Book Image

Developer Career Masterplan

By : Heather VanCura, Bruno Souza
5 (1)
Book Image

Developer Career Masterplan

5 (1)
By: Heather VanCura, Bruno Souza

Overview of this book

Written by industry experts that have spent the last 20+ years helping developers grow their careers, this book offers invaluable insights and guidance tailored to the specific needs of technical professionals. By discovering the secret of continuous learning and adapting in the ever-evolving field of software development, you’ll explore various learning paths with formal and informal methods, as well as gain an understanding of the value of certifications to validate your skills. This book will teach you the significance of building a strong support network, holding crucial conversations, and taking ownership of your career growth. You'll delve into acquiring both soft and hard skills, becoming a well-rounded and sought-after developer. Packed with practical examples, stories of successful developers, and real-world applications, the chapters will equip you with actionable advice on how to push beyond your comfort zone and embracing communities to enhance your teamwork abilities. Additionally, you’ll uncover the benefits of joining open-source projects, speaking at conferences, and building a personal brand to amplify your visibility and reputation. By the end of this book, you'll have a well-laid-out long-term and short-term plan for your career progression, equipping you with advanced technical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to effectively manage relationships within your organization.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
1
Part 1 The Basics: Learn and Practice the Technical Skills
7
Part 2 Get Involved: Participate in the Community
13
Part 3 Create Impact: Share and Lead

Identify your professional brand

To begin, you need to define your vision and purpose. Personally and professionally, what values are important to you and how do you want your audience to perceive you? How will you make an impact on them? What skill sets or experience do you have that distinguish you from others who have these same values?

Assess your personal brand inventory. After you establish your purpose, values, and skills, take an inventory of how you are perceived in the industry. Take note of your traits, habits, and characteristics. Make any adjustments necessary to reflect your current reality.

Construct a narrative around this inventory. You should branch out to create narratives for basic questions such as, “Tell me about yourself,” “Tell me about your resume of experience,” “Tell me where you are from and where you are going,” and “What makes you special?” Use examples from your experience to share stories...