Mod 0 Career Journal
When you've worked towards a goal in the past, what systems or tools have been helpful for you in accomplishing that goal? How could you adapt those same systems/tools to use while at Turing?
When I moved to Colorado I was determined to complete a 5.12 sport climb (moderately difficult, only an estimated 25% of climbers are able) and achieved it through a systematic workout regimine comprised of different training techniques I continuously researched. My system depended not only on including the correct exercises but also disclusion of unnecessary exercises that would inhibit recovery. My foundation of improvement was showing up to workout on a regular schedule, the structure of my training was developed through self-study, and the quality of my effort was bolstered by envisioning my specific goal while training. In the same way I believe the foundation of my path will be a solid schedule that I adhere to, my knowdledge base will be expanded by taking initiative to self study, and my motivation driven by setting daily intention while envisioning a fulfilling career.
My greatest strength is my intellect and aptitude for sentence structure which came at an early age. My ability to organize complex thoughts on literary analyses in a flowing yet efficient way earned me several credits for college level english and literature courses in high school. At the Turing try-coding weekend when given tasks after having learned some basics of Ruby, it very much felt like the time-limited essays for the AP exams. I was able to grasp the idea of a self-contained system with its own vocabulary, structure, and rules, and the flow of creating pathways within it. While I fully realize that developing a career in programming will be more involved than learning the one one coding language, the similarity to grammar and syntax seems like it will play to my strength.
I work best in an organized, yet comfortable environment in which distractions are physically removed, but where I also don't feel like I'm expected to put on a formal outward facade which leads me to feel like I am not permitted to be myself. In past jobs, specifically Healthcare, I was expected to complete tasks that required knowledge of procedure, but there was never any room for creative input or actual problem solving outside of specifically dictated protocol. Now I am looking for a career in which my daily tasks are dependent on creative problem solving from myself. I work best when I am trusted and given the freedom to adjust how I do things on the fly, and when my own ideas shape how things are done rather than being an interchangeable body that can follow directions for eight hours.
As you start this new career, what is your greatest area of improvement when it comes to your professional skills?
My greatest area of improvement is definitely my time management skills. Up until now my professional life has been structured by a timeclock and written out expetations of my minute-by-minute actions while on the clock. As I move into a career in programming and leave time clocks behind, I know that my time working will need to be self-structured and disciplined. I have already experienced the strain of trying to discipline myself to be consistent in my self-study throughtout mod 0 and it has been difficult. Starting at a specific time, removing distractions, and staying on task while being at home are all things I have been implementing as non-negotiables as I work towards my goal of reshaping myself as a professional.
How will developing a deeper understanding of your strengths and working preferences benefit you as a software developer?
Being a software developer requires a person to be continuously learning and reshaping their approaches to tasks. This means being aware of self-limiting mental blocks that stagnate ability to learn and implement. I am aware that I learn best from practice, so it's important that I repeat techniques and skills repeatedly to solidify my understanding rather than just reading and assuming that I will retain information. I am also aware that while I would rather not have to work in the same location every day and punch a time clock, I am also inefficient if at home surrounded by distractions, so having a physical place that I can go to to switch into work mode is best. An understanding of strengths not only highlights what I am best at, but also where I have room to improve.
The vision I have for myself is to transform who I am professionally and personally. As a healthcare employee, I worked hard and took initiative, but at the end of the day I was a passive particapant in someone else's plan day in and day out. I want to be self directed and motivated so that my personal limitations can be lifted to open up new possibilities professionally. I want to learn to be part of a team that creates things rather than carrying out repetative tasks year after year. During my time at Turing I also aim to be not just fluent in a coding language, but also learn to be a resource for others so that I am a contributing member of a community that promotes progress for everyone.