Andrew Blancato’s Post

At any point of our careers as engineers we might stumble and feel like we've hit a wall. Every stage of our careers is different - in some periods we feel like we're learning a ton, but in later stages things seem to slow done. In one of my recent coaching calls, we discussed that this happens more often than not. It's a question of 'when', not 'if'. Eventually, in the coaching call, we arrived at a few ideas on how to get back in the learning rocketship: 1/ Engage in Solo Projects. Start a personal project where you are the primary or sole developer. This could be anything from a new app idea to a software tool that solves a problem you encounter frequently. 2/ Delve Into a New Domain. Choose a challenging and unfamiliar area of software development, such as game development or embedded systems, and immerse yourself in learning and creating projects within this domain. 3/ Contribute to Open Source Projects. Identify and contribute to open source projects that interest you. Start with small contributions, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements, and gradually take on more complex tasks. I've added some other ideas in the attached slides. Check them out! What else you got? #leadership #engineeringmanagement ---- ♻️ Repost this if you found it useful! ✍🏻 If you enjoyed this post, follow me for more insights on engineering leadership.

How do you improve your software engineering or coding skills? I hear these questions every week one way or other. Do you know as human beings our lives were much easier when we just focused on Basic things? I even remember studying somewhere in my primary school that food, shelter, etc are our basic needs. Now everything has evolved and we are not basic anymore. Our concentration span is super low and we became very much output driven. The patience level is close to 0. Managers and stakeholders wanted features yesterday. Engineers want growth in salary and career as fast as possible. It is all about rushing and to confused slightly is all ok. You are not alone. So why all this back story? This is to tell you that you need to focus on basics and not distract yourself too much. The best way to improve your #SoftwareEngineering skills is by getting your hands dirty. So you write more & more and more. So just writing more code, makes you better, absolutely no. Over the journey, you must start looking back at your progress and ask questions, can I implement this better? Can I solve this problem better? Try it yourself and ask for help or feedback. So it is simple like EAT, SLEEP & REPEAT and now it can be as simple as EAT, SLEEP, CODE & REPEAT. Here are the points that can help: - Doing real projects or coding challenges instead of traditional tutorials - Focusing on fundamentals & mastering the craft - Don't jump to frameworks without mastering the fundamentals - Code, code & code - Read books, there are 1000s, you just need to make it a habit - Recap what you read, test, try and share it - Get feedback where possible - Seek for right mentors & network with the right people - Get away from #BuzzTech - Don't miss the soft skills such as communication, teamwork - Try Pair programming or Mob programming to see collaboration in action - Be yourself & enjoy(THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT) So in the end, don't overwhelm yourself too much with all the latest buzz. Focus on your goal and ace it. There is no shame or embarrassment that if you can't code in some programming language. If you are interested in #Tech, #SoftwareEngineering, #StartUps & #TechLeaderShip Follow me for unfiltered experiences.

Ownership While today's tech landscape very easily succumbs to the shiny toy syndrome, be it in the form of some new "AI" product or a new programming language, some of the foundational pieces of what makes you a good engineer or a manager aren't talked about enough. I've worked for 4 startups before I joined a bigger organisation in my career. I made it a point to learn from the best people that I came across and I've been fortunate enough to come across many. The one common trait that I've seen in the best software engineers, TPMs, & product managers is a high ownership of their work. This ownership allows them to not only develop a high technical competence on the tools that use for the job, but also allows them to tinker with the parameters of the system, to their aim and liking. This is what allows these people to build great products. Technical competence helps a lot, but in my experience, people with high ownership are much more likely to learn something new that they need to learn to make their system work. I've seen ownership to be one of the most foundational pieces that leads to mastery. And while we must focus on upskilling ourself in various domains, we must not forget the roots of what it takes to build a great service or product. #upskill #ownership #mastery #software #softwareengineering #development #career

What does it mean to have a 'growth mindset' in tech? Basically, I find it about accepting challenges, persisting when things get tough, seeing effort as a path to skill, learning from criticism, and finding lessons and inspiration in the success of others. For a developer, this could mean: → Actively seeking out new technologies to learn relevant to him → Not being afraid to fail and using it as a stepping stone → Accepting feedback from more experienced developers → Celebrating small victories on your learning path Adopting this mindset can greatly impact your career trajectory in tech. It opens up opportunities for learning and personal development that a fixed mindset might shut down. Challenges like understanding complex codebases or keeping up with rapidly changing technologies can seem intimidating. But, viewing these challenges as opportunities to grow can make a huge difference. In my experience, the journey of learning never really ends. Each project brings new challenges and learning opportunities, making the work exciting and rewarding. Simple. #coding #programming #softwareengineering

Feeling intimidated by coding? You’re not alone. Many people without tech backgrounds struggle with the belief that if they aren’t coding, they can’t thrive in the tech industry. But here’s the truth: tech isn’t all about coding. A common problem is thinking that coding is the only way to succeed in tech. This misconception holds so many back from exploring a wide range of opportunities in tech that don’t involve programming. Whether it’s project management, data analysis, user experience design, or tech support, there are plenty of roles in the tech space that don’t require you to write a single line of code. The key is to find your path—one that aligns with your strengths and interests. At Tech Mentor, we help guide individuals who feel stuck or intimidated by coding to explore these non-coding tech careers. With the right structured plan, you can build the skills and confidence needed to thrive. Ready to find your tech path? Explore non-coding tech roles and take the next step in your career. Follow Tech Mentor for tips and support! #TechCareers #NonCodingTech #CareerGrowth #TechMentor #Upskill #ThriveInTech #CareerDevelopment

From Code Confusion to Product Management Passion 🚀 When I chose to study computer science, my dream was to use technology to solve big, world-changing problems. Initially, I had my heart set on studying at FUTA and living in a different state, but life had other plans, and I ended up at UNILAG. Walking into my first programming class, I had visions of tech straight out of the movies—complex, dynamic, and endlessly exciting. But reality hit hard. My introduction to programming languages and the science of computing was, to say the least, underwhelming. We were taught outdated languages and expected to code on paper. I quickly realized I wasn’t getting the start I needed, and it scared me. By my third year, it was clear something had to change. Coding just wasn’t clicking for me. I explored data science, hoping it would be different, but it still revolved around coding. Then, I stumbled upon product management. The state of uncertainty pushed me to seek alternatives, and what I found was amazing. Product management allowed me to leverage my natural strengths and passions. It opened the door to the tech world, letting me create products that solve real needs for people. It’s incredibly fulfilling and it is still the beginning of my journey. So here’s to everyone who feels lost or shortchanged in their studies. Sometimes, that confusion can lead you to discover what you’re truly made for. Don’t just passively accept that your degree might go unused. Dive deep, discover yourself, and build the systems that will lead you to success and fulfillment. Cheers to finding your true path! 🌟 Share or repost this to inspire others #ProductManagement #TechJourney #FindingYourPassion #thrivewithtomide #21dayslinkedintourwithtomide

🎉 Exciting News to Share! 🎉 I am thrilled to announce that I have recently completed a Product Management Bootcamp at BrainStation—a journey that marks a significant milestone in my professional development. 🚀 Coming from a software engineering background, with a focus on frontend development, I've always been passionate about understanding the bigger picture of product creation and lifecycle. My interest in how products are envisioned, developed, and managed has driven me to dive deeper into the world of product management. The decision to enroll in the bootcamp was fueled by my curiosity and the desire to bridge my technical expertise with strategic product thinking. It was an eye-opening experience that not only broadened my understanding of what it takes to be a product manager but also equipped me with valuable skills that complement my coding prowess. The immersive experience at BrainStation has allowed me to gain insights into product strategy, user experience design, and the agile methodology—skills that are crucial for today's digital product landscape. I am now more confident in my ability to contribute not just on the technical front but also in shaping the vision and strategy of products. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from industry experts and to connect with like-minded peers who share my passion for creating impactful products. This journey has truly been enlightening, and I am excited to bring this fresh perspective and skill set into my work. To my wonderful instructors and fellow bootcamp participants: Thank you for an unforgettable experience and for the invaluable lessons along the way. Here's to the next chapter of creating innovative solutions that make a difference! 💡✨ #ProductManagement #CareerDevelopment #BrainStation #SoftwareEngineering #FrontendDevelopment #LifeLongLearning

One of the things I love about my work is getting to build something completely new in education. Before BeWorldClass, I did a lot of Product Management work. Basically, figuring out what people or the market wants and breaking that down into tasks for developers. Figuring out what people want is the hard part! I’ve kept that same mindset. I don’t believe in just "coming up with ideas." Right now, I’m building a custom dashboard for a school to track how students are living out their specific school values and progressing in their initiatives. They didn’t pay extra for this, it’s good for us! When you work closely with schools, you learn a lot about what people really want. When teachers tell me, "EdTech usually doesn’t listen to teachers," I honestly have no idea why there’s often this disconnect. It seems worse than in other industries. Why is that?

We are excited to share our student capstone project under our Tech Residency program, in partnership with Co.Lab 🚀 joincolab.io! 🎉 As part of the learning experience, our students are being teamed up with fellow aspiring developers in creating a project that embodies their newfound skills in tech. Kate Lueders, PT, DPT and David Ekunno, our incredible alumni, are two of the geniuses behind a dynamic web app project RouteWise! Here's what they have learned on making the project: Kate: "One major takeaway for me was having exposure to the roles of Product Manager and Product Designer where I learned how their unique skill sets blend with those of a developer to create a useful, viable product. I was able to get a glimpse at what it takes to do market research, to conduct user surveys, to break down a product into user stories, and to think about how an application is designed for optimal usability. It was neat to see how all these tasks related to my own as the backend developer where thinking about user experience doesn’t seem to take precedence, but is ultimately the whole point of the product." David: "The biggest lessons I’ve learned during the Co.Lab experience are how to work in a multi-disciplined team and the usefulness of breaking down big projects into small goals. Working with a Product Manager, a Product Designer and a fellow Developer created a stream-lined process that allows each team-member to focus on their responsibilities and ultimately produce better work." Join us in celebrating Kate's and David's milestone as they pave their way to a successful career in software engineering! Learn more about their project here: bit.ly/3uOEOFw #CodingTemple #CapstoneProject #StudentPortfolio #Programming #WebDevelopment

🖥️ + 👔 = 💡 When Non-Tech Managers Offer Coding Advice Hey fellow coders! 🙋♂️🙋♀️ Let's talk about those moments when non-technical managers chime in with suggestions on our code or solutions. I know, I know - it can be tempting to roll our eyes 🙄 and think, "What do they know about coding?" But hear me out: There's gold in those seemingly uninformed suggestions! 💎 Why we should listen: - 🔭 Fresh Perspective: They're looking at our work from a different angle, often spotting issues we're too close to see. - 🎯 Business Alignment: Their input can help ensure our solutions truly meet business needs. - 🗣️ Communication Practice: Explaining tech concepts to non-tech folks is a crucial skill. This is your chance to sharpen it! - 🤝 Stakeholder Management: Building rapport with management can open doors for your career. -💡 Innovation Catalyst: Sometimes, a "naive" question can spark a brilliant new approach. Yes, it can be frustrating when it feels like they're stepping on your technical toes. But reframe it as an opportunity! 🔄 It's not just about coding; it's about creating solutions that work for everyone. 🌟 Remember, today's "annoying" manager might be tomorrow's reference for that dream job or startup funding! 📈 Has a non-tech manager's advice ever led to an unexpected breakthrough for you? Share your stories below! 👇 #SoftSkills #TechCommunication #Programming #DataScience #CareerGrowth #CodingLife #Leadership