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Thank you all for being here. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the RubyConf program community for allowing me to speak today. I would also like to thank all the RubyConf organizers and all the hard work they’ve put into creating such an amazing event for us all. Please take a moment to recognize their efforts.
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Hello! My name is Max Tiu, and I’m a software engineer at CallRail. I’m also the communications coordinator for Rails Girls Atlanta. You can find me on Twitter and GitHub under the username MeganTiu. I’m a proud bootcamp graduate, although I haven’t always felt confident enough to discuss it on a stage like this. It has been a significant journey to get here.
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Like many bootcamp graduates, I have faced the stigma associated with bootcamps. Today, I want to address this problem collectively. The surprise that an intelligent, skilled developer attended a bootcamp pertains to a stigma that impacts all of us. This stigma manifests in various ways for different reasons, but for now, I’d like to share the story of countless bootcamp students I've met during my time attending and organizing meetups and mentoring bootcamp students.
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Let me tell you about a friend named Kaya, a pharmaceutical sales representative. Kaya is unfulfilled in her job and desires a more fulfilling professional life. One day, she speaks to her cousin, who is a developer. Her cousin enjoys a good salary and seems genuinely happy. Intrigued, Kaya asks them how she can explore this career path further.
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Kaya's cousin directs her to Codecademy to learn the basics and various online tutorials. She dives into the coursework, and quickly becomes excited about her progress. Feeling motivated, she returns to her cousin, eager to explore the next steps in her development journey. They mention bootcamps, and Kaya is thrilled. She thinks to herself that she has some savings and could make this new adventure a reality.
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However, it’s essential to recognize that Kaya isn’t representative of all bootcampers; everyone comes from different backgrounds and motives. Many individuals seek bootcamps for diverse reasons, not just career changes. Boot campers could be aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to understand the technology behind their business or individuals aiming to save costs on developing a personal website. Some may simply be hobbyists exploring a new skill.
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It's vital to remember that not all bootcamp students want to be developers. By labeling bootcampers in such a uniform way, we risk stereotyping them and failing to appreciate the diverse reasons for their participation in these programs.
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To understand this stigma better, let’s circle back to Kaya. As she explores her options in bootcamps, she becomes aware of negative commentary surrounding them, such as, 'Save your money, it’s not worth it,' or 'You can’t learn enough in a bootcamp to have a real career.' This negativity leads her to question her choices and her confidence as she considers her decision to join a bootcamp.
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Kaya contemplates the idea of alternative education paths and how they hold validity in access to the tech industry. The ongoing stigma often shines light on the pipeline problem: a notion that represents the unbalance in diversity within tech due to factors like education systems but fails to recognize how exclusionary behavior by current technologists contributes to this issue. When technology groups continue to exclude bootcampers, we miss out on a broader pool of knowledge and diverse voices.
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Bootcamps offer a more accessible entry point into the tech industry with the average cost being much lower than traditional computer science degrees. This inclusivity is crucial, especially considering that about 20% of bootcamp graduates are people of color compared to just 6.8% of computer science students. Similarly, women represent 36% of bootcampers, whereas only 14.1% of CS students are women.
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Kaya sees firsthand how the stigma can come into play during her interactions. As she progresses through her bootcamp, she engages with the developer community but begins to hear comments diminishing her experience. These sentiments leave her wondering if she made a mistake. She hears horror stories about bootcamp graduates struggling in interviews, and it becomes disheartening.
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When Kaya seeks employment, she encounters clear barriers like job postings requiring a computer science degree. Even if she manages to land an interview, she feels pressured to prove herself under rigorous testing conditions that favor traditional education paths, embracing outdated practices that overlook the potential of bootcamp graduates.
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The stigma against bootcamp graduates is manifested through comments that imply bootcampers lack foundational knowledge. This disregard leaves many individuals feeling unwanted and further reinforces stereotypes that can hinder their chances in the industry.
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However, it’s important to emphasize that not all bootcampers are the same. Many bootcamp graduates work incredibly hard, and making broad generalizations diminishes their efforts and successes. We often stereotype based on a few negative experiences and fail to recognize the diversity within bootcamps.
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To provide a better perspective, we can explore how often bootcamp graduates succeed. They can offer fresh viewpoints that can help teams innovate and improve their processes by introducing new technologies and ideas. By supporting bootcamp graduates, organizations can enhance their teams.
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Bootcamp graduates can genuinely refresh team dynamics. Their eagerness and fresh perspectives invite teams to reflect on their practices, stimulating critical conversations to improve the codebase. The excitement of learning spreads, energizing the existing team and promoting a conducive work environment.
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Not only do bootcamp students bring tangible skills and insights, but they also foster a welcoming atmosphere where collaboration thrives. Organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit that bootcamp graduates instill. Their diverse backgrounds produce valuable sparks of creativity that can alter the company culture positively.
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In addition, welcoming these new voices bolsters a more inclusive industry. By incorporating diverse perspectives, we can create communities that embrace growth and change while making significant strides in accessibility.
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It’s essential for us to combat the stigma surrounding bootcamps. By doing this, we recognize the value that bootcamp graduates bring to the industry. The diversity present in this community can drive innovation and broaden our understanding of technology. They deserve recognition and opportunities to thrive.
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To dismantle this stigma, we must challenge preconceived notions. We should treat each person as an individual, considering their unique experiences and contributions. When we hold on to stereotypes, we ultimately hinder growth in our community and in the tech industry overall.
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To aid bootcamp graduates in thriving, we need to make concrete changes in hiring practices. We can provide more apprenticeships, allowing new developers to learn and grow in real-world environments. This hands-on approach makes it easier for bootcamp graduates to transition into their careers.
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Furthermore, practical assessments in interviews should replace outdated theories. Practical coding tests not only offer bootcampers a fair chance but also mirror real-world tasks that they'll face on the job. Valuing these real experiences over theoretical knowledge allows us to adjust hiring processes for fairness.
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By engaging directly with bootcamp graduates, we can bridge the skills gap. Encouraging community contributions through workshops, coding sessions, and face-to-face interactions can help newer developers feel empowered and endorsed to explore their passions.
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Creating platforms for experience sharing is vital. Initiatives like Rails Girls Atlanta foster creativity while supporting underrepresented groups as they navigate the tech space. Allowing them a chance to shine within communities enhances professional growth and triggers networking opportunities.
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As we conclude, let's reflect on the overall journey of Kaya. She finished her bootcamp and is building her portfolio while volunteering at local tech meetups to pay it forward. Understanding the difficulty of breaking into this industry has motivated her to make pathways easier for others.
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So, I leave you with a few takeaways: bootcampers have feelings; the stigma against them remains tangible, and it’s up to us to change that narrative. Each bootcamper comes from a different background and possesses unique goals and aspirations.
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Bootcampers provide pathways into tech for those historically underrepresented. They should feel dignified in their pursuit of knowledge and career success. Most importantly, they deserve acknowledgment for their perseverance in an often daunting environment.
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As we welcome bootcampers into our spaces, let us actively listen and validate their contributions. It’s essential to understand that every new voice offers invaluable perspectives that challenge the norm and tease out innovation. Their inclusion is paramount to fostering an equitable community.
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In closing, let’s fight alongside bootcampers and create lasting connections in our industry. If you’re in Atlanta or are willing to be, please reach out to me for opportunities at CallRail. I will be answering questions off stage and would love to chat more about bootcamps and the work that needs to be done to foster inclusivity.
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Feel free to say hello and engage with me throughout the conference; I’m eager to discuss bootcamps or anything else. Thank you for your attention today!
