Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I decided I really wanted to become a mentor because I wanted to give back to the community that helped shape my tech career. Throughout my journey from a Flatiron School graduate to an Engineering Manager at Navro, I've been fortunate to receive guidance and support from incredible mentors and senior engineers who not only helped nurture my technical skills but also encouraged my growth. This experience instilled in me a profound appreciation for the value of mentorship. By sharing my knowledge, experiences, and the lessons I've learned, I aim to empower aspiring engineers, guiding them through challenges similar to the ones i've faced and helping them navigate their career paths more confidently.
How did you get your career start?
My career started with a thirst for problem solving, armed with the tools and knowledge I gained during my self learning and coding bootcamp I spent a large amount of my time building apps. One of the ideas that stuck with me due to my background as a CrossFit coach was designing a fitness booking application that allowed sports coaches to manage classes, attendees, taking and receiving payments. Such an application proved particularly useful during the hardships of COVID-19 where many in the sports industry looked for alternative work due to gyms shutting down. While building this application, it was also the primary portfolio project I showcased at technical interviews for junior roles and it intrigued sever potential employers, which finally landed me my first role as a Junior Frontend Connected TV Engineer.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
Mentees inside and outside of work generally come to me for my vast experience with frontend technologies in ReactJS and NextJS. Beyond this, I also have found that mentees take an interest in how I accelerated my growth in my career to a senior position in a short span of time. Therefore, I tend structure a lot of my mentorship plans around building both soft and hard skills to foster the traits of a successful engineer. From technical mastery of languages, libraries and frameworks to embracing behavioural interview strategies, I believe that becoming a T shaped developer is important to being a holistic engineer.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
My favorite mentorship success story is twofold. First, I had the privilege of mentoring a university student who was grappling with the complexities of React for a critical university project. Through our sessions, we demystified React's concepts and navigating edge cases, enabling him to not only complete his project successfully but also to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation for frontend development. The second story involves helping a junior engineer overcome imposter syndrome, a common hurdle in tech careers. By focusing on building confidence and fostering a mindset geared towards growth and independence, this engineer was able to gain the autonomy needed to excel in their role.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
Being a mentor is incredibly rewarding. It's not just about watching people grow and succeed; it's about being the support I once needed. When I teach, it deepens my own understanding, ensuring I truly grasp what I know. This exchange keeps me sharp, always pushing me to learn more and stay ahead. Each mentee brings new challenges and perspectives, enriching my professional journey. It's a cycle of growth—by helping them, I inadvertently challenge myself to improve and stay updated. In essence, mentoring is a two-way street, offering a unique blend of giving back and personal development. It's about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and together, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of our field.