One of the goals at HyperionDev is to ensure you undergo career consulting before enrolling on a Software Engineering, Fullstack Web Developer or Data Science bootcamp. Remember, an online bootcamp entails a commitment of 10 hours per week over six months in order to change careers by the end of it so it needs to be the right decision. Let’s meet team member Lelethu Mkefa to find out what he does on a day-to-day basis as a career and course advisor.
You work as a career and course advisor currently. How do you assist students in making the correct decisions about their careers – what factors do you consider?
Career counselling is not an exact science, although it is a big responsibility. You’re advising someone to take a certain path which will define the next few years of that individual’s life. It’s not something to be taken lightly.
To start with, I rely on the student being as open as possible in telling me his or her story. I’m listening very carefully to what the student is saying. I’m looking for clues about what excites that person, their natural inclinations or abilities, as well as the type of work environment the individual prefers. For example, does this person enjoy interacting with people or is he or she more of an introvert?
Besides their abilities, there’s another vital side to the equation. Not only must I check the person’s expectations and understanding of his or her desired coding career, but also any previous knowledge and background. For example, a complete beginner will need a softer introduction to coding. In that case, I would advise web development, because it’s easier to pick up the basics, which sets the foundation for building more complex applications that require greater experience at a later stage. However, if the person is a novice but has a good technical or mathematical aptitude – for example, she wants to understand why a computer program works or to build new tools rather than just using existing tools – I would recommend software engineering or data science.
Lastly, how does the person want to spend his or her day? What kind of problems interest them? Someone who is interested in making sense of data is different from an individual who wants to build applications to help a business or user achieve goals. When it comes to career counselling, it’s very important to know the kinds of problems someone wants to spend his or her day solving.
At the simplest level, I help match people’s interests and inclinations with a coding course that can best achieve their goals.
According to your experience, what kind of people are best suited to make the switch into coding?
The profile of “the programmer” or “the developer” has changed since the “age of the geek”. To some extent, the software space still attracts the typical introvert, but companies need software professionals who can interact and engage with users and business stakeholders to deliver a product. A coding professional can come from a multitude of backgrounds while still contributing usefully to product development. Remember, many interrelated roles, from programmer to product manager to business analyst, require problem-solving skills for technology environments.
Our students come from all walks of life. Some are changing career paths, whereas others are looking to learn a new skill to advance their current career, while some are just starting out as high school graduates. There’s a place for all of them.
Can any person change career into tech?
Actually, I don’t think that’s the right question. The correct question is rather, “should everyone receive a coding education?” I’d have to say “absolutely”, because every job is affected by technology. Understanding fundamental computational problem-solving gained from computer science topics is an essential skill to ensure you remain relevant. Remember, automation is replacing jobs at a rapid rate. Have a look at www.willrobotstakemyjob.com to find out if you should be seriously considering updating your skills.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
I love it when students genuinely feel supported and when they better understand something about themselves, and the career they’re researching. I suppose the worst part is when potential students aren’t able to break through their fear of making the change they know they need.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m passionate about learning new skills, from design to coding. I’m a fan of doing DIY projects at home. I love watching Marvel cinematic movies and spending time with my family and friends.
How do you start your day at HyperionDev?
I’m first in office at 7am. I start with a strong cup of java, a cheese croissant and practice coding.
In conclusion, career consulting is taken seriously at HyperionDev. Potential students require professional assistance to ensure they make the best possible decisions about their future careers in tech, which is a vast and growing sector. To make the most of this service book a 1-on-1 call with a career consultant today.
