Journey to change jobs from fashion models to software engineers within 1 year

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Have you read the Journey from Unknown to Becoming a Software Engineer in San Francisco for 12 months? Today, TipsMake.com will share with you the journey of changing jobs from fashion model to software engineer in 1 year by Madison Kanna. Invite everyone to read!

In 2015, I - the author of the article did not know anything about the code at all. But now I'm a software engineer and a teacher of a programming school for children.

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When people know I work as an engineer, they often ask me: ' How do I get a software engineer job when I am a fashion model? .

You may not know, when I was a child I only studied at a school near my home and later dropped out of college.

After leaving the university, I signed a contract with a company and modeled for fashion brands. I don't know what I want to do but my sister is a software engineer and she really loves her work. Therefore, one day I register for the 'Intro to Computer Science' course on Udacity. And I really liked it. Code has become my biggest passion!

At that moment, I knew that I wanted to be a software engineer. I also know it can be the hardest job I've ever done. But I still decided to do it.

This is how I did it:

First learn how you can learn best.

After months of learning the code myself, I know what the next step I need to do. Therefore, I subscribed to some bootcamp coding programs. I realized that the best way to learn is not to study, but to work.

Finding the best way to learn really works great . Don't waste time on useless ways to learn. For you, you may need to take a course at bootcamp or a part-time online program. As for me, the best way to learn is to be a trainee for technology companies.

But . how can I apply for an internship when you have no experience?

Personal branding

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I know myself want to experience reality. I would like to go to Praxis, an apprenticeship program for young people at startups. I was accepted into the internship but Praxis only focused on marketing and sale, and I was oriented to become a software engineer. So, I decided to register for an internship position and asked Praxis to support my personal brand to increase my chances of being accepted.

I worked with Simon from Praxis, who helped me prepare interviews and created an online presence.

My mother, an entrepreneur and a brand expert, encouraged me to blog about code, share at meetings, open a YouTube channel about code and build GitHub profiles. All these things combined will give me the perfect personal brand of a real software engineer.

I shared about what I learned on these channels. Finally, the result is that when searching on Google about me, immediately people will find me passionate about programming.

Please google yourself, what do you see?

Work free with passion for work

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At first, I really hoped I would get a salary when I practiced, but I quickly realized that I would have a better chance to learn from the experience if I worked for free.

If you want to work for a startup, then convince them: " I will work for free as a programming engineer for a few months. Then, you can evaluate whether to pay or fire me based on the level. dedication to work ". They agreed to accept me and I spent a few months later working hard.

I enjoy it every time I spend some time fixing a minor error in the application. After that, I realized that although I lacked a lot of technology skills, with the passion of learning and the joy of being part of the group, I was accepted into the internship.

Even if I do not pay, I still love my job and group more than any job I have ever done before.

Turn weaknesses into strong points

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First of all, I don't want to mention that I used to be a fashion model. I was afraid that I would be stuck as a female programmer who didn't have basic knowledge of CS. Later, my mother advised me: ' Make your child's weaknesses strong! '

In my first internship, I thought that I would help this startup in every way possible. I used the knowledge that I gained while working in previous jobs and learned skills to become a programmer.

I'm not just trying to be an intern. During the first week of internship, I did anything from uploading videos to YouTube to writing code, making changes to the copy.

For startups, they want employees to aspire to learn and complete work, not merely code workers. The skills gained from other jobs increase your value, become a member of the group, not just a code worker.

After a few months of practice, CEO of Bryan, send me a message on Slack with the content: ' Madison, we want you to work for us .'

I became a programmer. The first time I get paid to code.

People with prejudice will become motivated for you to move forward

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Many times, when I told someone that I was an engineer, they looked suspiciously: " You?" Engineer? Are you sure? .

In the past this would be frustrating for me, but later I realized that it should not be what people say hindered me. Every time someone shows that attitude, I go home and start writing code. I turn pain into action to keep moving forward.

People always say you can't. When you go away with what they say and keep moving forward, it will help you to be confident in yourself.

On the contrary, the help of others who trust you will be very helpful. I cannot become an engineer without the help of my family.

Please continue the code!

You need to focus on what you love. Being a programmer is the hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever done. If you love writing code, focus on moving forward. You can do it no matter where your starting point is.

What are you waiting for! Please write code!

Refer to some more articles:

1. 27 things I wish I knew before programming
2. 10 harsh facts about success in IT
3. 7 life lessons that most of us only recognize when it's too late

Having fun!