28 July 2024 Newsletter
Hey friend, here's what's been on my mind
I'm feeling a lot of uncertainty about my career. This uncertainty is hard to carry, so I've been trying to unpack where it comes from and understand it better. That ended up as a blog post.
The topic of uncertainty came up again when a friend asked to pick my brain after getting laid off. We're both early on in our career switch to the tech industry. Briefly, if I were looking for my next tech job, I would lean on the experience I've gathered. I wouldn't start over in an adjacent role and target entry-level job postings. That's what I shared.
I imagined what I would do if I ran out of work with my current client. I would attempt to stay in the tech industry by applying to job postings for fullstack developers, "entry-level" DevOps, or cloud admin roles.
My work as a consultant has given me broad experience over the past three years. As a consultant, I have three years of experience. However, I will have to convince employers that I have three years of experience in a specific role. For each role, I might have one-plus years of experience three times.
This situation makes me wonder if I can compete for mid-level job postings. The looming uncertainty is why I'm motivated to continue upskilling in my free time. When I search for my next job, I want to present myself as a very experienced professional.
I want to give my future self an easier time by stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm tackling challenging topics, building this blog, and networking on social media. All of this connects and helps me find my next opportunity.
Check this out
What is the fediverse?
I finally did some light reading on the fediverse, leading me to the ActivityPub protocol. The key takeaway is that I can publish directly on my blog, and my content can end up on social media feeds that are part of the fediverse.
Ghost, the CMS I'm using, started a newsletter about adding ActivityPub, and I recommend checking it out.
Free book on TypeScript
I'm learning TypeScript this summer, and here's one resource I'm using: Matt Pocock's Total TypeScript Essentials. He's a YouTuber who's produced lots of helpful content around TypeScript. If you're looking for an excellent free resource, I'd recommend checking it out.
In case you missed it
Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey: My Key Takeaways
The latest Stack Overflow Developer Survey is out! It's packed with insights that could shape your career trajectory. Whether you're curious about the impact of AI tools, the enduring popularity of Visual Studio Code, or the changing demographics in tech, there's something here for everyone. Check out my latest blog post to explore the highlights and how they resonate with your journey.
Why Writing to Your Younger Self is the Best Advice You'll Ever Get
Who's my target audience? Here's my approach: I write to my younger self. Writing for your younger self can offer profound insights and personal growth. In my latest blog post, I explore why this method works and how it can help you process experiences, reinforce lessons, and achieve honest self-reflection. Dive into my blog post to learn more and see how writing to your younger self can transform your perspective.
Beyond the Sea: Applying Naval Maintenance and Troubleshooting Skills to Tech
Transitioning from a naval weapons engineering technician to a tech professional might seem daunting, but the skills transfer more seamlessly than you'd think. In my latest blog post, I explore how the meticulous troubleshooting, testing, maintenance, and modification skills honed in the Royal Canadian Navy apply directly to the tech industry. Discover how these experiences shape effective problem-solving and maintenance practices in tech, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating a career shift.
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