[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.53,0:00:18.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,KINSEY ANN DURHAM: OK, I'm gonna go ahead\Nand start.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.48,0:00:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How's everybody doing today?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.62,0:00:20.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AUDIENCE: We're good.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.94,0:00:24.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,K.A.D.: Good? Having a good conference? Thank\Nyou all
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.74,0:00:28.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for coming. I'm Kinsey. I'm an apprentice\Nat ThoughtBot
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.56,0:00:32.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the new Denver office, and today I'm going
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.42,0:00:35.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be talking about becoming a software engineer:\Ninspiring
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.73,0:00:38.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a new generation of developers.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.49,0:00:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if you were to tell me even a
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.15,0:00:42.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,year ago that I would be standing up here
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.35,0:00:45.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,speaking at RubyConf, I would have told you\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.57,0:00:48.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you were crazy. I never dreamt or even thought
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.95,0:00:51.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was possible to find such a yearning passion
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.71,0:00:55.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for writing code. I thought I wasn't smart\Nenough,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.40,0:00:58.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I honestly build up building ba- grew\Nup
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.17,0:01:02.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,building Barbie's dreamhouse and not computers.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.04,0:01:04.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have been working in ad agencies since I
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.32,0:01:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was sixteen. I was an advertising major and\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.86,0:01:08.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was good at it. And the thought of being
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.25,0:01:11.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a software engineer never crossed my mind.\NIt honestly
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.67,0:01:15.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looked really boring and intimidating. My\Nstep-brother is a
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.50,0:01:18.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really awesome developer, and any time I heard\Nhim
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.25,0:01:20.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talk, it sounded like he was talking in an
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.07,0:01:23.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alien language. I never understood anything\Nthat he was
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.61,0:01:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,saying.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.13,0:01:26.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People are shocked and sometimes even blatantly\Nnegative when
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.91,0:01:29.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they hear about my new dreams of becoming\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.02,0:01:33.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,developer. Friends' jaws literally dropped\Nwhen I told them
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.35,0:01:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was learning how to write code. I've
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.86,0:01:38.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also received comments that I'm too sociable\Nand I'm
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.34,0:01:40.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the last person on Earth they thought would\Nwant
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.75,0:01:43.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to write code. That I should be in sales
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.64,0:01:45.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also I don't think in a way that
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.23,0:01:47.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a developer should.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.45,0:01:49.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't ever want to let these comments discourage
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.68,0:01:53.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,me, although it's definitely easier said than\Ndone. There
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.02,0:01:54.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are definitely times when I want to give up
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.42,0:01:56.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and throw my computer out the door and go
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.88,0:01:58.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back to some of the mindless work I did
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.25,0:02:00.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in advertising.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.75,0:02:02.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the path to becoming a software engineer,\Nin
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.94,0:02:06.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my mind, was straightforward and well-defined.\NYou needed a
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.64,0:02:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,computer, you needed a computer science degree,\Nto have
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.06,0:02:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dropped out of your computer science degree\Nto work
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.64,0:02:15.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a company writing code, or have been a
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.85,0:02:18.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,self-taught programmer who loon- learned to\Ncode at a
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.83,0:02:20.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,very young age.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.54,0:02:23.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Recently, the community has seen a rise in\Nnon-traditional
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.48,0:02:26.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,paths to becoming a software engineer. These\Npaths are
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.96,0:02:30.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the future to building a diverse community\Nand training
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.43,0:02:34.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the next generation of developers. So today\NI'm here
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.51,0:02:38.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to argue that outreach programs, mentorship\Nand apprentice programs
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.68,0:02:41.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are legitimate paths to becoming a software\Nengineer.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.04,0:02:43.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This path is begin, has been the beginning\Nof
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.98,0:02:46.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my journey, making me see that what I thought
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.42,0:02:50.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was impossible was actually possible. So I\Nfirst want
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.63,0:02:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to talk about outreach programs. Railsbridge\Nis a great
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.04,0:02:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,example of an outreach program that is working.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.98,0:03:00.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how many people have heard of Railsbridge?\NWow.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.57,0:03:02.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's a lot. A lot. Awesome. How many people
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.80,0:03:09.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have volunteered, sponsored, or participated\Nin a Railsbridge? Awesome.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.21,0:03:14.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can honestly tell you that a Railsbridge\Nworkshop
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.54,0:03:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,changed my life. Railsbridge, for those of\Nyou who
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.22,0:03:18.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't know even though most of you raised\Nyour
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.99,0:03:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hands, is an outreach program that puts on\Nfree
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.81,0:03:25.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,weekend workshops where people learn from\Nexperienced Rails volunteers.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.89,0:03:28.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So these workshop attract, workshops attract\Na lot of
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.81,0:03:30.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beginners, and in one day you get to build
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.75,0:03:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a basic Rails app and deploy it on Heroku.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.12,0:03:36.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It planted a seed to a career that I
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.06,0:03:38.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had always dreamed of but hadn't yet realized.\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.91,0:03:41.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only met Jesse McAdam who would become\None
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.15,0:03:44.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my greatest mentors and influencers, but\Ndiscovered a
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.11,0:03:46.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,passion for writing Rails that I never would\Nhave
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.81,0:03:47.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,discovered on my own.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.88,0:03:50.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a Tweet that I Tweeted when I
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.32,0:03:53.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was at Railsbridge. I was so excited.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.27,0:03:55.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Railsbridge taught me that writing code wasn't\Nscary and
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.57,0:03:58.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a few hours I deployed my first application
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.00,0:04:00.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to Heroku. I literally remember it like it\Nwas
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.85,0:04:02.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yesterday. I was yelling at my best friend\Nwho
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.91,0:04:04.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also was in the workshop at the top of
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.47,0:04:06.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my lungs that I was going to write code
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.46,0:04:09.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from now on. And Railsbridge was the beginning\Nof
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.45,0:04:11.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my journey, where I learned that I could actually
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.33,0:04:14.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have a passion for writing code.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.92,0:04:17.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So SarahMay and Sarah Allen started Railsbridge\Nin 2009
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.84,0:04:22.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the San Francisco Ruby community was\N98% male
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.34,0:04:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and 2% female. Since the program lowered the\Nbarrier
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.50,0:04:29.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to entry, they saw an increase of women attending
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.30,0:04:32.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the workshops. In one year, the Sarahs saw\Nthe
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.05,0:04:35.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,female ratio increase from 2 to 18% thanks\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.54,0:04:37.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Railsbridge efforts.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.25,0:04:42.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I am - yeah.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.23,0:04:47.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I am definitely not the only one who
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.57,0:04:49.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has pursued a career in web development thanks\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.80,0:04:52.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Railsbridge. I want to share with you guys\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.18,0:04:54.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,few of the testimonials from various women\Nwho have
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.90,0:04:57.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attended the workshop and who are now full-time\Nsoftware
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.56,0:04:59.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,engineers.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.74,0:05:01.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Rachel Meyers who is now a developer at
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.59,0:05:04.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,GitHub said this about her experience at Railsbridge.\NI'm
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.50,0:05:06.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gonna let you guys read this, cause I don't
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.74,0:05:13.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,want to just read off the slide.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.67,0:05:19.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Laura Steadman, who is now a developer at\NQuickLab,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.46,0:05:22.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,said that attending Railsbridge was inspiring\Nbecause of what
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.88,0:05:25.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she built that day. Or not because of what
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.66,0:05:28.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she built that day, but rather the sincere\Nenthusiasm
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.59,0:05:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the volunteers. She was amazed that people\Nwere
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.30,0:05:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,giving up their weekends to volunteer at a\Nworkshop.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.95,0:05:39.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rita Vatshi who is now a developer outright\Nstated
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.07,0:05:44.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.03,0:05:51.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Railsbridge is not the only outreach program\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.97,0:05:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is out there that has been successful. Rails\NGirls,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.37,0:05:56.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Women who Code, Black Girls who Code are other
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.61,0:06:00.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,great programs, all of which need sponsors,\Nteachers, and
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.37,0:06:04.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,volunteers on an ongoing basis. I'm currently\Nthe coordinator
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.10,0:06:05.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the Denver women who code group, and it
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.94,0:06:08.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is truly amazing to see the impact that the
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.73,0:06:11.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,group has had in the community in one year.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.77,0:06:14.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The most popular meetups are typically ones\Nthat are
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.06,0:06:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,geared towards beginners, so in them we have\Nmore
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.86,0:06:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,experienced females develop- female developers\Ncome in to speak
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.04,0:06:23.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how they got into programming, what\Nresources are
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.29,0:06:27.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,out there and advice to becoming a developer.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.73,0:06:29.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now that I've talked about outreach programs,\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.64,0:06:33.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,want to talk about mentorship. Mentorship\Nis another important
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.25,0:06:37.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,aspect to train the next generation of developers.\NMentorship
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.35,0:06:39.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is beneficial to me because I look to my
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.82,0:06:42.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentors not only for technical skills but\Nfor soft
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.67,0:06:45.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,skills and support. Because, to go from attending\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.61,0:06:49.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Railsbridge workshop to becoming a full-time\Nsoftware engineer is
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.05,0:06:52.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,way more work than I ever expected.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.20,0:06:53.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are days when I come home in tears
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.66,0:06:56.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I feel stupid and frustrated for not understanding
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.47,0:06:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,basic concepts still. I'm not only learning\Nhow to
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.63,0:07:03.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,write Ruby, Rails, testing frameworks, use\Nget, but a
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.20,0:07:06.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,completely new way of thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.31,0:07:08.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Jesse who I mentioned earlier is one of
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.02,0:07:10.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my greatest mentors has opened doors to me\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.20,0:07:14.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't even know existed. She's truly humble\Nabout
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.06,0:07:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the work that she's doing and bringing\Ndiversity
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.52,0:07:19.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into the industry, but she really is making\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.25,0:07:21.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,difference. She works tirelessly on top of\Nher job
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.61,0:07:23.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and managing her family to reach out through\Norganizations.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.97,0:07:26.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's like Dev Chicks and Railsbridge.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.21,0:07:28.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I even hear her talking about how she
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.29,0:07:30.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wants to open a beginning to code school in
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.14,0:07:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,her house on the weekend. Jesse and one other
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.58,0:07:36.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentor in particular have been there for me,\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.07,0:07:38.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pick me back up when I'm feeling frustrated\Nand
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.29,0:07:40.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I cannot continue, and they remind me\Nof
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.64,0:07:42.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how far I've come in a year and how
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.08,0:07:44.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hard it truly is to understand this stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.60,0:07:47.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no matter how busy they are, they are always
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.17,0:07:48.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there to listen to me and help me when
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.93,0:07:51.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I get stuck on a problem and am floundering.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.44,0:07:53.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they give me the encouragement that I sometimes
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.38,0:07:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,desperately need.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.46,0:07:59.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So mentoring is also beneficial to my mentors.\NMy
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.30,0:08:02.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentors constantly tell me how mentoring ultimately\Nmakes them
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.44,0:08:05.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a better developer, because it solidifies\Nan understanding of
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.33,0:08:08.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the content being taught. John Fully, who's\Na developer
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.27,0:08:11.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at Pivotal Labs told me that mentoring elevates\Nyou
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.52,0:08:14.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from thinking you know to actually knowing\Nyou know
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.43,0:08:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or not knowing at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.62,0:08:19.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mentoring not only provides countless and\Nnecessary benefits to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.20,0:08:22.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the mentee, but to the mentor perspectively.\NSo even
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.32,0:08:24.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,advanced developers can learn new things by\Nhaving to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.93,0:08:26.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,explain it in a way that a beginner can
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.83,0:08:28.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,understand it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.75,0:08:31.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I recently came for- full-circle in the\NRailsbridge
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.29,0:08:32.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,community and was a TA for one of the
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.92,0:08:37.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,workshops in Colorado, and teaching basic\NRuby conference- concepts
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.00,0:08:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was really frightening because I kept questioning\Nmyself, and
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.92,0:08:41.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went back, you know, and did more research
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.46,0:08:44.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and made sure that I actually understood what\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.06,0:08:45.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was telling people.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.55,0:08:47.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I really did learn a lot that day.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.87,0:08:49.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe even more than when I was doing the
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.28,0:08:52.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Railsbridge workshop.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.65,0:08:54.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I really think that mentorship is worth\Nyour
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.53,0:08:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,time. How many people here have been mentored\Nby
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.98,0:08:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,somebody?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.66,0:09:00.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Quite a few. And did it help you in
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.40,0:09:05.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,advancing your career? Yes. Cool.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.07,0:09:06.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how many people here have been a mentor
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.78,0:09:10.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to somebody? Wow. That's a lot of hands. That's
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.28,0:09:12.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,awesome. I want to encourage everyone to be\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.55,0:09:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentor if you have time, resources, and the\Npatience
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.22,0:09:18.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to do so. Mentoring is a really hard thing
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.42,0:09:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to do and it definitely isn't for everyone.\NIt
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.98,0:09:23.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,requires a lot of time and patience.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.23,0:09:25.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm really inspired because I've met a lot\Nof
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.88,0:09:29.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people here this weekend who are mentors and,\Nor,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.03,0:09:31.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or making the effort to become a great mentor.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.31,0:09:32.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So thanks to all of you who I've talked
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.82,0:09:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to you about this and your efforts are truly
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.96,0:09:36.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making a difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.53,0:09:39.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I want to switch gears and talk about
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.10,0:09:40.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what it means to be a great mentor. I've
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.98,0:09:43.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had so many great mentors this past year and
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.77,0:09:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would love to share with you some of the
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.01,0:09:48.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,qualities that I thought they all shared.\NAlly talked
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.02,0:09:49.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about this in her lightning talk yesterday\Nand she
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.92,0:09:52.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gave a lot of great advice as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.73,0:09:56.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if you were gifted in explaining concepts,\Ncomplex
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.33,0:09:59.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,concepts simply, you would be a great mentor.\NThe
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.83,0:10:01.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,greatest mentors that I have had were able\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.90,0:10:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,take an abstract concept and make it really\Nconcrete
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.53,0:10:08.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to me. Emily Saffo, who presented yesterday,\Nshe gave
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.17,0:10:11.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an awesome talk in Paris at a conference about
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.18,0:10:13.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,concurrency in Ruby. And she gave a really\Nsimple
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.73,0:10:17.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,analogy to explain threading, and it, she\Ncompared it
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.34,0:10:18.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with an orchestra, and I thought it was a
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.80,0:10:21.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really awesome metaphor, and she took this\Ncomplex thing
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.94,0:10:23.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and really broke it down into something simple\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.79,0:10:25.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.15,0:10:28.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Last night, Steve Harms who presented here\Nat RubyConf
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.72,0:10:32.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yesterday gave us a Star Wars example that\Nwas,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.19,0:10:33.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that made it easy for us to understand the
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.65,0:10:36.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,topic he was talking about in regards to object-oriented
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.59,0:10:38.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,programming.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.32,0:10:40.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's really important to try and explain these\Nthings
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.42,0:10:42.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a simple manner that anyone can understand,\Nat
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.88,0:10:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,least at first, to get the concept through.\NAnd
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.80,0:10:47.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you know some con- some concepts are complex\Nand
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.85,0:10:50.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can't really be boiled down to something simple.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.50,0:10:52.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But one technique that one of my mentors does
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.88,0:10:54.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with me is ask me, if I had no
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.80,0:10:57.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,idea what any of this was, how would you
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.14,0:10:59.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,explain to me what I was doing? It was
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.35,0:11:02.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really challenging and hard for me to do that.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.64,0:11:05.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is, once again, beneficial to the mentor\Nto
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.01,0:11:08.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have to explain things in a simple way.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.95,0:11:14.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Awareness. Awareness of both yourself and\Nyour mentee. Mentors
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.47,0:11:15.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are unaware of the fact that they are
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.92,0:11:19.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,coming off as discouraging could ruin or completely\Ndissuade
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.95,0:11:22.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a beginners' passion for the craft. It is\Nimportant
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.72,0:11:25.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be aware of signs of frustration, language\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.38,0:11:28.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is discouraging, and body language when mentoring\Nan apprentice
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.08,0:11:29.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,developer.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.88,0:11:32.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Great mentors that I have had have also been
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.78,0:11:35.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,very aware of my learning styles. The same\Nmentor
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.82,0:11:37.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would, that would ask me to explain things
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.99,0:11:40.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back to him asked me on the first day
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.10,0:11:42.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of being my mentor what my learning style\Nwas.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.88,0:11:44.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't even aware of the best ways that
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.69,0:11:46.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned, but we were able to up, discover
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.93,0:11:50.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that together, and use those, and practice\Nhow I
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.93,0:11:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,learned best.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.26,0:11:54.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I really excelled during my apprenticeship\Nwith this mentor
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.73,0:11:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we were both aware of my learning\Nhabits,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.48,0:12:01.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my way of thinking and learning. I learned\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.21,0:12:03.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drawing things on the white board, drawing\Nthem out
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.29,0:12:06.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was really helpful to me. And I also discovered
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.40,0:12:07.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of the time I need to sle-
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.82,0:12:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I needed to sleep on what I had learned.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.55,0:12:11.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then the next day I was able to get
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.33,0:12:13.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.33,0:12:15.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also on this note, getting to know your mentee
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.17,0:12:18.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is invaluable. Knowing what makes them tick,\Nhow they
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.01,0:12:20.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,learn, how they think, and how they approach\Nproblems
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.66,0:12:23.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can make for a more productive mentorship.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.75,0:12:27.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Patience is also very important. It's also,\Nit's important
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.85,0:12:30.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the mentor and the mentee. If you're an
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.56,0:12:32.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,impatient person, it might not be best for\Nyou
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.74,0:12:34.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be a mentor. When a beginner is learning
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.60,0:12:37.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to code, you may have to explain things multiple
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.20,0:12:39.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,times until they get it. Things move at a
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.48,0:12:41.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,slow pace, and it is important to make sure
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.61,0:12:44.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you're being patient and understanding\Nwhen working with
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.10,0:12:46.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your mentee.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.02,0:12:47.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Patience is also a skill that I have to
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.43,0:12:49.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,learn. One of the things that I struggle with
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.25,0:12:50.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is when I see an error message or there's
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.83,0:12:53.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a bug, I angrily switch from the failing test
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.81,0:12:55.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back to them without taking my time to read
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.99,0:12:58.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the error message. So writing code and mentoring\Nare
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.77,0:13:01.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,similar. Heh. I see people nodding.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.41,0:13:03.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Writing code and mentoring are similar in\Nthat it
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.15,0:13:05.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ta- requires a lot of patience. So I've learned
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.14,0:13:07.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot in that aspect as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.63,0:13:10.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Weekly retrospectives are also very important\Nin a formal
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.37,0:13:13.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentorship. Once a week, take time and sit\Ndown
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.39,0:13:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with your mentee. Discuss what went well,\Nwhat didn't
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.64,0:13:19.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go well, and what to improve on. These meetings
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.05,0:13:21.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were invaluable to me because I was able to
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.15,0:13:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,focus on softer skills as well, and overall\Nskills.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.13,0:13:27.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I became aware of my impatience habit and\Nareas
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.36,0:13:28.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I needed to focus on the most, so
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.86,0:13:30.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that really helped me out.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.83,0:13:34.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pairing. I think pairing with my mentors has\Nbeen
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.28,0:13:37.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the best thing for me from a technical standpoint.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.21,0:13:40.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it was definitely where I learned the most.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.05,0:13:41.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pairing on actual client projects and even\Non my
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.82,0:13:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,own breakable toy was extremely helpful. Pairing\Nis also
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.68,0:13:50.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,great because you can speak remotely with\Na mentor.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.15,0:13:52.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was able to learn so much fun, more
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.80,0:13:54.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a pairing situation than when trying to\Nread
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.99,0:13:57.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Ruby pickaxe book. I was able to constantly
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.88,0:14:01.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ask questions, drive, and really dive into\Nlearning the
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.07,0:14:03.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ruby language and Rails framework.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.17,0:14:06.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the most important piece of advice that\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.30,0:14:09.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can give to mentors is to have empathy. It
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.14,0:14:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is extremely discouraging to be told that\Nthis is
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.70,0:14:14.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,easy and you should be getting this. It's\Nreally
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.05,0:14:16.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not easy, especially for someone who has never\Ndone
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.43,0:14:18.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this before. You know, how long have you been
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.29,0:14:20.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,writing code? Something that was easy, that\Nis easy
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.96,0:14:22.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to you now, is not gonna be easy for
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.76,0:14:23.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a beginner.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.76,0:14:26.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also, remember that your mentee might have\Na completely
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.91,0:14:29.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,different way of thinking. It's important\Nto put yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.65,0:14:31.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in their shoes and remember what it was like
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.63,0:14:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to learn how to write code.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.92,0:14:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my incredible mentors and my experience\NRailsbridge has
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.55,0:14:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only changed my life, but changed others\Naround
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.31,0:14:42.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,me in an almost verbal effect. These are my
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.91,0:14:45.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two best friends at another Railsbridge event\Nthat we
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.14,0:14:48.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,did in Denver. We were all three advertising\Nmajors
Dialogue: 0,0:14:48.37,0:14:49.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at CU.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.27,0:14:52.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Emma, the blond one, she's now doing front-end\Ndevelopment
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.45,0:14:56.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in San Francisco, and Terra, just, got accepted\Ninto
Dialogue: 0,0:14:56.29,0:14:58.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an intense Ruby on Rails program in New York
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.64,0:15:01.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,City. So Terra had a really great job and
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.03,0:15:04.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,decided to quit her career to pursue a career
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.70,0:15:08.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a developer, which I think is really cool.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.04,0:15:11.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So intense Ruby on Rails training programs\Nlike GSchool,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.10,0:15:14.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Dev BootCamp, are other great examples of\Nalternative education
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.58,0:15:16.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,options that I unfortunately don't have a\Nlot of
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.55,0:15:18.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,time to discuss today. I get to spend a
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.76,0:15:21.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lot of time around the G Schoolers and Galvanized
Dialogue: 0,0:15:21.00,0:15:24.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we work in the same place. It's amazing
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.06,0:15:25.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see the applications that they build in\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.70,0:15:27.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,short amount of time.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.13,0:15:29.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can also relate to the struggles of learning
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.42,0:15:33.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ruby together. I've also gotten to meet a,\Nso
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.35,0:15:36.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,many wonderful developers this weekend, who\Nhave come out
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.10,0:15:38.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,programs like Flat Iron School, Bit Maker\Nand Dev
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.74,0:15:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Boot Camp.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.15,0:15:41.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Talking with all of them about their experiences\Nhas
Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.92,0:15:45.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,made me realize how these programs can really\Nopen
Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.47,0:15:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doors for people who never thought it was\Npossible
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.54,0:15:50.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to become a developer. And it is truly inspiring
Dialogue: 0,0:15:50.25,0:15:52.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see how passionate they are about the community
Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.32,0:15:55.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the craft of writing code.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.52,0:15:57.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now that I've talked about outreach programs\Nand
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.13,0:16:00.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentorship I want to talk about apprentice\Nprograms. Apprentice
Dialogue: 0,0:16:00.53,0:16:03.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,programs are intense training that you would\Nnot receive
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.13,0:16:05.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at a university, and apprentice programs can\Ntake a
Dialogue: 0,0:16:05.77,0:16:09.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,passionate learner and turn them into competent,\Nreliable software
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.30,0:16:10.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,engineers.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:10.67,0:16:14.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm really, really fortunate because ThoughtBot\Naccepted me into
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.17,0:16:17.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their apprentice program this past year. It\Nis one
Dialogue: 0,0:16:17.67,0:16:20.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the most challenging things that I've ever\Ndone,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:20.29,0:16:21.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the amount that I have learned during\Nmy
Dialogue: 0,0:16:21.81,0:16:24.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,apprenticeship has been incredible.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.86,0:16:26.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For those of you who don't know what ThoughtBot
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.00,0:16:29.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is, it's a consulting company that builds\Nand designs
Dialogue: 0,0:16:29.18,0:16:31.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,web and mobile application. And they have\Na program
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.98,0:16:36.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,specifically for apprentices called apprentice\Nio. ThoughtBot's really passionate
Dialogue: 0,0:16:36.56,0:16:38.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about the learning space and has a learn program
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.60,0:16:43.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where workshops are frequently taught. And\Ntwenty-five percent of
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.10,0:16:45.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the employees at ThoughtBot were apprentices\Nat one time
Dialogue: 0,0:16:45.72,0:16:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the company. So a quarter of the company
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.12,0:16:49.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually came through the apprentice program.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:49.94,0:16:52.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it is proved to, to be a great
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.43,0:16:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,way for ThoughtBot to train and maintain budding\Ntalent.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:57.66,0:17:00.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Dan the CMO describes why the program was
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.67,0:17:02.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,created in this quote, and once again I'm\Ngonna
Dialogue: 0,0:17:02.61,0:17:08.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let you guys read this.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.69,0:17:15.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chad, the CEO, stated, that everyone in the\Nprogram
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.37,0:17:19.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who has been eligible to get a job afterward
Dialogue: 0,0:17:19.04,0:17:22.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has gotten a job, with ThoughtBot or another\Nemployer.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:22.45,0:17:27.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's pretty impressive. ThoughtBot's apprentice\Nprogram has given me
Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.50,0:17:30.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the biggest push in achieving my dream. They\Nbelieve
Dialogue: 0,0:17:30.90,0:17:32.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I can do it, they support me, and
Dialogue: 0,0:17:32.65,0:17:34.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even are taking the time and money that it
Dialogue: 0,0:17:34.76,0:17:36.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,takes to train me.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:36.36,0:17:39.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ThoughtBot rewards and supports its employees\Nfor engaging in
Dialogue: 0,0:17:39.85,0:17:42.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mentoring programs and for participating in\Nprograms like Railsbridge.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:42.95,0:17:45.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is something that I think all companies\Nshould
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.76,0:17:47.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:47.10,0:17:48.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the U.S. Department of Labor did a study
Dialogue: 0,0:17:48.77,0:17:51.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on apprentice programs in the U.S., and apprentice\Nprogram
Dialogue: 0,0:17:51.26,0:17:54.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,graduates have much higher earnings than those\Nwho did
Dialogue: 0,0:17:54.64,0:17:57.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not. The study also showed that the social\Nand
Dialogue: 0,0:17:57.79,0:18:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,overall benefits to the company that maintain\Nthese programs
Dialogue: 0,0:18:00.88,0:18:03.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,appear to be much larger than the cost. So
Dialogue: 0,0:18:03.43,0:18:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over the career of an apprentice, the estimated\Nbenefits
Dialogue: 0,0:18:06.04,0:18:08.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the company exceeded the initial cost by\Nmore
Dialogue: 0,0:18:08.50,0:18:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than $49,000.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:10.92,0:18:13.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So apprentice programs are not only a legitimate\Npath
Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.38,0:18:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to becoming a developer, but it's a bridge\Nfor
Dialogue: 0,0:18:15.94,0:18:18.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people coming out of these outreach programs\Nthat I
Dialogue: 0,0:18:18.24,0:18:21.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spoke about earlier. Even after doing multiple\NRailsbridges and
Dialogue: 0,0:18:21.67,0:18:24.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,working tirelessly with many mentors, I wasn't\Nready to
Dialogue: 0,0:18:24.98,0:18:28.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,become a full-time software engineer managing\Nlarge web applications.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:28.11,0:18:30.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I needed something like the apprentice program\Nto really
Dialogue: 0,0:18:30.65,0:18:33.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,jump off the deep-end into writing code. And\Napprentice
Dialogue: 0,0:18:33.99,0:18:36.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,programs create a structured environment where\NI can continue
Dialogue: 0,0:18:36.22,0:18:38.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to learn best practices and become a developer\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:18:38.63,0:18:42.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,produces reliable and maintainable software.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:42.98,0:18:45.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there are many benefits to companies creating\Na
Dialogue: 0,0:18:45.23,0:18:50.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,formal or mentorship, formal apprentice or\Nmentorship program. So
Dialogue: 0,0:18:50.45,0:18:53.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if companies invest in apprentice and mentorship\Nprograms, there
Dialogue: 0,0:18:53.21,0:18:56.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will be more highly-trained and prepared candidates\Nout there.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:56.48,0:18:59.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These companies can help other companies find,\Net cetera,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:59.89,0:19:04.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,find highly, find high quality candidates.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:04.34,0:19:07.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,CSR is also really important in our society.\NA
Dialogue: 0,0:19:07.67,0:19:10.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,study showed that 94% of consumers would be\Nmore
Dialogue: 0,0:19:10.31,0:19:13.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,loyal to the company if they have CSR initiative.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:13.45,0:19:15.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,96% of people said that they would have a
Dialogue: 0,0:19:15.90,0:19:18.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more positive image of the company. So CSR\Nis
Dialogue: 0,0:19:18.87,0:19:21.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,clearly important and an all-around great\Nway to give
Dialogue: 0,0:19:21.53,0:19:24.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back to the community.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:24.08,0:19:26.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this is more specific to consulting companies,\Nbut
Dialogue: 0,0:19:26.24,0:19:28.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of times projects are lost due to
Dialogue: 0,0:19:28.25,0:19:30.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a large price tag, and if companies take in
Dialogue: 0,0:19:30.33,0:19:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an apprentices, they will be able to bill\Nthem
Dialogue: 0,0:19:32.50,0:19:34.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at lower rates to projects that have a strict
Dialogue: 0,0:19:34.89,0:19:38.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,budget and not so much of a strict timeline.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:38.27,0:19:40.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there are also a lot of engineers that
Dialogue: 0,0:19:40.27,0:19:41.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have met that are out there who would
Dialogue: 0,0:19:41.76,0:19:44.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,love the opportunity to become a mentor and\Nare
Dialogue: 0,0:19:44.06,0:19:47.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not sure the right way to get involved. This
Dialogue: 0,0:19:47.30,0:19:50.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would create an opportunity for interested\Nparties to teach
Dialogue: 0,0:19:50.03,0:19:52.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and mentor in a more formal environment.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:52.82,0:19:55.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I mean, look at me. I'm up here
Dialogue: 0,0:19:55.28,0:19:58.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,genuinely talking about ThoughtBot and, because\Nthey took a
Dialogue: 0,0:19:58.09,0:19:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,risk on me. SO the message and good will
Dialogue: 0,0:19:59.94,0:20:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of your company will spread throughout the\Nstudents that
Dialogue: 0,0:20:02.54,0:20:05.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you take risks on and train.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:05.87,0:20:07.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But why is all of this important? Why is
Dialogue: 0,0:20:07.41,0:20:11.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it important to have educational alternatives\Nto training the
Dialogue: 0,0:20:11.20,0:20:15.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,next generation of developers? I have three\Nreasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:15.17,0:20:20.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Diversity, a massive lack of, of supply of\Nengineer,
Dialogue: 0,0:20:20.38,0:20:23.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and traditional education that isn't providing\Nwith the amount
Dialogue: 0,0:20:23.80,0:20:28.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of people that we need. So mentorship Railsbridge\Nprograms
Dialogue: 0,0:20:28.91,0:20:31.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and apprentice programs are absolutely key\Nin getting more
Dialogue: 0,0:20:31.55,0:20:34.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,diversity into not only the web development\Nworld but
Dialogue: 0,0:20:34.66,0:20:36.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the tech world as a whole.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:36.49,0:20:39.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As you can see, NCWiT thinks it's crucial\Nfor
Dialogue: 0,0:20:39.48,0:20:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,advancing underrepresented employees.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:41.80,0:20:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So access to the internet is a privilege.\NWhite
Dialogue: 0,0:20:46.48,0:20:48.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,males specifically have access at an earlier\Nage and
Dialogue: 0,0:20:48.97,0:20:51.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a much higher rate than females. And people\Nof
Dialogue: 0,0:20:51.88,0:20:55.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,different ethnic backgrounds. Statistics show\Nthat boys get their
Dialogue: 0,0:20:55.12,0:20:58.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first computers at fourteen, while girls at\Nage eleven.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:58.77,0:21:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's even later for people of color, who tend
Dialogue: 0,0:21:00.98,0:21:03.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to have a much higher adoption rate of smart
Dialogue: 0,0:21:03.10,0:21:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,phones, and I can't imagine trying to write\Ncode
Dialogue: 0,0:21:06.00,0:21:08.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a smart phone.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:08.25,0:21:10.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So females make up more than half of undergrad
Dialogue: 0,0:21:10.49,0:21:13.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,graduates but only 18% of computer science\Ngraduates. There's
Dialogue: 0,0:21:13.91,0:21:17.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a really high barrier via the traditional\Ncomputer science
Dialogue: 0,0:21:17.55,0:21:21.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,route in university.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:21.77,0:21:25.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Financial access, discrimination, lack of\Nrole models, lack of
Dialogue: 0,0:21:25.44,0:21:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,encouragement in general are creating this\Nlarge gap of
Dialogue: 0,0:21:29.04,0:21:31.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the lack of diversity. These are all barriers\Nthat
Dialogue: 0,0:21:31.73,0:21:34.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are hard to overcome. So we want to create
Dialogue: 0,0:21:34.10,0:21:36.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,diversity within the industry, education has\Nto come from
Dialogue: 0,0:21:36.80,0:21:38.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,elsewhere.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:38.54,0:21:41.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outreach programs, mentorship and apprentice\Nprograms are all alternatives
Dialogue: 0,0:21:41.67,0:21:44.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a traditional education that lower these\Nbarriers. This
Dialogue: 0,0:21:44.97,0:21:47.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is key in creating a diverse community. And\NI
Dialogue: 0,0:21:47.77,0:21:49.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really want to emphasize that this is lowering\Nthe
Dialogue: 0,0:21:49.59,0:21:52.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,barriers and not the standards.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:52.61,0:21:55.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Alternative education needs to be high quality\Nin caliber
Dialogue: 0,0:21:55.39,0:21:58.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to maintain the standard in the industry.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:58.68,0:22:01.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we all know that diversity is important.\NNot
Dialogue: 0,0:22:01.27,0:22:04.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only does it drive economic growth, it's been\Nscientifically
Dialogue: 0,0:22:04.06,0:22:07.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,proven that diversity fosters innovation and\Nenhances abilities to
Dialogue: 0,0:22:07.36,0:22:10.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,solve problems. And approaching tricky programming\Nproblems from many
Dialogue: 0,0:22:10.99,0:22:15.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,perspectives proves to be successful in this\Nindustry.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:15.12,0:22:16.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So another thing to be aware of is a
Dialogue: 0,0:22:16.40,0:22:18.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lot of these outreach programs and alternative\Npaths are
Dialogue: 0,0:22:18.73,0:22:21.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in predominately white areas for people of\Naverage or
Dialogue: 0,0:22:21.97,0:22:25.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even high socioeconomic statuses. So it would\Nbe awesome
Dialogue: 0,0:22:25.80,0:22:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see mentorship apprentice programs and\Noutreach programs happening
Dialogue: 0,0:22:29.21,0:22:32.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in rural areas that have a low socioeconomic\Nstatus
Dialogue: 0,0:22:32.45,0:22:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ethnic diversity.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:34.52,0:22:38.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So secondly, there's a massive lack of quality\Nengineers.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:38.62,0:22:40.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many people here, or their company, is\Nhiring
Dialogue: 0,0:22:40.85,0:22:44.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on an ongoing basis? Yeah, and is it hard
Dialogue: 0,0:22:44.49,0:22:48.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to find quality engineers? Yeah.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:48.25,0:22:52.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So companies continually struggle with this.\NAccording to NCWIT
Dialogue: 0,0:22:52.63,0:22:56.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,research, if current trends continue by 2018,\Nthe information
Dialogue: 0,0:22:56.25,0:22:59.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,technology industry will only be able to fill\Nhalf
Dialogue: 0,0:22:59.03,0:23:01.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of its available jobs. There are people who\Nnever
Dialogue: 0,0:23:01.85,0:23:05.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,considered software engineering as a viable\Ncareer option because
Dialogue: 0,0:23:05.72,0:23:07.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they were discouraged from it, never thought\Nthey were
Dialogue: 0,0:23:07.78,0:23:10.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,smart enough, never grew up with a computer\Nor
Dialogue: 0,0:23:10.45,0:23:12.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were intimidated by people who had been programming\Nfor
Dialogue: 0,0:23:12.68,0:23:14.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,most of their lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:14.53,0:23:16.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These people can discover their passion and\Ntake an
Dialogue: 0,0:23:16.44,0:23:19.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alternative approach such as the ones I discussed\Nearlier
Dialogue: 0,0:23:19.74,0:23:24.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and programs like GSchool and Flat Iron School.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:24.35,0:23:27.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So thirdly, the traditional science, computer\Nscience degree isn't
Dialogue: 0,0:23:27.27,0:23:30.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,providing the industry with the developers\Nthat it needs.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:30.55,0:23:32.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most people coming out of college are not\Nready
Dialogue: 0,0:23:32.40,0:23:35.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for full-time engineering jobs. It takes four\Nor more
Dialogue: 0,0:23:35.73,0:23:38.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,years to recieve a degree and not to mention
Dialogue: 0,0:23:38.15,0:23:41.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the hefty price tag.
Dialogue: 0,0:23:41.67,0:23:44.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So thanks to programs like Railsbridge, my\Namazing mentors,
Dialogue: 0,0:23:44.79,0:23:47.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ThoughtBot's apprentice program, I am\Nhere today to
Dialogue: 0,0:23:47.65,0:23:50.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,speak about the importance of alternative\Neducation paths in
Dialogue: 0,0:23:50.85,0:23:53.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,software development. I am almost done with\Nmy apprenticeship
Dialogue: 0,0:23:53.67,0:23:55.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm excited for what my next step will
Dialogue: 0,0:23:55.40,0:23:57.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be on this path, and I would be lying
Dialogue: 0,0:23:57.88,0:24:00.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if I told you that the path, my path
Dialogue: 0,0:24:00.12,0:24:02.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to becoming a software engineer has been easy\Nand
Dialogue: 0,0:24:02.58,0:24:04.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,constantly rewarding.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:04.00,0:24:06.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are times when I'm really close to quitting
Dialogue: 0,0:24:06.38,0:24:08.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there are times when I cry from feeling
Dialogue: 0,0:24:08.45,0:24:11.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so frustrated and incompetent when the test\Nsuite won't
Dialogue: 0,0:24:11.63,0:24:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,turn green. But I know that I love what
Dialogue: 0,0:24:14.26,0:24:16.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm doing and I won't quit and I know
Dialogue: 0,0:24:16.04,0:24:19.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it's because sometimes I literally get\Nchills when
Dialogue: 0,0:24:19.07,0:24:21.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I manage to get through it, refactor it, and
Dialogue: 0,0:24:21.10,0:24:22.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,produce some beautiful code.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:22.51,0:24:25.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It literally moves me and makes me feel like
Dialogue: 0,0:24:25.14,0:24:28.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can do anything. My goal is that other
Dialogue: 0,0:24:28.23,0:24:30.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people who never thought that becoming a software\Nengineer
Dialogue: 0,0:24:30.67,0:24:33.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was possible will become inspired by one of\Nthese
Dialogue: 0,0:24:33.67,0:24:38.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alternative education programs or by an influential\Nmentor and
Dialogue: 0,0:24:38.19,0:24:40.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,discover that they not only can be a great
Dialogue: 0,0:24:40.40,0:24:43.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,developer but find a passion for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:24:43.42,0:24:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you for your time today and you can
Dialogue: 0,0:24:46.78,0:24:48.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,contact me through email or Twitter if you\Nhave
Dialogue: 0,0:24:48.67,0:24:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any questions. And here are some of my works'
Dialogue: 0,0:24:50.52,0:24:50.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cited.