Threads Dev Interviews is a platform where I find developers and interview them directly. 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 interviewee’s employer.
We have the pleasure of having Chelsea (@techchatchelsea) with us today. Chelsea, could you share with us the most significant career moment you’ve experienced?
Thank you so much for having me! It’s a tough question to answer because I’ve had three very different career paths. However, if I had to choose, I would say my recent promotion from an analytics/development role to a product management role was the most significant. It wasn’t just the promotion itself that was important, but the validation I received from my former director during a large meeting. Coming from a background in education, it really boosted my confidence and made me feel like I belonged in the tech industry.
It’s interesting how it takes time for us to find our true calling. Can you elaborate on how your past experience in education has helped you in your tech career?
My career in education involved teaching middle school history, college economics, and working in administrative roles at charter schools. Through teaching, I learned how to effectively communicate, cater to different learning styles, be inclusive, and navigate bureaucracy. Managing unruly groups of students also taught me valuable skills that I’ve applied in my corporate job. Additionally, creating documentation, designing timelines, and keeping people on track are skills I acquired and use frequently. When I transitioned to a development/analytics role, my hiring manager recognized that while I didn’t have a CS degree or development experience, my communication and learning abilities made me a valuable asset to the team.
Before entering the tech industry, what steps did you take to prepare yourself?
As an administrator at charter schools, I had a lot of experience working with data. I was proficient in Excel and had some exposure to statistical software like Stata. However, I had no coding experience and didn’t know Python or SQL. I decided to take a Data Science & Visualization course offered by UCSD Extension, inspired by my love for data and political analytics. The course was intense, lasting six months and involving over 240 in-class hours. To prepare for the course, I took the Coursera Learning How To Learn course, joined local learning communities, and sought support from family and friends to manage my personal responsibilities. The boot camp covered Python, JavaScript, SQL, and more, and the career services provided by the program helped me set up a website, GitHub, create a strong resume, and prepare for interviews.
Once you entered the tech industry, what surprised you the most?
One thing that surprised me was that even experienced colleagues who had built the processes and data structures for the organization didn’t always have up-to-date knowledge or the ability to implement new features or build new products. This realization gave me an advantage because I could ask questions that led to improvements, and we were all on an equal playing field when it came to learning new things. The ever-changing nature of technology also surprised me. A platform that’s only 10 years old can already feel ancient.
What currently excites you the most about tech?
As someone new to the tech world, I’m easily excited about various aspects of it. One area that particularly fascinates me is generative AI. I’m involved in my company’s corporate strategy in this field, and I see the potential of generative AI to level the playing field in different spaces. It can benefit non-native language speakers, critical thinkers, non-techies, overworked parents, office workers, and brilliant PhD students struggling with writing research papers. While there are concerns and criticisms about how generative AI is implemented and regulated, I remain optimistic and appreciate the efforts being made to ensure its responsible use.
Lastly, can you tell us about the type of data science work you did and why you chose to transition to product management?
In my previous role, I focused more on analytics than data science specifically. I worked extensively with large marketing databases. As for transitioning to product management, it was a natural progression for me. I realized that my sweet spot lies in understanding both the technical and business sides of a program. I enjoy collaborating with people across the organization to drive initiatives forward. This transition allowed me to leverage my skills and interests while continuing to learn and grow in the tech industry.
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