Attention to detail.
Compare data for accuracy.
Data entry/tolerance for tedious tasks
A drive to meet or exceed expectations
I like to find the mistakes or errors that others miss and to trudge through a tedious amount of data. These are often tasks that my coworkers have passed off, or delayed on. I have an absurd enjoyment of them.
My top thinking style is stated by Pairin to be cooperative-practical. To me this means that I like to be transparent in my intentions and motivations. I also like to support those around me, and work together for the better of all. I find this to be very accurate overall.
Strongest driver came back as reliant. This has rubbed me the wrong way since I took the test and I don’t think it fits me entirely. I see myself currently as relatively vulnerable, mostly unskilled, no income, no close professional ties, diminishing family. I need support and protection for the moment, but not for forever. I hope to see this value change as I have more to offer and my professional confidence grows.
My EQ came back as calm,cool and collected. This honestly feels great! I wish it were true all the time! I do my best to maintain a level head and foster a safe/calm space around myself.
Lover of moderation was my highest virtue class. As with most animals my life has been about trying to establish balance of some sort. Valuing the really important things like personal well-being and interpersonal relationships.
I think it follows. Doing a task that required a high degree of focus and that no one else wanted to do allowed me to contribute to a team, and offer support with one of my best strengths. This, in turn, made me valuable and protected to a degree by my bosses.
What can make it challenging to recognize your strengths? How can you work through those challenges?
I am practicing cultivating a growth mindset and my gut reaction when I read the first prompt was I don’t really have any big skills or talents. There is no qualifier in the questions and even very small things multiplied over and over can make big changes! I also hit a mental wall with the “natural ability” portion. The only natural ability I have is sleeping, and even that aids all my other skill sets. Everything else I’ve learned from others, or was put in a position where that skill saved me from some discomfort or pain. Nature and nurture.
Do you ever see yourself overusing certain strengths? In what circumstances would you want to use them less and amplify other strengths? How could you adjust your approach in those instances?
This attention to detail and tolerance for tedious tasks has gotten me my last three jobs. I just need more skills and that is partly why I am at Turing. I can build off of this strength but it can’t be the only thing that sets me apart anymore.
I like to make a to-do list and check off all those items on the to-do list. Rereading material, doing the extra exercises if possible, using the befocused timer for taking breaks. I do better with loose deadlines, like this, do the work because it’s good for you rather than if it's graded motivates me more. Important dates are logged into my google calendar so I don’t forget them.
How could you talk about these working preferences with your project teammates? Your mentor? Your instructors?
I think being open and honest about what I need to do as well as coordinating with the team so this doesn’t cause friction or a disruption to the team. Much of this comes from encouragement by the instructors and I think adopting that structure will serve me best in the long run.
How we can work well together and both play towards our strengths. It would be nice if they supplement each other, but I know that may not be the case. I also do not want to support a habit of deferring to others simply because that is their strength. I still need to build those skills for myself as well.
I think it does help with how I am going to function and contribute within a team setting and when I am solo. It helps me take a snapshot of where I am now and hopefully as I learn and develop it will show that growth as well.
Is there any particular strength you'd like to sharpen while you're at Turing? Any area you consider a weakness that you'd like to strengthen?
A strength I’d like to sharpen are just my learning abilities. It’s been a long time since I was actively learning and stretching myself to grow. Weakness would definitely be professionalism, frustration with learning and struggling and math in general.
The whole program should help with much of the above.
I feel it already. My mind feels like it’s back on and everything is working better. Obviously it’s not perfect, but things are moving again. My memories are more available, my imagination is sputtering back to life and my ability to explain new concepts has improved.
Until recently much of my self-reflection has been negative and spending too much time introspecting would lead to depression and malaise. Now that I am actually working toward my goals my self-reflection has turned more into I should be doing more of “x” or less or “y” to continue to see progress!
I very much doubt that will be an issue at any point in my life.
Social identity mapping First, create your own social identity map on a piece of paper (or print this out):
Redhead, caucasian, hazel eyes, youngest child, coloradan, able-bodied, short of stature, daughter, sister, cousin, female.
+Student, +programmer, dog-owner, +digital native, +techno-joy, +puzzle enthusiast, +avid googler, +friend, gardener, bookworm, embroider, daily exerciser, health oriented.
Center: write your core attributes—traits, behaviors, beliefs, values, characteristics, and skills that you think make you unique as an individual. Select things that are enduring and key to who you are.
+Ambivert, +empath, eccentric, +curious, +compassionate, mercurial, +persistent.
Put a ? beside the items that you're unsure how they could show your ability to contribute to the tech industry
I don’t feel that there is only one “type” of person who is, or could be a programmer. The only things that I am concerned about are my math skills that need practice, and I need to experiment with my learning style. Neither of these have any relation to my identity or self worth, I can learn anything.
If anything I’m an interesting coworker who works hard and is devoted to the team. I have a super pretty pup that I adore, and various intellectual pursuits that could be bonding point.
What do you think are the traits of a good software developer? What are they like in the workplace? What would you as a co-worker think of this person?
I think a good software dev is simply a person, who works well with others, is collaborative and is mindful of area to improve themselves and their environment. Fun but hardworking is key with a true interest in doing solid work.
I think that these habits are simply habitutally working with code, or program archtecture. Looking for ways to refine a process as well as keeping updated with the industry as possible.
Who do you want to be as a software developer? What kind of behaviors do you already have in place to be that person? What behaviors would you need to put into place? How will you do that?
I want to be good at my job, and be able to contribute a project in meaningful ways. To do this I need to learn my craft well and setup positive habits that build me up and not tear me down. I already have taken steps to be this person by going to turing and working hard in class, doing the homeowrk and genuinely trying to build my understanding of the material. I need to set clear boundaries between work-time and fun-time. Some of my old habits are still seeping through and they divide my focus in a way that my tasks are being extended.
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Bring self-awareness to your current habits by making a Habits Scorecard. Make a list of your daily habits (examples: wake up, turn off alarm, check phone, etc.) as a way to bring awareness to what you do. Then, decide how effective that habit is for you and your goal of becoming a software developer. Put a + next to habits that are effective; put a - next to habits that are not effective; put a = next to habits that are neutral.
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Pick 1 new habit you'd like to build and create an implementation intention following this template: "I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION]." Then, stack the habit onto something you already do: "After [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]." (Hint: make this highly specific and immediately actionable)
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Design your environment for success: what changes could you make in your space to better implement your habit? How could you remove any triggers for bad habits? How will you implement these changes?
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Respond after a few days of this implementation: What are your results? How do you feel about this method? How will you move forward with this habit?
How have you seen yourself become more aware of your habits? Have you tried implementing anything new? What have the results been?
Yes, I have become very aware of my habit, mostly the ones that don’t serve me well. I have recently implemented more measuring and evaluating habits like tracking what makes me feel happy or entering a state of flow. Noting when I am procrastinating and deliberately getting started despite every part of my mind screaming they don’t want to. I have been trying to keep a consistent sleep schedule too, which for as simple as it sounds, is difficult.
The results have been varied. If my mental battery is low I don’t have enough fuel left to force myself to start tasks, and if I go to bed too early I lay there unable to sleep as I feel deprived of “me time”. One habit that I started pre-Turing has stuck beautifully and that is walking every day. I am very proud of this and I never want to stop. It helps every part of my life.
How would you rate your overall health on a scale of 1-5? How do you currently make time for activities associated with your health? What is a small change you could make here to readjust your health ratings?*_
I would say I am a 2.75, only because I am carrying nearly 100lbs extra weight, I haven’t fully adopted a healthful diet and am prone to emotional/bored eating. I do walk everyday, anywhere from 4-6 miles. I weigh myself every morning and I have been working with a doctor to get healthier. I know this will only positively impact my life. Two things I want to tweak to ensure I continue to improve is focus on my diet, and get better quality sleep.
Make a short list of all the ways you work right now; How much value do each of those things bring to your life? How are those activities purposeful for you?*_
I take care of our dogs. I clean up the house more often than not. I push for things to get done or scheduled for maintenance, services and so one. I try to make things easier on my mom who is working full time to help me through school. I plan, and dream and bring some hope back to the family.
_*Play: what brings you joy? Think about joy just for the pure sake of doing it; everyone benefits from this kind of play?
What activities do you do that bring you joy throughout an average week? In what ways could you make a small change to bring more joy into your life?*_
I find joy in my walks, seeing different animals hearing bird calls. Meeting all the puppers in the park and seeing my environment change in the seasons. I love listening to music or audiobooks on my walks and feeling my mind expand and play without judgement or fear. I find joy in seeing the results of a disciplined week in my weightloss journey! I find joy in imagining my futures and what I can give back to others. I find joy in brushing out my dogs and making sure they feel loved and cared for. I find joy in cleaning up the house for my mom when she comes home and grateful to find more peace of mind and less work. I want to keep learning skills to make myself feel more confident, and capable. Programming is among them, but having started truly learning again I find I want to learn everything!
_*Love: sense of connection; who are the people who matter in your life and how is love flowing to and from you and them?
How does love currently show up in your life? How do you show love to others right now? What adjustments would you like to make in this area?
My mother, my sister, my friends. Everyone supports me and believes I can do this. We talk often and walk together. My friends and I hang out if we can, or talk on the phone/play video games together.
Looking back at the 4 areas, do any problems emerge that you want to begin designing solutions for? I am already working on my health. There is room for improvement in my work. I do many little things that help day to day but don’t build up my skills or form a career which is my goal. I can find joy in many things, but I have trouble remembering what brings me joy when I need to. I should keep track of what makes me happy. Love is something I hope to give more of as I am able to.
Based on what you wrote about above and your group conversation, what problems have you identified that you'd like to design solutions for? What do you already know about what you want for your career? What do you still need to find out? Who or what do you want to grow into by the end of the Turing program?
I would like to implement a daily skills practice that includes coding and not only have more skillsets and learning experiences to pull from, but also build my confidence which I’ve learned is very skill based. I know that I have never been able to tolerate a job I am not happy in for very long. I enjoy feeling valued and having made real contributions to the company/team/project. I want to work on something that feels worthwhile and maybe important. I want to be able to respect my bosses. I would love to make enough money to be as generous as I can be and save money for my future. Opportunities to travel and consideration of the fact that we are humans and not robots would be revitalizing. No cloak and dagger intrigue and transparent work culture! I still need to learn the skills that I can contribute with, and just gain more experience in every part of life. I have been very sheltered and I can’t say that it has served me all that well. I need to notice more of what makes me happy. Ideally I would like to be more organized with a shiny new skillset. More confident, composed and compact that I used to be. I just want to be better than I am now.
When you discussed software developers with your small group, what assumptions came up about what software developers actually do? What steps could you take to challenge those assumptions and find more facts to answer the question of what developers do? In addition to what a typical software developer life could look like, what do you want yours to include?
Software developers mainly learn, experiment, apply what they’ve discovered over and over again. Each of those steps has breakouts, but I feel that is the core structure to how things get done! I think I could learn more about these items, by discussing with all pedigrees of devs as well as doing virtual job shadowing and research. I can also learn through my own experience (hopefully). I would like my developer life to include less of the anxiety I associate with programming and more of the “hey, we tried this, but it didn’t work! Let’s try something else!” approach.
What is the basic threshold that your new career must meet after Turing? What would you hope WILL NOT happen in your future after Turing? What is your absolute, no-holds-barred, ideal dream for your future after Turing?
In my last position I was making under $41,000 before taxes and everything else. I need to be making that $75K after Turing or as near to it as I can get. I need to make money and I need to have actual skills to be making that money with. I hope that I will not fall back into poverty again after Turing.
My no-holds barred dream after Turing….I want to be a consultant/programmer making $300-$400K a year with multiple side projects and having lived and worked in several different countries. I would love to work with architects to build my dream home and income properties. No looming debt and no fear of bills or catastrophes. I want to have a lush savings account and be able to care for my family’s needs. I want to be able to be a patron or benefactor to organizations I believe in and individuals who need assistance changing their lives. I want to surround myself with beauty, art and gardens. I want to have tutors, mentors and trainers keeping me learning and healthy! I want to travel when I want to travel and be able to bring people with me to share in these memories. I want to make donations to libraries and museums in the name of my father. I want to be incandescent in my happiness and share that with everyone. I want to have met and exceeded my potential in this life.
...to add to the world and not take from it...to contribute to things greater than myself so that more people may find joy or assistance. This is my personal legend.
How have you seen yourself become more aware of your habits? Have you tried implementing anything new? What have the results been?
I would say that is inevitable to become aware of your habits during something like Turing. I have implemented a morning reflection before my walk where I stretch my body and consider my intent for the day. Decide if I'm going to let it go off course if something goes wrong. I have also become more aware of how I subvert all other needs to a task especially near deadlines. I think this time around I have improved remarkably in my learning and comprehension. I did let my health go this second time in Mod 1 and my eating disorders have gone from controlled to hanging out on my porch so to speak. I still think the trade off was worth it in the end. I proved that I can learn still, and I was able to help others this time.
How can beginner's mind be helpful when it comes to thinking about your career and job search? What are some habits you could put into place to cultivate beginner's mind regularly? This is a real challenge. I am, for all I know, sitting on the cusp of going to Mod 2 and being dismissed from Turing. Both options carry with them a certain amount of dread and possibility.I don't know that there will be a software realted job search, I hope so....but I don't know. To have a beginner’s mind for me is to know that I worked with all I had and I learned, new skills! Almost completely ignore the consqeuences of not getting to where I thought I was going if I am unable to continure. It's difficult to not let those negative thoughts persist as an adult. I do well when I talk about the full scope of my issue with someone who loves me. By the end I can usuaully see the beginner's mindset, but I often still feel that keen "adult" disappointment.
Optional additional reading: How to Cultivate Beginner's Mind to Become a True Expert
Go through the Flower Exercise brainstorming worksheets linked here. Then complete your Flower Exercise final worksheet here and link that finished worksheet here.
Write out your top 5 strengths that you've seen in action this module; then write out the strengths of a software developer. Where do you see these lists overlapping? Where are they different?
Write a refined vision statement here (what new things have you discovered this week to incorporate into your vision statement?):
Hey Estelle, I'd like for you to update this with the week 5 info and the flower exercise over intermission. Also, please add .md to the title of your gist to render it as a markdown, which will make it easier to read. Thanks!