The best advice I can give someone who’s looking for a career in tech is to not take your career too seriously.
You can get a great gig or a great career, but you’ll never be able to get a career.
And there are so many things you can do to ensure you’re never just “in it for the money.”
1.
Don’t let your “sad job” define your life.
It won’t.
2.
Don, uh, get back into the kitchen.
I know, right?
3.
Donate.
And give to the community.
4.
Learn to read code.
5.
Donut.
6.
Start a new project.
And more.
7.
Learn a new language.
And a new hobby.
And start a new business.
And get a new job.
I’m just saying.
I don’t have to tell you this, but that’s my life.
9.
Don the hat.
It’s the hat, it’s the scarf, it just feels so good to be out of my comfort zone and be able say I’m making a difference in someone else’s life.
8.
Find something to do every day.
It could be something creative, or something you love doing, or it could be doing something you enjoy.
Whatever it is, get it done.
9: Make a list.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to organize my thoughts.
So here it is.
What are my passions?
What am I looking for in a career?
What are the skills I’m seeking?
What is my path forward?
What will I do if I get it?
10.
Start writing down your goals.
I started a new list for my career.
Here are my goals.
My passion?
I’m an engineer.
What skills will I be able get to be a great engineer?
What skills do I need to have to be the best engineer?
And so on.
This is a great way to get started, and it can be super helpful for when you’re working on your career path.
If you’re like me and have a few projects and goals in mind, that’s great.
If not, it might be helpful to have a list of projects and projects that are on your list.
11.
Write down how you plan to spend your money.
This could be on a resume, or in a startup blog post.
Or in a blog post about how you’ll pay for your first car.
Or whatever.
It’ll help you keep track of your expenses and your future budget.
12.
Take notes.
One of the best things I’ve learned is to take notes.
There are tons of resources for this, from a few great books like The Art of Writing to some awesome websites like Writing in a Crowd.
I like to start off with the big picture, and then build from there.
If there’s something I want to learn, I’ll start by researching that topic, and when I find it I’ll go through the resources.
13.
Find out if you can find a mentor.
There’s a few things to consider.
For starters, the best way to find a good mentor is to start small.
Make a small-scale project, or start one with someone you trust.
Ask your mentor to read your work, and get to know you a little bit better.
If it’s a team project, you’ll want to have someone you can talk to a little more.
And you can start by reaching out to mentors you trust, because it can help you connect with the people who can help get your career started.
If your project is something you want to get into as a freelancer, it’ll be best to start with a mentor, because that way you can get to a point where you’re both on the same page.
14.
Find a mentor who can make you feel at ease.
There is a lot of stigma attached to people who are tech-savvy, and for good reason.
People who are just starting out often have a hard time accepting the fact that they might be different.
You might not be able help you get into a job that you want, or that you really enjoy.
But you can be the person who gets your first job, or a mentor will help you find a career that’s for you.
15.
Donates.
I find this a big no-brainer.
It takes guts to take a job with an organization that doesn’t want you, and you might not even get a salary.
And this doesn’t just apply to tech companies.
This applies to other professions, like music, art, and sports.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I have no clue what it’s like to be an artist.”
But if you’re an artist, there are people who know what it feels like to make a living off your work.
And when you donate to the arts, it can make a huge difference.
16.
Make time for the things that matter.
When I was growing up, we