Recently, I received my "first" internship/job offer to work remotely for a Jamaican-based startup. The only issue is, that it took over 18 months to get to this point.
For context, I have been in love with engineering and computing all my life, in the mid-2000s, I was fortunate enough to have access to a computer that my grandfather owned, and here I was introduced to my first video game, a racing sim loaded onto a floppy disk. I was hooked, and from that day forward I loved learning about how technology and many other systems in our world worked. I wanted to know the HOW, the WHEN, and the WHY.
Because of this, I took classes related to IT and Sciences in high school. I originally wanted to be a Digital Arts major due to my years of doing art as a hobby. However, during covid, I decided to switch gears to CS and spent the next few years self-studying CS before applying to university. After my first few months of self-studying and finishing a few courses. I started cold applying to jobs thinking that it wouldn't be too difficult to at least get one call or message back. Safe to say I was very naive and was about to be hit with the cruel reality that is job hunting.
I quickly learnt not only how difficult it was to even get a response for an application, but also realised I just didn't know enough regarding CS and most importantly, how to correctly go about applying to jobs. Before I continue, I will preface by saying, although it is difficult to get a job, especially as someone who is new to the world of work. Where you live, has a huge impact on your available job pool, as well as the level of experience that may be required for the same position. And we have to understand that living in the Caribbean has its pros and cons when it comes to job hunting in tech ( at least at the time of writing ), particularly when applying for remote positions.
There are thousands of videos online by seasoned software engineers that try to give tips and guidelines for getting that first tech job, as well as many that share their experiences with getting their first job within 3 - 12 months. But many of these videos focus on tips that are more applicable in larger countries like America, but what about smaller nations? That's why I've decided to list my take on a few tips that are more specific and usable for us in the Caribbean.
Networking
I'll start off with arguably one of the most important but overly understated steps to not only getting your first tech job but also having a successful career, networking. Having a well-built network of people who are in the same or similar fields or professions as yourself, is crucial in getting a job. Not only will you be surrounded by people of similar or greater knowledge than yourself, but you will also have increased opportunities opened to you depending on who is in your network, how well they know you and how much they know you can offer. Sites like LinkedIn and Twitter are great places to showcase yourself and your skills to others in the industry, whether it be other developers, recruiters or those in higher management.
Don't be afraid to reach out and let your voice be heard, now I'm not saying to be annoying and message everyone with the intention of getting a job. Rather be genuine about wanting to connect and learn from others and even hear if they have any advice or opportunities they can share. Use these sites as a gateway to showcase your intentions, drive and professionalism.
You can also try reaching out to those in your circle locally to have in-person meetings and discussions. Try your best to also attend any conferences or webinars that are hosted locally or regionally. They don't happen as often in the Caribbean compared to other countries, so the people who show up are more likely to be serious about their development and careers. This is a great time to be there and let your name be known.
Research
It is important to understand the types of careers that are currently available to you based on factors such as experience, domain knowledge, location and even finances. You need to do your research and categorize all the jobs you can feasibly do, given your current constraints.
For example, are you looking for remote, hybrid or on-site positions? Are there any companies that offer these options in your country? And if you are looking to work remotely for a company abroad, do you have legal authorization to work in said country and to be paid remotely? If not, can you work 1099 or freelance instead? These are just a few examples of what you need to focus on when applying for jobs, as many times your application may be immediately turned down if you are not able to meet certain legal requirements like location.
Local Hiring & Experience
As I have mentioned in my previous blog, many job listings have requirements that rarely ever fit the job position they are hiring for. This is because the requirement and preferred skills list acts more like a wishlist for HR to see if they can snag a candidate that ticks as many of the boxes. This is more or less the same wherever you go, as HR is often out of touch with the specific departments they are hiring for.
Nevertheless, don't let this discourage you from taking the leap and applying anyway. The step of networking will become very useful here, if you are connected with or know someone who works at the company you are applying to locally, that avenue can give you a leg up in the shortlisting process.
It is also good to note that not all experiences/jobs need to be paid. Yes, as much as many of us want to start earning as soon as possible. At least when you are starting out, it's okay to reach out to local businesses and offer your services to them for free or at a lower cost. Think of it like doing a personal project, but now, this change can have real effects on a business and will showcase your ability to create production-ready applications.
Education
One of the great things about the field of technology is that there are many successful engineers who don't have formal educational backgrounds. Unlike many other careers, not having a university degree is not a death sentence. Now I will say having a BS or MS in computer science or any other related field will definitely help you immensely. But in many cases, technology is similar to trade work. Someone who has spent enough time getting their hands dirty can do the job, just as well or even better than those who went to university.
But it is important to have at least a formal understanding of the fundament topics of technology, luckily the internet has many places in which you can learn these for free, gain certificates or even have you build projects that can be showcased to others. Sites like freeCodeCamp are great for learning some of the key fundamentals of web development and more. The bottom line is, recruiters and HR managers are often looking for someone who can add great value to the company. If you can showcase that despite not having a degree or formal background, you have built many projects and are dedicated to learning. You may have already piqued their interest.
This also applies to those that do have formal degrees, don't let that piece of paper fool you into becoming complacent. Sure it will definitely help verify that you know enough to pass tests and meet deadlines. But the real-world problems you will be asked to solve on the job won't always be equivalent to what you learnt in school. Your degree may get you in the door, but your drive and experience will determine whether you stay in the building.
Soft Skills
It doesn't matter how many years of experience or knowledge you have. If you are an awful person to work with. Soft skills such as your ability to communicate well, collaborate with others, lead a team or solve/de-escalate problems, are becoming much more wanted in the workplace. Companies have begun to realise that you can much more easily teach someone with great soft skills any technical skills they may be lacking. Rather than teach soft skills to a highly technical person.
Being a good person or team member is just as important as being a good engineer, as the productivity of many teams is affected by the people in it. It doesn't matter how great your ideas are if you can't communicate them to the team well. This is why many companies have a strong focus on their behavioural interviews.
It is important to practise your soft skills just as much as your technical skills. A few ways in which I've implemented to make this easier are; speaking out loud while coding and problem-solving, practising public speaking to friends and family about complex topics, documenting code solutions and failures. etc. Try to make it become second nature, remember the company is filled with other real people just like you, with emotions and thoughts of their own. A good first impression of your personality to your interviewer or recruiter will set you on the right track.
Conclusion
This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a few key ideas that I believe are the most important for those in the Caribbean who are in a similar position as myself, where you would like to contribute and be part of a great team or company but find it difficult due to factors outside our current control.
I intend to continually edit and add to this list, as I continue to learn and grow. I want others who come after me to not go through the same issues that I have, rather I wish to help create a path that can follow. Leaving them to focus mainly on contributing to a greater purpose in tech at a much earlier stage in their careers, be proud of their Caribbean heritage, and not see it as a restriction.
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