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Been to a bootcamp but still trying to land that first real job? Perhaps you've landed an apprenticeship or entry-level job but anxious to move up?

Or perhaps you lead a team and wish you knew how to acclimate junior developers seamlessly into your organization?

This session is geared for you.

Bootcamps can be helpful as a place to start, but there's always a gap between a bootcamp skillset and the skills required for a real job as a Ruby developer.

In this talk, I'll lay out a practical guide to acquiring the skills and knowledge you'll need to get your foot into the industry or reach that next rung on your career ladder.

I'll cover the areas of computer science most applicable to beginning Ruby programmers, highlight top programming skills that most bootcamps won't cover, and tactics for finding a position that suits you the best.

I'll also cover the top three things every senior developer should keep in mind when hiring, training, and mentoring new developers.

Along the way, we'll learn about this history of the Ruby community and tackle the most important skill of all: to learn how to learn more.

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The video titled "Closing the Gap: How to Leap from Bootcamp to Job" features speaker Jeff Cohen discussing the challenges many face transitioning from coding bootcamps to securing employment in the tech industry. He emphasizes the significant knowledge gap that often exists between the skills acquired in bootcamps and those required for real-world software development jobs, particularly for Ruby developers.

Cohen identifies the primary audience as early career developers who have recently completed bootcamps or college, but he also addresses hiring managers on how to better support junior developers.

Key points discussed include:

- **Finding a Learning Path:** Identify a learning path that builds upon existing knowledge without overwhelming leaps in complexity. Incremental learning is vital to effectively grasp programming concepts.

- **Becoming a 'T' Person:** Developers should focus on deepening their expertise in one area while maintaining a broad knowledge base. This allows for specialization that can enhance job prospects and recognition within specific niches.

- **Reading Source Code:** Cohen stresses the importance of reading other people's code to learn different styles and practices. Engaging with open-source projects can provide practical learning experiences and valuable insights.

- **Specialization by Domain:** Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, Cohen suggests specializing in a specific industry domain. This approach can lead to increased credibility and referrals as developers establish themselves within particular fields.

- **Joining Local User Groups:** Networking through local user groups offers developers a chance to connect, learn, and share experiences, which can enhance their career trajectories and open up new job opportunities.

Cohen also provides a bonus tip encouraging ongoing learning through informal groups or cohorts, emphasizing the value of collaboration in personal and professional development. He highlights the importance of assessing hiring candidates based on their potential growth and learning trajectories rather than strictly their current knowledge. By fostering a community of learners, companies can create a healthier tech ecosystem that benefits everyone.

In conclusion, Cohen’s main takeaway is that the tech community thrives when new developers are given opportunities to contribute. Hiring early career developers not only aids their personal growth but also strengthens the broader programming community over time.

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