Introducing the Future Software Developer Now Cohort
In December 2020, we announced the launch of the Future Software Developer Now Programme. In collaboration with Create Jobs and Mayor of London Digital Talent Programme, together, we will deliver a six-week Software Engineering Programme for tech-savvy 18–24-year-olds from diverse backgrounds.
We’ll connect 35 young people with industry leaders such as Idean, and 10X as well as employability coaches and a community of young techiees
Working to a live brief from Brandwatch & HERO, our aspiring software developers will gain real-life experience to add to their CV and portfolio for future applications. As well as this, they’ll gain soft skills including communication skills, and interview techniques to help them land that dream role.
Over the six weeks the course will cover:
What it’s like to work as a Software Developer by tackling live briefs set by our Programme Partners
- Communications and collaboration
- Project management
- Agile working and working cross-functionally
- The career pathways of a Software Developer
- Live interview practice
- How to find the right company for you
- Career action plans
The course is delivered online Tuesday and Thursdays, with support sessions and learning Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This includes industry talks, development workshops, pastoral support, peer networking, and self-study.
By the end of the Future Software Developer Now Programme, the cohort will be equipped with what it takes to make it as a Software developer. We’re so excited to welcome 35 amazing young aspiring software developers! We had an exciting virtual on-boarding! It wouldn’t be a true YSYS onboarding without a Zoom picture ⤵️
The Hero brief
Week one kicked off on Monday 8th February where the Future Software Developer Now cohort was introduced to their first live brief set by our partners, HERO.
Our friends at HERO have tasked our developers to build a web application to display today’s forecast and a 7-day breakdown for a location from the open-weather-map api. There is a lot of room for experimentation and our cohort has been given lots of resources to get started. With just over two weeks to deliver, we can’t wait to see what they create.
We had some great LIVE sessions…
This week was all about meeting each other, connecting with mentors, and getting set up with all the resources available for the next six weeks.
This also included a session on “Imposter Syndrome” with Licensed therapist, Stevon Lewis, and an inspirational talk from Guap founder, Ibrahim Kamara.
On Tuesday of week one, our cohort attended an amazing session delivered by Google Digital Garage on “Optimising your remote team”. This was a valuable session to get the cohort to start brainstorming ways to collaborate on their brief.
We have teams!
After this session, teams were formed. Our 35 savvy Software Developers were split into teams of 5 (and we may or may not have a team called Team Biscuit). To complete the brief, the 7 teams will be working together.
A BIG shoutout to our mentors
Week One concluded on Thursday with an exciting session where our cohort was able to finally meet their mentors. Seven industry leaders have opened up their diary to mentor one of seven groups for 30 minutes each week. A big shoutout to Sidd Vadgama from Idean , Rob Passmore from Koru Kids, George Thomas from Brandwatch , Sam Mclean from Brandwatch , Michelle Brien from Idean, Joyce Van Herck from Idean, and James Almond from Koru Kids👏🏾
A busy week for all!
We’ll catch you in next week’s update!
Want to offer your support to the cohort? Drop our programme managers Tyra & Liz a line here.
