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Hey everybody, I think we'll get started. We have a lot of people here who are all going to want to talk, and we don't have that much time.
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I'm going to quickly introduce the panel for this discussion on teaching the next great developers. I have a panel of experts here, and I’ll let them briefly introduce themselves before we dive in.
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I’m Noel Rappin, a senior developer at Table XI, and I’ll be representing traditional CS education if that topic arises at any point over the next 40 minutes.
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First up, we have Jeff.
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Hi, my name is Jeff Casimir. I run a company called Jumpstart Lab, and I recently started a training program called Turing School of Software and Design.
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I mixed that up; it's not called Jumpstart Labs. Sorry about that!
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Hi, I’m Bri Thomas, a developer at a company called iTriage and a recent graduate of Turing School.
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Hi, my name is Jen Myers, and I’m part of the team at Dev Bootcamp here in Chicago. I'm filling in at the last minute for Dave Hoover, who couldn't make it due to a family emergency.
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I’m Liz Abinante, a developer at Instructure, and I also co-lead the Girl Develop It chapter here in Chicago.
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Hi, my name is Katie, and I’m the co-leader of the Girl Develop It Chicago chapter. I started with Girl Develop It in Columbus, and currently, I’m a software engineer at a company called Fuda 600 West.
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Hi, I’m Ben. I work at Thoughtbot in Boston, where I run our program for training developers called Learn. I write code, talk to people, and participate in discussions like this.
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I want to start this discussion by noting that we have a couple of different kinds of programs represented. We have two boot camps that are somewhat similar in structure but differ in length. We also have Girl Develop It, offering shorter interventions aimed at bringing novices into the field.
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Additionally, we have online interventions that are more in-depth. I’d like to ask: what do you think is the most important part of your program when teaching novice developers, and how does that fit into bringing in the next generation of developers?
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Anyone can feel free to answer. Jen has the mic—what's the most important outcome for Dev Bootcamp students? If they came out knowing one or two things, what would those be?
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Honestly, I think the most important thing we foster is a love for learning and the ability to learn how to learn. Our goal is to produce individuals who know enough about Ruby on Rails to get jobs where they can continue to learn and develop.
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We aim to ensure people build the skills and mindset to keep learning for the rest of their careers and lives.
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In a similar vein, I would say that the most important outcome for students is understanding how to take difficult technical problems and break them down into smaller, more manageable components. We happen to do this with Ruby and Rails, but it is validating when our students apply those same patterns to different languages and frameworks.
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At Girl Develop It, we approach things from a different angle because we primarily work with complete novices across a wide range of classes. I'm currently involved in classes teaching programming to students here in Chicago. I find that one of the most important lessons is teaching students how to ask questions, where to ask them, and who to approach.
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We also discuss what constitutes a good response versus a bad one, as well as the importance of acknowledging that some answers may originate from unreliable sources.
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Another critical point is about the willingness to admit you don't understand something. I’ve seen many developers feel the pressure to act like they know what's going on. As someone who has struggled with this personally, I encourage more openness in admitting confusion because that is part of the learning process.
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Not admitting to not understanding something can cheat both you and your colleagues out of valuable learning opportunities. In fact, do we have any questions from the audience? I have prepared some questions, but if you want to ask something, feel free. This would be more fruitful if we engage you right from the start.
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How do you help people build confidence, especially when many believe they are terrible at programming, sometimes for years after starting?
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Fantastic question! I still grapple with the feeling of being a good programmer and believe this is widespread. Imposter syndrome is real and prevalent, particularly in an intellectually based field.
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I emphasize humility: I try to maintain that perspective because I understand how it feels to not fully comprehend a topic. It helps to convey that confusion is a normal state of being and that you should not associate it with a lack of capability.
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This situation is common; as instructors, we strive to reassure students that being confused is typical. Taking that fear out of learning is crucial.
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I wanted to backtrack on something Liz said. Many of our students genuinely believe they are incapable of learning programming, rather than faking their confidence. We work hard to create an encouraging environment to dispel that notion.
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For instance, we encourage students to ask questions, ensuring they feel safe to do so without fear of judgement. Validating every question reinforces that it is okay not to know, and we might not have answers either.
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Providing constructive feedback in a positive framework is essential for building confidence. Celebrating small victories, giving quick wins, and guiding students are very helpful.
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From my perspective as someone who felt overwhelmed when I was a student, instructors must adapt to different learning styles. They should recognize when a student requires a shift in focus, particularly those at risk of falling behind.
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We should emphasize that students are not terrible if they achieve even the smallest success. Students often must not compare themselves against their peers, but rather celebrate their own learning milestones.
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Concerning imposter syndrome, we must ensure that novices do not compare themselves against industry heroes. This mindset can lead to frustration.
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As mentioned earlier, it's easy for newcomers to feel overwhelmed, and this can hinder their progress. They should focus on their unique journey and celebrate their achievements.
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I feel that fostering a sense of collaboration and connection among newcomers is vital. Building camaraderie will support their development in technical roles.
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Next, is teaching the next generation of developers even the right goal? This question opens a critical discussion regarding our focus on developing skills or just encouraging participation.
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Many students aspire to become great developers, but the reality is that many may take different paths within technology outside of just coding. It’s essential to cultivate their potential and guide them toward fulfilling roles in technology.
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We believe that developers with diverse backgrounds enrich products and contribute positively to teams. Teaching them to communicate effectively is key.
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So the real question is what we define as greatness: it’s not solely technical prowess, but the ability to contribute alongside diverse perspectives.
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The importance of applied programming as a superpower can’t be understated. Many of the most impactful developers I know leveraged their programming skills to drive change in other fields.
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Creating a supportive and engaging culture where developing interpersonal skills is a focus can significantly impact programming education today.
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One topic we can address is the interpersonal skills necessary for developers to become leaders and mentors.
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I believe that sharing personal stories and lessons learned while transitioning into tech roles can create a space for discussion and camaraderie.
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This initiative extends beyond teaching coding; it’s about building an inclusive community united around mutual growth.
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We encourage them to support each other through peer mentoring and creating a foundation for empathy within our coding community.
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At Dev Bootcamp, we emphasize 'engineering empathy' in our curriculum.
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This includes sessions on feedback and communication, which helps develop better team dynamics and well-rounded individuals.
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We also focus on building a support structure that ensures everyone is on board with fostering this empathy through the entire program.
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Overall, students and instructors must communicate openly and share growth experiences as part of their learning journey, breaking down the traditional teacher-student barriers.
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Is everyone aware of the dynamics involved when novice learners interact in team projects? Supportive groups can make all the difference in their confidence and development.
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Recognizing that the early experiences are crucial in shaping future industry leaders, we must all guide them effectively.
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Let’s discuss how we can best onboard new developers and foster their growth, especially as they enter a challenging industry.
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The reality is many organizations struggle with onboarding new talent, making it essential to create robust entry points for novices.
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By ensuring students know how to own their learning and communicate effectively, we can improve the onboarding experience for new developers.
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Addressing these issues before they leave the programs is essential, as it can set them up for failure or success on their new path.
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It's vital to pair novice developers with seasoned professionals to guide their transitions into firms that can nurture their growth and learning capabilities.
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Companies must recognize the importance of investing in the development of junior talent to create a more sustainable workforce.
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The future of any organization relies on its ability to cultivate a healthy mix of experiences, ensuring that knowledge is shared and grows.
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By mentoring within your organization, you prepare each level for future challenges, creating a cycle of growth.
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As we address the evolving nature of onboarding processes, this crucial discussion will help determine how to bring out the best in future developers.
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Next, let us consider the urgency of bringing more people into the field and how addressing the growing demand for developers is essential.
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The reflection begins on how to satisfy and maintain the balance between demand for skilled developers and the supply of well-trained individuals.
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Ultimately, fostering an environment where new learners are nurtured will lead to a thriving professional landscape in programming.
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Okay, it’s important to understand where we can best place graduates within organizations.
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We want to help our students find roles where they can thrive while senior talent guides them.
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While it may seem that certain environments are better suited than others, we can train students to identify what they need to flourish.
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By bridging the gap between realistic expectations and the support systems in place, we empower our students to find their rightful place in tech.
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Concerning the gaps in companies looking to hire, we must address how established companies can bring in apprentices and learn from them.
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Seeing how companies evolve through internships and mentorship can be invaluable.
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Jesus, I’m almost scared. A great developer doesn’t need to be the best at anything—they need to have a growth mindset.
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Particularly in tech, where many evolve through learning, being willing to experiment can create opportunities for individual growth.
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But we must also strengthen the ability to tap into available networks, as this contributes to skill growth.
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Understanding the application of technical skills is crucial; there are many ways to use them in learning environments.
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Mentors must identify how to assist students in aligning their learning with company needs, fostering a trusting relationship.
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Moving forward with adaptable goals can create a pathway for shared successes between students and organizations.
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Let’s continue discussing how to help new developers set those reasonable expectations and help them gain confidence in their abilities.
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As we prepare learners for interviews, creating honest dialogues to convey strengths and weaknesses is essential in managing goals.
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At the very least, communication should focus on setting realistic expectations for students within their technical journeys.
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Starting with small successes and facilitating a growth mindset will create a foundation for continued skill development.
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Education allows students the opportunity to learn and make mistakes, leading to growth rather than fear of failure.
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Ultimately their greatest takeaway is the ability to tackle new challenges fearlessly and collaboratively within diverse teams.
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The discourse must continue moving towards creating a collaborative environment. It seems that scaling this is the key.
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Facilitating technical interviews leads to identifying talent and ensuring that the field evolves alongside the demands of industry.
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Finding ways to enhance the interview process for all parties will yield positive outcomes for everyone involved.
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Ultimately, we can better support outcomes for developers and companies when we focus on building relationships and recognizing mutual successes.
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Lastly, nurturing positive environments for discussions on growth will ensure that future technical generations feel empowered.
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It's clear that creating an inclusive space for novices is the key to developing talent that will sustain our industry moving forward.
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I appreciate everyone’s insights today. Thank you all for being part of this vital discussion.