Transition Into Tech

I like helping people. It makes me happy. So when I got laid off because of COVID, I put together a calendly link offering 1:1 mentoring sessions. I talk to over 50 people from just invite alone. There were a lot of similar questions. Since I’ll probably get asked a lot of these questions again, I wanted to write down my thoughts. These links are for anyone looking for that entry level coding job.

Stories from 5 Engineers Who Transitioned Into Tech

Alyse Nicole Dunn interviewed five programmers (including me!) who made the transition into tech. We come from a variety of backgrounds. I highly recommend reading this so you can see five different approaches into entering tech as an engineer.

Becoming a Software Developer Without a CS Degree

This is a great article inspired by a massive twitter thread. It shows that there are many ways to get there. Find the way that’s right for you!

The resume is the first step. Do it right.

Are you confused about what to write? One column resume or two? Do you list all your projects? What goes in the “Technical Skills” section? If I misspell something, will they skip me? These resources will help you answer those questions.

Job Sites: Where do I apply?

Long story short: EVERYWHERE. Here’s a list of places to look for jobs.

Coding Interviews

Ques: I’m just learning. Do I need to pass those data structures and algorithms questions to get my first job in tech?

Answer: Yes, most likely. Resources, click below!

System Design Interviews

Ques: What is a System Design Interview!?! Do I need to prep for this in addition to practicing data structures and algorithms?

Answer: No, most likely.

Negotiating

Congrats! You’ve finally been offered a job. Now what?

You may be thinking:

• Do I take what they give me or do I ask for more?

• It’s my first coding job. Shouldn’t I just be grateful?

A company offered me equity. What do I do?

Equity is super confusing and usually it doesn’t pan out to much. I’ve compiled a few resources to help you out.