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How to Thrive in Tech without a Computer Science Degree with Olivia Auzenne
21:24 with TreehouseOlivia Auzenne opens the conference by discussing their own experience and pathway to software engineering.
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[MUSIC]
0:00
I'd like to welcome up our first
speaker of the day, Olivia Auzenne.
0:04
Olivier Auzenne is a full stack software
engineer in the biotechnology space,
0:08
mommy to a very enthusiastic two year old,
and a YouTuber.
0:14
She has a true passion for design-first
programming and thrives on sharing her
0:18
knowledge on how she became a professional
engineer in three months to the world.
0:23
Attending a boot camp and
0:29
landing a job one week before
graduation is her call to fame.
0:31
Please give her a very warm
Treehouse festival welcome.
0:37
>> Awesome, let's go ahead and
get started.
0:42
All right y'all, good morning.
0:44
My name is Olivia Auzenne and I am
a software engineer in the biotech space.
0:45
I'll tell you a little bit
about myself before I go into
0:50
the actual meat of this topic.
0:54
So I have a pretty
unconventional background.
0:57
I'm 29 years old, almost 30 and
I'm a mom, YouTuber, public speaker.
0:59
I do a fit pretty 50/50 split between
speaking about technology and
1:05
the law of attraction manifestation,
prosperity, teachings, things like that.
1:09
I went to college right
after high school at U of H.
1:13
I eventually dropped out and
moved to Colorado and
1:18
went on the biggest adventure of my life.
1:21
[LAUGH] Started a marketing firm, where
essentially I built various websites,
1:23
using website builders and
that's where I really started to gain
1:29
an interest when it came
to building software.
1:33
And so,
I got to a point where I can only do so
1:36
much with those website
builders like Squarespace and
1:40
Wix and begin to learn to code on my own.
1:46
And I think it's gonna
learn to code on my own,
1:49
actually let me slide 2m slide,
okay, here we are.
1:53
[LAUGH] Where eventually learned to code,
1:57
just tinker around a little
bit with HTML and CSS.
1:59
And I got to a point where I wanted
to actually go into this full time so
2:03
I joined a coding boot camp in 2019.
2:09
I graduated in May of 2019.
2:12
And here I am today.
2:15
I actually have quite a little
bit of an update for you, guys.
2:16
The slide says that I'm a junior
software engineer at a biotech company.
2:20
But I actually just solidify a brand
new position as a UX UI developer at
2:23
an electricity company here in Houston,
which I'm really excited about.
2:28
It puts me in a position where given
the skill set that I've gained by now,
2:33
in the six figure range,
I'm really excited to announce.
2:38
So, I'm super excited about that.
2:41
And I'm also really excited to let
you guys know how you can also
2:43
accomplish the same thing without a CS
degree or nearly a degree at all.
2:49
So let's go ahead I'm going to next slide.
2:57
Here we go.
3:01
So, first off, if you're wanting
to get into software engineering.
3:04
I highly recommend that you do
research on the industry and
3:08
really see if this is
something that you want.
3:12
Obviously switching your
careers is a major deal and
3:14
you wanna make sure that this is something
that you can actually see yourself doing.
3:17
So I highly recommend to research
the industry as much as you possibly can.
3:23
Once you've researched the industry and
you feel like you have a good grasp on
3:27
what coding is, what software engineers
do, what their work life balance is,
3:32
what's the data life,
how the job market is in your area.
3:37
You can then put yourself in a position
where you're comparing your options.
3:40
These days you have so many options
when it comes to learning how to code.
3:45
You have coding boot camps,
you have in person courses,
3:49
you have online courses like Treehouse,
which are really great options.
3:52
And so
you really want to do your research.
3:56
Make sure that you're going down the best
route that works best for your schedule.
3:58
Really try and figure out,
do you wanna go full time, part time?
4:04
Do you wanna be self-paced?
4:06
Ask yourself, can you quit your job and
just focus on this?
4:09
How fast do you wanna switch careers?
4:13
Personally, I wanted to get in and
out as fast as possible so
4:15
I did the full time three-month route,
and it really worked out for me.
4:18
But if you don't have the ability
to completely quit your job and
4:22
quit your life, in order to learn
how to code for a few months,
4:26
then there are really other
really great options.
4:30
And then my last tip for the sort of
preliminary phase when it comes to
4:33
starting on your coding and
tech journey is to build a simple project.
4:37
Again, it's really important that
you understand you like this stuff.
4:43
Because coding all day long is
could be horrible for something for
4:48
someone who actually doesn't like it.
4:52
So we'll go ahead and
go into the next slide.
4:55
Next thing, it is not a cakewalk.
4:59
So I just have to provide
this warning to anyone
5:02
who's looking to learn how to
code really know what to expect.
5:05
I'll say it once, I'll say it twice,
5:09
learning how to code is
absolutely not an easy process.
5:11
[LAUGH] There's a reason why
they pay us the big bucks.
5:15
And so, really learning how to
push through when times get tough.
5:19
Really understanding how
to pick up the skill,
5:25
even when it's not easy
is super important.
5:27
So understanding that you're
coming into something that,
5:30
for me was very challenging, but
also knowing that you can do it.
5:34
Learning how to code, for me, was one of
the hardest things I've done in my life.
5:39
So if you're not prepared to struggle,
it may be difficult for
5:42
you to thrive in this sort of career.
5:46
Because it is a career where you're
constantly learning, and even people who
5:47
have been coding for 20 and 30 years,
they are still trying to learn new things.
5:52
So that's something that is bothersome for
you, you may struggle a little bit.
5:58
But know that as you're struggling,
you're growing and you're learning,
6:03
you may try out 50 different
ways to get to one solution.
6:07
And if not work out but
at least you know 50 different
6:10
ways to figure out
a solution to something.
6:15
When it comes to learning how to cope,
know that you are learning how to learn.
6:20
Most programming is truly teaching
yourself as you go along.
6:25
And so, that's what's really great about
these alternative routes is that you
6:29
are essentially training yourself for
6:33
the work field because you
have to teach yourself.
6:35
You don't have a professor there to
ask questions and give you curriculum.
6:39
So really going to prepare
to work your butt off and
6:45
pull out everything out of
you in order to succeed.
6:49
So let's go ahead and
go to the next slide.
6:53
So, my tips for
while you're in your program,
6:56
whichever program that you choose to
whichever route that you decide to go on,
6:59
I highly recommend that you
set up a dedicated schedule.
7:03
So now that you've done your research and
you know for
7:07
sure that this is something
that you want to do and
7:10
you've mentally prepared to take upon
this feat and go on this new journey,
7:13
it's very easy to fall off of studying
if you don't have an actual schedule.
7:18
So for me, I spent personally around
60 to 70 hours a week coding.
7:22
And so a good sample schedule for me was
to wake up, center myself do meditation or
7:28
quick workout, have breakfast code, have
lunch code, have dinner code and sleep.
7:33
It's funny on people asked me on
my YouTube channel all the time,
7:40
how often did you code and I'm like,
that's all I did, al I did was code.
7:43
But also make sure that you sleep because
you can't think correctly if you're tired.
7:48
So, let's see.
7:53
Next thing is use every
study resource possible.
7:55
There are so many resources online right
now to help supplement the program's
7:59
curriculum that you decide upon.
8:03
If I was stuck, I'd go on YouTube or I'd
check out another online learning platform
8:06
to see that topic discussed
in a different way.
8:11
It got to a point where I would literally
watch people code online for fun,
8:14
that was my thing.
8:18
So, [LAUGH] that was a great tactic
to pick up on the language and
8:19
pick up on different philosophies and
ways to code.
8:24
So, for me learning how to code
especially in such a fast paced way,
8:29
I really needed the support of my
friends and family to get through.
8:32
So that's my third tip for
while you're in the program.
8:36
From my friends understanding that I
couldn't hang out with them for some time,
8:39
to my parents watching my baby
while while I study late at night.
8:43
Down to my father co-signing for
my loan to actually go to school,
8:46
to encouraging words I needed when
I was thinking about quitting.
8:50
Make sure you really inform your loved
ones that you may be out of pocket for
8:54
some time,
unable to answer phone calls, and
9:00
even that you may be a little bit
crankier because it is very tough.
9:03
[LAUGH] So, next slide.
9:08
While you are in your program,
so here's the juicy stuff.
9:09
Here's the tips that I really picked
up over time in order to really
9:15
get through my program,
even when it was excruciatingly hard.
9:20
First things first, pen and paper should
not be a thing of the past even for
9:25
a software engineer.
9:30
When I was in my boot camp, I would
literally print out pieces of code and
9:31
highlight different areas in different
colors to show the actual functions and
9:36
how the app was working.
9:40
So if there was like a button click, I
would highlight each of the pieces of code
9:42
that corresponded with that actual button
click to really Grasp how it was working.
9:46
Your brain really retains
information better that way,
9:51
when you pull out a piece of paper and
pen.
9:54
Pseudo code, pseudo code is so
incredibly important,
9:57
especially for me to sort of
work through my thought process.
10:00
When I would get a task, I wouldn't
just start coding, I would sit down,
10:03
create a plan through pseudo code.
10:08
And so it's never a good idea to just
immediately start working on something as
10:10
you get it.
10:14
You really wanna think through the steps
that it'll take to get to that solution
10:15
without coding first, and
then add the code in.
10:19
If you've run into an issue, nine times
out ten someone else has run into that
10:22
issue, and there's an answer for
it online.
10:27
I use Google all the time as
a professional programmer.
10:30
[LAUGH] So don't be afraid of Google.
10:32
Actually make sure you get really familiar
with it, get really good at searching.
10:35
Stack Overflow is a really great example
of a website that's a great resource.
10:40
Also get help if needed,
know that you don't have to do this alone.
10:46
Hire a tutor if needed because banging
your head against a wall doesn't help
10:50
anyone or anything.
10:54
Once you've tried out all the solutions
that you possibly can, then go ahead and
10:56
reach out for help.
11:00
And lastly, walk away,
if ever you're super stuck and
11:01
you don't know what to do, just walk away.
11:05
It will be the absolute last
thing that you want to do.
11:09
But I promise giving your brain a little
bit of a break there to actually
11:12
process a problem really has been
when most of my solutions have come,
11:17
versus looking at a screen and
stressing out.
11:21
That's how I've always
gotten my best solutions.
11:24
So, let's get to the really, really,
11:28
really juicy stuff we all
wanna know about jobs.
11:31
We wanna know about money,
we're doing this for a reason.
11:34
Obviously, because you love to code but
11:37
also we're trying to
make some dollars here.
11:40
So let's really get into the juicy stuff.
11:42
Branding is so key, it's actually how I
got my job one week before I graduated,
11:45
and how I've gotten my new job actually,
both without even trying.
11:50
So what I did was I really
used my online presence.
11:56
And this was at a time where I
didn't have very many followers.
11:59
But I used my online presence to talk
about coding all of the time when I was in
12:02
my coding boot camp.
12:06
I made sure that everyone knew
that I was learning how to code.
12:07
And I really use my immediate network
to tap into their immediate network,
12:10
just by sharing the various
projects I was working on.
12:14
So I made it apparently clear that, hey,
I'm learning how to code, and obviously,
12:17
I'm gonna be looking for a job soon.
12:22
How I personally got my job was,
one day an old colleague messaged me and
12:26
asked, hey, are you wanting
to get a job as a programmer?
12:30
You're coding now, that's so
random but super cool.
12:33
And she said my husband's company
is looking for programmers.
12:36
And had she not known that
I was learning how to code,
12:39
then I would not have had
that opportunity at all.
12:43
You can also use LinkedIn, various tech
groups such as Women in Tech, meetups,
12:47
networking groups that you find online.
12:52
Networking is also super important, and
obviously that's tied into the branding.
12:54
I would even, one little tip, I would even
place programming stickers on my laptop
12:59
and go study at different coffee shops.
13:03
And there were times where I picked
up conversations about coding with
13:06
random people.
13:09
Which was a great way to network because
they saw, hey, she's a programmer, so hey,
13:09
let me pick up a conversation
with this person.
13:14
When it comes to branding,
I really focus and
13:16
drill down on my front end UX UI skills.
13:19
And it's so funny how I included
this in my talk today, and
13:22
it's just foreshadowing for
the job that I just landed.
13:27
Because while yes,
I'm a full stack software engineer,
13:31
I wanted to set myself apart
by also knowing how to design.
13:35
A ton of programmers only
know how to code, but
13:39
I really wanted to know how to code and
to design.
13:41
So I used this as
leverage in my interview.
13:44
Find your thing and get really good at it.
13:46
With this new job that I got, I actually
was not looking for a job at all.
13:48
I actually had one of my old colleagues
that I went to school with, say hey,
13:54
I was talking with my boss.
13:59
And he said,
developers don't like to design and
14:01
I need a developer that
knows how to design.
14:04
And he goes, Olivia.
14:06
I'm like,
I'm not really looking right now.
14:08
And he's like, just try it out.
14:10
And so because I had really put myself out
there and really knelt down on what I'm
14:11
good at or what I would like to be good
at, everyone knew me as the design girl.
14:16
So when it came to a design position, I
was the go-to person when it came to that.
14:21
And so really just finding your thing and
setting yourself apart in that way.
14:26
So the job hunt, so now you've gone
through your program, you've branded
14:33
yourself, you've done all of those
things to really set yourself apart.
14:39
Now you're in the job hunt.
14:44
So first things first, I highly
recommend that if this is your first
14:46
programming job to remain super open,
don't be so picky.
14:51
For me, obviously I would have loved to
come out of school and get a UX UI role.
14:55
But it was my first job, so I got
a full stack software engineering job,
15:00
which was totally fine.
15:04
But had I just been
focused on that one thing,
15:06
I may not have gotten my foot in the door.
15:08
So I highly recommend to remain open.
15:10
A second tip is to have a solid portfolio.
15:14
So, because you're coming from
a nontraditional background,
15:17
it's really important to have something
tangible that you can show to prove that
15:21
you're a worthy candidate.
15:25
And that comes in the form
of a really great portfolio.
15:26
Web and mobile apps that you've
built to really showcase your
15:29
talent is really important.
15:31
I know in the beginning I had
questions surrounding it.
15:34
Would I be viewed differently because
I don't have a traditional CS degree?
15:37
I just haven't found that
to be an issue at all.
15:40
So I highly recommend having a strong
portfolio that you can show.
15:43
Third thing, get resume assistance,
so I highly recommend working
15:48
with a professional to ensure that
your resume is job market ready.
15:52
Technical resumes are a little bit
different from your standard resume.
15:55
So I highly recommend hiring someone
to actually help you to build out
15:59
a good resume.
16:04
And lastly, know your worth,
always negotiate your salary and
16:06
really know what to expect.
16:10
Check out what's the average salary for
your area and make sure
16:11
that you don't accept a job with money
way less than that, is what I will say.
16:16
It does not matter that you don't
have a computer science degree.
16:23
Be confident and
don't allow yourself to feel intimidated.
16:27
You are worthy,
you have the skill set and know that.
16:31
Go into your job interview knowing that
you are worth the same amount that any
16:34
traditional computer science student,
the salary that they would make.
16:39
Okay, let's see next slide.
16:46
And so let's talk about my
life today as a programmer.
16:48
So now you've gotten your job, you're all
happy, you're making the ideal salary.
16:51
And so yes, coding is still difficult.
16:56
[LAUGH] It's still difficult,
I'm constantly learning.
16:59
I'm constantly being asked to stretch
the strength of my coding skills.
17:03
I'm constantly trying to work faster,
produce less buggy code.
17:06
I'm constantly learning new
programming languages on the fly.
17:11
You don't fit that time
to actually sit down and
17:15
learn a language, but
you just pick up things as you can.
17:18
My experience is that generally,
everyone is pretty nice and helpful.
17:22
Like I said, I haven't been treated
any differently because I don't have
17:28
a computer science degree.
17:31
Know that programmers
are very opinionated people.
17:33
So just be prepared in general to accept
criticism and don't feel offended.
17:36
But also feel free to defend
your code once you're
17:41
confident about your skill set.
17:45
And it's easier said than done,
but don't feel intimidated.
17:48
It's very normal and
natural to go into that imposter syndrome.
17:51
But just know that you are worthy and
17:56
you deserve to be where
you are if you're hired.
17:58
Being an engineer has really afforded me
the opportunity to purchase my dream home,
18:01
my dream car.
18:07
It was a lot of hard work, but
it was so worth it in the end.
18:08
And I had this goal to hit six figures
before 30, and I'll be 30 in two weeks.
18:12
And so
all thanks to the world of technology and
18:16
me actually going down this journey
to actually learning how to code.
18:19
These were the steps that I took
to really get myself there.
18:23
And it looks like we have a question.
18:28
And thank you guys so much for
listening to my talk.
18:30
If you're interested in learning more,
check me out on Instagram or on YouTube,
18:33
or feel free to send an email if
you have any questions for me.
18:37
And I'll take a question right now,
looks like from Kendra.
18:41
Did you have to have
UI UX certification or
18:44
experience to secure that new position,
or were they willing to train?
18:47
No, I actually don't have any UX or
UI experience.
18:52
What I did was when I
learned about the position,
18:56
I got it fully on the strength
that I love to design.
18:59
And in my boot camp,
which is what my colleague saw,
19:03
because we were students together,
I knew how to design.
19:06
And I think that me working in
my marketing firm beforehand,
19:09
working with Wix and
other website builders.
19:12
It was really because I wasn't
focused on the code portion,
19:15
I was focused on the design portion,
and so it was off the strength of that.
19:18
But for my interview, I actually did pick
up a course online on UX UI just to make
19:21
sure I was coming in
as strong as possible.
19:26
From Justin, what were your top
three resources while learning?
19:30
Definitely YouTube,
YouTube was a major resource for me.
19:34
I would say, I don't know if
I can give actual names, but
19:39
just other other platforms online.
19:43
There's a couple other platforms online
where you can check out to learn different
19:46
pieces.
19:50
I can say specifically W3Schools.com
is a great resource for
19:51
picking up on little questions that
you may have regarding coding.
19:55
Another question,
is 51 to old to learn how to code?
20:00
Absolutely not,
anyone can learn how to code.
20:03
Let's see from Carne, hi Olivia,
20:07
which language should you
use to build your portfolio?
20:10
JavaScript mostly,
more specifically React as a framework.
20:13
Let's see,
did we have any other questions?
20:19
I also use Ruby on Rails for my back end.
20:23
So combining those two for my portfolio
is what I use in the job market.
20:25
From Broke, what kind of resume
projects do you recommend for
20:31
a full stack developer position?
20:34
I honestly just chose topics that I love,
I'm super into the law of attraction and
20:36
manifestation.
20:41
So one of my major projects was
actually a gratitude journal.
20:42
So I built out on something
that I was passionate about,
20:45
which was truly a ton of fun for me and
also allowed me to showcase my skills.
20:49
As far as the language,
20:54
I don't necessarily think
that that matters as much.
20:55
As long as you know how to code, you can
really learn how to pick up any language.
20:58
So let's see, I think that may be it.
21:03
All right guys, well, thank you so
much for joining my talk here.
21:08
Like I said,
21:13
definitely check out my other platforms
if you're interested in this kinda thing.
21:14
And thank you so much, I hope you guys
have a good rest of your conference, bye.
21:19
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