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Okay, we have a variety of topics today. I’ll go ahead and start with the first question, which is really about building community.
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So, my question is: what are some effective ways to support junior developers in the Ruby community?
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When I was thinking about this question, I thought maybe we could split this up into two parts. One is how to support junior developers who are already on your team writing Ruby.
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The second is how do you bring more developers—people who might not yet be in the Ruby community—into the Ruby community as junior developers?
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Let's see who looks excited to answer. Let’s start with Selena.
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Sure, no problem! Let’s start with juniors on your team. The best thing you can do for juniors on your team is pair programming.
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For anyone who was at RubyConf Thailand last year, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of pair programming. It is the best way to accelerate your juniors.
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Pair programming helps them grow and learn new skills. I think that is the best thing we can do for them—give them as much time as possible.
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Thank you! I remember that pair programming talk. I think it’s available on YouTube, and it’s quite interesting to watch, so I definitely recommend it.
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Ellie, what do you think?
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To be clear, I’ve run two associate developer programs to upskill junior developers. I agree that pair programming is essential. You also need to set them up for success, which means properly onboarding them.
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Support their training as they start. This could involve a set of programs you develop or simply having people to pair program with them.
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Develop some materials that can help bring them on board. Give them tickets that fit their skills, and remember that you don’t need only seniors to support juniors. Mid-level developers are just as capable, as they haven’t been so far removed from being juniors.
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They still remember what it’s like and can answer questions effectively. Pair them with a buddy who they can approach with problems.
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Thanks, Ellie. Are there any consistent obstacles you see junior programmers running into when setting them up for success? Are there any consistent problems we should be aware of?
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Yes, setting expectations is crucial. Juniors often try hard to be valuable and contribute to the team, but it’s important to communicate that they need to focus on their education and learning.
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Also, if they are blocked, they should be encouraged to ask for help. Many times they get stuck and do not communicate that.
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Thanks, Jemma. Just to build on that, modeling behavior is something I think about actively. We were all once juniors, new to programming, and, especially, new to Ruby.
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It’s easy to forget that as you become more experienced. The number one thing I try to model is admitting when I don’t know something and asking questions.
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Junior developers often feel they need to know everything. The pressure to impress can prevent them from seeking help when they truly need it.
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Modeling the behavior of asking for help and admitting when you don’t know something can greatly encourage juniors to feel comfortable doing the same.
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I also believe remote work has created challenges for junior developers. If possible, encourage getting back to the office. While the trend seems permanent, being in the same space allows for serendipity and mentoring.
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One approach is to ensure junior developers are given manageable tasks. They should have some easy tasks and others that stretch them just beyond their current skills, requiring them to ask for help.
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Encouraging inter-team communication is key. We often hold Zoom calls with other teams. I encourage juniors to initiate communication and start architectural discussions.
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If they can articulate their thoughts to others, they will develop better concepts of what they are building.
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I want to add to what Jemma and Brad said about creating a learning environment. It’s essential to have a space where juniors feel comfortable learning and can be pushed just enough without overwhelming them.
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Communication is crucial, and supporting juniors in asking questions and understanding the 'why' behind tasks can foster deeper learning.
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Additionally, implementing code previews can prevent issues. Discussing options before moving forward can help guide juniors to make better decisions.
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Once they submit a pull request, it’s often too late. If they have a chance to discuss their approach beforehand, revision becomes much smoother.
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That's a good point! I sometimes get the impression that developers submitting a pull request feel it’s like submitting homework; they’re nervous about being graded.
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Selena, do you have something to add?
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Yes, I want to emphasize that fostering a culture of open communication is vital. Juniors need to feel comfortable saying when they're struggling.
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This goes back to the broader company culture. An environment where vulnerability and asking questions are encouraged is essential. If the culture promotes openness, it'll help in dealing with juniors.
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I also want to address the paradox of remote work, as you mentioned, Brad. People love working remotely, yet they enjoy being together. I'm curious how you've navigated this in your organizations.
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I often bug my manager for more off-site meetings so we can all travel and meet up. It’s expensive, and management is hesitant, but being in the same place really helps.
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At Fresho in Australia, we transitioned to fully remote engineering. Before, we were all in the office. It was enjoyable and provided a lot of interactions.
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Despite being remote, we have implemented 100% pair programming, allowing for high collaboration. All our engineers work in the same time zone.
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We’ve leveraged tools that enable remote pairing, ensuring no one feels isolated during sessions. This collaborative environment requires cameras on to facilitate communication.
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We attempt to gather in person about four times a year, focusing primarily on collaboration, teamwork, and bonding exercises.
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I think it's important to differentiate between types of work that are best suited for remote and in-person settings. Strategy and brainstorming are better done together physically.
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Remote work can foster focus on coding tasks or pair programming. In contrast, in-person gatherings are ideal for project planning and big-picture discussions.
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The in-person interactions foster connections that are hard to establish online. However, accommodating various needs, such as those of families or neurodivergent individuals, must be kept in mind.
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It is also necessary to create opportunities for remote workers to connect with each other beyond work discussions.
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Let's move on to the next question. I want to talk about how to bring more developers into the Ruby community. What strategies can we employ?
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From my experience in the Ruby community in Australia 10-12 years ago, we hosted Rails Camps that raised awareness of inclusivity within the community.
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At one Rails Camp, I was the only woman among 125 attendees. This led to community discussions on how to bring more women into Ruby.
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Initiatives such as Dev Bootcamps and Rails Girls workshops helped train women in Ruby. We also worked to establish a community culture that was welcoming to all.
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Ensuring that we attract a diverse community is critical as we bring more developers into Ruby. This diversity should reflect broader demographics beyond those currently represented.
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I founded the WRB initiative to improve the retention of developers from diverse backgrounds. Inclusive communities and events play a vital role in encouraging engagement beyond just job involvement.
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Role models are important. When people see others like them in the community, it makes it easier to engage.
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Thank you for your insights. Let's move on to our next topic: AI. As we’re in 2023, how do you see generative AI affecting the future of programming, especially in Ruby?
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AI is already saving us time and money. For example, using GitHub Copilot has increased productivity by 30%. It’s significantly helped our team.
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Programming, however, still feels too complicated. Many of us waste hours on simple tasks that could be streamlined, indicating AI's potential to make things easier.
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I'm curious if programming languages will evolve to be more compatible with AI technologies. For example, languages that are more explicit in syntax, like Haskell, may gain popularity over Ruby.
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We need to consider how to adapt Ruby to ensure it is enticing for AI companies while improving its usability.
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As developers, can we leverage AI to better organize our programming processes without compromising the learning experience?
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The ease of using AI tools can lead to a superficial understanding of programming concepts among junior developers.
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It's essential to ensure that as we embrace AI, we are also fostering foundational knowledge in programming among new developers.
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As AI evolves and becomes more integral to programming, we have to carefully balance its usage with a solid understanding of coding principles.
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There are concerns that this reliance on AI may take away from the core skills necessary for deeper programming knowledge.
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While AI can generate working software, understanding the underlying logic and nuances in programming is critical for effective coding.
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The future of Ruby could be influenced significantly by advancements in AI technologies and how they can be adapted for use within the Ruby language.
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With cloud services increasingly shaping our programming environments, we need to consider how Ruby adapts to stay relevant in the evolving landscape.
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AI can provide a higher level of abstraction, but can we maintain the essence of real programming skills while embracing this high-level approach?
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While AI can alleviate some burdens from developers, a deeper understanding of systems and architecture remains essential.
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As we navigate this new landscape, we need to uphold the balance between increased ease from AI tools and the foundational knowledge that underpins effective programming.
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How can we ensure that the next generation of developers grasps the core principles instead of simply relying on tools to get by?
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Moving on, we should address the question of burnout among developers, especially as workloads increase and responsibilities expand.
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To avoid burnout, developers need to maintain a balance. It’s essential to have activities outside of work that allow for relaxation and recreation.
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Taking part in sports or hobbies can provide a necessary break and refresh the focus for better productivity.
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With modern expectations, it’s common for developers to feel overwhelmed by the scope of tasks they handle. I advise focusing on one task at a time to avoid this.
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Communication with management is critical in setting boundaries and prioritizing mental wellbeing.
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The company culture must support work-life balance; otherwise, the weight of increasing demands can lead to burnout.
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In remote settings, maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial for mental health.
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Getting into a healthy routine and respecting those boundaries will help sustain a positive work environment.
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Today’s discussion on burnout aligns with the ongoing need for developers to recognize their own limits and respect their well-being.
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It’s essential to identify symptoms of burnout early on and proactively address contributing factors.
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As we wrap up, many attendees are excited about the speakers and engaging with this large conference.
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For those interested in speaking at Ruby conferences, what tips or advice do you have?
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I have numerous tips to share. First, start simple. Do smaller talks initially. Consider presenting at local meetups or within your organization as practice.
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Engage with topics you’re passionate about and emphasize key takeaways. Concentrating on your core message is essential.
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Practice makes a huge difference—rehearse multiple times. Live demos can be exciting, but be cautious, especially for your first talk.
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Peer presentations can provide support, so consider collaborating with a fellow speaker to build confidence.
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If you live in Thailand, be sure to check out the Bangkok Ruby Meetup for chances to practice and speak.
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When applying for conferences, focus on crafting a strong abstract that clearly outlines your topic and its relevance for both beginners and experts.
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Articulate your topic succinctly, highlight its novelty, and explain why attendees should join your session. Organizers appreciate clarity.
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Writing strong proposals can be challenging, so utilize available resources like writing workshops or online guides.
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Focus on topics you are knowledgeable about or passionate about; share your experiences and ensure they are well communicated.
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Don't hesitate to apply! Many attendees seek beginner-friendly content. Your insights matter, no matter your experience level.
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Everyone has something valuable to offer, and being a speaker can be rewarding and empowering for you.
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One last point: as you prepare to present, know that there will always be someone in the audience who can benefit from what you share.
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Your knowledge is impactful, so don’t underestimate what you can contribute.
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Thank you all for your valuable contributions. Let's wrap up this insightful panel discussion.
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The end.
