BROADCASTS.com

b'

Phil\\u2019s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Jennifer Wong. \\xa0She is a civil former engineer and self-taught software engineer specialising in UI and frontend development.\\xa0 She has written for Net Magazine and has had projects covered by Mashable, Engadget, Gizmodo and more.

She is also an avid conference speaker and a Mozilla Tech speaker.

In this episode, Phil and Jennifer Wong discuss how being flexible about the work you do and pushing yourself to learn completely new skills helps your career. Jennifer also speaks about her experience with sexual harassment in the workplace. Jennifer explains why you need to educate yourself about workplace disciplinary procedures, even if you have not, yet, had any issues.

She also discusses how her project \\u201cHuman Wasteland\\u201d helped to make a positive for the issue of homeless in San Francisco.

\\xa0

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

(4.09) TOP CAREER TIP

Be flexible about the work you do and how you lead your life. Not being too rigid about your career plans makes it easy to adapt as things change and follow your interests.

\\xa0

(5.49) WORST CAREER MOMENT

Jennifer experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. She went to HR, yet, the person just got a slap on the wrist. Shockingly, their boss protected them when the issue came to light. Worse, that person continued to abuse others even after Jennifer had left the company.

It was an awful experience. One that highlighted to Jennifer the importance of knowing your rights and how workplace disciplinary processes should work. That way, if something goes wrong you do not waste time or end up taking ineffective action.

\\xa0

(9.23) CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Creating Human Wasteland is Jennifer\\u2019s career highlight, so far. She took an innovative approach to highlighting the plight of San Francisco\\u2019s homeless population.

Finding a public toilet is not easy, in the city. So, street defecation is an issue in the city. Jennifer mapped the 311 reports the city receives when this happens. Her innovative project caught the attention of the media. This in turn opened up the chance for Jennifer to talk about solutions for the homeless and play a part in local politics and improving social justice.

\\xa0

(11.45) THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

The fact that anyone can now potentially work as a programmer is an exciting prospect. Jennifer can see this new wave of people coming up with lots of truly new and innovative ideas.

\\xa0

(13.18) THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? \\u2013 Jennifer was inspired to get involved in IT when a friend of hers learned HTML and CSS and started building her own websites.

What\\u2019s the best career advice you received? \\u2013 You will always feel you don\\u2019t know enough. Don\\u2019t worry about this, everyone still has so much to learn.

What\\u2019s the worst career advice you received? \\u2013 Don\\u2019t worry about learning new skills just use the ones you already have. There is a real danger your existing skills will one day become redundant.

What would you do if you started your career now? \\u2013 Jennifer would have began her IT career earlier.

What are your current career objectives? \\u2013 Identifying and learning some of the skills she currently has zero knowledge of. In the podcast, Jennifer explains how she is using side projects to achieve this goal.

What\\u2019s your number one non-technical skill? \\u2013 Empathy.

How do you keep your own career energized? \\u2013 Jennifer finds that working on side projects energises her. It pushes her to learn how to use new tools and languages.

What do you do away from technology? \\u2013 Jennifer volunteers for the League of Women Voters and co-leads the Police Commission Observer Corps.

\\xa0

(0.00) FINAL CAREER TIP

Become an effective networker. You can never tell which relationship is going to lead the next big thing in your life.

\\xa0

BEST MOMENTS

(4.15) \\u2013 Jennifer - \\u201cBe flexible with what you want to do with your career.\\u201d

(8.41) \\u2013 Jennifer - \\u201cEducate yourself, in advance, about what to do if you are harassed or bullied in the workplace.\\u201d

(15.12) \\u2013 Jennifer - \\u201cDon\\u2019t just build on the skills you already have. Actively learn some completely new ones.\\u201d

(19.33) \\u2013 Jennifer - \\u201cIt\\u2019s important to have empathy and understanding for your customers.\\u201d

(21.24) \\u2013 Jennifer - \\u201cNetwork. You never know who is going to connect you to the next big thing in your life.\\u201d

\\xa0

ABOUT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organisations 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.

\\xa0

CONTACT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/philtechcareer

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

Facebook: https://facebook.com/philtechcareer

Instagram: https://instagram.com/philtechcareer

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

\\xa0

ABOUT THE GUEST \\u2013 Jennifer Wong

Phil\\u2019s \\xa0guest on today\\u2019s show is a former engineer and self-taught software engineer specialising in UI and frontend development.\\xa0 She has written for Net Magazine and has had projects covered by Mashable, Engadget, Gizmodo and more.

She is also an avid conference speaker and a Mozilla Tech speaker.

\\xa0

CONTACT THE GUEST \\u2013 Jennifer Wong

Jennifer Wong can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mybluewristband

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

Website: https://www.mochimachine.com

\\xa0