Some of the things #11
Thoughts and links to some of the things I've been getting into recently across work, technology, crypto, wellness and art.
Published a case study about a recent client project. We helped a company with mostly homegrown tools define their future vision and a roadmap for the IT systems they’ll need to support further growth.
When I started a consulting company last year and got my first signed contract, I had to decide: did I land my first client or customer? I wrote a blog about how I decided.
New solar panels installed just in time to celebrate Earth Day 2023. It’s been 10 years since I got my first EV. And in 2015 we converted from oil heat to geothermal. Next on the enviro-wish list is battery storage.
This past weekend I volunteered as a mentor at Bit by Bit, a one day conference organized by students at the Dalton School in NYC, for high school girls interested in computer science or tech. I shared 5 reasons I think Software Development is an excellent career choice for women:
Practical. Pays well and you’ll always be employable. Girls are often encouraged to follow our dreams, do what makes us happy, and try to make the world a better place. We aren’t told to chase money. But there’s no empowerment without financial independence and I want to encourage more young girls to chase high paying and high status careers.
Satisfying & Creative. At the end of a day, week, month, you can look back and point to something you created. Creating or building something that didn’t exist before is incredibly satisfying. Deploying code is a pure dopamine hit.
Flexible. Work where and when you want. Until we figure out how to balance the responsibility of species continuation (aka pregnancy & childcare), take advantage of elasticity. Coding allows you to work part time, flex hours, work for yourself, WFH etc.
Constant Learning. Technology is constantly changing which means you’ll constantly be learning. There’s common career advice that you should be either earning or learning. In software development, you can do both.
Dress Code. I like sweatshirts.
I’ve done a lot to support women in tech over the years - as a mentor, sponsor, and volunteer - but last year I took my advocacy a step further and invested in a women led venture capital fund that invests in women led businesses. It’s been a great learning opportunity and last week I attended an event for LPs and founders. It was a great event, full of the optimism you only get in a room full of builders, but what was particularly special was to look around the room and see what a new generation of investors and founders look like. This is not what a typical VC party looks like:
Community members of Farcaster are putting together the first community unconference. FarCon will be held in Boston on June 10-11. Tickets are NFTs of course and are still available. More info: https://farcon.xyz/
My daughter passed her drivers test this week. Watching my daughter learn to drive for the past 6 months has reminded me of something very important. Words can only teach so much. To master a new skill, you have to practice, practice, practice and make lots of mistakes. I realized I had to let her drive badly before she could learn to drive well. It’s a good reminder that if you want people to grow, you have to let them struggle.
A note to my subscribers:
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Until next time, keep putting good into the world. —adrienne🌏❤️