Jade Lin

Bless the steam sale. One dreamer is a code puzzle game that apparently uses my favourite game genre as a teaching device. Hello please

I am hearing about many unconventional routes into programming. People are generous with their time and stories. This makes me happy.

Regardless of your starting point, your previous experience is useful somewhere.
In our area, there is always a project that values someone with experience on different areas, even if only to contribute with the understanding of the customer’s needs.

I started my career in tech with computer assembly, passing through customer service, infrastructure and database administration; before switching into development.
On each switch, the previous experience got useful somehow, even if only to broad my perspective approaching customer problems.

My questions for the current generation of code learners are up. If you’re a #RailsConf attendee, please water this here sapling by taking a moment to answer one 🌱

5: What’s your advice to someone learning how to code in 2025?

4: What’s currently the most fun part of your existence as a software engineer? What was the first thing that ‘hooked’ you into the path?

3: Is learning in-house through traineeships or internships still a thing in recent years, and where do people coming from different careers look out for those opportunities?

2: What was your unconventional detour into development? Why did that make you a better programmer?

1: How should someone on the path to transitioning into a career in code approach a software conference like #RailsConf?

I have here some questions for the table that will be used in my mini-project roundup. Over the course of the next few days I’ll be seeking mentors and community powerhouses to get a few answers to each:

Beaming. Inspiring conversations sparking everywhere at the scholars reception last night.

A side goal of the conference is to find folks with unconventional paths into development and pick their brains. Already a fantastic start to #RailsConf

Landing in a friendlier space today ahead of RailsConf. Hello, world 👋