“When I was 5, I got my first computer and wanted to be a computer hacker. I imagined myself working undercover as a secret agent, making potions and hacking through computers, like Disney’s Kim Possible saving the world from monsters!”
This childhood aspiration, surprisingly, laid the foundation for my journey into what I now see as a Geographical Coding Career. While the potions and monster-fighting haven’t quite materialized, the essence of problem-solving and exploration inherent in that dream has become a reality in my tech life. I wanted to share my coding journey, hoping to inspire others considering a career change, especially those from seemingly unrelated fields like geography, to explore the exciting possibilities of a geographical coding career.
Kim Possible inspires a geographical coding career path
Kim, Transitioning from Business Tech to Geographical Coding Careers?
Currently based in London, I am transitioning from a business-technology role to fully embrace my passion: Software Engineering. Exciting news – I am joining the Fellowship Programme at Makers to become a Software Engineer! My pre-course starts Monday, February 4th, 2019. Thanks to the Makers Fellowship Programme and their sponsorship, my childhood dream of diving into the world of code is finally coming true. A big thank you to Makers for their incredible work!
For a long time, I believed that dream was out of reach, especially since my academic background wasn’t in Computer Science. How wrong I was! The vibrant London tech community quickly dispelled that myth. It turns out, my engagement with ‘coding’ was always there, subtly embedded within my climate and environmental modeling work during university, my use of Microsoft Excel functions at work, and my general fascination with computers. The surprising link? Geography and Software Engineering share a common thread: the crucial ability to break down complex problems into manageable components and apply systems-thinking – skills that have been invaluable in my transition to a geographical coding career.
Embarking on this Fellowship is a step outside my comfort zone, filled with both excitement and nervousness. New routines, environments, people, and concepts are on the horizon. While closing the chapter on my current business-technology opportunities is bittersweet, I am immensely enthusiastic about immersing myself in a Software Engineering career, a path that allows me to blend my geographical insights with technical skills.
Why Geography? And the Post-Graduation Path to a Geographical Coding Career
Choosing Geography at university wasn’t a straightforward decision. At 18, career paths felt dauntingly undefined. University felt like the predetermined next step. Torn between Medicine and Law, I felt pressure to conform to expectations. Ultimately, Geography resonated because of my innate curiosity about the world’s intricate systems. It offered a compelling blend of arts and sciences, illuminating environmental, social, economic, and technological interconnections. As an alumna of Oxford (BA Geography, 2014) and UCL (MSc Environmental Modelling, 2015), my academic journey provided a strong foundation, although not directly pointing towards a geographical coding career at the time.
Post-graduation, career clarity remained elusive. Many peers secured lucrative graduate schemes, making me initially feel like I was lagging behind. However, instead of succumbing to comparison, I resolved to chart my own course. This led me to a role as an Energy Industry Analyst, writing market intelligence reports while tutoring part-time. Feeling unfulfilled, I transitioned after six months to a sustainability consultancy focused on enhancing sustainable building management in cities, where I spent the next three years, unknowingly edging closer to a geographical coding career.
The Initial Spark: Coding as a Tool in Geography and Beyond
My first encounter with code occurred in 2011 while seeking a more efficient method to extract climate data for a university project. Initially, coding was simply a means to an end. However, in recent years, my perspective shifted. I became increasingly interested in understanding the ‘how’ behind the ‘what,’ driving me deeper into the underlying mechanisms of technology and subtly pushing me towards a geographical coding career by enhancing my problem-solving skills through computational thinking related to geographical data.
Defining Code in the Context of a Geographical Coding Career
What does coding mean to me now? It’s evolved into an art form, a methodology, a philosophy. Never would I have imagined finding myself drawn to books like “The Agile Samurai: How Agile Masters Deliver Great Software,” which I used to advocate for Agile methodologies in my company. Today, I integrate skills from all facets of my life, constantly refining my coding abilities and embracing challenges. My aspiration is to one day teach others to code and contribute to diversity and social mobility within the tech industry. I envision leveraging the power of coding and technology to drive positive social, environmental, and economic change, fundamentally aligning with the principles of a impactful geographical coding career.
The Catalyst for Career Change: Embracing a Geographical Coding Career
Reflecting on my initial childhood quote, the career shift to Software Engineering was driven by reconnecting with my younger self. It was about moving away from perceived obligations and towards genuine passions. My deep interest in sustainability and smart cities, particularly how technology bridges the gap between people and their environment, played a crucial role. Coupled with opportunities at work and a growing curiosity about technology’s inner workings, a career in Software Engineering, specifically a geographical coding career that could apply tech solutions to environmental and urban challenges, seemed like the perfect fit.
More details are explored below, divided into work and personal opportunities, reflecting my belief in holistic self-enrichment.
Workplace Opportunities Paving the Way to a Geographical Coding Career
The inspiring team at the sustainability consultancy motivated me daily. After a year as a Junior Sustainability Consultant, I was invited to contribute ideas to enhance the company’s technology solution for the sustainable real estate sector. This data-driven solution aimed to streamline environmental data management and reporting for commercial real estate clients.
The company’s trust in me, offering a role in their nascent technology team, felt serendipitous. Despite hesitations about leaving sustainability consulting behind, the prospect of building something new was exhilarating. For over two years, I immersed myself in Agile methodologies, collaborating on the software development of the sustainability platform. I learned about scrum, iterative software development, and tools like Atlassian’s JIRA, gaining invaluable experience that indirectly but significantly supported my transition into a geographical coding career by providing practical software development exposure.
An All-Around Amazing Experience Contributing to a Geographical Coding Career
My multidisciplinary background became an asset, bridging business and technology. I enjoyed deciphering bugs, engaging with developers, and contributing to debugging – each interaction fueling my technical curiosity and solidifying my path towards a geographical coding career. The supportive and innovative work environment was incredibly rewarding, especially when transforming user interaction with technology-driven sustainability solutions.
P.S. My soft toy companions, Angry Bird ‘Yoda’ and ‘Pusheenosaurus,’ even joined some meetings!
Opportunities Beyond the 9-to-5: Fueling the Geographical Coding Career Transition
London’s vibrant technology community provided invaluable resources and support. Several communities stand out:
Code First: Girls – A Stepping Stone to a Geographical Coding Career
Joining the Code First: Girls Web Development Beginner’s Course in September 2017 was transformative. Despite post-work exhaustion, weekly evening sessions at Twitter UK HQ filled me with excitement and energy. The course covered HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, GIT, GitHub, development concepts, Twitter Bootstrap, responsive web development, and a group project.
This led to the Code First: Girls Advanced Ruby Course, introducing Ruby programming, Sinatra framework, GET/POST requests, automated emails with Mailgun, external APIs, and deployments on Heroku. Exploring the Twitter API further expanded my technical toolkit, all contributing significantly to my burgeoning geographical coding career.
Thank you, Code First: Girls! You ignited my passion. As an alumna, I feel empowered to make a difference through technology.
Code First: Girls offers free community and professional courses aimed at empowering women in tech.
Rails Girls London – Community Support for a Geographical Coding Career
The 2-Day Rails Girls London Installation Party in December 2017, hosted at Deliveroo, featured inspiring talks and coaching, further enriching my understanding of the tech landscape relevant to a geographical coding career.
Their online resources are excellent! Keep an eye out for upcoming events!
Codebar London – Collaborative Learning for a Geographical Coding Career
Codebar’s rapid growth across the UK and globally is impressive. As a Codebar London student, I’ve enjoyed learning and connecting with others over code and food, enhancing my skills and network for my geographical coding career.
Gratitude to all the Codebar coaches for insightful workshops!
Technology for Good & Women Who Code London – Ethical Dimensions of a Geographical Coding Career
Talks by Tech for Good and Women Who Code London, accessed via https://www.meetup.com/, highlighted the application of coding for social causes. These events broadened my perspective on the ethical and societal impact of a geographical coding career.
Attending their events is highly recommended!
Makers – Solidifying the Path to a Geographical Coding Career
By late 2018, encountering Makers confirmed Software Engineering as my calling. Their Demo Day events showcased impressive student projects. The Intro Cohort provided a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and code collaboratively, reinforcing my decision to pursue a geographical coding career.
Makers felt like the right environment. While considering various coding bootcamps, the cost was a deterrent. Fortunately, discovering the Fellowship Programme at Makers and applying was a pivotal decision. The challenging yet enjoyable interview process solidified my conviction that this was the right step towards a fulfilling geographical coding career.
Advice for Career Changers Considering a Geographical Coding Career
When contemplating a career change, especially towards something like a geographical coding career, take time to reflect on your ‘why’ and ‘how’. Career transitions involve risk and opportunity cost. If the potential rewards resonate, take the leap, allowing yourself time to adjust. Everyone’s journey is unique. Grit and patience are essential for navigating the process. Setbacks are inevitable, but resilience is key. If a path doesn’t feel right, explore alternatives that ignite your passion. Success and failure are intertwined. Be kind to yourself and prioritize rest – burnout is a real risk. Ultimately, some things may not align with your path, and that’s perfectly okay.
This concludes my extensive blog post! I hope you found it insightful and encouraging, especially if you’re considering a transition into a geographical coding career or any tech-related field from a non-traditional background.
Bye for now,
Kim
