1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,480 foreign 2 00:00:09,679 --> 00:00:15,780 for the day before lightning talks our 3 00:00:12,599 --> 00:00:17,760 final speaker is Terence Hoon and the 4 00:00:15,780 --> 00:00:19,320 title of this talk will be all the 5 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,600 things I learned as a junior developer 6 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:24,199 so you don't have to 7 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:24,199 take it away 8 00:00:24,779 --> 00:00:29,039 cheers thank you thank you yeah I 9 00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:30,480 noticed the last Talk of the day before 10 00:00:29,039 --> 00:00:32,640 lightning talk so I'll try and be as 11 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,860 energetic as I can but you know it's 12 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:36,480 Sunday 13 00:00:33,860 --> 00:00:38,040 I'm already hyped up with coffee as it 14 00:00:36,480 --> 00:00:40,440 is so I don't need to give any more 15 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:42,120 excitement but yes let's do this so 16 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,800 before I begin just want to say thank 17 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:46,440 you to pycon for letting me speak here 18 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:49,440 especially on a topic that does kind of 19 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:51,539 seem at first glance out of place in a 20 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,579 conference like this but I'm a big 21 00:00:51,539 --> 00:00:55,860 believer that conferences should do more 22 00:00:53,579 --> 00:00:58,260 career related talks especially so they 23 00:00:55,860 --> 00:01:01,440 can be more accessible and less scary to 24 00:00:58,260 --> 00:01:03,719 Juniors and new starters in our industry 25 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:06,000 the reason why I'm so passionate about 26 00:01:03,719 --> 00:01:08,760 talking about this topic is because I 27 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:10,619 want our industry to do better and care 28 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:13,320 more about training the next generation 29 00:01:10,619 --> 00:01:15,000 of developers and software engineers and 30 00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:15,900 the generation after and the generation 31 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:18,360 after 32 00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:21,720 our industry keeps wanting more people 33 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:24,240 to join but we do a terrible job in 34 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:26,159 training them to be better Developers 35 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:28,560 and part of the reason why I'm doing 36 00:01:26,159 --> 00:01:30,060 this talk is largely because of the 37 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,759 conversations I've had with University 38 00:01:30,060 --> 00:01:35,159 students graduates students Junior 39 00:01:32,759 --> 00:01:36,420 developers and all the like in addition 40 00:01:35,159 --> 00:01:38,640 to being a software engineer at 41 00:01:36,420 --> 00:01:40,860 atlassian I'm one of the organizers of 42 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:43,320 uni Hawk which is Australia's largest 43 00:01:40,860 --> 00:01:45,720 student hackathon and I was formerly one 44 00:01:43,320 --> 00:01:48,299 of the organizers of the now sadly gone 45 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:50,640 uh Julia developer Melbourne Meetup 46 00:01:48,299 --> 00:01:53,280 Group So based on those like you're 47 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:55,079 hearing the same old questions the same 48 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:57,299 old issues so 49 00:01:55,079 --> 00:01:59,640 hence why we're doing this there's an 50 00:01:57,299 --> 00:02:00,420 old adage in speaking speak on what you 51 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:03,360 know 52 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:05,040 I kind of know this 53 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:07,819 but I should address the elephant in the 54 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:10,739 room what happens if I'm not a junior 55 00:02:07,819 --> 00:02:13,440 this talk is designed for everyone the 56 00:02:10,739 --> 00:02:15,959 lessons I have picked I've selected 57 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:18,120 should be Evergreen in that you should 58 00:02:15,959 --> 00:02:21,180 at least hopefully resonate with one of 59 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:22,800 them and if my little talk does resonate 60 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:26,580 and help address an issue that you have 61 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:28,620 great excellent I've done my job but I'm 62 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:30,959 also hoping that you take what you've 63 00:02:28,620 --> 00:02:32,879 learned here and share that knowledge 64 00:02:30,959 --> 00:02:35,280 with any other Junior developers you may 65 00:02:32,879 --> 00:02:37,440 be training up yourselves and pay that 66 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:40,800 forward 67 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:43,800 so without further ado 68 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:46,440 lesson one it's very easy to burn 69 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:48,599 yourself out I feel like this is 70 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:51,360 important to State because as an 71 00:02:48,599 --> 00:02:52,860 industry we are really terrible in 72 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:55,620 talking about burnout 73 00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:58,319 this might be because companies kind of 74 00:02:55,620 --> 00:03:00,959 have an incentive not to discuss it or 75 00:02:58,319 --> 00:03:03,660 talk it at a very surface level 76 00:03:00,959 --> 00:03:05,519 now I should acknowledge that up front 77 00:03:03,660 --> 00:03:07,739 that regardless of job at any company 78 00:03:05,519 --> 00:03:09,360 you'll face some level it's stress and 79 00:03:07,739 --> 00:03:12,000 some level of pressure 80 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:14,459 everyone's tolerance is difference 81 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:16,319 but we can all agree that everyone has a 82 00:03:14,459 --> 00:03:18,540 Breaking Point and there will be days 83 00:03:16,319 --> 00:03:19,739 where you feel emotionally drained 84 00:03:18,540 --> 00:03:21,180 there'll be days where you just don't 85 00:03:19,739 --> 00:03:22,739 want to get to work there'll be even 86 00:03:21,180 --> 00:03:24,840 days where you just want to hide in a 87 00:03:22,739 --> 00:03:26,940 toilet to get away from reading logs 88 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,920 before putting a fake smile and dealing 89 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:31,860 with the next issue along the way 90 00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:34,200 it's temporary it can last a day 91 00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:36,560 it can last weeks but that's a sign of 92 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,560 burnout 93 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:40,920 there are plenty of definitions and 94 00:03:38,700 --> 00:03:42,360 think pieces on the internet but I 95 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:45,299 prefer this one from the Mayo Clinic 96 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:47,879 that burnout is a state of physical or 97 00:03:45,299 --> 00:03:50,580 emotional exhaustion that also involves 98 00:03:47,879 --> 00:03:52,860 a sense of reduce accomplishment and a 99 00:03:50,580 --> 00:03:55,200 loss of personal identity 100 00:03:52,860 --> 00:03:57,000 I like this one because it incorporates 101 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:59,159 something that gets overlooked when we 102 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:02,159 discuss burnout that it doesn't have to 103 00:03:59,159 --> 00:04:04,440 be a toxic situation or toxic workplace 104 00:04:02,159 --> 00:04:06,720 to reach a Breaking Point and suffer 105 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:09,360 burnout you can simply suffer it by 106 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:13,680 being stuck in a constant repetitive 107 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:16,139 cycle with no end in sight an easy 108 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:18,120 example is something we've all faced a 109 00:04:16,139 --> 00:04:20,820 constant state of firefighting and Bug 110 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:25,639 fixing with very little of your backlog 111 00:04:20,820 --> 00:04:25,639 progressing because of said firefighting 112 00:04:25,919 --> 00:04:30,540 and I personally can remember just being 113 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:32,220 exhausted after a three-month period 114 00:04:30,540 --> 00:04:34,020 working at some different company which 115 00:04:32,220 --> 00:04:35,880 I won't name where I was constantly 116 00:04:34,020 --> 00:04:37,680 firefighting because we'll get reports 117 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:40,139 from our clients about something going 118 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,580 wrong with our react native app we'll 119 00:04:40,139 --> 00:04:45,300 get a bug report 120 00:04:41,580 --> 00:04:46,979 is sure fix release the build and then 121 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:49,979 something goes wrong and the cycle 122 00:04:46,979 --> 00:04:51,960 continues again and again and again 123 00:04:49,979 --> 00:04:53,699 something has regressed we have to do 124 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,860 this we have to do that 125 00:04:53,699 --> 00:04:58,259 it also didn't help that this particular 126 00:04:55,860 --> 00:05:00,360 client was high value and as you can 127 00:04:58,259 --> 00:05:03,360 expect there were nights where I would 128 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:05,460 often work late there were compromises 129 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:09,300 to me made compromises to be made to 130 00:05:05,460 --> 00:05:11,580 make sure that it would just work L to 131 00:05:09,300 --> 00:05:13,919 minimize loss in employer's reputation 132 00:05:11,580 --> 00:05:16,320 and Revenue 133 00:05:13,919 --> 00:05:18,840 now side note before I continue if 134 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:22,020 you're working a startup or in a large 135 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:25,259 corporation invest in QA please invest 136 00:05:22,020 --> 00:05:26,520 in QA these the people working in QA I 137 00:05:25,259 --> 00:05:29,340 would say are personally the unsung 138 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:31,199 heroes of our industry they're worth the 139 00:05:29,340 --> 00:05:33,660 effort to prevent your developers from 140 00:05:31,199 --> 00:05:35,699 spiraling 141 00:05:33,660 --> 00:05:38,520 so what can you do 142 00:05:35,699 --> 00:05:40,259 there really isn't an easy answer 143 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:42,860 outside of 144 00:05:40,259 --> 00:05:45,419 you have to look out for the signs sorry 145 00:05:42,860 --> 00:05:48,720 but I will say this 146 00:05:45,419 --> 00:05:50,280 if you need a break take a break even if 147 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:53,280 it's just for a few minutes 148 00:05:50,280 --> 00:05:55,320 for example go to your nearest cafe and 149 00:05:53,280 --> 00:05:56,880 get a cup of coffee tea hot chocolate or 150 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:58,680 whatever beverage you want 151 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,900 especially if you're working from home 152 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:03,240 otherwise if it's a bit too far your 153 00:06:00,900 --> 00:06:05,400 kitchen suffices as well but personally 154 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:07,380 I enjoy these small moments of Peace 155 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:10,919 because it means that I don't have to 156 00:06:07,380 --> 00:06:12,960 worry about anything anything related to 157 00:06:10,919 --> 00:06:15,000 work I don't have to worry about logs I 158 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:17,400 don't have to worry about bugs I can 159 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:19,560 just breathe 160 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:22,979 so but if that's not enough if you do 161 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:25,440 feel drained take some time off even if 162 00:06:22,979 --> 00:06:26,580 it's just for a day if none of you have 163 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,800 heard of a mental health day 164 00:06:26,580 --> 00:06:30,900 congratulations I'm going to introduce 165 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,460 you to you now 166 00:06:30,900 --> 00:06:34,560 but for those who don't know what a 167 00:06:32,460 --> 00:06:36,840 mental health day is that's effectively 168 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:39,180 a day where you just take off from work 169 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:41,720 to do some self-care it can be just 170 00:06:39,180 --> 00:06:44,160 catching up on sleep doing some exercise 171 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:46,979 visiting a friend cooking baking 172 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:49,919 whatever you want the idea is you just 173 00:06:46,979 --> 00:06:51,539 do not do any work 174 00:06:49,919 --> 00:06:53,039 you might want to tell your higher ups 175 00:06:51,539 --> 00:06:55,199 why you're doing it and why you're 176 00:06:53,039 --> 00:06:57,840 taking that time off but you don't have 177 00:06:55,199 --> 00:07:01,319 to and it's important to stress you do 178 00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:03,600 not have to I do because I have a good 179 00:07:01,319 --> 00:07:05,940 working relationship with my manager but 180 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,919 not everyone has that luxury and I fully 181 00:07:05,940 --> 00:07:09,840 acknowledge that and there are many 182 00:07:07,919 --> 00:07:12,720 valid reasons why you do not want to 183 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:15,780 tell you tell that to your boss so don't 184 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:18,139 be pressured into revealing anything all 185 00:07:15,780 --> 00:07:20,520 intents and purposes it's just another 186 00:07:18,139 --> 00:07:21,840 annual leave day 187 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,880 and if you're wondering why I'm showing 188 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:25,800 this ABC article that's the reason why I 189 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,419 found out about mental health days turns 190 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:29,960 out Public Service broadcasting actually 191 00:07:27,419 --> 00:07:29,960 works 192 00:07:30,419 --> 00:07:35,880 and lastly you should never feel guilty 193 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:39,259 about taking some time off put your 194 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:39,259 well-being first 195 00:07:41,599 --> 00:07:46,560 So speaking about putting yourself first 196 00:07:44,220 --> 00:07:49,979 leads us to lesson two 197 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:52,680 it goes both ways what do I mean by that 198 00:07:49,979 --> 00:07:54,360 I mean when you go out and interview for 199 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,639 positions you should always make sure 200 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:59,340 it's a two-way conversation yes 201 00:07:56,639 --> 00:08:01,380 obviously make sure you meet the job 202 00:07:59,340 --> 00:08:03,720 requirements for the position and yes 203 00:08:01,380 --> 00:08:06,960 make sure you get fair and reasonable 204 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:08,880 compensation for the work you are doing 205 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:12,000 however you should make it clear what 206 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:14,940 your goals are is this a place where you 207 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,919 can Thrive as such you should always 208 00:08:14,940 --> 00:08:20,400 make sure the company knows what you 209 00:08:16,919 --> 00:08:22,979 want and has plans to achieve that for 210 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:24,419 example just on top of my head if you're 211 00:08:22,979 --> 00:08:26,879 looking to reach that next career 212 00:08:24,419 --> 00:08:29,160 Milestone like being a senior developer 213 00:08:26,879 --> 00:08:33,120 make sure they actually have mechanisms 214 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:35,459 to help you get to that point 215 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:37,020 but as Junior developers what should you 216 00:08:35,459 --> 00:08:39,479 be looking out for 217 00:08:37,020 --> 00:08:41,219 at a bare minimum and I would say bare 218 00:08:39,479 --> 00:08:42,180 minimum because surprisingly this is 219 00:08:41,219 --> 00:08:44,279 hard to do 220 00:08:42,180 --> 00:08:46,440 you should have a plan in place to make 221 00:08:44,279 --> 00:08:48,120 sure they help you grow 222 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:50,880 they should have a working environment 223 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:52,620 that is nurturing and supportive and you 224 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:55,019 should have access to a corporate body 225 00:08:52,620 --> 00:08:57,360 or Mentor that can help you navigate 226 00:08:55,019 --> 00:08:58,980 through anything technical or even 227 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,980 within the company because we all know 228 00:08:58,980 --> 00:09:04,320 companies are complex hierarchies of 229 00:09:01,980 --> 00:09:07,380 management 230 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:09,779 I say all of this because I basically 231 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:11,580 learned this the hard way turns out when 232 00:09:09,779 --> 00:09:14,339 I did my graduate placement 233 00:09:11,580 --> 00:09:15,839 can't even the opposite of all that 234 00:09:14,339 --> 00:09:18,839 there wasn't a plan in place to support 235 00:09:15,839 --> 00:09:21,540 me at all or help me grow I was 236 00:09:18,839 --> 00:09:25,500 literally dumped into a project three 237 00:09:21,540 --> 00:09:27,420 weeks in and was initially I was 238 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:29,820 initially made to feel like I was some 239 00:09:27,420 --> 00:09:32,160 burden I mean how else would you explain 240 00:09:29,820 --> 00:09:34,820 being told to be in a corner to do 241 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:34,820 dashboards 242 00:09:34,860 --> 00:09:39,060 I will say though I made the best 243 00:09:36,779 --> 00:09:41,700 dashboards out of all the team 244 00:09:39,060 --> 00:09:44,399 but I did end up finding my way somewhat 245 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:48,480 I was able to for lack of a better 246 00:09:44,399 --> 00:09:50,220 phrase quote prove my worth to the team 247 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:52,440 I was also able to make a lot of friends 248 00:09:50,220 --> 00:09:54,899 at the company who are also very 249 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:56,339 supportive and what the one in what I 250 00:09:54,899 --> 00:10:00,480 wanted to do 251 00:09:56,339 --> 00:10:03,420 but there was still no plan 252 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:05,880 so after 18 months I found myself not 253 00:10:03,420 --> 00:10:07,680 really liking what I wanted to do and 254 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,600 after some pushing and prodding it was 255 00:10:07,680 --> 00:10:12,000 kind of clear that they weren't 256 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:14,519 interested in giving me the support they 257 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,959 were more focused on the company line so 258 00:10:14,519 --> 00:10:19,140 I left 259 00:10:15,959 --> 00:10:21,360 in hindsight and yes hindsight is 2020. 260 00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:24,660 I should have asked this very simple 261 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:26,339 question how can you help me achieve 262 00:10:24,660 --> 00:10:28,080 what I want to do 263 00:10:26,339 --> 00:10:30,180 I should have asked this question in The 264 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:32,519 Graduate interview process because it 265 00:10:30,180 --> 00:10:36,180 would have given me an Insight in how 266 00:10:32,519 --> 00:10:38,100 they treated their Juniors instead I got 267 00:10:36,180 --> 00:10:41,519 a company that treats their Juniors like 268 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:43,500 another way to make some money 269 00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:45,420 so if there's only one key takeaway 270 00:10:43,500 --> 00:10:47,700 there's plenty but if one of them 271 00:10:45,420 --> 00:10:50,459 hopefully sticks consider what is that 272 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:52,019 what you consider what is consider what 273 00:10:50,459 --> 00:10:53,880 you want to do 274 00:10:52,019 --> 00:10:56,279 ask that question to your manager or 275 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:58,140 recruiters and see how they respond and 276 00:10:56,279 --> 00:10:59,880 how they can help you to achieve this 277 00:10:58,140 --> 00:11:01,500 because 278 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:03,320 and I'm putting it out there being stuck 279 00:11:01,500 --> 00:11:06,920 in a position that you don't like 280 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,920 absolutely sucks 281 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:12,300 but with even the most supportive 282 00:11:10,980 --> 00:11:14,820 company in the world 283 00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:16,620 without experience sadly you will not 284 00:11:14,820 --> 00:11:19,320 get far in this industry 285 00:11:16,620 --> 00:11:21,899 experience matters in this industry it's 286 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:23,700 sort of like our currency whether it is 287 00:11:21,899 --> 00:11:26,519 joining a company or even getting 288 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:27,959 promoted within a company some make a 289 00:11:26,519 --> 00:11:29,760 requirement you have to demonstrate this 290 00:11:27,959 --> 00:11:31,800 for a year before even being considered 291 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:33,779 for a promotion 292 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,760 so it's critical that 293 00:11:33,779 --> 00:11:37,200 it's critical because it provides the 294 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:39,420 evidence you've demonstrated what 295 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,860 they're looking for but obviously not 296 00:11:39,420 --> 00:11:43,500 everyone is going to get the opportunity 297 00:11:40,860 --> 00:11:45,300 to learn and if you don't does that mean 298 00:11:43,500 --> 00:11:48,300 you're stuck 299 00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:49,740 not necessarily lesson three 300 00:11:48,300 --> 00:11:52,860 sometimes you have to make your own 301 00:11:49,740 --> 00:11:55,860 experience now to clarify I don't 302 00:11:52,860 --> 00:11:57,839 actually mean make it up as in line your 303 00:11:55,860 --> 00:12:01,140 resume or fake it to make it please 304 00:11:57,839 --> 00:12:05,220 don't do that that is not illegal but 305 00:12:01,140 --> 00:12:07,320 immoral but what I am saying is that you 306 00:12:05,220 --> 00:12:09,899 have to kind of be a bit more proactive 307 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:12,420 in trying to get that experience and 308 00:12:09,899 --> 00:12:14,700 often you will have to do this outside 309 00:12:12,420 --> 00:12:16,680 of work hours unfortunately 310 00:12:14,700 --> 00:12:18,779 don't expect to be given every 311 00:12:16,680 --> 00:12:22,260 opportunity especially if your manager 312 00:12:18,779 --> 00:12:24,420 is trying to be fair to train up other 313 00:12:22,260 --> 00:12:26,459 to train up more Junior developers in 314 00:12:24,420 --> 00:12:28,800 your team as well 315 00:12:26,459 --> 00:12:31,260 so how do you go about it how can you 316 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:33,959 demonstrate experience outside of a 317 00:12:31,260 --> 00:12:35,700 corporate environment well often the 318 00:12:33,959 --> 00:12:37,680 best way to show something technical is 319 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:39,899 but just by doing it and what I mean 320 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:41,820 technical let's say like a framework or 321 00:12:39,899 --> 00:12:43,740 programming language let's say you want 322 00:12:41,820 --> 00:12:45,480 to demonstrate your proficiency or 323 00:12:43,740 --> 00:12:48,720 competency in a front-end language like 324 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:51,240 react or view or angular or insert Vibe 325 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,920 here uh you can do this by maybe 326 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:55,320 volunteering sometime at a charity 327 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,940 sporting club non-for-profit to help 328 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:59,279 them with their website 329 00:12:56,940 --> 00:13:01,380 otherwise also include contributing to 330 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:03,420 open source projects or even doing your 331 00:13:01,380 --> 00:13:06,420 own side project heck even doing a 332 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:08,459 hackathon accounts as experience 333 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:10,200 I also want to emphasize this point as 334 00:13:08,459 --> 00:13:13,860 well because you can do this for 335 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:15,180 non-technical interpersonal soft or I 336 00:13:13,860 --> 00:13:17,880 think someone actually mentioned to me 337 00:13:15,180 --> 00:13:21,380 on on the height on the hallway track 338 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:24,180 sorry calling it core skills because yes 339 00:13:21,380 --> 00:13:26,399 interpersonal soft core non-technical 340 00:13:24,180 --> 00:13:28,320 whatever you want to call it uh while 341 00:13:26,399 --> 00:13:30,899 they're often forgotten I feel they're 342 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:32,579 also very important because they 343 00:13:30,899 --> 00:13:35,459 demonstrate they're very important to 344 00:13:32,579 --> 00:13:38,100 demonstrate because software isn't built 345 00:13:35,459 --> 00:13:40,019 in isolation or most software isn't most 346 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:42,180 software isn't built in isolation it's 347 00:13:40,019 --> 00:13:44,720 often a team effort 348 00:13:42,180 --> 00:13:47,459 so if you want to emphasize any of these 349 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:49,620 non-technical softcore interpersonal 350 00:13:47,459 --> 00:13:52,079 skills let's say project management 351 00:13:49,620 --> 00:13:53,880 consider being a volunteer organizer I 352 00:13:52,079 --> 00:13:56,160 wanted community events or Meetup Group 353 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:58,800 in your local Tech Community 354 00:13:56,160 --> 00:14:01,139 osip icons an option as well not that 355 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:03,360 I'm promoting this but there are many 356 00:14:01,139 --> 00:14:06,120 options you can do python is just one 357 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:08,820 example of many 358 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:11,700 we're going a bit meta but what I'm 359 00:14:08,820 --> 00:14:13,680 doing right now this presentation is 360 00:14:11,700 --> 00:14:16,139 crazy is me creating my own experience 361 00:14:13,680 --> 00:14:18,959 to hone and demonstrate my public 362 00:14:16,139 --> 00:14:21,420 speaking skills so if you're struggling 363 00:14:18,959 --> 00:14:24,120 and still can't think of anything 364 00:14:21,420 --> 00:14:26,820 I would also recommend doing this too 365 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:28,800 why well because communication skills 366 00:14:26,820 --> 00:14:31,860 are often undervalued and overlooked 367 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:34,079 despite arguably being more necessary in 368 00:14:31,860 --> 00:14:35,579 what we actually do we think that these 369 00:14:34,079 --> 00:14:37,920 skills are largely used during 370 00:14:35,579 --> 00:14:40,560 presentations at conferences like here 371 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:43,199 but you still use those public speaking 372 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:45,540 skills in smaller meetings Zoom calls 373 00:14:43,199 --> 00:14:47,880 and the like for example what if you 374 00:14:45,540 --> 00:14:49,860 need to pitch an idea to your manager or 375 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:52,560 the rest of your team 376 00:14:49,860 --> 00:14:55,139 and to be quite Frank it's kind of the 377 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,760 easiest way to stand out 378 00:14:55,139 --> 00:14:58,079 because 379 00:14:56,760 --> 00:15:01,440 everyone 380 00:14:58,079 --> 00:15:04,019 has kind of a sort of expectation that 381 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:06,839 is super low the bio to speak is very 382 00:15:04,019 --> 00:15:08,699 low and I guess everyone has sort of a 383 00:15:06,839 --> 00:15:11,459 bad example they will compare your 384 00:15:08,699 --> 00:15:13,380 presentation against so if you're 385 00:15:11,459 --> 00:15:16,800 possible and I'm hoping today I'm 386 00:15:13,380 --> 00:15:19,199 possible please uh and then it's all 387 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:21,360 right as long as you're honest as long 388 00:15:19,199 --> 00:15:23,579 as your audience understands what the 389 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:25,740 hell you're talking about 390 00:15:23,579 --> 00:15:28,800 now do I recommend you stand up here and 391 00:15:25,740 --> 00:15:30,899 do a 25 30 minute slot on a presentation 392 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:32,760 to hone your public speaking skills no 393 00:15:30,899 --> 00:15:34,560 that's a bit too much 394 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,720 um I would recommend you start small 395 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,100 there are plenty of meetup groups out 396 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,899 there that will love to take you on 397 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:41,940 board for like even five or ten minutes 398 00:15:39,899 --> 00:15:42,660 we had lightning talks which will be 399 00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:43,920 next 400 00:15:42,660 --> 00:15:45,959 so 401 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:48,120 if you missed out the opportunity at 402 00:15:45,959 --> 00:15:49,860 this pycon the next pycon you can do 403 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:52,199 something like that 404 00:15:49,860 --> 00:15:54,300 unfortunately and I say this with loving 405 00:15:52,199 --> 00:15:55,620 with love public speaking is one of 406 00:15:54,300 --> 00:15:58,920 those things where you kind of have to 407 00:15:55,620 --> 00:16:01,260 keep doing again and again and again to 408 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:03,420 actually hone your craft so don't be 409 00:16:01,260 --> 00:16:05,760 disappointed don't be discouraged if 410 00:16:03,420 --> 00:16:08,160 something goes wrong or you screw up I 411 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:10,800 definitely did once or twice or 15 times 412 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:13,139 already so and I'm sure every other 413 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,820 speaker has had that example as well 414 00:16:13,139 --> 00:16:19,579 but all you need to do is just learn 415 00:16:14,820 --> 00:16:19,579 from it brush it off and try try again 416 00:16:20,220 --> 00:16:25,320 now on to my final lesson and I 417 00:16:23,519 --> 00:16:27,420 absolutely chose this because this last 418 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:29,160 chooses to be the last one because in 419 00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:33,120 essence it sort of sums up pretty much 420 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:34,860 the other three so yeah but also I do 421 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,540 find that it's first thing comes with 422 00:16:34,860 --> 00:16:39,779 something more greater than what I've 423 00:16:36,540 --> 00:16:41,399 spoken about previously so if you need 424 00:16:39,779 --> 00:16:43,680 if you absolutely only remember one 425 00:16:41,399 --> 00:16:46,019 thing from this presentation I hope this 426 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:47,820 is the one you take out of it 427 00:16:46,019 --> 00:16:51,860 Lesson Four 428 00:16:47,820 --> 00:16:51,860 do something not nothing 429 00:16:52,199 --> 00:16:58,079 so for me there's a perfect quote in Leo 430 00:16:54,899 --> 00:16:59,880 tolstoy's Anna cranera I know it's sort 431 00:16:58,079 --> 00:17:01,320 of a hard rate and to be frank I've 432 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:04,980 actually never read the book I've only 433 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:06,240 watched a TV show adaptation of it so I 434 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:09,240 don't know why I've chosen this quote 435 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:12,000 but oh well I'll stick with it but 436 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:14,400 essentially this sums up my feeling for 437 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:17,939 it that I rather end up wishing I hadn't 438 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:20,400 than end up wishing I had essentially 439 00:17:17,939 --> 00:17:22,380 it's better to do something that it flop 440 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,419 even if it flops than looking back and 441 00:17:22,380 --> 00:17:27,120 regretting or regretting that you didn't 442 00:17:24,419 --> 00:17:30,240 do anything what you could have done 443 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:31,980 so if you find yourself stuck stagnating 444 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,700 or just feeling negative about coming to 445 00:17:31,980 --> 00:17:34,380 work 446 00:17:32,700 --> 00:17:37,080 try and find a way to change that 447 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:39,179 situation it can be very easy to Simply 448 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:42,179 ignore it and push through gritted teeth 449 00:17:39,179 --> 00:17:44,220 don't do that please don't do that 450 00:17:42,179 --> 00:17:46,260 of course I would note there is a caveat 451 00:17:44,220 --> 00:17:48,539 with this this may not apply to every 452 00:17:46,260 --> 00:17:49,679 situation obviously and I'm not saying 453 00:17:48,539 --> 00:17:52,080 that you should do you shouldn't do 454 00:17:49,679 --> 00:17:54,240 something blindly and I also don't 455 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:56,640 recommend you resign and respite and 456 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:58,440 flip your boss 457 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:01,860 in a public spectacle despite how 458 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:04,020 tempting it might be uh and but 459 00:18:01,860 --> 00:18:05,160 sometimes the easiest way is just 460 00:18:04,020 --> 00:18:07,020 talking 461 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,640 talk to your peers talk to your friends 462 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:11,220 talk to your manager if you have a good 463 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:13,380 relationship like I said I do some don't 464 00:18:11,220 --> 00:18:16,620 but you might find you might be 465 00:18:13,380 --> 00:18:20,220 surprised on what the answer may be 466 00:18:16,620 --> 00:18:22,200 and I say all this because of what 467 00:18:20,220 --> 00:18:23,700 happened to my graduate program that 468 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,260 same graduate program I end up leaving 469 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:27,240 18 months later 470 00:18:25,260 --> 00:18:29,460 yes they didn't support me but it wasn't 471 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:30,660 really the full story it's slightly 472 00:18:29,460 --> 00:18:31,380 worse 473 00:18:30,660 --> 00:18:32,940 um 474 00:18:31,380 --> 00:18:34,500 in addition to not providing a 475 00:18:32,940 --> 00:18:36,720 supportive environment for a graduates 476 00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:38,580 they pushed me to change my field from 477 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:41,760 being a full stack software engineer to 478 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:44,400 being in devops I'm now stressed I 479 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:47,160 should stress that I don't hate devops 480 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:48,660 I like it it's just not for me as a 481 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:50,580 full-time career 482 00:18:48,660 --> 00:18:52,799 I must prefer building websites and 483 00:18:50,580 --> 00:18:54,000 maintaining CI infrastructure and I also 484 00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:57,059 understand that's a gross over 485 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:59,340 simplification of what devops is 486 00:18:57,059 --> 00:19:00,240 they said it was temporary just a few 487 00:18:59,340 --> 00:19:02,520 weeks 488 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:04,679 but a few weeks became a month then 489 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:07,799 three months then six months then 490 00:19:04,679 --> 00:19:09,840 indefinitely so in essence in effect I 491 00:19:07,799 --> 00:19:12,480 was stuck in a role that I did not want 492 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:14,580 to do during work that I didn't want to 493 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:16,980 be doing 494 00:19:14,580 --> 00:19:18,299 but I took that frustration and bottled 495 00:19:16,980 --> 00:19:20,520 it up 496 00:19:18,299 --> 00:19:23,340 I thought if I just wait hopefully 497 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:24,320 something will come that is better I 498 00:19:23,340 --> 00:19:27,240 would be 499 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:29,400 reassigned to something even greater so 500 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:32,700 well it didn't 501 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:34,020 I won't dwell into the details much all 502 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:39,299 you need to know is I try to get 503 00:19:34,020 --> 00:19:39,299 promoted and got rejected yay 504 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:44,400 um yes obviously emotion I'm allowed 505 00:19:42,900 --> 00:19:47,520 you're allowed to feel sad you're 506 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:50,280 allowed to feel angry but I would also 507 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:52,260 say use that energy and harness that for 508 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:56,160 something a bit more productive and what 509 00:19:52,260 --> 00:19:57,780 I did was use it to reflect on the 18 510 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:59,940 months they learned 511 00:19:57,780 --> 00:20:01,799 why did I get rejected and it was 512 00:19:59,940 --> 00:20:05,220 evident that the 18 months later I did 513 00:20:01,799 --> 00:20:07,380 of work was not and I frankly admit this 514 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:10,260 was not up to scratched from being a 515 00:20:07,380 --> 00:20:12,900 software engineer I ended up learning 516 00:20:10,260 --> 00:20:14,820 stuff for a developers engineer not a 517 00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:17,400 software engineer 518 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:19,320 so that's what I've tried to I found my 519 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:20,640 voice to do something about it and 520 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:22,919 looking back I should have raised my 521 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,840 voice even earlier to avoid being placed 522 00:20:22,919 --> 00:20:26,700 in that situation maybe if I have 523 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:29,100 Community maybe if I communicated like 524 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:31,380 intent clearly or maybe if I pushed hard 525 00:20:29,100 --> 00:20:33,179 on my manager to be pushed onto the 526 00:20:31,380 --> 00:20:34,980 right track 527 00:20:33,179 --> 00:20:37,200 but at least I was doing something to 528 00:20:34,980 --> 00:20:39,120 change that situation I wanted to be a 529 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:41,520 software engineer not a devops engineer 530 00:20:39,120 --> 00:20:43,440 and it was clear based on my 531 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:47,100 conversation with them that they want 532 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:49,740 they did not want to change that 533 00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:51,480 so I was left with two options continue 534 00:20:49,740 --> 00:20:53,160 the path that was going down 535 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:55,320 or leave 536 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:57,600 leaving did not mean that there was no 537 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,340 consequence there was without there was 538 00:20:57,600 --> 00:21:00,120 no there was some consequence I should 539 00:20:59,340 --> 00:21:02,340 say 540 00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:04,140 it meant that I would be effectively 541 00:21:02,340 --> 00:21:06,480 restarting the clock 542 00:21:04,140 --> 00:21:08,039 on my developer Journey not many people 543 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:11,340 leave a junior role for another 544 00:21:08,039 --> 00:21:13,559 relatively more Junior role but given my 545 00:21:11,340 --> 00:21:15,840 work experience was pretty much useless 546 00:21:13,559 --> 00:21:18,600 for what I wanted to do 547 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:20,700 it's an easy decision for me so I jumped 548 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:23,340 I jumped shipped the new company I ended 549 00:21:20,700 --> 00:21:25,980 up working for a startup took me on 550 00:21:23,340 --> 00:21:28,440 board knowing that I would be a junior 551 00:21:25,980 --> 00:21:30,059 however they knew what I wanted to do 552 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,980 and where I wanted to be in the next few 553 00:21:30,059 --> 00:21:33,600 years and they helped 554 00:21:31,980 --> 00:21:35,880 during the three years I worked with 555 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:37,620 them they gave me opportunities where I 556 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:39,960 could skill up and grow in a wide 557 00:21:37,620 --> 00:21:43,200 variety of areas both Technical and 558 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:45,659 non-technical for example speaking 559 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:47,460 in addition I learned so much for about 560 00:21:45,659 --> 00:21:49,520 react native that I effectively became 561 00:21:47,460 --> 00:21:52,980 the subject matter expert in the company 562 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:56,240 and was able to do conference talks like 563 00:21:52,980 --> 00:21:59,760 that that's me in Dev World 564 00:21:56,240 --> 00:22:01,980 2019 I think yeah talking about react 565 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:05,460 native to a bunch of iOS developers not 566 00:22:01,980 --> 00:22:08,760 a good site but yes but 567 00:22:05,460 --> 00:22:11,820 in but it also allowed me to continue 568 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:14,940 and work upwards as well to now getting 569 00:22:11,820 --> 00:22:16,980 a job of where I am currently atlassium 570 00:22:14,940 --> 00:22:18,539 so it all worked out in the end look at 571 00:22:16,980 --> 00:22:21,179 me 572 00:22:18,539 --> 00:22:23,100 so this is the last thing I'm going to 573 00:22:21,179 --> 00:22:24,840 show this is the obligatory summary of 574 00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:26,820 everything you are allowed to take 575 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:28,919 pictures if you want feel free I will be 576 00:22:26,820 --> 00:22:32,100 posting stuff on Discord as well on 577 00:22:28,919 --> 00:22:34,620 Twitter or whatever uh but yeah but in 578 00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:36,299 summary one it's never easy it's very 579 00:22:34,620 --> 00:22:39,299 easy to burn yourself out 580 00:22:36,299 --> 00:22:41,340 so take a mental health break never feel 581 00:22:39,299 --> 00:22:43,320 guilty about taking that off number two 582 00:22:41,340 --> 00:22:45,419 it goes both ways make sure it's a 583 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:47,340 two-way conversation ask what your 584 00:22:45,419 --> 00:22:49,140 company can do for you 585 00:22:47,340 --> 00:22:51,000 three sometimes you have to make your 586 00:22:49,140 --> 00:22:53,520 own opportunities so seek alternative 587 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:56,280 Pathways and number four 588 00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:58,860 always do something never nothing stay 589 00:22:56,280 --> 00:23:01,080 staying quiet never works 590 00:22:58,860 --> 00:23:01,980 so yeah it's my presentation thank you 591 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:09,960 so much 592 00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:11,640 [Applause] 593 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:13,919 thank you so much for your time no 594 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:15,840 worries we have some space for questions 595 00:23:13,919 --> 00:23:19,640 depending on in the audience someone 596 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,640 stories their hands do so now 597 00:23:22,020 --> 00:23:24,200 foreign 598 00:23:30,179 --> 00:23:34,679 hi thanks for the talk 599 00:23:31,940 --> 00:23:36,659 I'm wondering what kind of experiences 600 00:23:34,679 --> 00:23:38,760 you gained early on that set you aside 601 00:23:36,659 --> 00:23:41,520 from other students when you were 602 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:43,140 initially looking for a junior 603 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:46,620 employment 604 00:23:43,140 --> 00:23:48,059 uh so the so to clarify what sort of 605 00:23:46,620 --> 00:23:51,000 things I did 606 00:23:48,059 --> 00:23:53,280 as a to put myself in front yeah so you 607 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,600 did the graduate program yes outside of 608 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:57,659 University 609 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:59,460 we're continuing from University uh what 610 00:23:57,659 --> 00:24:01,679 other things did you do in terms of 611 00:23:59,460 --> 00:24:04,020 talks and what what do you think made 612 00:24:01,679 --> 00:24:05,220 you stand out in particular from other 613 00:24:04,020 --> 00:24:08,880 people who didn't get those 614 00:24:05,220 --> 00:24:10,799 opportunities oh yeah so so yeah so I 615 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:12,659 think mainly because I was an organized 616 00:24:10,799 --> 00:24:15,419 ideological Tech Community work as well 617 00:24:12,659 --> 00:24:18,960 that ended up in helping me a bit so 618 00:24:15,419 --> 00:24:21,780 being able to demonstrate that yes I can 619 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:24,000 project manage because yes it's not like 620 00:24:21,780 --> 00:24:28,380 a software project but organizing an 621 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:30,539 event organizing a meet-up organizing 622 00:24:28,380 --> 00:24:32,640 um a conference track or even like a 623 00:24:30,539 --> 00:24:35,039 small bit of it that end up starting 624 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:36,659 like yes I can hand I can handle what's 625 00:24:35,039 --> 00:24:38,100 been thrown at me it's not going to 626 00:24:36,659 --> 00:24:39,840 phase me 627 00:24:38,100 --> 00:24:41,100 um but as well like I think as well 628 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:42,419 ultimate and I probably should have 629 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:44,340 mentioned this as well in this talk of 630 00:24:42,419 --> 00:24:46,020 realizing it now but networking 631 00:24:44,340 --> 00:24:48,720 networking is very important I think 632 00:24:46,020 --> 00:24:51,179 that's essential in our industry so 633 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:53,880 because of the community stuff that I 634 00:24:51,179 --> 00:24:54,539 did I was able to network and that sort 635 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:58,440 of 636 00:24:54,539 --> 00:25:00,419 helped me when I needed to jump ship 637 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:02,460 thank you no worries 638 00:25:00,419 --> 00:25:04,940 sure are there any other questions in 639 00:25:02,460 --> 00:25:04,940 the audience 640 00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:12,720 can't see anyone else 641 00:25:10,740 --> 00:25:16,100 thank you so much for your time no 642 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:16,100 worries thank you so much for having me 643 00:25:16,500 --> 00:25:22,820 that's one more thing before you leave 644 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:22,820 we've also got a gift and a card oh yeah 645 00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:28,080 thank you so much cheers nice thank you 646 00:25:27,179 --> 00:25:33,210 so much 647 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:33,210 [Applause]