How to Join the IT Community

Contents:

• I bought a course on neural networks, although there was a lot of free information on the Internet
• How I got into the IT community
• How networking helped me get into front-end
• How to start meeting people
• The information field is a great motivator
• Can a humanities student get into IT
• Why communities in IT are so important
• Set goals consistently and take your time

I Bought a Course on Neural Networks, Even Though There Was a Lot of Free Information Online

For my undergraduate thesis, I needed to create a neural network within four months. I spent the first month and a half focusing on the theory, then began learning algorithms in Python. However, the information I received was disjointed, so I decided to look for courses on neural networks. I ended up purchasing a course from the University of Artificial Intelligence, which promised to systematize my knowledge and help me develop my project.

The courses offer high-quality training if you devote time to them. The instructors explain the theory clearly, describe various models, and offer practical exercises on all topics. I personally didn't have time to do homework, so I used ready-made code snippets, understood them, listened to the lectures, and applied them to my project. In this regard, the course was useful – it helped me prepare the theoretical part of my diploma.

I spent a lot of time studying neural network algorithms and their implementation in Python, believing that I wouldn't find the information I needed online. Eventually, I discovered that there are numerous lectures on machine learning available on YouTube. For example, the Deep Learning School courses from MIPT and Anastasia Nikulina's lectures offer valuable insights. Konstantin Vorontsov's lectures are also worth mentioning, providing the necessary foundations in the field of machine learning. These resources can significantly accelerate the learning process and help master key ML concepts.

My diploma project included the opportunity to conduct an experiment, which involved collecting multiple samples using the provided equipment. I had to analyze the articles and select the appropriate algorithm for solving the problem. However, I got scared and decided to buy a course, which, unfortunately, I didn't complete. Nevertheless, I was able to master Python at a basic level, which gave me useful skills for my future work.

How I Got Into the IT Community

In the summer of 2021, I completed my first year of master's degree, left my career as a volleyball player, and started working in a department at the university. During this period, I felt confused and uncertain. Ending my athletic career and continuing my studies created an internal conflict, as I had a job, but the feeling of losing an important life direction remained. I needed to redefine my goals and directions.

My colleagues in the department noticed my state and suggested I study web development: what frameworks exist, what language they write in, how difficult it is to create animation on a website. For me, this was a completely new and unknown world, but at the same time, it aroused great interest. I felt inspired and began adopting more engaging learning methods, unlike my experience with Python. Web development opened new horizons for me, and I eagerly immersed myself in technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I now understand how to create interactive and visually appealing websites, which significantly expands my professional capabilities and skills.

I started listening to podcasts about front-end development and the lives of front-end developers: what tools they use, how they organize their work, and how they got into the profession. After listening to many stories, I realized I wanted to meet them in person. This desire became the impetus for me to further explore this field and seek out new contacts in the professional community.

This was significant for me, probably because I was the captain of the national volleyball team. In this role, I constantly had to communicate with various people, from team members to the coach. I regularly checked in on the girls' health, their mood before games, and their academic affairs. It was important to support them and provide assistance, which contributed to the creation of a cohesive team and successful performance in competitions. The loss of volleyball, which had been an important part of my life, led to feelings of loneliness and a lack of social interaction. Summer days spent at home became a time of reflection and new beginnings. While completing a front-end assignment from my department, I decided to explore podcasts. While searching for "Frontend" on Google Podcasts, I came across Frontend Weekend. When I opened the first episode, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Ilya Klimov, who was also studying Radio Engineering like me. This coincidence struck me as significant.

I discovered an old interview with Sergey Rubanov at Frontend Weekend, dated 2017. In it, he talks about the origins of BeerJS, which began as small meetups at a bar. Developers would share their talks in an informal setting. Today, BeerJS is an active and vibrant community where IT professionals gather every Thursday. They discuss development news, share experiences, drink beer, exchange contacts, and simply have a good time in the company of like-minded people. This community has become an excellent platform for communication and knowledge sharing, making it attractive to many IT professionals.

I realize I have a challenge in web development. I listened to podcasts with experts who are willing to share their experience and knowledge. These specialists have overcome many challenges and now share valuable advice. It's important to leverage their experience to successfully solve your web development challenges.

I decided to write to Sergei Rubanov and found him on Telegram. At the time, I was unsure about communicating with new people—my hands were shaking as I sent him a message, trying to ramble on about who I was and what I was interested in. I was looking for information on front-end development conferences and meetups where I could meet new people and learn more.

I discovered the RndTechConf conference in Rostov-on-Don and decided to find out if it was worth attending for someone with no web development experience but who was interested. I was amazed at how Seryozha explained all the aspects in detail, and then invited me to BeerJS to discuss the topic over a beer.

How networking helped me get started in frontend development

My journey into frontend development began with my first visit to BeerJS. As I was heading to the bar, I was overcome with anxiety, and I listened to an episode of the "Frontend of Youth" podcast with Sergei Rubanov, in which he discussed craft beer. This became a conversation starter for me. As a result, BeerJS turned out to be a fun experience: participants shared interesting stories and insights from their work. This event made a big impression on me, and it was then that I decided I would definitely go to the conference in Rostov-on-Don.

I attended my first conference, where I met interesting people, gained new knowledge, and had a great time. Later, the BeerJS team invited me to volunteer at the anniversary conference MoscowJS 50. After that, I traveled to various cities, attending BeerJS events in St. Petersburg, Sochi, and Kazan. These meetings have become an important part of my professional growth and expansion of my network of contacts in the community.

I quickly made a lot of new acquaintances in the IT field, with whom I communicate regularly. We meet at events like BeerJS and conferences. For example, Gleb Mikheev often asks if I've found a job as a devrel yet. Andrey Smirnov, the same organizer of Frontend Weekend, also encourages me: "Find a job in frontend and come to my podcast." These connections help me develop my career and expand my professional horizons.

I met the guys from the podcast "We Are Doomed" and even got the chance to be a guest on their episode. They're truly wonderful. I left a comment under one of their episodes, humorously mentioning porcini mushrooms, and they ended up inviting me to the recording. It was a pleasant and carefree time, full of interesting conversations and interactions.

Dating in a professional environment plays A key role in career development. Being able to reach out to colleagues for support or ask questions at any time significantly facilitates the process of learning and growth. Regular communication with professionals helps stay informed about the latest trends and changes in the industry. This interaction not only enriches knowledge but also creates a valuable network of contacts that may prove useful in the future.

Learning Data Science through networking could probably be more effective. It's important to find people interested in this topic, subscribe to relevant Telegram channels, and organize meetups to share experiences. This would help me better understand how Data Science suits and interests me. Attending conferences would also provide an opportunity to learn about real-world challenges and projects faced by specialists in this field. Now I realize that this is exactly the kind of practical approach I was missing during my studies.

I recently took a fascinating front-end course focused on JavaScript, taught by Zara Zakharov. This course was different from others because the founder himself actively recommended it to me. He sent me personal videos on Telegram with encouragements like, "Natasha, let's learn front-end. I'm sure you'll like it." His enthusiasm and support made the decision to participate in the course easy and natural.

Zar was always interested in my opinion on each lesson and the homework I completed. He asked if I understood everything, whether I was enjoying the learning process, and what I could improve. These local courses, led by real professionals who are genuinely committed to helping and teaching, really deliver results. Their value lies in the individual approach and attention to each student, which makes learning more effective and inspiring. Networking provides a significant advantage in gaining information. Attending conferences becomes less stressful because you gain the confidence to address your questions directly to the speakers. This opens the opportunity to receive high-quality and detailed answers from experts in their field. Establishing such connections not only facilitates the exchange of knowledge but also helps develop professional skills and broaden your horizons. I realized that it is more effective for me to learn a profession by communicating with successful professionals in that field. By observing their experiences, listening to their stories, and talking with them, I can better understand whether this path and lifestyle associated with this profession is right for me.

How to Start Meeting People

IT communities have a unique atmosphere of interaction and knowledge sharing. Here, people come together over interests and are happy to share their experiences and ideas. I admire how actively they discuss various topics, teach each other, and help each other develop. Even though I sometimes don’t fully understand all the nuances of conversations, I listen with interest and absorb new information, which contributes to my personal and professional growth. This sense of involvement and desire to learn makes IT communities special and inspiring.

Introverts may have a harder time meeting new people and asking questions. However, you can try starting a conversation through text messages, which simplifies the process and helps overcome internal barriers. I experienced this myself when I was first starting to meet people around me. I often texted on my phone and put it aside, dreading the thought of approaching someone and asking for a reply. However, this experience proved valuable and helped me develop my communication skills.

I remember overcoming my fears and setting small goals, like meeting ten new people. When I went to StartHub.Moscow to promote my department's PEERS startup and network, my graduate student encouraged me with the words, "If you don't meet ten people, don't even come back." This motivated me to actively engage in conversation and expand my network.

Often, I'd just walk up to someone and say, "Hi!" and the conversation would develop naturally. Usually, no one reacts aggressively. If the other person isn't interested, you can simply step aside. If the conversation is going well, it's easy to continue. At first, this was surprising to me: "Wow, it turns out you can just walk up and start a conversation with anyone." For this, I am grateful to the IT community – it is truly amazing and friendly.

The information field is a great motivator

I have compiled an extensive collection of courses, articles, textbooks, books, and Telegram channels that are updated daily with news in the field of machine learning. These resources allow me to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in this rapidly developing field.

There is also Google Colab, which simplifies the process of sharing code and receiving feedback. In addition, Telegram channels dedicated to machine learning provide authors with the opportunity to share ready-made notebooks with the latest developments in this field. The code is often published open-source, which allows for a deeper exploration of new technologies. An example is ruDALL-E, a project that generates images based on text descriptions.

Surrounding yourself with information and new technologies makes it easier to maintain motivation. Sometimes I experience difficult days when I lose interest in my studies. However, as soon as I open a Telegram channel, I stumble upon the latest developments in the field of neural networks. This rekindles my interest and inspiration. Information resources and communities help me stay up-to-date on the latest trends, which contributes to increased motivation and a desire to develop.

Can a humanities major get into IT?

Motivation plays a key role in the transition of humanities majors to IT. It is important to consider how seriously a person wants to enter this field and their perseverance. The advantages of a humanities education can manifest themselves in the ability to communicate and build relationships with people, which is an important aspect in IT. It is recommended to evaluate your existing skills and identify how they can be applied in information technology. This will allow you to focus on the relevant subject area and increase your chances of a successful career in IT.

The importance of choosing a major and obtaining a higher education can be overstated. At university, developing communication, time management, and decision-making skills becomes key. Every day, students face a choice: study for an exam or spend an evening with friends. These life situations shape the ability to effectively interact with others and organize one's time, which is essential for a successful career. Therefore, the experience gained at university can be more valuable than the major or degree itself.

I was recently impressed by a podcast with Anatoly Karpov, founder of the Karpov.Courses data analysis school. Interestingly, Anatoly received a degree in psychology at university, which would seem unrelated to IT. However, his curriculum included lectures on statistics and mathematics, giving him a solid foundation in understanding human behavior. This has certainly played a key role in his success as a developer and in creating successful data analytics courses.

Why Community in IT is So Important

Community plays a key role in learning and skill development. It allows you to get feedback and ensure that you are moving in the right direction. An example of successful interaction is Zara Zakharova's JavaScript course, in which I received recommendations on how to improve my code. This significantly improved the quality of my work. However, when I solve problems in the department, the question arises: who will review my code? We are a small group, and although we make an effort, support from the community would be very useful.

It is important to be surrounded by mentors who can provide support and guide you in the right direction. This helps you develop and achieve your goals more effectively. Finding yourself in such an environment contributes to gaining the knowledge and experience necessary for successful advancement in your chosen field. Mentors play a key role in developing professional skills and self-confidence.

I continue to seek out various communities, such as DevRel Community, Python Beer Meetup, and BeerJS, and attend conferences to meet new people. I realize that my passion lies in people, and they hold a great interest for me.

The best way to start learning a new topic is to get involved in a community. A community of like-minded people provides support, shared experiences, and useful resources, which significantly accelerates the learning process. Interacting with other participants allows you not only to gain knowledge but also to share your findings, which creates a deeper understanding of the subject. Therefore, joining a community becomes an important step towards acquiring new skills and knowledge.

I am lucky to be in communities where I have been able to meet wonderful people. As a woman in the IT community, I realize that there are not many of us here. In my IT chat room, which consists of about 150 members, I am the only active woman. This highlights the uniqueness of my experience and the importance of female voices in the tech industry.

Set goals consistently and take your time

To achieve success, it is important to set interesting and inspiring goals. They don't necessarily have to be large-scale; small but meaningful tasks are sufficient. For example, you could set a goal to attend an event, such as a meetup, to meet people who share your interests. This will help you develop connections and expand your social circle, which in turn can lead to new opportunities and ideas.

Reflection is an important tool for self-analysis and development. By asking yourself what worked and what didn't, you can gain a deeper understanding of your interests and goals. It is worth considering whether what you are doing truly interests you and whether it has brought you the desired experience. If you feel lost and not moving in the right direction, it might be worth considering alternative paths. Regular self-reflection and analysis of your actions will help you identify weaknesses and identify areas for improvement. Through these reflections, you can significantly advance your development and achieve your goals. Many people often forget about their emotional state when they rush into development and IT without a clear plan. This leads to rapid burnout and loss of interest in the work. It's important to realize that slowing down and enjoying the process can significantly increase productivity and maintain motivation over the long term. Approach your career with an eye on emotions, and you will be able to achieve greater success in development and IT.

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