From Art School to Microsoft Engineer: Shashi Lo's Inspiring Developer Career Change
Discover how Shashi Lo, a self-taught programmer and former art student, transitioned into a thriving software engineer role at Microsoft. Learn his strategies for landing freelance clients, building a strong reputation, and avoiding common career change pitfalls.
Overcoming Obstacles: Shashi Lo's Path to Tech
Shashi Lo's journey is a testament to resilience and self-determination. As the child of refugees, he sought financial stability and career growth, leading him to leave art school and dive into the world of programming. His story is relatable to many facing similar crossroads.
The Freelance Hustle: Making Ends Meet
Shashi immediately started freelancing to support his family and gain real-world experience. Here's how:
- Targeted skills: Focus on in-demand programming languages and frameworks.
- Client acquisition: Network actively and build a strong online presence.
- Time management: Balance freelance work with personal responsibilities effectively.
Freelancing provided both income and invaluable practical skills applicable to his future career.
Building a Big Tech Reputation from Scratch
Landing a job at a tech giant like Microsoft requires more than just coding skills. Shashi emphasizes the importance of:
- Open-source contributions: Contribute to projects that showcase your abilities.
- Networking: Attend industry events and connect with professionals in your field.
- Personal projects: Build a portfolio demonstrating your passion and expertise.
These steps can significantly boost your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and landing your dream job.
Career Change Mistakes to Avoid
Switching careers can be challenging. Shashi highlights common mistakes career changers make:
- Lack of focus: Trying to learn too many technologies at once.
- Ignoring fundamentals: Skipping essential concepts for quick wins.
- Poor networking: Failing to build relationships with industry professionals.
Addressing these issues helps smooth the transition and sets you up for long-term success.
Big Tech vs. Developer Agencies: Weighing the Options
Choosing between big tech companies and developer agencies depends on individual priorities. Shashi discusses the:
- Big Tech Pros: Stability, resources, large-scale projects.
- Big Tech Cons: Bureaucracy, slower pace, less individual impact.
- Agency Pros: Variety, fast-paced environment, direct client interaction.
- Agency Cons: Instability, less resources, demanding deadlines.
Understanding these differences helps you choose the right path for your career goals.
Explore Shashi Lo's Insights
Dive deeper into Shashi Lo's expertise through his conference talks and podcast interviews. Find all the resources you need at https://bento.me/shashilo. Learn from his experiences and gain valuable insights into navigating the tech industry.
Become a developer through freeCodeCamp's free open source curriculum. Over 40,000 people secured developer jobs through it. Get started.