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In this week\\u2019s show, Phil talks to Meredydd Luff, the CEO and cofounder of Anvil, a platform for building full-stack web apps entirely in Python.

He has a PhD in building usable programming systems from Cambridge University and he wants to make programming more accessible for everyone.

Meredydd talks about the importance of finding your \\u201cand\\u201d \\u2013 the secondary skill that adds value to you. He also discusses why bringing your unique offerings to your IT career can make all the difference.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

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TOP CAREER TIP

Look for what your personal \\u201cand\\u201d is. If you are just a developer then that\\u2019s okay, but it\\u2019s always best to be one thing \\u201cand\\u201d another. This makes life much more interesting and yourself much more valuable.

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WORST CAREER MOMENT

After completing a huge amount of work, Meredydd discovered that his system had been built upon degraded hard disks. This led to a huge outage for a popular messaging system in the Philippines.

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CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Starting and building Anvil \\u2013 taking the complete system from an idea to fruition, and the experiences learned along the way.

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THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

As cloud services and the like continue to grow, it has meant that the doors are open to far more people. So long as people have the drive to do so, the IT sector is open to all.

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THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? \\u2013 Meredydd was attracted to the creative component of IT.

What\\u2019s the best career advice you received? \\u2013 That studying something we enjoy is fine, and can sit well alongside a serious career.

What\\u2019s the worst career advice you received? \\u2013 That he should have taken the money over a route that seemed more fun.

What would you do if you started your career now? \\u2013 Meredydd would begin tinkering with systems a lot earlier than he did.

What are your current career objectives? Refining and perfecting Anvil and turning into the best system it can be.

What\\u2019s your number one non-technical skill? \\u2013 Being an extrovert, caring about others, and curiosity.

How do you keep your own career energized? \\u2013 Running a startup!

What do you do away from technology? \\u2013 Flying airplanes and ballroom dancing.

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FINAL CAREER TIP

Find the thing that is interesting to you, and upon which you can offer a unique perspective, and bring that to your IT career.

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BEST MOMENTS

(6:00) \\u2013 Meredydd - \\u201cThe way things are with traditional web development, there\\u2019s not much a learning curve as a learning cliff\\u201d

(8:12) \\u2013 Meredydd - \\u201cBeing at the intersection of someone who can do two different things \\u2013 that\\u2019s really valuable\\u201d

(23:53) \\u2013 Meredydd \\u2013 \\u201cIf you are one of these people who has the bit between their teeth, the fact that there are so many routes into a career means that you can afford to follow your heart\\u201d

(27:02) \\u2013 Meredydd \\u2013 \\u201cIf you are the tinkering type, then tinkering your way into a career is as valid a choice as ever\\u201d

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ABOUT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.\\xa0 Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.\\xa0 And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.

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CONTACT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess

Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess

Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact

Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast\\u2019s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com

Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer

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ABOUT THE GUEST \\u2013 MEREDYDD LUFF

Meredydd Luff is the CEO and cofounder of Anvil, a platform for building full-stack web apps entirely in Python.

He has a PhD in building usable programming systems from Cambridge University and he wants to make programming more accessible for everyone.

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CONTACT THE GUEST \\u2013 MEREDYDD LUFF

Meredydd Luff can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredydd/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meredydd

Website: https://anvil.works