![Cover image for [On-Demand Talk] Art History is a Feature: Non-Dev Work as a Superpower](https://community.codenewbie.org/images/kWIgXbatsvvYeuptWxIUVfl-_IPkDbT9ASCcv9IXbuQ/s:1000:420/mb:500000/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9jb21t/dW5pdHkuY29kZW5l/d2JpZS5vcmcvcmVt/b3RlaW1hZ2VzL3Vw/bG9hZHMvYXJ0aWNs/ZXMvMnRxMWpnb2J4/YWJjZmx0dHdhaGQu/cG5n)
About this talk
So, you're coming to a dev career from a very different path in life — one that may not seem "connected" to the dev world...
In this talk, I will run through an exercise about discovering the superpowers of your non-dev work career, including how to identify your superpowers, talk about them, and use them to start and advance your career.
We're all competent in our tech stacks, but what makes us unique and awesome coworkers is the variety of experiences and skills we've picked up along the way. No matter what these skills are, there's a way to connect them to being a dev and working in tech.
Slides
>> Click here to download slides
🌈 Comment below and ask me questions — I might just answer them during my live speaker discussion!
About Tracey Berg-Fulton
Tracey Berg-Fulton is a Software Engineer at Lumen Learning. Before learning to code in 2016, Tracey spent nearly a decade working in museums as a registrar & provenance researcher. She holds degrees in art and journalism from Otterbein, and a master's degree in art history from the University of Glasgow. In her spare time, Tracey competes in powerlifting, runs silly distances, and studies Gàidhlig. She shares her Pittsburgh home with her giant schnabrador, Walter, who is a very good boy.
This on-demand talk is part of CodeLand 2021 — a virtual conference brought to you by CodeNewbie & DEV on September 23 & 24, 2021.
Discussion (40)
Hey y'all, you probably know what's up by now, but I'ma go ahead and remind you to leave all your comments and feedback here and most of all... QUESTIONS!
Tracey is going to be in a live Speaker Discussion later on, so if you have any questions to ask, now is the time!
One question I have for Tracey about setting boundaries: how would you approach a situation where you're asked to use your 'superpowers' for something you weren't hired to do? (In this case something you don't feel comfortable with).
Totally second this. ☝️
Ask away and we'll make sure to pass on any questions!
It was very important to point out that we don't have to use our superpowers. I offer to use my superpowers when I feel like, only if it's not going to give me a hard time with my actual work later and if it's low effort, and my boss is always very cautious and confirms with me if I wanna do it.
Former English teacher confirming that my years of teaching poetry to disinterested teens has resulted in a superpower of finding engagement in places others might not be able to.
This talk meant so much to me. Thank you, Tracey!
Going from field artillery to being a full-stack software engineer sure gives me a perspective! I love this talk, and I hope others can find their superpowers too! Thanks @bergfulton
wait a minute is ur dad really a zomboni mechanic???
Taking notes for my resume, I do retail which I though I can't translate my experience in retail to Programming but this live speaker help to show I can provide what I have experience to the Tech industry.
I understand the power of "doing it afraid", but often struggle to get started in these situations. What tips do you have to approach something when you have to "do it afraid"?
I don't understand very much the power of doing it affraid. Could you help me to understand, please? :)
Tracey mentioned in their presentation that one of their superpowers was "doing it afraid", meaning that even if a task was intimidating, they could push through and accomplish the goal.
Set realistic short-term goals, and define how you know you reached them. Take notice of your progress.
As someone who also comes from a non-tech background, this talk was super helpful and encouraging! I love the idea of thinking of all of these skills as superpowers. Thank you so much for this talk (and for sharing that cute dog picture 🐶 )
😂😂😂 Props for that joke!
Super excited!! Hello Tracy and hello everyone 👋
wow, this really spoke to me Tracey. As mostly a kinesthetic learner, sometimes the solution to a coding problem will come to me when I'm listening to music while exercising/stretching/(sometimes dancing LOL). Glad to know I'm not the only one who needs a creative outlet 🤣🕺
Love the "do it afraid" super power, Tracey! Also, "You don't owe all of yourself to your workplace." That's can be so tough when today's tech is moving so fast and (seeming to) require deep knowledge and study and also companies are encouraging a family atmosphere. Boundaries! Thanks for the ideas and perspective!
I love hearing stories from others who pivoted into tech from a completely different field. So excited for this chat!
"You do not owe a workplace all of yourself."
YESSSS!!!
Thank you so much for this talk (and for reiterating that incredibly key point)!
Self-respect, consent, and advocacy are huge as a professional but often difficult to achieve as a newbie especially in a new field. Thank you for addressing how best to approach these obstacles. That was an awesome talk Tracey!
What are some common superpowers that are especially valuable to folks who hire devs, and how to do we translate our experience (on a resume, for instance) in a very different field to show that we do, in fact, have those superpowers, despite not previously using them in the tech industry?
Btw, the greaterthancode podcast asks everyone for their superpower in a similar sense.
I loved the idea of needing to give concent to use super powers. I'm more than happy to do math at work, but the expectation that they get access to a proof writer at a QA job seems silly.
Great talk, thanks!
"Doing it afraid" is nice. Also i really appreciate the applicability of your talk.
Q: I am a techie of a “former age” and I don’t feel I have a superpower. Somehow I have a feeling the current SW Devs have their minds set about “old dogs” (can’t learn new tricks).
What’s your perspective?
I used to do SW QA then been out of the industry for sometime (about 5 years since 2010). Lately, (since 2016), I’ve done a Udacity program for iOS/Swift development and I am working on a Udemy bootcamp course for Web development.
Currently, working in retail. Would like to get back in the SW dev industry.
I'm incredibly excited for this one. Realizing my current non tech job has transferable skills has been a learning process!
Loving your talk Tracey. Being out of tech for over 2 years at this point and wanting to get back in, I love how you frame using your "superpowers" to highlight your special skills.
Hi TRACEY BERG-FULTON
Question for the panel: Skill is acquired through experience, with some potentional bootstrap from talent. Therefor superpowers aren't learnt at school or through theory alone. As a self-taught I think know this better than any. Many of tonights questions and remarks have been about "How do i know if i'm good enough at ...", that feels like old teachers-voices. What advice would you give to break through this barrier for all those who ask? Do you think these barriers even apply to superpowers because they mostly aren't the typical school topics?
Hi! Reminder that if you have any questions for @bergfulton to drop them here! We'll address these questions in the live speaker discussion. 📣
Excellent talk! Thanks so much, Tracey!
Thank you, great talk!
Loving this buckets idea! Gotta do some thinking and try to find my own.
I work Retail Right now and be really cool to see how I can use those skills once I get into my first Tech job
Ohhh I'm so excited for this talk! I switched careers and love thinking about my previous skills as super powers :D