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October 19, 2022 - 3 minutes

Ironhack Launches a New UX/UI Short Course!

Get to grips with UX/UI Design and build your confidence with User Experience

Ironhack - Changing The Future of Tech Education

Ready to see where a career in UX/UI design can take you? The tech world is always on the move and if you have the right skills, the possibilities are endless. These days it’s not about who you know, but what you know. So how do you get started on the path to becoming a UX/UI designer? That’s where Ironhack’s new UX/UI Short course comes in. It gives students an inside view into what it takes to work in the tech world, consider it a sneak peek, and it’s absolutely free. 

What’s In The Course?

The UX/UI Short course features a text-based scenario game that puts you in the shoes of a Junior UX/UI Designer working for a startup. Every step of the way you’ll learn the basics of UX/UI Design while developing the skills needed to work as a UX/UI Designer. The video instructions and core concepts you encounter throughout the game will guide you through the process of app creation step by step while emphasizing how each element of UX/UI Design is essential to the app development process.

At the end of the course, you will know and understand core concepts such as Design Thinking, User research (with an emphasis on Survey and user interviews), identifying Problem Statements, Wireframes, Prototypes, and Usability Testing. The course will also leave you with a much better understanding of Ironhack, as well as the ability to define and list the stages of design thinking that create UX/UI context, know the keywords relative to each stage of the design process, and have the confidence to tackle a full Ironhack course on UX/UI design head-on.

Who Should Take It?

This course has something for everyone. Seriously, anyone can take it -  basic beginners searching for a quick intro to UX/UI design, graphic designers or visual artists looking to dip their toes in the tech pool, or anyone who feels like shaking things up career-wise. If you’re thinking of a career change and are new to the tech world, this course is just what you need to get started. Ironhack will teach you the basics, give you insight into the field of UX/UI Design, and give you the tools to build an app from the ground up. 

Ready to dive in? Check out Ironhack's new UX/UI Design course here!

At Ironhack, we specialize in working with students from diverse backgrounds, so previous knowledge of UX/UI design is always great but it’s not necessary to take this course. Neither is a university degree or any other specific education. If you have an eye for design, a passion for creativity, a knack for problem-solving, and a burning curiosity about the tech field this course is right up your alley. UX/UI is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the world of technology. If you’re ready for a change, now is the time to learn the skills that will help you climb the ladder toward a new career. With Ironhack in your corner, you have nothing to lose and the world to gain. 

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Both men and women are heavily influenced in their career choices by what they’re taught society expects . 97.78% of nurses and nursing assistants, 95.65% of legal secretaries, 89.09% of dancers and choreographers, and 88.45% of receptionists are women. On the other hand, 99.19% of vehicle technicians, 98.97% of carpenters and joiners, 96.4% of electrical and electronic technicians, and 95.38% of telecoms engineers are men. But these huge discrepancies in certain jobs aren’t the only thing to keep in mind. Globally, there’s a gender pay gap of 20% , meaning that women make, on average, 20% less than what men make. This is of course exacerbated by the actual roles that men and women hold: if high-level and higher-paying jobs are dominated by men, it’s natural that they’ll make more money. Unfortunately, however, that’s not the only reason: Like we mentioned above, women tend to work in sectors that pay less than male-dominated industries. Leadership roles tend to be held by men. 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The Gender Gap in Tech Gender-based digital exclusion has serious effects on society and the tech industry itself. “Hurdles to access, affordability, (lack of) education and skills and technological literacy, and inherent gender biases and socio- cultural norms, are at the root of gender-based digital exclusion. Enhanced, safer and more affordable access to digital tools is critical, as are policy interventions addressing long-term structural biases.” The first matter regarding gender equality is its ethical and just implications. A more equal world, however, could bring about benefits in lots of areas, especially global economics; research shows that a smaller gender gap improves global GDP, increases productivity, and promotes innovation . Need more convincing? Empowered women have been shown to: Increase consumer spending Improve decision-making processes Encourage more inclusive societies Increase sustainability efforts The IMF reports: “We know that in countries with greater gender inequality just closing the gap in women’s labor force participation could increase economic output by an average of 35 percent [...] In Norway, the expansion of universal child care increased the likelihood of mothers’ employment by 32 percentage points.” The World Bank’s Gender Employment Gap Index (GEGI) reports that if the gender gap were closed and men and women had equal access to paid employment, GDP per capita could increase by almost 20% . But in tech specifically, the gender gap is quite wide in four areas: internet use and access, digital skills and tools, STEM participation, and tech sector leadership and entrepreneurship. The gender gap and internet usage Internet usage is key to providing women with more opportunities, in tech and other areas. Europe and the American continents have the highest rates of internet usage and have reached gender parity or are very close to it; however, almost half the world’s population doesn’t have internet access. The majority of this group is made up of women in underdeveloped nations. Universal internet access is one of the UN’s SDGs and is absolutely essential to closing the gap. Worldwide access could provide women with educational options, widened healthcare, and more opportunities. The gender gap and digital skills Digital skills aren’t required for just tech jobs; everyone needs digital skills to fully participate in society and access financial services, educational opportunities, healthcare services, and more. But the gender gap could be shrunk even further if women had the same advanced digital skills to meet the gaps in the tech market. As the Digital SME Alliance reports: “Gender inequalities are most pronounced in disruptive tech skills, which are strongly requested in emerging sectors like AI, robotics and cloud computing. According to the World Economic Forum, women make up only 26% of AI jobs globally. The situation is even more dire in cloud and data, where the numbers are 15% and 12% respectively.” The digital economy is advancing rapidly and tech professionals are needed in practically every industry. Ensuring digital skill access will help achieve gender parity and improve the global economy. The gender gap and STEM participation Globally speaking, women have almost reached parity in their studies: undergraduate education (45%-55%), graduate education (53%), and PhD studies (43%). However, they only make up 35% of STEM students . This is problematic for two main reasons: one, STEM fields are rapidly gaining importance and if women aren’t studying them, they won’t be able to access jobs in those industries. Second, STEM jobs are some of the best-paid positions worldwide and if women don’t have access to those because they lack the necessary education or skills, the gender pay gap will only increase. We can equate the lack of women in STEM to these three causes: a lack of self-confidence, stereotypes of tech workers, and a male-dominated culture . These 2020 statistics help highlight the severity of this gap: Women made up just 16% of bachelor degree recipients in computer and information services, 21% in engineering, 27% in economics, and 38% in physical sciences. Women hold less than 20% of tech leadership roles. Only 19% of senior vice presidents and 15% of CEOs are women. 39% of women in tech see gender bias as a hindrance to getting a promotion. 34% of Apple’s employees are female but only 24% of their technical roles are held by women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were nearly twice as likely to either leave their jobs, be furloughed, or be fired. The gender gap and tech leadership and entrepreneurship As we already discussed obstacles that women entering the tech field face, this section will center on the problems that those already in the industry see, especially when up for promotion. Frequently, women face problems that men don’t even consider, such as taking on caregiving responsibilities, lacking role models and other women in similar roles, and greater pressure to prove their skills. Even though women make up 40% of global early-stage entrepreneurs , men still tend to start more businesses than women. Surveying entrepreneurs helped us learn that women are more likely to start a business due to making a difference or job scarcity while men do it to build wealth or continue a family tradition. In tech startups, only 2.7% women are involved, compared to 4.7% of men. The Gender Gap by Country Global statistics can help us get an idea of the overall gender gap in tech, but it’s essential to look at country-by-country data to get a more accurate picture of each market, its areas of improvement, and specific things to do to reach gender parity. The United Kingdom Five million people work in the tech industry in the UK but only 17% of those roles are held by women. When looking at the UK’s entire workforce, however, women make up 49% of all workers. This difference between the number of employed women and women employed in tech is precisely what we call the gender gap . This issue starts before women even enter the workforce - just 35% of higher education STEM students in the UK are women. Looking at this issue, we can separate three causes: Girls are less likely to choose to study STEM . This comes down to a few reasons: in such a man-heavy industry, girls don’t see role models or a place for themselves. Teachers are also ill-prepared to show girls the possibilities of tech roles and therefore aren’t even encouraged to promote girls in STEM. 33% of men had a technology career suggested to them and just 16% of women can say the same. Girls aren’t considering a tech career. Girls are more likely than boys to consider their future career when choosing their A-levels and when they don’t see a tech career as a possibility, they don’t take STEM courses. There’s a lack of female role models . Representation is absolutely essential; girls who don’t see female leaders in tech and instead see a vast majority of men won’t feel like a tech career is for them. And these numbers directly correlate to salaries. According to the UK Tech Workplace Equality Report , the average salary for male tech workers is £ 66,000 and £ 63,000 for women. To combat this gap and encourage more women to join the tech industry, some British companies have hired empowerment mentors to help women gain confidence when applying for jobs, ask for the right salary, speak up about harassment or other issues, and start new jobs. However, this isn’t a personal decision that women are making; it’s a systemic societal issue and for this to be fixed, a proactive approach by society as a whole is required. The United States The US tech market employs just 26% women , despite a nearly equal divide in the total workforce (49%). And despite the fact that 45% of STEM majors were women in 2020, only 22% and 20% graduated with a degree in engineering and computer science, respectively. Two years of collected data can help us determine where this problem originates: There are few female role models . Since the tech industry is largely run and made up of men, girls don’t see themselves as future tech workers. Stereotypes are prevalent in tech . Lots of girls are steered away from tech due to stereotypes and ideas that tech is a career for men and they should choose “feminine” paths. 44% of women surveyed between 18 and 28 years old were never given information or resources about getting into tech; just 33% of men said the same. The STEM industry is hostile for women . Women in STEM report feeling isolated, being the target of microaggressions, and having lower confidence in the workplace. In addition to not having their opinions heard at work, these are all reasons why women don’t choose tech or decide to leave the industry. Another problem occurs when women actually reach the workforce. 38% of women with computer science degrees are working in the industry, compared to 53% of men; engineering has similar data. Women also feel that the glass ceiling, a metaphorical barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing like men, is stopping them from holding leadership roles. 48% of women account for entry-level hires but just 40% of first-level managers; this gap continues to grow as the leadership role gains more importance. However, the data is promising. The National Science Foundation reports that more women than ever before are earning STEM degrees . As Gen Z enters college and then the workforce, we can expect to see more and more women joining the tech industry, thanks to their status as the first digital native generation. Spain In Spain, only 20.6% of tech workers are women. And in the tech sector, the number of professionals needed doubles every year, leaving a wide gap for women to get into tech. But in Spain, women earn 9.4% less than men ; it may not seem like that much, but that means that they work for free 34 days annually. As we’ve mentioned, the lack of women in tech stems from problems that occur long before women enter the workforce . Only 35% of higher education STEM students are women and just 3% study Information and Communication Technology and related subjects. Women made up 55.3% of all students from 2020-2021 but just 29% of them were in engineering programs and 13.4% in computer science programs. Interestingly enough, however, science is a female-dominated field in Spain . 75% of biomedicine students, 68.7% of medicine, 65.8% of biochemistry, and 61.7% of biotechnology students are women. In tech careers specifically, however, 87% of men are in telecommunications, 74% in industrial, and 73% in physics. This large distinction is due to differences in socialization for boys and girls; strong gender stereotypes dominate young Spanish children’s lives and boys are expected to invent and calculate while girls take on a more caring role. Women make up just 20% of the Spanish startup ecosystem and that number hasn’t changed over the past eight years. 51% of women are serial entrepreneurs; 62% are men. 42% of women have failed in a previous entrepreneurial venture and only 24% record having successfully sold a startup, compared to 33% of men. Spain, however, has the most female FinTech startup executives in Europe (25%). Spain is taking real steps to close the gender gap; in 2012, there was an 18.7% wage gap, nearly 10% higher than what it is today. And the Spanish government is also working to guarantee equal pay through its Real Decreto 902/2020 , which educates workers about the pay gap and wage discrimination, opening every company up to transparency. Germany 17% of German tech jobs are held by women, even though women and men are nearly equal in the general workforce. And despite making up more than half of the university population (52%), women only make up 35% of STEM students. Negative stereotypes contribute to German women’s reluctance to enter the tech industry, in addition to lower levels of digitalization for women which has the following effects: Limited information access Complicated job opportunities Reduced industry efficiency Increased gap between different socioeconomic groups Increased risk for cybercrimes A survey by Microsoft tells us that girls are interested in STEM at age 11 but have a change of heart by age 15; the main reason for this switch is a lack of role models. In addition, the gender wage gap in Germany is one of the worst in Europe; male tech workers earn approximately €15,000 more per year than female coworkers in the same role. In the engineering sector, for example, experts believe that women are socially conditioned to choose lower-paying industries and are more willing to accept part-time jobs . Women are also leaving the tech industry earlier than men; by the age of 45, only 9% of women are still in their tech field. In the startup ecosystem, German women struggle with receiving funding and receiving support to help them manage their work-life balance. In fact, 63% of startups are entirely founded by men and just 6% of female founders are active business angels. What Germany now requires is an equality-centered approach that focuses on eliminating both structural and cultural barriers for women. Portugal A key detail in Portuguese workforce data is that the pay gap between men and women in tech and men and women in all industries is quite similar, meaning choosing a tech career is not as financially risky of a decision as in other countries. Although the wage gap isn’t as severe as it is in other countries, male tech employees average 16% higher salaries than women in the same roles. This deters women from joining the industry: just 18% of tech professionals are women; many cite limited growth opportunities and low salaries as reasons for either avoiding the industry or leaving it. Many of its neighboring countries severely lack female representation in STEM courses in higher education, but Portugal actually has a female-majority of STEM-enrolled students , at 57%. However, this percentage lowers as the courses become more advanced and students report not feeling included or integrated into the courses. Similarly, students reported working in departments with one to two women for every ten men and 10% work in a department with zero women. Groups like Portuguese Women in Tech and the PWIT Salary Transparency Project are working to both close these gaps and educate the general population about these issues; these problems stem from an overall lack of diversity in the workplace and as tech continues to propel Portugal’s economy forward, women will play a key role. The Netherlands Long viewed as a male-dominated field, the tech industry in the Netherlands is beginning to open up to women. In the digital industry, women represent 38% of the total workforce ; this number falls to just 18% in the IT sector. And just 36% of women hold leadership roles (25% of those are CEOs). For entrepreneurs, this number has risen from 2% to 8% since 2005. Secrecy clouding diversity, inclusion, and salaries doesn’t help the Dutch tech sector attract women, either. 88% of companies don’t report salaries and 99% don’t have a public strategy on how to close the gender wage gap in the Netherlands. Not being forthcoming about pay, equality practices, and company diversity can promote stereotypes, myths, and inaccurate information and further deter women from entering the tech industry. The Netherlands suffer from specific societal views and norms about gender, education, and career choices that severely limit womens’ options. Curiously enough, women-dominated industries like healthcare (70%) and education (48%) boast mainly women working part-time and more than half of those working part time do so because of childcare obligations, housework, and informal care ; only 27% men say the same. These societal views also impact the educational choices young Dutch students make; the Netherlands has one of the lowest numbers of women in STEM in Europe and the lack of female role models makes joining the tech sector largely unappealing to women, in addition to long-held stereotypes or sexist beliefs. Although it may seem like these problems are insurmountable, the key to success in the Dutch tech industry lies with women. If women joined the workforce at the same rate as men, the national GDP could grow by €100 billion . To achieve this, PwC suggests establishing networking options for women in the industry, reskilling female talent, sharing success stories for female role models, promoting inclusive environments, and focusing on hiring and training women for tech roles. Brazil Although Brazil can say that 39% of roles within the tech industry are held by women, there’s an important distinction to be made: only 20% hold tech-related positions and the majority work in support or administrative roles. Until 1964 , Brazilian women didn’t have access to their finances and couldn’t even have an ID until 1963, therefore limiting their access to bank accounts; financial independence is still something to which Brazilian women are getting accustomed. Due to strong social stereotypes, the Brazilian tech industry lacks both gender and racial diversity; Black women are extremely underrepresented. But studies show that more diverse and inclusive offices are overall more productive and positive, where employees feel valued and empowered. Just like lots of Latin American countries, Brazil’s stereotypes are strong and hard to change: women are expected to become nurses and men engineers. In 2019, just 26% of graduates in STEM fields were women. Here are some changes companies could undertake to promote diversity and inclusion: Ensuring job descriptions use inclusive language Conducting anonymous interviews to remove any conscious or unconscious bias Providing training to help employees identify and report incidences Promoting work/life balance, which helps women feel that they are not missing out on home responsibilities if they choose to work The truth is that these techniques won’t just help women; they’ll improve the overall workplace experience and job satisfaction for all. And when it comes to female leadership, there are 20 times more male-founded companies than those founded by women and women-founded ones grow much slower and are limited in what they achieve. An imbalance of women in leadership positions can make it harder for younger girls to see themselves in tech and choose to study STEM-related fields. But women need more than just a nudge to get into tech; Brazilian girls need to receive the proper training and empowerment to see that they belong in tech and see that both success and leadership options are a true possibility for them. France Despite the never before seen growth of the French tech scene and wide talent shortage, female workers make up just 20% of total industry workers . This is an improvement from 2020 where the percentage sat at just 17% , but there’s still a long way to go. Just 12% of French startup founders are women and just 11% hold a c-suite role; the money they receive to fund their startups is also less than male-founded startups, which doesn’t encourage women to jump into tech entrepreneurship. In addition, 46% of women in tech report experiencing sexist behavior , such as gender-based mockery and the lack of women in tech generally creates less innovation and a less inclusive culture. Others fear imposter syndrome, the feeling of not belonging, or facing unfair stereotypes. However, organizations such as La French Tech are working to combat this with their 2022 Parity Pact which aims to ensure the following in their member companies: Reaching a minimum threshold of 20% of women on the company’s board by 2025 and 40% by 2028. Training 100% of managers on diversity and inclusion and how to fight discrimination and harassment. Guaranteeing that 100% of published job descriptions are aimed for men and women. And starting in 2023, companies applying to join the French Tech Next 40/120, large companies with the potential to enter the CAC 40 stock index, must commit to working to improve gender inequality and receive gender equality monitoring. Mexico In Mexico, the gender gap in tech stems from a much more systemic problem: digital skill and internet access to the general population and, of course, women. When compared to other countries on gender gaps in tech, Mexico scored well below the global average. This is because state-by-state, digital access varies significantly with rural areas experiencing extremely low levels of access. Men generally have more digital skills than women and this goes from basic to advanced, sending an email to coding. And for women over 36, the gap expands even further ; however, girls and women between 16 and 25 are the most digitally literate, creating the perfect opportunity to welcome more women into tech . Only 12% of university tech graduates are women and only 10% of women who graduate with a degree in a STEM-related field actually work in it. In Mexico, 44% of women are in the workforce , compared to 77% of men; regarding management roles, only 9% of digital and tech companies have women in leadership roles and 23% have a female co-founder. And the outlook isn’t that much more positive on the salary front: male software developers can make 26% more than women with the same skills and experience. We can attribute this lack of women in the workforce to a few factors: Financial independence : few women boast financial independence in Mexico and taking an extra course or starting a new job would mean shirking on their childcare or family care responsibilities. COVID : Mexico lost 1.1 million employers due to COVID and women bore the brunt of lots of layoffs, in addition to taking on additional family care responsibilities. Non-paid domestic work : studies show that Mexican women across all socio-economic statuses dedicate more than 30 hours weekly to non-remunerated domestic work and care. Despite the troubles facing Mexican women in tech, many organizations are taking the next step to reach gender parity. The Women in Digital Award was first awarded on March 8, 2022 to president Salma Jalife Villalón of Centro México Digital, which publishes annual reports about the digital and tech industry. The Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana provides scholarships to women to encourage remote work and developing digital skills; NIÑASTEM PUEDEN works to promote tech among young girls and Codigo X works with all levels of education to encourage women and girls to participate in tech. Women in Tech are the Future It can be daunting to take that first step into tech, especially as a woman. But don’t stress; it’s a great choice that will benefit both you and future generations of women in tech. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at some of the things you can do to get into tech: Create a strong network : use LinkedIn, your university connections, or people you already know in tech to help you gain confidence, get advice, and receive support from women already in tech. Be persistent and resilient : there will be challenges along the way and you might feel discouraged at times but remember to ask for help, keep learning, and continue pursuing your goals. Remember that you belong in technology: women are meant to be in tech and every field. Even if you can’t see as many, they’re there and eager for you to join. Advocate for yourself: know your worth and ask for promotions, raises, new opportunities, and any other thing you want on the job. You belong in tech and can achieve anything. And as you can see, the problems that women in tech face differ from country to country but there are overall themes that are constant across the globe. We spoke to some international experts about seven of the biggest challenges worldwide and what society can focus on to address them. Eliminating gender biases from childhood The gender gap begins in childhood and in very innocuous ways: giving girls dolls to play with and boys cars and legos encourages different behaviors and therefore conditions the way in which girls and boys choose their future career paths. When children see a majority of nursing or caregiver roles held by women and STEM and critical thinking roles held by men, they’ll assume that’s their path as well. Men are frequently given the most risky roles as well in group activities, giving women “safer” tasks such as organization, design, or details. Many countries have already placed a focus on this, but ensuring that children are raised in a more gender-neutral environment without societal-based gender expectations can help expand children’s minds and prepare them to take on whatever role they desire. Build womens’ self-confidence Here’s a quick stat: women tend to apply to jobs only where they are sure they meet at least 90% of the requirements; men apply even if they don’t meet them. This could stem back to societal expectations; men are encouraged to take risks and not be afraid of failure, women are more cautious. In addition, women can be faced with different kinds of scrutiny at work and asked about their family plans, marital status, or other questions that are reserved for just women. An increased focus on impartiality in the interview process and inclusive language could help women feel more comfortable when approaching new situations. And companies that offer maternity and paternity leave, supporting both parents equally, can help fight stereotypes. Create more female tech role models Women lack role models and examples of successful tech women; when women see the biggest tech companies with a male-dominated staff, it can be tough to feel encouraged. However, women’s associations and communities can help women connect with other female tech employees and access resources, tools, and mentoring programs. Companies can also work to give women more opportunities, offer scholarships, and provide mentorship connections to women. Create healthy work/life balances Women are disproportionately affected by domestic and family-related responsibilities and this can cause them to work part-time or leave the workforce entirely. Providing women with hybrid or remote options, in addition to childcare and flexible parental leave, could make tech roles an option for many more women. The gender gap in tech can be intimidating but here’s the key: it’s improving worldwide and more and more countries are taking action to ensure that all women have access to tech education and the same career opportunities as men. Women in tech are the future and here’s a fact: achieving gender parity in tech and all areas will improve overall life for everyone in every sector. At Ironhack, we're dedicated to helping more and more women enter the tech sector. Interested in being part of the change? You're in the right place.

  • 5 minutes

    A Team Full of Ironhackers: Mediaquery

    Ellen Merryweather - 2023-08-04

    Global

    When our Ironhackers land tech jobs, they end up in all industries in all sorts of different companies. Occasionally they end up on the same team, which is always great to see. But Mediaquery, a full service tech agency from Miami, went one step further by practically filling their development team with Ironhackers! What is Mediaquery? Hailing from Miami, Mediaquery support and drive their clients forward by offering a host of services, including software development, website design, data visualization, cloud based strategy, branding, and much more. Basically, anything a thriving company needs. Mediaquery is the brainchild of founders Olivier Carissimo, a tech expert, and Florent Garcia, a designer with an eye for aesthetic perfection. Combining these two disciplines created an agency where developers and creatives work hand in hand in a collaborative environment where everyone wins. Why does Mediaquery Love Ironhack? With their design and engineering teams bolstered by Ironhackers, it’s safe to say that Mediaquery trust Ironhackers to get the job done. We got to chat with Olivier and Florent to find out why… What first attracted you to Ironhack as your solution for fresh talent? Olivier: We hired our first Ironhacker through Indeed, and he told us about Ironhack and invited us to participate in an Ironhack Career Fair to hire our next employee. We realized the hiring process was greatly accelerated via this “speed dating” style. Florent : [The Career Fair] allowed us to quickly compare talents with the same base skills. The rapid-fire interview format helped us identify standout individuals who would be the best fit for Mediaquery. This was our initial point of entry with Ironhack. Additionally, we value that Ironhack’s training programs stay current with the latest tech stacks, aligning well with our company. How do you like having so many Ironhackers on your team? What impact has it had? Olivier: Ironhackers are already curated, trained tech people. At entry level, they are ready to go to the next level and turn into real tech professionals within less than a year. Mediaquery helps them have their first real tech experience. Florent : Hiring individuals from the same cohort has been beneficial because they already have a working dynamic. They were drawn to work together on projects, so we gain a head start in building a team. They are familiar with each other’s strengths and are supportive, as they were during the program. It’s advantageous to have people who complement each other and can rely on each other when facing challenges. Although they have more to learn upon joining, their shared experiences and teamwork make the integration process smoother. How do your Ironhacker teammates find their first few days/weeks on the job? Olivier: They find a high level of camaraderie as they start working with their peers, and see it as a continuation of the Ironhack training program, the difference being that they’re working on real life problem solving and contributing to real business problems. Ironhackers find a nice, comfortable, focused engineering environment where they can progress and fulfill their passion of building tech. Florent : They quickly realize the difference between class projects and real-life projects. They transition from working on abstract projects with limited impact to contributing to software and platforms used by real users. The level of responsibility they experience from the beginning is evident. On a personal level, the shared experience of going through Ironhack, whether in the same class or not, facilitates the integration of newcomers into the team. Existing employees (previous Ironhackers) understand what they’re going through and provide natural onboarding support. This makes it easier for new team members to adapt and thrive at Mediaquery. Why do Ironhackers Love Mediaquery? We’re always happy when our hiring partners are happy! But we also wanted to know how our graduates were getting on… We spoke to Paulina Sanchez ( UX/UI Design Bootcamp , Miami Campus) and Eduardo Beyra ( Web Development Bootcamp , Ironhack Remote). Did your Ironhack bootcamp set you up for success on the job? Paulina : My bootcamp did set me up for success in my job. During my days at Ironhack I learned a lot of design skills, rules, and helpful tips and techniques that make designing easier. There’s still a lot to learn as I continue my career journey but I’d say Ironhack is a great starting point for the basics needed to begin a successful career. Eduardo : Yes. I walked away with knowledge on the basics of web development, and the understanding that a big component of future success is to be open to continuous learning along the way. This prepared me in more ways than one to meet challenges on the job which were outside the scope of the curriculum. Would you recommend Ironhack to anyone else trying to break into tech? Paulina : I would recommend Ironhack for anyone breaking into tech. Even now I encourage others and even some of my friends to pursue Ironhack for their tech interests. I think Ironhack opens up a lot of doors for opportunity as you gain the knowledge for your field as well as a community of friends and mentors who can meet with you and help set you on the right track towards growth. The community is so helpful, you can reach out to anyone with a question and they’re so eager to help you because they’ve been in your shoes before. Eduardo : Absolutely. As a career-changer from an industry outside of tech, Ironhack was a great way to hit the ground running. How have you enjoyed your time working with Mediaquery? Paulina : I’ve enjoyed every second I’ve worked at Mediaquery since the day I started six months ago. Everyone here is so kind and helpful and everyone in their own way has contributed to my growth and guided me to be a better designer each day. There’s still so much for me to learn but I know that at Mediaquery I have access to a community of people who not only appreciate the work I do but challenge me and push me as well. Because of that, I’m excited to continue my journey into the UX/UI field and I’m excited to see how much I’ll have changed throughout the years as I continue my journey here. Eduardo : Mediaquery is an incredible place to work. The only limit to what you can achieve is yourself. I've had the opportunity to work on amazing projects with real world impact, on a collaborative team that looks out for each other. I couldn't have hoped for better. Looking to Hire or Get Hired? This is an awesome win-win story. A company in need of tech talent that drives their mission forwards filled their team with passionate individuals. And a new generation of career changers found a tech company that trusts their ability to rock the job. Everybody is happy! But this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a conscious effort on our part to design a curriculum and foster an environment that sets Ironhackers up for success. We focus on listening to the needs of the market and designing our curriculum around the skills that companies are looking for. We instill a sense of confidence in our students by showing them how much they already know, and by giving them the opportunity to meet companies that love hiring career changers. So, if you’re looking to hire tech talent , or you’re a career changer ready to break into tech , Ironhack has got your back!

  • 10 minutes

    10 Best Programming Languages to Learn

    Ironhack - 2023-05-27

    Web Development

    Let’s be real: there are tons of programming languages out there and choosing just one to learn (at first, at least!) can be quite the challenge. And while there aren’t any wrong choices when it comes to learning, we think that you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck if you choose one of these ten programming languages . But before we dive into each of them and what they offer, let’s first go over the basics of programming languages. What is a Programming Language? Simply put, a programming language is a vocabulary and set of grammatical rules that instruct a computer to perform specific tasks. Commonly used languages are Python, JavaScript, Java, C, C++, C#, Go, and Scala, but there are tons out there and finding the right one for your career goals might require a bit of research. Within the myriad of options, you’ll find five main categories of programming languages: procedural, functional, object-oriented, scripting, and logic: Procedural programming languages: these follow a series of commands or statements to reach a desired output and include C and C++, Java, Pascal, and BASIC. Functional programming languages : instead of working with a series of statements, functional programming languages use mathematical functions to achieve the desired result and include Scala, F#, and Haskell. Object-oriented programming languages : these programming languages work with attributes and methods to create groups of objects that can be reused, making it valuable for complex programs and include Java, Python, Ruby, and PHP. Scripting programming languages : used to automate repetitive tasks, scripting programming languages include PHP, Ruby, Node.js, and Python. Logic programming languages : these languages create a series of facts and rules that teach the computer how to make decisions and includes Prolog and Alma-0. Front-end vs. Back-end Programming Languages You might have already picked out your dream programming language to learn, but not so fast: do you know what your dream role is? Do you prefer to work on the front or back end? Or combine both and become a full-stack developer? Before you decide which programming language you want to learn, make sure it lines up with your focus: Front-end programming languages : these tend to focus on the user aspect of the software, meaning everything with which the user interacts: colors, images, text, and more. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React Back-end programming languages : back-end developers will work with the behind-the-scenes aspects of software, such as the data architecture, scripting, and database communication. JavaScript, PHP, Java, Python, Ruby, C# If both sound like great options, your future may lie with full-stack web development. But there are a lot of other things to keep in mind, such as the differences between high-level and low-level programming languages and interpreted and compiled programming languages. We could go on and on about these, but let’s get back to the topic at hand: the ten best programming languages to learn. The 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn Now that you have a better idea of your focus, let’s dive into why we’re here: figuring out the programming language that will fit in perfectly with your career goals . And while we could write a separate blog post on each and every one of these ten programming languages (and more!), we’re going to cover the following points: what it is, their characteristics, and what role uses it the most. JavaScript You’ve definitely heard of JavaScript and that’s because it’s one of the world’s most popular programming languages. Here’s what you need to know: What is JavaScript? Used for creating interactive web pages, JavaScript can be used on both the front and back ends and is designed to create network-centric applications. In addition to being one of the world’s most widely-adopted browser languages, JavaScript is fully integrated with HTML/CSS and can run on all major browsers. What are the characteristics of JavaScript? JavaScript is an interpreted, high-level programming language that boasts less server interaction, immediate visitor feedback, increased interactivity, and richer interfaces. On the other hand, JavaScript is limited because client-side JavaScript doesn’t permit reading or writing files, cannot be used for networking applications, and doesn’t have multithreading or multiprocessing capabilities. Who is JavaScript for? As the programming language of choice by 97% of websites , JavaScript is used by both front and back-end developers alike. Java Don’t be confused by the name: Java is a completely separate programming language from JavaScript. What is Java? Java is one of the most common programming languages for coding web applications; it’s multi-platform, object-oriented, and network-centric and is used for coding all sorts of projects, from apps and websites to big data applications and server-side technologies. What are the characteristics of Java? Known for being simple, platform independent, secure, and well-performing, Java is easy-to-use and benefits from creating flexible and reusable code. However, it runs slower than similar programming languages like C or C++ and isn’t UI-optimized; it also lacks a backup facility and requires lots of memory space. Who is Java for? Java is used by back-end developers, dealing with the functional and logical aspects of web development. Python Let’s take a look at another very common programming language: Python . What is Python? Used in web development, data science, data visualization, and automation environments, Python is a generally-used, object-oriented programming language. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used for many purposes and here’s the key: it’s not just proficient in each area, it provides expert-level performance for a wide range of tasks. What are the characteristics of Python? As an interpreted language, Python doesn’t need compilation and is object-oriented, easy to learn, high-level, open source, and portable. Its gentle learning curve makes it easy for those coming from other programming languages to learn and boasts lots of available third-party libraries and an extensive user community. However, Python isn’t as fast as other programming languages, is memory intensive, isn’t optimized for database access, and is prone to overuse or misuse. Who is Python for? Although both front and back end web developers can use Python, it’s more frequently used by back-end web developers. Ruby Maybe you’ve checked out our blog post on Ruby ; maybe not. But just in case, here’s what you need to know. What is Ruby? This open-source programming language increases productivity while boasting simplicity. Mainly used for web development, Ruby is also useful for automation, static site generation, DevOps, web scraping, and command-line tools. What are the characteristics of Ruby? Ruby is an open-source, freely available license, used for general purposes. This interpreted programming language is object-oriented and is a server-side scripting language. It offers plenty of unique features for web developers, giving them creative freedom. Its lack of flexibility, on the other hand, means it's primarily limited to web development and is difficult to debug. Who is Ruby for? Ruby is mainly used by back-end developers. Go The Google-born programming language, Go , offers users an efficient programming experience. What is Go? Although it may not be as common as the aforementioned programming languages, Go is gaining popularity quickly, known for its simplicity, concurrency, and high performance. It was created to fill in the gaps that software engineers were experiencing and improve productivity. Although it’s similar to C, it’s quite fast and is widely used at Google and in other companies. What are the characteristics of Go? This open-source, static typed programming language offers a powerful standard library and tool set, testing capabilities, garbage collection, and much more; it’s also easy to use, boasts cross-platform development opportunities, faster compilation and execution, and time-saving techniques. However, as it’s relatively new, it’s still being developed and is quite simple, unable to handle complex requests. Who is Go for? Back-end developers at Google are the main users of Go. Rust Popular with data scientists that need to run heavy data analysis, Rust is highly proficient at processing large amounts of data. What is Rust? Rust is ideal for machine learning, data analysis, and computational biology, among others, because it’s able to process large amounts of data incredibly fast. It runs on embedded devices, integrates easily with other languages, and can power performance-critical services. What are the characteristics of Rust? As an integrated package manager with great documentation and useful error messages coupled with top-notch tooling, Rust offers multi-editor support, is very fast, and memory-efficient. It’s also incredibly safe and used to guarantee high performance, safety, and memory management. On the contrary, its compile time is quite slow and only offers a single implementation and has a high learning curve. Who is Rust for? Back-end engineers and software developers will use Rust. C C is our first low-level language on our list and despite the fact that it can’t be used for internet programming, it’s used to create hardware devices, OS, drivers, kernels, and more. What is C? Although it was created in 1972, C is still widely used, largely because it works closely with the processor and most performance-critical applications are written in C; this means that newer programming languages follow C-style syntax and constructs. When performance and efficiency are critical, C is a great choice. What are the characteristics of C? Known for being simple and efficient, C is fast, extensible, offers function-rich libraries and dynamic memory management, and is a mid-level programming language. It’s compiler based and is low-cost and easy to bug. Keep in mind, however, it lacks a constructor and destructor and is frequently named the hardest programming language to learn. Who is C for? C is primarily for back-end engineers; it’s used for general programming needs and is never used for front-end reasons. Scala Used to build modular, scalable, and fast software, Scala is a popular choice with data engineers who need to easily and cleanly process large amounts of data. What is Scala? This object-oriented and functional language is a popular choice for web developers, used by professionals who need to quickly process large amounts of data or build mobile or web applications and big data systems. Websites that receive lots of traffic typically use Scala because it’s capable of managing all that information. What are the characteristics of Scala? Scala is a statically typed language, meaning it’s easy to find and rectify errors during compilation, saving time later on and increasing efficiency. It has built-in support for pattern matching, allowing developers to write elegant code. It does have some drawbacks though: it is quite hard to learn and offers limited tools and is not always compatible with other systems and libraries. Who is Scala for? Scala can be used for front-end, back-end, and full stack projects, but is generally adopted by back-end teams. Haskell The purely functional programming language Haskell is used specifically for back-end job scheduling and brand matching. What is Haskell? Haskell works quite simply: it gives the computer a series of tasks to execute. Marketed as being purely functional, Haskell is primarily used by back-end engineers looking to find solutions for what to solve instead of how to solve. What are the characteristics of Haskell? Haskell boasts functions with no general side effects and lazy evaluation, lambda expressions, pattern matching, list comprehension, and type polymorphism. It’s referred to as the most state of the art programming language and supports programming with abstract mathematical concepts. However, as it differs so greatly from other programming languages, it can be tough to learn. It can also run slow on applications that require more power. Who is Haskell for? Haskell is ideal for back-end developers seeking clean and reliable code. Lua Built on top of C and the programming language chosen to design the Venmo app, Lua is an open source programming language used for larger server systems to applications. What is Lua? Used for procedural programming, functional programming, and object oriented programming, Lua is frequently used for game programming or building apps. It’s similar to Python and is concise and easy to read and write, making it a popular choice for programmers. What are the characteristics of Lua? Lua’s unique because it’s designed to work as an extension language, embedded in other platforms or systems, and can work with practically any system to make easy changes. It’s small, flexible, and portable and a great choice for coding beginners. It only has a small user community, however, and all Lua codes aren’t readily available. Who is Lua for? Lua can be used for both the front and back-end, but is more frequently associated with the latter. Whew! That was quite the list–we hope we gave you a great summary of the most popular programming languages and helped you decide which one you’ll learn next. And if you’re looking for some added assistance, check out our Web Development Bootcamp. We’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for!

  • 5 minutes

    ChatGPT: What's with All the Noise? 

    Ironhack - 2023-02-02

    Careers

    Samantha . This is the name of the artificial intelligence that Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with in the movie “Her”. He does precisely that because of his own solitude, but also because the software has been configured to be frighteningly human. Doesn't that sound familiar? Just 10 years after the release of this very intriguing anticipation movie, Chat GPT showed up. OpenAI, a San Francisco-based AI company also responsible for tools like GPT-3 and DALL-E 2, the breakthrough image generator that we talked about in our AI creativity post , has created this clever artificial intelligence program. It has the answer to absolutely everything and it has been configured and trained to interact in the most human way possible . It works so well that you would think you had a friend or relative at the end of the keyboard, except it’s a robot that has a sense of humor. How was Chat GPT configured? What is it already able to do? How will it change the way we work? Here’s a portrait of an AI like no other. Birth of a Humanoid AI Leonardo da Vinci would have dreamed of it; San Francisco entrepreneurs have done it. They configured an artificial intelligence program capable of answering any question in a qualitative way in just a few seconds. ChatGPT, which stands for Generative Pretrained Transformer,” is the best AI chatbot ever released to the general public. Feel like reading a set of 50 Haikus about the Sequoia National Park? Let's go. Want the software to invent the rules of a new board game? No problem. Fix a complex code bug? Sure. Write your best man’s speech for your friend's wedding? Believe it or not, it can do that too. To successfully adapt to any situation, Chat GPT has scanned, absorbed, and analyzed hundreds of millions of texts. That is to say, it has processed almost every word published on the Internet from its creation to 2021. Did you think Wikipedia represented an infinite volume of data? It's only 0.6% of the database known by this AI. In just 5 days after its release, more than a million people tried to query Chat GPT. Today, this AI is imposing itself at a lightning speed at work. To name just a few examples, it can write marketing texts, create code, write a sales pitch, help you negotiate a salary increase or even coach you to settle a conflict with a colleague. For Alexis Grinbaum, Research Director, this software will find its place in the working world and change its uses. " Entire sectors of the workforce will evolve but not disappear”, he states. “There will always be lawyers and doctors and journalists, but the content of their jobs will change.” This means that Chat GPT is already shaking up the professional world. Surprising Uses of Chat GPT One Twitter user asked Chat GPT to " write a biblical verse in the style of the King James Bible explaining how to remove a peanut butter sandwich from a VCR” . But that's not all! It can also: Write jokes: Tell me the difference between a balloon and an elephant. “The difference between a balloon and an elephant is that you can inflate a balloon, but you can’t inflate an elephant just like that!" Write 4 lines of the Hotel California song in the style of Shakespeare: “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, Upon a balmy eve, in days of yore, The Eagles sang a tale, most tragic and mean, Of a hotel, called California, forever more." Solve the mystery: who came first? The chicken of the egg? “ The egg came first, it was just too chicken to admit it." Imagine and describe a world with Elon Musk as our leader. “If Elon Musk was the leader, the world would be a very interesting place! We'd all be living on Mars by now and probably have jetpacks for personal transportation. Traffic jams would be a thing of the past because we'd all be zooming around in our Teslas. And forget about power outages, we'd have solar panels on every roof! The only downside is that we'd all be working 120 hour weeks to pay for it all. But hey, at least we'd be saving the planet and colonizing Mars, so it's totally worth it, right?" Surprising? It can also: Find ideas for party themes or costumes Write an essay Ask for compliments Write a resignation letter Get relationship advice Get advice on how to pitch ecology to your climatosceptic uncle Jamie and so much more. How Far Will Chat GPT Go? A series of articles would not be enough to list all the implications that GPT Chat could have on our society. This tool is already being described by some as a more powerful technology than Google. But will it flop or rock: who knows? However, we’re sure that we will have to regulate the use of this very intelligent and fast learning AI quickly. In the United States, Chat GPT is already banned from schools and colleges, where professors have watched in amazement how the robot writes essays. This, in addition to the ethical problem that it poses if some students no longer do the work but are graded like the others, can have serious consequences on the intellectual capacities of those who instead of training to think, ask the AI to do it for them. What about the law, where AI could be used by lawyers in trials, even though we don't know where and how it gets its information and law professors have noted that it makes mistakes? Or art, which, if generated by robots, will probably lose its standardization value? Can GPT chat eventually replace content creators, translators or web developers? According to PwC , 73% of workers think technology can never replace a human mind; however, 37% are worried that automation might put their job at risk. In any case, we can think about what will happen if, just as today, Chat GPT’s server is down and inaccessible while this tool is being used by millions of people at work. It's all going to be fascinating: let's get some popcorn and while we're watching it happen, think about what you can do to transform tech with Ironhack.

  • 10 Best Tech Companies To Work For And Why

    Ironhack - 2022-02-04

    Careers

    Global

    [This article was updated for 2022.] It's a dream for many people to work in a renowned tech company. Thousands of tech enthusiasts seek to get their foot in these companies as they are known to offer excellent perks and professional growth opportunities. Equally, their reach attracts talent from different parts of the world. You don’t need a full Computer Science degree to get hired by these companies, though. Bootcamp alumni have a unique combination of skills and assets and the value they bring into the workplace increases exponentially for years– which is why companies are now turning their attention towards bootcamps. While tech companies have very different products and look for a variety of profiles, some paths in technology and computer science are growing in demand . Let’s look at some of the top tech companies that invest in talent in the competitive tech world. 1. HubSpot Renowned among digital marketing companies, HubSpot offers a wholesome platform of sales, marketing, customer service, and CRM software to cater to small and large businesses alike. HubSpot values its employees' input the same way they value their customers. Many employees express the company's willingness to assist and work with skilled people while also providing opportunities for career growth. If you can comfortably work under strict deadlines and high expectations, HubSpot is an excellent organization to help you achieve your career goals. Great for: startup-lovers with an interest or experience in digital marketing. 2. NVIDIA All employees who show dedication and hard work to advance their careers in tech will receive abundant rewards securing employment at NVIDIA. Influencing changes in the tech world and working on trailblazing technology are some of the reasons most people desire to work at NVIDIA. Plus, most employees enjoy the work environment and the organization’s strong emphasis on performing tasks as a team. At NVIDIA, you may need to put in some extra hours, especially when you join the company and seek to advance. There’s high competition, and it therefore helps when you show initiative and commitment in the respective roles. Great for: lovers of all things visual, especially in the gaming and CGI spaces . 3. Salesforce Companies like Salesforce provide businesses with marketing tools and customer management strategies. Employees appreciate its culture of excellent benefits, programs, and events that make their contributions valued. The only downside is that programs and events don't always make employees feel valued. Some employees complain of long work hours regardless of position within the company. Great for: data-nerds, who believe in empowering teams through data and smoother workflows . 4. DocuSign While there are emerging competitors in the market, DocuSign is a trusted company that allows you to sign documents electronically. DocuSign have a notable competitive edge since they manage to offer benefits to employees. More employees appreciate the positive morale and work/balance that’s the foundation of the company's culture. With a high Glassdoor rating, the company invests in all its employees to succeed long term. However, some employees state that DocuSign has a confusing onboarding process where management makes hasty changes. Great for: people who highly value a company that invests and believes in its employees. 5. Shopify Shopify is a dedicated company that helps businesses sell multiple products online. It has a good Glassdoor rating compared to other tech companies as a loyal employer. Overall, the company has a commendable employee culture, and they provide good benefits and promote employee events. Even so, some employees feel the company needs to value their input and involve them more in decision-making. Great for: those looking to break into the exciting world of eCommerce, it doesn’t get better than Shopify! 6. Google Google is the most sought-after firm by jobseekers. The search company continues to excel in providing better employee benefits. Working in a tech giant like Google gives you a chance to interact with the brightest talent pool in the world. And to stand apart from the competitors, Google offers attractive benefits to employees that most companies won't match owing to their vast budget. The only challenge of working at Google is having incredibly high expectations concerning loyalty and performance. Other challenges include the unfair competitive hierarchy that limits advancement potential. Great for: impact-chasers who want the work they do to improve the lives of millions (literally!) . 7. Facebook/Meta As the leading social media company, Facebook/Meta aims to create a healthy work environment by treating its employees as assets. Aside from having a superior facility design, the organization has attractive perks for its employees—from 401 contributions to pizza parties. That said, you might have to sacrifice your time as most company positions entail long working hours and a competitive atmosphere. Great for: problem-solvers and future-thinkers, who aren’t afraid to tackle world-changing topics like data use and the future of the Metaverse . 8. LinkedIn LinkedIn has become a valuable tool to connect colleagues professionally, providing businesses with a unique social media podium. The company is making great strides in keeping employees valued and appreciated with a commendable rating. LinkedIn is the best company in the tech world due to its leadership role. Plus, employees state that the company promotes a healthy work culture. Additionally, employees receive many attractive benefits and team-building events that foster teamwork. Great for: anyone passionate about building the future of work, in all of its new forms! 9. Adobe Adobe is famous for its collaborative design interface that allows for superb graphics. The company treats its staff well. The organization offers competitive benefits and focuses on cultivating a healthy work culture based on rewarding commitment and loyalty. However, some employees feel that the company has a lot of bureaucracy that hinders meaningful progress. Advancement openings seem to target the selected few, and employees can sometimes feel like they’re stuck in one position for an extended period. Great for: creatives and visionaries who get excited about what people can make when you hand them the right tools . 10. Microsoft Working for Microsoft is a great achievement as the tech firm is renowned worldwide. It creates most of the computer operating systems that exist today. Microsoft stays dedicated to manufacturing innovative products to solve the industry’s pain points. Employee retention is essential to maintain that edge, where the comprehensive benefits package fosters innovation. Employees also enjoy working in a competitive environment with the most skilled personnel globally. Great for: anyone with a deep love of tech, and the impact this tech giant has had on the industry– and anyone who is even more excited about the future it could build… How To Land Your First Tech Job Working for a prominent company is an achievable, yet challenging goal, if you’re trying to break into the tech industry. But you can land a job in tech even if you’re new to the field. Multiply your odds by getting an education that will help shape your profile into one that tech recruiters are looking for. Bootcamps are about so much more than just learning the core technical skills you need; they show that you’re a dedicated, self-motivated learner with a diverse professional background, which is precisely what tech industry hiring managers are looking for. Piqued your interest? Take a look at our Bootcamps and kickstart your career in tech!

  • 5 minutes

    11 Great Jobs in Tech for Creative People

    Juliette Erath - 2023-07-08

    Outcomes

    For those who enjoy innovation, a career in technology might be exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you want to develop products for companies or design new-age video consoles, there are many roles for creative people in technology–even ones that don’t involve math or extreme computer knowledge! In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best creative jobs for those who want to pursue a career in tech, but aren’t totally sold on the technical side. Creative Jobs in Tech Creative jobs are specific tech roles that require specialized skills and creativity, combined with technical know-how. Creative roles in areas such as graphic design and digital marketing support companies in creating essential solutions that allow their projects or business to succeed in the competitive marketplace, ensuring their products reach the eyes and ears of diverse audiences. Here are some of the creative jobs that you can find in the dynamic tech industry: Work as a graphic designer As a UX/UI designer, you can create computer programs that help develop and design the art and images many businesses use to promote their products and ideas. Graphic designers can partner with different organizations and companies, provided they have the right skill set that gives them an edge. Alternatively, they can offer their freelance services to clients. Work as a videogame designer Videogame designers utilize their skills to assist at different stages in video console and game development. This includes areas such as animation, graphic design, story creation, computer coding, and much more. They frequently work with other talented designers to create virtual games that cater to their target audience. Work as a social media manager By working as a social media manager, your primary role would be to promote the company's products and services via multiple social media platforms. Social media managers create targeted social media posts, update the company's pages, and create effective marketing campaigns intended to increase the company's revenue and interest. Work as a digital marketer As a professional digital marketer, your primary role is to develop effective marketing campaigns. These promotional efforts have the goal of enhancing consumer interest and brand awareness. Digital marketers make the most of the company's social media pages, creating promotions, blog posts, and digital content to market the brand more effectively. Work as a web developer Web developers use their programming skills and computer coding expertise to create websites for individuals and businesses. As you know, companies use websites to showcase their services and goods using online stores, blogs, and more. For this purpose, web developers create websites with an interactive user interface to allow easy navigation as potential customers browse their pages. Like graphic designers, this job requires some level of creativity to stand apart from the competition and to find innovative solutions to problems. Work as an animation expert Animation experts are creative professionals who use art to create vivid images. Based on their talent in art and design, digital animators will maximize the use of multiple computer softwares to design animations for businesses, including television, film, and even video consoles. They can also partner with private companies or offer freelance services to video producers. Animators require creativity and artistic vision to excel in their jobs. Work as a copywriter If you want to pursue a career in copywriting, it's essential to hone your writing and communication skills. Expert copywriters use their writing skills to create targeted promotional content for a variety of companies. Their primary responsibilities include creating blog posts, commercial dialogue, social media posts, newsletters, marketing emails and more. Likewise, copywriters can work for companies that offer marketing services, where they can offer their services freelance to individuals. Work as a digital producer A career as a digital producer is quite rewarding; it includes the creation of digital material for organizations and companies, including videos and advertisements. Digital producers come up with concepts, cost estimates, and campaign ideas—leading other creatives to deliver targeted content. Assuming you plan to pursue a career in digital production, you need to enhance your communications skills and know-how of related computer software. Work as a brand manager Another job you can consider in the tech field is working as a brand manager. Their primary role is to maintain the public image of different businesses and companies as they seek to promote their products and services. On a typical workday, brand managers monitor the market trends and analyze competitors' positions to create impactful campaigns. Work as a market analyst Marketing analysts support businesses to determine marketing decisions, including what to sell, which customers to target, and the different prices of products or services. In addition, they create multiple customer surveys and questionnaires; these initiatives help analyze the current market trends, which is essential when creating marketing campaigns or strategies. Work as a UX designer As a UX designer (user experience), you can use your UX/UI design skills to create user-friendly products for your target audience. For instance, if an organization wants to create a mobile app, a UX designer can help analyze the benefits of the specific product and how customers can access the solution with ease. Due to the dynamic setting in tech jobs, you can have a platform to express your skills in a competitive market, no matter what your skills are! For an individual who has a knack for innovative ideas, a career in any of the mentioned fields can broaden your technical know-how in the long run. Don't limit yourself! Attention to detail and a willingness to learn are coveted skills in the tech world. Don’t be afraid and start researching which role seems like the best fit for you and apply! And if you are looking to take on a more traditional role in tech, our bootcamps are the right place for you. Check them out below–we can’t wait to see your application!

  • 7 minutes

    Demystifying Web Development: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Modern Websites

    Ironhack - 2023-08-05

    Web Development

    The thought of creating a website from scratch can be quite daunting. After all, where do you begin? How do you ensure you cover every step? How can you guarantee optimal usability while protecting the overall security of the site? It seems like quite the challenge, right? While it is certainly a challenge, it’s completely doable. You’ve seen some pretty awesome websites out there, fueled by some really fascinating web development principles and tools. There’s no reason why you can’t be the next person to create such a site–in this article, we’ll break down each part of the web development process , highlighting some tips you can use to ensure you’re building the best website possible. What is Web Development? We have to start here: web development encompasses all the tasks and responsibilities associated with creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications . It’s quite broad; it could refer to building just a single page of a website or an entire social networking application. But no matter your project, there are certain steps you’ll take to ensure your site is modern, well developed, and easy to use. To properly demystify web development and everything that goes along with it, let’s begin with a quick summary of some of the most common words you’ll see when working in web development: Back-end web development : the back end is the more technical side with which users don’t interact, composed of the code that makes up the website’s infrastructure. Front-end web development : this is the side that users see, made up of the visual elements that are so important to the user experience such as images, text, and content. Fullstack web development : fullstack web development combines both the back and front ends, bringing the two roles together into one job. Content management system : CMSs are typically used to create simpler websites, as they provide the necessary framework for non-technical users to easily create and edit websites. Payment gateway : for websites or apps that need to be able to collect payment from users, developers need to provide safe and secure links to payment websites, ensuring that private user information is protected. Cloud service provider : today, the majority of websites are hosted on the cloud, which means that remote servers handle the large amounts of storage required to host a website, relieving companies from this responsibility. How Can I Build a Website From Scratch? Creating your own website from zero is a challenge, but one that’s definitely attainable. Let’s cover the basics and help you get a better picture of what the project will entail. Review and reflect on your (and your teams’) skills : this goes for any project! Before you get started, make sure your skills match those required of the task, guaranteeing you don’t reach a point in the timeline where you have to give up. When working on your website project, make sure your team does boast some coding experience and those with the right design skills to help the front end of the website take off. Finetune your project and define your goal : now that you know you have the right team for the job, outline your project, the different stages, what you’ll need and when, and what your ultimate goal is. With all this clearly defined, you’ll be able to prepare a realistic plan and deadlines. Choose your hosting provider : with your project laid out in front of you, you’ll know the amount of storage you’ll need, the estimated features of your website, and how much you want to pay for your hosting provider. Research various options and take your time making this decision. Create the layout of your website : there are lots of templates out there and you’re free to use one of those or create your own. With the layout decided, you’ll be able to start building and adding content, creating new pages as you go. Test your site : even the best designs have flaws and make sure you are testing your website and features as you add them so that you’re not doing a lot of work twice. In fact, setting up periodic testing days throughout your project can help catch mistakes before it’s too late and give you more time to determine possible solutions. Update your website : unfortunately, your job isn’t done just yet. You’ll need to continuously update and check on your website, fixing any bugs or issues that arise and fending off any new cyber threats. Set up periodic checks on the aforementioned issues to guarantee everything is going well. Now that you have the basics, let’s dive right into the good stuff: what you need to know to build that beautiful and modern website. Building Modern Websites Let’s start with the fun stuff: your designs! From the outside, web development (and especially the back-end) may seem boring, with just lines of codes that go on and on. But as we mentioned before, web development encompasses the entire website creation process, including making it usable for clients. Try to include the following in your next project: Go for a clean look : prioritize the information that clients need to know, and highlight that information on the home page. Don’t be afraid of white space and do some research on the best colors to use. It may seem tempting to fill every spot with some information, but less is more when it comes to usability. Spend time defining your brand’s image and look : choosing a specific font or color seems like a minor task, but we’re sure we don’t have to tell you about the importance of branding. While making sure everything is the same font and color can be quite tedious, it’s an essential part of creating a highly functional website. Prioritize market research : there is a lot of research out there that tells you the best colors to use, what fonts attract the most customers, and what to keep an eye out for. This is valuable information that can help your website go from good to great, especially if design isn’t your forte. The next necessary element of website design is one that’s gained more of a voice in recent years, but there’s still lots of work to be done. Accessible web designs are those that boast elements that allow all users, regardless of any disability or reason, to access the website in comparable ways. For example, a website that’s accessible to the visually impaired would boast text descriptions in images with a voice feature, allowing those users to receive the same information as other users. When designing an accessible site, make sure you: Prioritize the user experience : take the time to meet with accessibility experts and truly guarantee that these users have an equal or comparable experience on your website, doing whatever you can to ensure your site is truly accessible. Provide options : some accessibility options are for temporary accessibility difficulties, such as nighttime browsing or weak WiFi connections. Let your users pick what they need at the moment through various options. Guarantee operability, robustness, understandability, and perceivability : for a web design to be accessible, it must be all four of these: Operable : anyone can operate and navigate the website, regardless if they’re using their voice, finger, mouse, or keyboard. Robust : the accessibility features on a website don’t limit the website’s qualities or overall user experience, guaranteeing equal access for all. Understandable : the content should be understandable to all users (this refers to offering foreign language options, using colloquial language, and providing explanations when necessary). Perceivable : website information must be available to at least one of the user’s senses; if the user is hearing impaired, there must be a visual option to read any audio on the website. Lastly, modern and well-designed websites prioritize marketing and sales in a way that incorporates search engine optimization (SEO), social media accounts, and content marketing into the site. What does this mean? Well: Updating content regularly : you can’t create content once or twice and expect it to be effective always! You’ll need to keep up on what’s happening in the world, making sure that your content is always accurate and reflects the real world. Checking out your competition : what are your competitors doing better than you? And in what areas are you stronger? Well, that’s a question that will help you improve your services, retain loyal customers, and hopefully capture some new ones. Periodically check in on what they’re up to and what they’re offering, making sure you’re not falling behind. Investing in content and SEO : you could be releasing the world’s best content, but if your site isn’t ranking on searches, no one will see it! Creating the right kind of content and mastering SEO rankings could be the difference you’re looking for--it’s time to make that a priority. Seems pretty simple, right?! We’re kidding--we know it can be quite the challenge and that’s why our Web Development Bootcamp is a great choice for those looking to learn the basics of web development and then use their knowledge for some pretty cool projects. So if you are looking to build and maintain modern websites, there’s no better place for you. See you in class!

  • 8 minutes

    Common Misconceptions About Tech Bootcamps

    Ironhack - 2023-04-27

    All Courses

    When you begin your journey in a tech bootcamp, you might have a lot of thoughts running through your head: is this the right choice for me? Will this even help me get a job? Can I actually learn enough in such a short period of time? We’ve heard all your questions and have created this guide to tackle each and every one of your doubts. One of the tech industry’s most defining factors is its incredibly fast-moving speed, always developing and introducing new tools and technologies into the sector. This means that when four-year university graduates leave school and enter the workforce, what they’ve learned has already been surpassed by new tools that they don’t know how to manage. And this is a continuous problem that’s constantly repeating itself; tech is evolving rapidly and the industry is already witnessing a large skill gap, which affects the overall efficiency and abilities of the sector. This is where bootcamps come in. Tech Bootcamps: What Even Are They?! Don’t you need a four-year university degree to work in tech?! What is a bootcamp? Well, a bootcamp is a rather new and innovative learning method that exists to provide the next generation of techies with the exact skills they need to enter the workforce. They’re typically completed over the course of a few months in a rather intense manner, looking to provide students with hands-on experience and foundational knowledge. More questions? Let’s get some answers: What subjects do bootcamps cover? Bootcamps usually teach skills that are needed in tech, as tech is one of the fastest moving industries where universities and traditional educational methods struggle to keep up. They usually focus on the foundational knowledge required for very specific roles: let’s take a look at four common sectors: web development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Web development bootcamps Possibly one of the most common types of bootcamps, web development bootcamps teach students the basics of coding so that they are prepared to become front end, back end, or full stack developers. Through projects and hands-on experience, students will become familiar with Javascript, Node.js, and MongoBD, among others. UX/UI design bootcamps Students will harness both their logical and creative sides to create intuitive and user-friendly designs in UX/UI-focused bootcamps, learning how to use Figma and understanding the entire product development process. And the best part? You’ll graduate with a portfolio of your own designs to help you land your dream job. Data analytics bootcamps Every good decision is made from looking at data and that’s why data analysts are in such high demand; as we obtain more and more data from an increasing number of sources, companies need experts who know how to interpret, visualize, and present the data to help make the right decisions. You’ll learn Python, Tableau, and SQL queries, in addition to sharpening your critical thinking skills. Cybersecurity bootcamps We’re putting more and more of our personal lives on the internet and this means that hackers and data breaches are also gaining traction; ensuring your team and company data are protected from cyber threats is absolutely crucial. Cybersecurity bootcamp students have the chance to tackle simulations of live attacks to put their skills to the test. How much do bootcamps cost? Just like with basically anything, bootcamp costs vary based on where you are studying, the school itself, and the length of the course. However, this isn’t your generic one-week online courses; most bootcamps boast highly-skilled teachers and teaching assistants, in addition to career support and an extensive alumni network. Certified bootcamps could cost anywhere from $7,000 -  $15,000 and it’s up to you to carefully weigh the benefits and your own financial situation. Some bootcamps offer financial assistance, scholarships, or financing options as well. How long do bootcamps last? Generally designed to be completed intensively over the course of just a few weeks or months, you might be surprised at how short your bootcamp is. However, expect long days, lots of studying outside class hours, and a huge transformation. Some tech schools also offer different schedule options, such as part-time and full-time courses, or even completely remote classes. Consider the time you can realistically dedicate to the course and then pick the best option for you. How do bootcamps differ from other courses? You’ve seen that free YouTube coding course or a how-to guide about Figma, so why not just take those? Well, bootcamps are not like quick online courses; they’re much longer and go into far more detail, providing you with personalized instruction and assistance. Throughout your bootcamp, you’ll be asked to complete projects to put what you’ve learned to work and begin creating your portfolio. Bootcamps differ from university courses in that they are much shorter and more concise; many universities require students to take courses in a wide range of subjects but tech bootcamps teach you exactly what you need to know to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. They’re also constantly updating their curriculum to reflect changes in the tech market to ensure that you’re as prepared as can be. Common Misconceptions about Tech Bootcamps Now that we’ve cleared up what tech bootcamps are, let’s dive into some of the most popular (but out there!) misconceptions about them and what you can really expect. Tech bootcamps won’t actually prepare you to get a job You’ve probably heard this one quite a bit and it’s a legitimate doubt that lots of people have: how can a two/three month course teach me what I need to know to work alongside tech professionals with four-year degrees (at a minimum!)? Well, tech is moving at such a fast pace that universities and traditional schooling methods can’t keep up and tech bootcamps teach students the precise skills they need to know (say goodbye to that Liberal Arts education!), preparing them to fill very specific gaps in the workforce. In addition, the majority offer career assistance to help you polish your CV and portfolio, network, and practice your interview skills. Employers prefer candidates with four-year degrees This might have been true in the past and sure, there are probably some hiring managers that are still stuck in the past. But as the tech workforce gap continues to grow and new technologies enter the picture, employers are focusing more and more on the actual skills that candidates have. You need tech experience to succeed Nope! In fact, one of the best parts of tech bootcamps is the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all students . Well-designed bootcamps will start with an introductory section to provide students with the foundational knowledge needed to succeed and then build from there, understanding that students have little to no experience in the field. You need to give up your current studies/job to complete a bootcamp Wanting or needing to stick with your current job or studies during the bootcamp is completely fair and is something that lots of students consider when contemplating a bootcamp. But bootcamps are designed to benefit you and therefore offer a wide range of options such as part-time classes, weekend classes, or even remote courses. No matter what your current responsibilities are, you’ll be able to find a program that works for you. Bootcamps are too expensive for what they offer Remember that bootcamps are growing in popularity, thanks to their increasing importance in the tech world and this means they are becoming legitimate options for those looking to enter the industry: compare the cost of a bootcamp to the cost of a traditional, four-year degree and you’ll see that it’s a great way to get the knowledge you need at an affordable price. Tech is a man’s world You have a point here. The tech industry is overwhelmingly dominated by men and that’s a fact. But that doesn’t mean women don’t have a place in the sector; in fact, more and more women are getting into tech and working to diversify the industry . And this is just the beginning: lots of tech schools actually offer scholarships to women and other under-represented groups to encourage their enrollment. After all, it’s been proven that women in tech: Provide unique and diverse voices that make tech solutions more accessible and effective for everyone. Serve as mentors to younger girls and women who are either interested in entering the industry or just starting out. Improve overall workplace culture, boast workplace satisfaction , and increase safety in the office. Create better products that center both female and male experiences in the design process, instead of just male ones. Bootcamps aren’t worth it We get it. Bootcamps are extremely time-consuming and intense, meaning you are dedicating a ton of time (and money) to learning a new skill. What if you don’t get a job? What if you don’t like it? These doubts are completely legitimate and are concerns you will have at the beginning. But listen to what we’ve been saying all along: university graduates and current tech professionals are failing to move as fast as new technologies are , leading to a workplace gap that’s growing significantly every single day. If you put the time and effort into the bootcamp, you will receive the knowledge needed to join the workforce, specializing and honing your skills over time. Remember, continuous learning is absolutely essential in the tech world and committing to this journey will benefit your future. Deciding to take the jump into tech through a bootcamp is a big one that should be taken carefully. Do you have the time to dedicate to it? Are you financially stable enough to not work for the period during the bootcamp? Can you commit to completing all the work during the established time frame? These are all key questions to ask yourself before beginning your journey; at Ironhack , we’re here to help you choose the right bootcamp for you at the right time.

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