My name is Kimon and I graduated from Cohort #13 in summer of 2021. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science at San Francisco State University.
How has/what areas do you think Dev/Mission Prepared you for your career in tech?
Dev/Mission has prepared me for my career in tech by supporting me in developing my soft skills in the workplace. Their Pre-Apprenticeship program has 4 sections: hardware essentials, web development, IoT, and critical career skills. The critical career skills section of the program taught me all about things like elevator pitches, emotional intelligence, resolving conflicts in the workplace, and building beneficial relationships in the workplace. With these soft skills along with all of the internships that I was able to complete with the help of Dev/Mission, I now feel ready to enter the tech industry with the knowledge that I have the skills to succeed.
What career opportunities were you able to apply for after graduating from the program?
After graduating from the program, I was able to intern as a Community Technology Associate intern, IT Technician intern, and Social Media intern, and be a part of a fellowship in partnership with Uber.
What goals did you have before joining the program at Dev/mission?
Before joining the program at Dev/Mission, my goal was to get hands-on experience in the tech industry.
How did Dev/Mission help you to achieve your goals? If so, how?
Dev/Mission helped me achieve my goals by exposing me to industry professionals, along with a mentoring program where I got to ask any question I had about the tech industry to a professional with work experience at Waymo and Google. This allowed me to get the hands-on experience that I was looking for, and continue on to my next goal.
How has Dev/Mission impacted your life?
Dev/Mission has impacted my life in a very positive way. Working with Dev/Mission has shown me that soft skills are just as important, if not more important than technical skills in the workplace. I learned how to work in a team, and met some of the most impactful friends that I have ever had with them. I also learned that I really do belong in the tech industry, even if my technical skills aren’t as well developed as my soft skills.
What have been some barriers you’ve faced in trying to break into the tech industry?
Some barriers that I’ve faced in trying to break into the tech industry, is that in university, the only perspective that students are shown is “study, get a good grade, then cold apply to a big company and hope you get in”. Obviously, this is not the most efficient approach to breaking into the tech industry, especially if one struggles with technical skills, like me, and many other people I’ve met in this field.
What is the most memorable thing to you from your time at Dev/Mission?
The most memorable thing to me from my time at Dev/Mission is all of the amazing people I’ve met as a part of the program, including Leo Sosa, the staff, and all of the fellow interns I worked with.
If there were one thing you would want people to know about Dev/Mission what would it be?
One thing I would want people to know about Dev/Mission is that if you are someone who wants to break into tech, but isn’t sure whether you have what it takes, but wants to succeed, it’s the perfect place for you.
After completing the program, what will be next for you?
After completing the program, I am actively searching and applying to internships at tech companies I find interesting. My goal is to secure a full-time internship for the Summer of 2023.
When the program was over, how did you feel—excited or scared, etc.? and why?
When the program was over, I felt driven. I felt like I had gotten a taste of what it was like to work in the tech industry, and I wanted more. The reason behind this is I wanted to surpass my limits and my goals and do the best that I can.
Did any of the advice you received during Dev/Mission stick with you? If so, what was the advice?
There has been lots of amazing advice, which makes it hard to choose one piece of advice that stuck with me the most. But, if I had to choose one, I would say: “Put an emphasis on your soft skills (ex. Communication, teamwork, social skills), instead of only focusing on your technical skills, if you want to succeed in the tech industry.”
