Know the speakers— Tara Ojo
Area: Career development
Role: Software Engineer
Company: FutureLearn
Twitter: @Tara_Ojo
Now it’s time to meet Tara Ojo! How do you keep up-to-date with all the changes in the tech market?
Twitter is my main source of information. I follow lots of people across different aspects of web development, and they all talk about cool things they’ve built or interesting and new tools they use or are experimenting with. It’s a great way to learn new things!
Which technologies and companies do you think it’s important to follow?
Follow the technologies that interest you! I’ve always liked front-end development, so when I’m looking online for tutorials or articles on new JavaScript functionality, I’ll find articles by people who’ve done lots of work in these areas. People like Ire Aderinokun and Jake Archibald write great technical blogs.
Which are the main skills to achieve a successful tech career?
Communication is one of the more important skills. When you’re working in teams and pairing on stories, it helps to be able to effectively communicate thought processes and assumptions.
How do you find the right job, and how do you allow the right job to find you?
There are lots of ‘right’ jobs out there. Look for ones where the employers value taking time out for learning and development. Try to figure out if they have a supportive culture and are striving for a diverse and inclusive environment. It seriously impacts how you develop in your career and how much you enjoy working there.
Can you share with us the secret behind the success in your career and what do you think it’s important to share with who is just starting?
If you’re just starting out, say yes to everything you can manage. Some great opportunities come out of random meetings and unexpected projects. Get to know other developers at work, conferences and networking events. Having support from a group of people who have been through the same process is great when you need advice.
Tara Ojo is one of the many legendary speakers that are joining us on Landing Festival this year. Come meet her: landingfestival.com/lisbon
