Threads Dev Interviews is a platform where I find developers and conduct interviews with them directly on Threads. If you’re interested in being interviewed, feel free to let me know on Threads. Please note that the views expressed in these interviews are personal and do not represent the opinions of the interviewees’ employers.
Georgia Mountford-Blake (@georgiagemo) on Threads, shared her journey of developing an interest in writing and coding. Growing up with a developer father, she started typing letters to him on a DOS computer and later got her own computer at age 7. She fell in love with Encyclopedia Britannia and various PC games, which eventually led her to explore coding. She even taught her computer her voice using Dragon Dictate and had fun conversations with it using MS Word autocorrect. In grade 4-5, she was introduced to Logo, the programming turtle, and from there, she taught herself HTML and later php to create websites related to online fandoms and fan fiction.
Georgia pursued a dual degree in Journalism and Computer Science in university because storytelling and software engineering are two passions she couldn’t choose between. The early start in both writing and coding has served her well throughout her career.
In her work today, Georgia finds the combination of writing and coding to be valuable. She has been the go-to person for documentation in her previous development jobs and stood out as a freelancer because she could create both code and copy for websites. She has also become skilled at understanding both computer thinking and human thinking, which allows her to predict development needs and act as a mediator between technical and non-technical teams. Currently, Georgia focuses on amplifying marginalized voices online and helps small business owners with automating workflows, leveraging AI, improving websites, interpreting data, and enhancing marketing efforts.
When Georgia refers to “marketing on the edge,” she means supporting individuals and businesses that challenge norms and fight stigma. She enjoys working with unconventional clients, such as a depression clinic specializing in alternative therapies or a cannabis bakery, as these are the places where boundaries are pushed and change is created.
Despite the focus on big tech, developers can solve common problems for small businesses. For example, integrating backends to automate data entry or creating bespoke scripting solutions can greatly benefit small businesses. There are also opportunities for in-house positions where developers with niche expertise can create their own job titles.
For developers considering going freelance or starting a small dev shop, Georgia advises finding a business mentor who can guide them through the non-technical aspects of running a business. Joining coaching programs or seeking niche-specific support can be beneficial. It’s important not to be afraid of delegating tasks and outsourcing early on to avoid getting overwhelmed with operational tasks. Starting with small tasks like invoices or social media graphics and gradually expanding to more complex areas like sales calls or customer service can help in the long run.
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