that she co-hosts and how to say "yes" to thin...

Kadi placed the start of her study in her discovery of C++ during her maths & psychology studies. We then talked about her first steps in the industry and finding a job. We talked about consultancies vs. product shops. We explored her time at a startup. We discussed her discovery of communities and becoming a force multiplier. Here are the links from the show: https://www.twitter.com/kadikrama...

Amarachi took us from her accounting studies and her dislike for the field to her first lines of code. She explained how she learned her first coding skills, and how she got a foot in the door with a first company. We then talked about communities and creating a meetup. And finally, we talked about her book "Getting started in tech," why and how it came to be, and how it might evolve in...

In a captivating exchange, Shannon Kendall takes us through her unique journey from an acting career to becoming a self-made software developer. Shannon’s unconventional path illustrates that it's never too late to pivot, embrace change, and create a new narrative for yourself. Shannon took first took us toward her acting career. She told us about the highs and lows and how she realized her d...

Jenn started by telling us about her discovery of web development when she was 14 years old, but also how she skipped it entirely and went to study law instead. After a few years, she felt miserable, changed jobs, and slowly came back to development. We talked about applying for jobs, mentorship, Angular 1.0, learning Javascript, theatrical performance, tech conferences, and giving talks. Here are...

Helen's journey started with a "classical" computer science degree at the end of the 90s but took a sharp turn toward technical writing. Helen told us the horror story of her first development job. We discussed her misconceptions about technical writing and what it became for her. We talked about advocating for the users and why in 2020, she accepted to work for JetBrains as a devel...

Grace took us on her journey, from IBM to IBM, via her biology studies. We talked about loving computer science but choosing to follow a different path. We talked about changing careers, feeling like an imposter, playing catch-up (too much), and finally finding a sweet spot by combining two fields. We finally talked about reactive systems and how Grace has been using her biology background to help...

Sandra took us from her first computer and attempts at circumventing her parent's restrictions, all the way to her current job as a developer advocate at Microsoft. We talked about her studies, hackathons, communities, conferences, mentorship, startup world, gender-discriminations, embracing the unexpected, and finding your professional, sweet spot. Here are the links from the show: https://w...

In this episode, Layla took us on a wild ride, which started... on horseback. She told us the story of her first career as a horse-riding teacher and fitness coach, followed by her pilates and personal coaching business story. But Layla also described how software development slowly but surely entered her life during all this time. Finally, she told us how she entered this second or third career a...

Mark first told us how computers and programming entered his childhood and left him to study musicology instead. We then talked about how working with people with disabilities made him long for some technical solutions to help them. We discussed how he then re-learned web technologies and mustered the courage to apply as a developer. He told us one interview horror story, and we then exchanged tip...

Delve into a captivating narrative that unravels the intricate journey of a seasoned tech pioneer. This conversation navigates the dynamic interplay between curiosity, persistence, and the power of a good experiment in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech realm. In this episode, Russ Miles takes us along his professional trajectory, from his humble beginnings in open-source p...

Amir took us way back into his first "decade," when he discovered computers, programming, and eventually Linux. We explored his curiosity and what he took out of his 4 jobs. We discussed customer-centricity, machine-learning, leadership principles, and running meetings. We finally made a deeper dive into his current job at Pinecone and what the company does. Here are the links from the s...

Ryan told us about his first love for exercise and the outdoors. Then he described how he rationally chose to embrace software development and almost failed at it. We talked about the two boot camps he studied at, what he learned, and how it felt to enter the software industry for the second time. We talked about mentorship, teaching, experiential learning, and much more. Here are the links from t...

Kara took us from her ballet studies and first career in PR to her front-end development Bootcamp. We discussed learning styles and growing into a new industry. We then talked about interviewing and teamwork. We finally talked in length about how teams are structured at CrowdStrike, remote work, and leadership. Here are the links from the show: https://www.twitter.com/karaluton https://www.karalut...

Shahid took us from his desire to create drugs all the way to his new developer job in New Zealand. We spoke about his Ph. D., changing careers, discovering computers (again), making your hobby into your day job, applying, interviewing, user groups and communities, and changing jobs during a pandemic. Here are the links from the show: Twitter https://twitter.com/shahiddev LinkedIn https://www.link...

Clare took us on a wild ride in and out of software engineering. She told us all about her vulnerabilities, doubts, and questionings and her needs, desires, and aspirations. She gave us the full experience of searching for what she could be good at while surfing on her imposter syndrome, feeling that she hadn't had success in her professional life, and giving us wonderful tips along the way....

Sandra took us from her selling newspapers to pay for her first computer, to her becoming a freelancer. We talked about her studies in Germany. We brushed over Quality Assurance and her testing mindset. We explored her community involvement and how she became a JavaChampion. We finally talked about Freelancing and... sailing away. Here are the links from the show: https://www.twitter.com/SandraPar...

Anand took us from his love for math and puzzles to his management career. First, we brushed over how he discovered that our industry has more roles than just "programmer." Then, we talked about his first job as a QA-Expert and how that influenced the way he approaches problems nowadays. Next, we talked about internships and setting people up for success. Next, we discussed moving latera...

Cliff took us from his apprenticeship at Ford to his love for Xamarin and IoT. But on the way, he told us about his love for flying. First, he told us how he became a pilot flying a Boeing 787. Then, we spoke about how he created a side business as a developer by making the most out of his jet lag and a dent in the 3D printing business. Here are the links from the show: Cliff's Twitter https:...

Shawn took us along on his transition from his very well-paid trading job to his career as a developer. We talked about re-using your skills, boot camps, the power of networks, #LearnInPublic, motivation, and much more. Here are the links from the show: Shawn on Twitter https://www.twitter.com/swyx Pickup What they Put Down Essay http://swyx.io/PUWTPD 30% Off Shawn's Book "The coding car...

Chris took us from playing on his first C64 to his bachelor of arts in ceramics and back to web development. We talked about the different positions he held along the way and how they slowly but surely led him toward web development. We brushed over the creation and recreation of CSS-Tricks, learning in the open and what a good day looks like! Here are the links from the show: Chris on Twitter htt...