The Ironhack Blog

Ironhack , one of the main training organizations in tech, has launched a new service allowing students to undergo intensive training in Web development, UX/UI design, data analysis, or cybersecurity and then be recruited within a network of more than 600 partner companies worldwide. "This year, we have decided to place more emphasis on the international dimension of Ironhack. This is both a considerable asset for our students and our partner companies, and a response to the growing demand we are seeing in each country where we are present. As all our courses are in English, our students can take courses in Paris as well as in Barcelona or Miami and then be hired in São Paulo or Berlin, depending on their wishes and the positions they are looking for." Manon Pellat, General Manager at Ironhack. Ironhack: the Center of Tech Talent Ironhack has been disrupting tech since 2013 with 10 campuses spread over 3 continents in Europe, South America, and North America. In total, more than 10,000 students have graduated from Ironhack’s bootcamps, including more than 1,400 in France alone. Ironhack's strength also lies in its network of partner companies , which today includes more than 600 recognized companies, including Fortune 500 companies as well as SMEs, start-ups, and agencies. "All of Ironhack's teams around the world work with students to develop their talents and help companies hire by increasing the diversity of their workforce. This fluidity allows our students to be hired in the best companies around the world very quickly after the validation of their curriculum," concluded Manon Pellat, General Manager at Ironhack. Online and/or in-person classes All students can choose from remote courses or a full-time or part-time bootcamp at one of our 10 campuses around the world; courses are taught in either English or the local language to prepare students for employment in the tech sector. Each student benefits from personalized support throughout the bootcamp, which includes career coaching during their search for employment, thanks to our teachers and our dedicated career services. A pool of renowned companies Ironhack boasts a network of more than 600 companies that recruit year round for positions in the tech sector including Accenture, Amazon, Criteo, Zalando, Microsoft, Samsung, Airbus, American Express, BackMarket, Capgemini, Cdiscount, Engie, Fleet, GRDF, Mirakl, Payfit, Swile, Thales, ManoMano, Google, Visa, Twitter, Orange, and more. Ironhack Alumni Marion Choisy Marion is French and completed Ironhack’s remote UX/UI Design bootcamp. Today, she is a Product Designer for a digital platform and lives in Madrid, Spain. "I started Ironhack’s remote UX/UI Design bootcamp in October 2020. I chose Ironhack because I had only heard very positive feedback. Moreover, the training is particularly well known in Spain where I live. I preferred to do the training remotely because it allowed me to better balance my professional and personal life. Doing the course in English allowed me to brush up on my language skills, prepare myself to work in an international environment, and meet other students from different countries, which was very enriching. You learn different ways of approaching subjects depending on culture and education; it allows you to expand your point of view and learn new ways of working and understanding concepts. When you work in a team with people from different backgrounds, your knowledge base becomes immense! And the "small talks" during the group work are particularly interesting because we learn a lot about other cultures. Through Ironhack, I developed a large network in Europe, of course, but also in the US with other alumni. There is a lot of mutual support between former Ironhackers." Guillaume Huchet Guillaume is French and attended the UX/UI Design bootcamp in Paris. Today, he is Head of Design for a startup and lives in Paris, Sofia, and London. "I chose the UX/UI bootcamp in Paris in English because coming from graphic design, I wanted to learn what I was missing to get a job and have better growth options in tech. The concepts of UX/UI were totally new to me and it was a way to give meaning and value to my work. My choice to do the bootcamp in English came first from the fact that there are a lot of anglicisms in most of the UX/UI terms we use every day, which provides a clear advantage. It was also an opportunity to improve my English level and meet other designers from different nationalities, enriching both my personal and professional experiences. It’s an opportunity to discover other cultures and maybe even some other design issues that are sometimes specific to each country. I strongly recommend doing an English bootcamp for all these reasons. I loved the international aspect of the school and it confirmed my desire to work in another country. After the bootcamp, I worked for a year and a half between Munich and Paris for a design agency as a product designer. Today, I work for a startup, alternating between Paris, Sofia, and London as Head of Design/Product Designer." Guillaume Huchet Are you interested in kickstarting your tech career with Ironhack and becoming the next big thing in tech? We’re waiting for you!

São Paulo is more than just a stopover city; as one of the largest cities in South America and Brazil itself with multiple airports, many pass through on their way to another destination. But São Paulo offers so much more including a vibrant, multicultural population, incredible food, fascinating museums, active nightlife, multiple soccer teams, and lots of culture. Why São Paulo? Home to 41 million people, São Paulo is one of the 10 most populated cities in the world and is even bigger than Rio de Janeiro. Take a look at what makes São Paulo so unique: Known as the epicenter of South American trade, technology, and commerce , São Paulo is the destination of choice for tech companies and workers alike. As the city grew in the 20th century, immigrants arrived in large numbers, contributing to the city’s current diversity. São Paulo is believed to be the 14th most globalized city in the world , producing 12% of Brazil’s Gross Domestic Product and 15% of all of South America’s GDP. In addition to a very big Japanese population, the city is also home to large Italian, Lebanese, Korean, and Bolivian communities. This population diversity means that the gastronomic offerings are incredible; enjoy authentic Japanese and Lebanese food, to name a few. Avenida Paulista has been the scene of many of the city’s major events, hosting both New Years Eve celebrations as well as political demonstrations and protests. Since 1891, the avenue has run through six neighborhoods and has a length of 2.7 km; nearly 1.5 million people walk daily along its wide sidewalks. Looking for stuff to do? São Paulo offers: 101 museums 282 movie theaters 146 libraries 192 theaters 40 cultural centers Ironhack in São Paulo Brazilian, South American, and international companies alike are all looking for their next tech professional to help them reach new heights. And with Ironhack’s bootcamps, you can remotely or in-person take our courses, learn essential tech skills, and network with professionals. We’ve already graduated more than 900 students . Are you next? Ironhack courses in São Paulo Web development : learn front and back end technologies and everything else you need to know to become a full stack web developer. Data analytics : become a data analyst through learning tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau and learn to interpret data to make the right decisions. UX/UI design : user-centric design is key here; learn design thinking to build digital experiences created specifically for users. Cybersecurity : cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, due to their wide range of skills pertaining to protecting companies from risks and hacks. No matter if you choose remote, full-time, or part-time courses in Barcelona, Ironhack’s campus offers you something beyond your course; we offer events, chances to network and connect with your fellow Ironhackers, an awesome space to get your best work done, and much more. Unsure if you should take the full-time bootcamp? What about part-time? Or remote? Let’s discuss: Our full-time bootcamps are ideal for those looking to get a new job soon and can exclusively dedicate nine weeks to learning. If you want fast results, this is for you. Our part-time bootcamps are for those who can’t dedicate nine weeks to just the bootcamp; if you want to keep your job elsewhere or continue your studies in another institution, our part-time bootcamps are perfect for you. The results are the same as our full-time course, just spread out over more weeks to allow you time to handle your other commitments. Our remote bootcamps are an option for everyone, even if you’re already located near our campus. These courses offer more flexibility and start dates, in addition to language variations, to help you choose the perfect course for you. And don’t worry about missing out on our events or course help; remote students are welcome at campus any day of the week and can benefit from everything offered to in-person students. Our São Paulo campus Located in Jardim Paulista, our campus is right in the heart of the city. Close to lots of technology companies, on Avenue Paulista, and near the São Paulo Art Museum and more, this is the ideal place to start your tech career. The home of the Ironhack São Paulo staff is considered one of the city's main cultural and economic references and it's no accident: Paulista is the kind of place where you can find a little bit of everything. Financing options in São Paulo Bank financing You should always check with your bank or your financial institution to see what options are available to you, but we here’s one we’ve checked out for you: Provi: Pay out your loan over 12 months with 0% interest or with the following options: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months with 0% interest 18 and 24 months with 1.19% or 1.49% interest. Up to 36 installments of 1.69% interest per month. Income share agreements within Ironhack StudentFinance : This pay-for-success financing model gives you access to education funding in exchange for a fixed percentage of your post-graduation income over a set period of time; you won’t pay anything until you land a job, and your rate will be based on what you make. Pay in full If you’re able to pay your entire tuition fee upfront, enjoy a discount! Pay in installments For the full-time bootcamp, you can pay upfront or in 3 installments; for the part-time bootcamp, pay upfront or over 6 installments. As the hub of Brazilian and South American technology companies, there’s no better place to kickstart your career in tech and learn the exact skills that tech companies are looking for. If you’re ready to make Ironhack São Paulo your home and get into tech, we’re eager to hear from you .

Not just anyone can simply get a successful start-up off the ground. Those who have been successful are often well versed in business strategy and project management methodologies --areas of research proven crucial to start-ups who want to secure the competitive advantage in the cutthroat world of business. The waterfall methodology is one of many project management models utilized by start-ups and businesses alike. It’s a software development model attributed to computer scientist Winston W. Royce. Since the 1970s, the sequential approach to project management has been crucial to the success of countless software development projects and remains relevant today. What is the Waterfall Methodology? In short, the waterfall methodology, or waterfall model, is a project management strategy that uses a linear 5 step process to carry out a project from beginning to end . The model requires detailed planning, regular documentation of progress, and proper completion of tasks before the next phase can begin. The work is sequential, unlike other start-up methodologies; the success of the methodology highly depends upon proper planning and quality work done at the front-end of the project. Ultimately, the methodology works best if parameters are clear from the start and project managers know how to navigate the relatively complex phased approach to project coordination. The waterfall methodology follows a sequential pattern and is reliant upon knowing the specific requirements or expectations for a project, setting deadlines, and having clear objectives or outcomes. Traditionally, the model has 5 phases: Requirements and analysis: The waterfall model assumes that all project requirements are understood upfront. Normally a project manager meets with customers or stakeholders to get a detailed understanding of their expectations or requirements for a project. From there, the project manager works out the plan for completion. Ideally the requirements are understood such that the customer does not have to be consulted again until after the project’s completion. These requirements include everything from the costs, risks, assumptions, success metrics, and timelines for completion. Design: The design phase is typically broken up into two phases: logical design and physical design. The logical design subphase is used to theorize possible solutions to solve the project’s requirements. The physical design subphase transforms those possible solutions into a concrete plan. In other words, software developers agree on a programming language, creating layouts and data models in order to design technical solutions to the problems set out by the project requirements. Implementation: Using the designs created in phase two, programmers code applications based on the project requirements. There is minimal testing in this phase which may result in revisiting the design phase, but the bulk of the testing comes after. Verification or Testing: Tests are run to check the software for bugs, confirm that all requirements have been met, and that the product is ready to be released to the customer. Often project managers will prepare user case scenarios and design documents to help with the testing process. Deployment and Maintenance: Once the completed project has been released to the customer, the maintenance phase begins. Project managers will stay tuned for feedback from users, respond to potential defects in the product, and release additional updates to ensure customer satisfaction. Advantages of the waterfall methodology Clear: The waterfall methodology is straightforward, has very specific sequential steps, and is a great way to clarify roles and expectations of designers, programmers, and other team members from the beginning of a project. Consistent: Customer expectations are known from the beginning, meaning customers will not change requirements mid production. Simplicity in training : The waterfall model is reliant upon documentation and clearly outlines the expectations of the project. That said, if someone new joins the team, it’s easy to read through the project requirements and get up to speed on the project. Easy to manage: The linear structure allows for easy management of the project because the steps are outlined upfront and once completed they rarely need to be revisited. Total cost and Deadlines: Knowing the requirements allows for an accurate total cost estimate from the project’s initiation. Similarly, having a clear timeline from the beginning of the project allows team members to effectively plan their time and complete their clearly defined tasks. Disadvantages of the waterfall methodology Flexibility : Once the project begins, it’s difficult to adapt to new customer requests or changes in the market. A commitment to a steady plan compromises the speed and agility of a product and makes changes costly and more time-consuming. Requirements are often limited: Customers do not always know what they fully want on the front end of a project. Likewise, the requirements outlined may not reflect real user needs. However, that feedback will not be received until after the product’s deployment. Delays: If one phase becomes delayed, the entire timeline is offset. This can lead to rushed decisions at the end of the project. One phase at a time: The waterfall methodology requires that each phase must be completed before the next phase begins. This could become limiting if there are tasks from different phases that could be happening simultaneously. Thus, the sequential structure could lead to projects taking longer than necessary. How to Decide if the Waterfall Methodology is the Right Choice for your Startup The waterfall methodology works best in situations where project requirements are understood upfront and clients have a clear understanding of the scope of the project. In other words, this methodology is best used to manage projects that are simple, predictable and straightforward . These projects should be short term and be carried out in areas where expertise is widely available. Similarly, the waterfall methodology and its usefulness depends on the culture of your start-up and the scope of the projects you’re typically working on. First and foremost, if your start-up doesn’t have a project manager who wants to manage a controlled timeline in a focused way, then the waterfall methodology is not for your company. The model requires someone who can really analyze and understand their customer’s needs , hold their team to deadlines, and move the project along in a relatively strict manner. If your workplace is more collaborative, likes to build reflection and adaptation into everyday work, or if the tasks you normally work on require a more user-centric focus, then this methodology may not be for you. Additionally, the success of the waterfall methodology depends on the stage that your start-up is in and the resources that you have on hand. For newer start-ups or for ones looking to deliver a very specific or complicated product, the waterfall model is great in that it provides predictability. That said, predictability is undoubtedly something investors look for in a start-up. Showing that you have the resources, control, and clear plan to execute is important in pitching your business and securing customers. On the other hand, if your customers are unsure on their specific needs, if collaboration and flexibility are crucial to your team, or you’re looking to work in an unpredictable or constantly changing field, then the waterfall methodology may not be the model to choose. Luckily, there are many other project management methods that can be utilized. Alternative start-up methodologies The Agile start-up methodology: The agile start-up methodology was developed in order to address the shortcomings of the waterfall methodology. Unlike the waterfall methodology, the agile methodology allows for regular customer input during the process. It’s a cyclical methodology that insists on repeating development and testing phases in order to achieve greater customer satisfaction.The agile methodology emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, prioritizing flexibility and adaptability over a strict timeline and control over the project. Design thinking : Design thinking is an approach that’s utilized in situations where problems are ill-defined or unknown. It’s a 5-step nonlinear process that fosters deep thinking to better understand users, redefine potential problems, and create innovative solutions that are then tested before implementation. Lean Start-up : Lean Start-up is a data based approach to developing and analyzing product ideas. Its goal is to manage or reduce the risk inherent to start-ups. Their approach is speed: the faster the product is released, the faster we’ll gain valuable user feedback. The insights provided by users will determine the necessary changes in the business strategy. Thus, the lean start-up approach is one committed to adaptability, user input, and data based evidence. Determining the development methodology Undoubtedly in the world of software development today, flexibility and adaptability in the face of user feedback is crucial. However, there are still many situations in which the waterfall methodology has proved useful. In projects where there are clear requirements, distinct structures, and unsurprising outcomes, the sequential model provides clear benefits to start-ups. In situations with higher uncertainty, one might opt for an alternative methodology. Thus, it’s upon us to better understand the methodologies at hand and utilize them to increase our competitive advantage in order to thrive in the competitive world of start-ups.

Congratulations! You’ve done what might have felt like the impossible at some point and successfully completed your Ironhack bootcamp . But now what?! No worries, your support from Ironhack doesn’t stop here. Ironhack’s Career Services: Careerhack As a graduate of our bootcamps, you’ve been through Careerhack - but that’s not over quite yet. Although Stage 2.2 of Job Hunting begins during the bootcamp, connecting you with hiring partners that are looking for new talent can occur even after graduation if you haven’t found the perfect fit just yet. And because we’re focused on making the best possible match for both you and the company, we take the following preferences into account when scheduling interviews: Location Language Hard & soft skills Experience Next steps for getting into tech If you’re stuck and trying to decide the right path for you, follow these five steps: Gain experience : getting a job in tech for the first time can seem like a challenge, but we promise that it’s possible. But if you’re having trouble getting your foot in the door, try to find n ew ways to gain experience , be it as an online freelancer, helping your professor with a project, or working with a local business. Build your portfolio/CV : while you were at Ironhack, you completed projects that were designed to both give you real world experience and help create a portfolio for interviews. Remember that many jobs in tech require a wide range of skills, so don’t be afraid to mention other job experiences on your resume. Find a mentor : there’s no better way to get started in tech than with a mentor that can share real experiences and tips and tricks. If you don’t know where to start, try reaching out to your Ironhack teacher or forming connections on LinkedIn. Network : just like with finding a mentor, networking may be your secret weapon. Reach out to any connections you may have, fellow Ironhack alumni , or attend online or local tech conferences to make connections. Polish your hard and soft skills : tech professionals need a lot more than just coding experience; they need to know how to work on a team, problem solve, and much more. Ensuring that both your hard and soft skills are ready for action will make you a more attractive candidate. Your Tech Career You’ve landed that job in tech - congratulations! And maybe after some time on the job, you’re looking to try something new, like a different position . Or you’ve made such great progress that you’re looking for a promotion . These two moves require different processes and can be tough conversations to navigate, so make sure you follow our advice. Next steps for seeking an internal move You may be asking yourself why you would want to request an internal move, but it’s quite simple and could be for any of the following reasons: You think you’re better suited for a different role You don’t see growth opportunities in your current role You see an opening in a different department or role and are intrigued Do any of these ring a bell? We thought so. Now it’s time to ask your boss for the transfer. It can seem quite daunting at first, but it’s actually quite common. Take note of these tips: Do your research: you’re going to have to show your boss that you are prepared for the transfer and that it will truly benefit the company. And most importantly, that you’re equipped for the change. Highlight any of your skills that would be useful and what your new trajectory would be. Gauge current need : even the most perfect transfer request can be denied if there’s simply no opening or need for a new person in that role. Timing is everything; if you wait until there’s an opportunity, there’s a better chance your boss will approve it. Be very specific : you need to show your boss that you’re serious and that will be communicated by sharing exactly what you want; the more you have prepared, the better your request will be received. Asking about moving to a specific role and not just a general department will also help your case. Keep it professional: we hope your boss won’t take it personally, but it’s possible. By approaching the situation from a strictly professional perspective, you’ll eliminate the risk of it seeming like a personal attack on your current boss and team. Next steps for getting a promotion On the other hand, if you’ve been at your role for a while and are looking to get ahead, it might be time to ask for a promotion . If you can answer yes to any of these questions, it’s time to consider it: Have you been in your role for a bit and want more responsibilities? Are your current tasks beyond what’s listed in your job description? Are you ready for a new challenge? Can you build a good case for yourself? Once you’ve decided that it’s time to ask for a promotion, it’s time for the hard part: actually asking for the promotion! It’s a nerve-wracking yet completely normal part of the working world. Follow these tips: Prepare your case : when you approach your meeting with your boss, it’s absolutely essential to have a solid case. Explain to your boss why you’re deserving of a promotion, how you’re ready for new responsibilities, and your professional goals. Don’t compare yourself to others : it can be tempting to point out your capabilities as compared to co-workers, but that can be a bit dangerous. Instead of putting yourself up against colleagues, stick to just describing why you’re the best person for the promotion. Choose your timing carefully: there are most definitely good and bad times to ask for a promotion. Is the company going through layoffs? Not the best time. Bringing it up at your annual or semi-annual review will give your boss ample time to consider your request. Balance being flexible and firm : it’s possible that your boss rejects your request and that’s okay. Learn from that experience and come back even more prepared the next time. However, it’s crucial to know both your worth and value; try to come up with an actionable plan with your boss to plan a promotion. And if your boss is firmly against the idea, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. Do you think you’re ready to make the next step in your professional journey? Whether it’s an internal move or a promotion, your experience at Ironhack will help you be prepared for whatever that next challenge might be.

For many of us, technology is such an integral part of our daily lives that we forget what it can achieve. But throughout history, technology in all its forms has facilitated daily tasks, connected the world in ways previously unimagined, and transformed the way we function. And in this blog, we’ll talk about how technology makes our daily lives easier and more interconnected and what to expect from tech in the future. Technology in our Daily Lives It’s so ingrained in everything we do that we might not realize it, but technology plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives . Take a look at some of the technologies we use daily: Setting up reminders Tracking budgets/bills/investments Online shopping Virtual appointments Accessing information easily Is it starting to ring a bell? We thought so. Technology has advanced to a point where it’s simplifying the most mundane tasks, giving us more time to spend on things we want to do. Technology makes life easier Have you considered what life would be like without technology? How about without access to all the information you need at any second? Probably not. Here are just a few technologies that have made our lives easier: Digital communication : this is probably the most common aspect that people consider when thinking about the influence of technology on our society. Thanks to our constant state of interconnectedness, we’re able to communicate with anyone across the world in a matter of seconds. Studying abroad? No worries, you can call and text your family and friends just as if you were still home. Information access : what would you do if you couldn’t just reach into your pocket and Google any question you had? Or challenge yourself with daily trivia questions? But technology’s influence on information access isn’t limited to just this: simple access to information has also given us the ability to expand our education through online courses, chat rooms, virtual learning, instructional videos, and much, much more. Money management : we might not think of technologies like the debit and credit card as lifechanging, but they heavily reduced our dependence on cash. And now we have bank apps, automated payment scheduling, budgeting tools, investment tips, and much more that all help us improve our money management and knowledge of the financial market. Healthcare access : medical technologies have absolutely skyrocketed over the past few years, spurred both by the pandemic and new research. No time to go to the doctor? No problem - you can now have a remote consultation and receive doctor letters, prescriptions, medical records, and much more on your computer or phone. The digitalization of medicine also means that our records are easily accessible, facilitating communication between different providers. Exercise motivation : no time to go to the gym? Or is your monthly fee at the gym a little too high for the time you have to use it? The vast majority of gyms and studios now offer 100% online classes, letting you use your own space to complete running, bodyweight, or HIIT classes on your own. And for those with a bit of space at home, the pandemic saw an increase in at-home exercise bikes. There are tons more reasons why technology has played such a crucial role in making our lives easier, but these five show how normal this technolog has become; the reality is that a lot of these are relatively new technologies. The Benefits of Technology Even though it’s easy to see the benefits of technology in our daily lives, the truth is that tech has had a profound effect on the world as a whole - and will continue to do so . Technology for security and safety There are positives and negatives to everything, and the safety and security industry knows that well. From a business standpoint, technological advances in security can protect sensitive data; from a personal perspective, technological advances in safety such as security cameras and facial recognition technology can keep ourselves and our personal information safe. As the world becomes even more connected, the risk of cyberthreats increases as well. Cybersecurity can help fight against cyberattacks, identify theft, data breaches, and much more. Technology for understanding data We have tons of data and information at our fingertips, but if we can’t use it, it’s useless. Technologies like Python, SQL, Tableau, and more will help you take the data you’ve gathered and use it to make smart decisions . Behind every decision is data and knowing how to interpret data is key. Technology for understanding the user Even the most innovative and creative technology is useless if it’s not designed specifically to meet the needs of a user. Have you ever stopped browsing a website because its design was frustrating or hard to understand? Understanding the user and what drives their decision is what helps us take tech to the next level. Technology for advancement The rapidly expanding and evolving technology market means that we have to be on top of the newest technologies at all times. Knowing how to create a high-quality website or app for a new product or service will not only help you stay on top of what’s going on in the tech world, but also help fill gaps that currently exist. The Future of Technology Technology has advanced significantly in the past few years, but it’s not slowing down anytime soon. What should you look out for? We have a few ideas: Increased innovation: keep an eye out for even faster Internet speeds, more users, an increase in AI technologies, and much more. Expanded learning opportunities : with the simply enormous amount of information out there, our chances to learn and share our knowledge will increase. Amplified importance on IT: as IT departments start taking responsibility for making decisions thanks to the wide range of data they produce, the IT department will play an even more important role. What do you think is going to happen in the future of tech? Will it continue to help the world advance and stay connected? We think so and that’s why there’s never been a better time to jump into a career in tech . If you’re interested in seeing what a future in tech holds for you, start your application for one of Ironhack’s bootcamps here .

When looking for a dream job in tech, it’s important to find the right tech communities. These are groups of people who share your interests and can help you learn new things, make connections, and find opportunities. There are lots of different tech communities out there, but here are two that we think are especially important. GitHub is a community of developers who share code repositories or collections of code files. This is a great place to find open source code for your project or find collaborators for a new project. GitHub also has an amazing job board where you can search for jobs and read reviews from current and former employees. Product Hunt is a community of product enthusiasts who share new products they’ve discovered or created. This is a great place to find new tools to use in your projects or just to get inspired by what other people are creating. Product Hunt also has an amazing job board where you can search for jobs and read reviews from current and former employees. Let's take a closer look at each of these communities so that you can understand the benefits of each. GitHub - an In-Depth Look GitHub is an indispensable and invaluable asset for any tech worker looking to further their career. Launched in 2007, it's a powerful software platform that facilitates collaboration between teams or individual users by allowing them to share code and data, run tests, and even review each other's changes in real time. Currently, according to GitHub , there are over 65 million developers using the site . As such, GitHub has become a must-have for anyone searching for tech jobs that require coding skills. Not only does it enable developers to show potential employers real-world examples of their skill set, but it can also be used as a platform to showcase portfolios and top-rated projects with which they are involved. Additionally, the easy accessibility of collaborative commits on public repositories can build networks of both learners and mentors who have the same programming interests and language experiences that may lead to additional job opportunities. According to Shawn Plummer, CEO, The Annuity Expert , "GitHub is a must-have for tech professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve. Not only does it allow you to showcase your coding skills, but it also provides an excellent platform for networking and collaboration." All in all, GitHub is an excellent development platform for aspiring tech professionals who are serious about taking their career in technology to the next level. Product Hunt - an In-Depth Look Product Hunt, which was launched in 2013, is easily the go-to spot for tech industry enthusiasts. By providing an open platform for discovering, discussing, and showcasing new products and services across a variety of industries, Product Hunt does more than just notify users of product announcements; it has become a dynamic online community where users can actually connect with the people behind them. For job seekers in the tech industry, this is hugely beneficial as they can use Product Hunt to both find new opportunities and make meaningful connections with potential employers. According to Product Hunt , as of November 2021, there were over 3.8 million users of the platform. From engaging in discussions around a given product to connecting directly with relevant influencers or companies, there's no denying that Product Hunt has created a valuable space where employers are likely to find potential employees. Michael Nemeroff, CEO & Co-Founder, Rush Order Tees , says, "Product Hunt is an amazing resource for tech industry professionals and job seekers. It's a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, as well as find new opportunities or make meaningful connections." How These Communities Can Help In Your Job Search Joining online communities like GitHub and Product Hunt can be an effective way for tech job seekers to increase their visibility and gain access to the latest industry trends. By engaging in conversations, getting involved in projects, and creating profiles and portfolios of their work, job seekers can establish themselves as forward-thinking professionals who are invested in the success of the industry. Members of these communities also have a great opportunity to network with tech professionals and employers, potentially opening doors to interviews or even career opportunities. Additionally, staying up-to-date on the latest technologies by exploring the resources available in these communities can help those looking for tech jobs sharpen their skills and show employers they have what it takes to become a valuable member of the team. According to Jim Pendergast, Senior Vice President, altLINE Sobanco , "GitHub and Product Hunt are great options for tech job seekers who want to stay connected with the industry and find new opportunities. Joining these communities gives job seekers a chance to showcase their skills and make meaningful connections with companies they might not have access to otherwise." GitHub Membership Options GitHub offers a variety of membership options for individuals and organizations. The free plan is ideal for individuals who want to learn and build their own projects, as well as small teams or organizations that need an efficient way to collaborate. It includes unlimited public and private repositories, automatic version updates, 500MB of packages storage, community support, and more. The team plan is designed for larger teams and organizations with advanced collaboration needs. It includes everything from the free membership plus the following: Protected branches Access to GitHub codespaces Draft pull requests 2GB of packages storage Pages and wikis Finally, the Enterprise plan is designed for enterprises that have specific security and compliance requirements. This plan provides enterprise-level support with flexible deployment options such as on-premise or cloud deployment models. It provides advanced security features such as encryption at rest and user access control policies to ensure confidential data isn't compromised. Additionally, it provides advanced audit logging so administrators can monitor system activities across all users in the organization. Product Hunt Membership Options Joining Product Hunt is free and you can get started by simply signing up with an email address. Once signed up, users have access to the platform's vast library of products and can post reviews, comment on existing posts, join chats, and discuss topics related to tech. Product Hunt also offers a Pro membership plan, called Founder Club , which gives you access to different deals from around 32 different companies that are extremely useful to startups of all types. Product Hunt also has a free newsletter which consists of a daily digest of products recommended by users on the platform. Tips for Success To be successful in these tech communities, you should focus on building relationships, establishing yourself as an expert in your field, and actively engaging with the community. Here are a few tips to get you started: Be active The best way to get noticed in these tech communities is by being active and engaging with other members. This means joining conversations, asking questions, offering helpful advice, and responding to comments. This will help you build relationships with other members, as well as show potential employers your technical knowledge and expertise. Remember, however, that being active doesn't mean tweeting every hour or posting dozens of comments. Instead, focus on quality over quantity and make sure the conversations you join are meaningful. Be helpful One of the best ways to stand out in tech communities is by helping others. If someone is having a problem with their code, offer advice. If someone is looking for work, recommend companies. Being helpful and generous with your knowledge will help you stand out from the crowd and build better relationships with other members. Follow the rules An often overlooked tip is to read and follow the rules of each community. Each one has different norms, etiquette, and guidelines that you should be familiar with before participating. Failure to abide by these rules can result in getting banned from the community, so it's important to take the time to become familiar with them before joining the conversation. Participate in discussions The tech communities on GitHub and Product Hunt are full of conversations about the latest trends, technologies, and products. Participating in these discussions is a great way to stay up to date with the industry and meet other professionals who share your interests. Make sure you also take part in discussions related to your field of expertise. This will help establish you as an expert and show potential employers that you know what you're talking about. In addition, you can use these conversations to learn from other experienced professionals and gain valuable insights into the industry. Contribute to projects on GitHub GitHub is a great place to showcase your skills by contributing to open source projects. Not only will this give you the opportunity to work with real-life developers, but it will also give you a chance to show potential employers the type of work of which you are capable. It's important to remember that open source projects are often complex, so make sure you have the right skills and experience before attempting to contribute. You should also research the project thoroughly and read through any documentation available to make sure you understand what is expected of you. Use Product Hunt's upvote feature Finally, Product Hunt offers an upvote feature that allows users to “like” products they find interesting. This is a great way to show your appreciation for projects that you find interesting and to help them gain more visibility on the platform. This is also a great way to show potential employers your taste in tech products and demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. Final Thoughts GitHub and Product Hunt are both great tech communities that offer a wealth of information, insights, and opportunities. With so much to learn and discover, they are a great place to start if you're looking to get involved in the tech industry. Just remember to be active, participate in discussions, contribute to projects on GitHub, and use Product Hunt's upvote feature . Doing so will help you build relationships, establish yourself as an expert in your field, and gain valuable insights into the tech industry.

The Portuguese capital is ready to welcome you with its sunny streets, tasty food, and welcoming community. There’s no better place to study web development , data analytics , UX/UI design, or cybersecurity. Why Lisbon? Not sure what Lisbon can offer you? Take a look: Enjoy an average of 260 sunny days a year , surfing and strolling around, taking in the good weather. Portugal itself is pretty small but has a lot to offer. If you’re in Lisbon, it’s easy to explore the rest of the country. Looking to explore Europe? Lisbon’s airport connects you with other major European cities. Lisbon boasts an incredible expat community, meaning you will be able to meet both citizens from your home country, locals, and other foreigners. Meet others learning Portuguese and speaking a variety of languages. Compared to other European countries, Portugal’s cost of living is lower and offers incredible food, in addition to safe and secure living. Are you interested in experiencing things outside of tech? Great: Lisbon has museums, art galleries, conferences, concerts, and much more. Lisbon is also a great place for digital nomads looking to try something new and work from abroad while exploring . Its diverse mix of cultures combined with a relaxing lifestyle and perfect weather mean that it’s a great choice. Ironhack in Lisbon In just 3 years, we’ve graduated 710 students ! Ironhack Lisbon was founded in March 2019 and our new campus is eager to welcome you to one of our bootcamps. Ironhack courses in Lisbon Web development : learn front and back end technologies and everything else you need to know to become a full stack web developer. Data analytics : become a data analyst through learning tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau and learn to interpret data to make the right decisions. UX/UI design : user-centric design is key here; learn design thinking to build digital experiences created specifically for users. Cybersecurity : cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, due to their wide range of skills pertaining to protecting companies from risks and hacks. No matter if you choose remote, full-time, or part-time courses in Barcelona, Ironhack’s campus offers you something beyond your course; we offer events, chances to network and connect with your fellow Ironhackers, an awesome space to get your best work done, and much more. Unsure if you should take the full-time bootcamp? What about part-time? Or remote? Let’s discuss: Our full-time bootcamps are ideal for those looking to get a new job soon and can exclusively dedicate nine weeks to learning. If you want fast results, this is for you. Our part-time bootcamps are for those who can’t dedicate nine weeks to just the bootcamp; if you want to keep your job elsewhere or continue your studies in another institution, our part-time bootcamps are perfect for you. The results are the same as our full-time course, just spread out over more weeks to allow you time to handle your other commitments. Our remote bootcamps are an option for everyone, even if you’re already located near our campus. These courses offer more flexibility and start dates, in addition to language variations, to help you choose the perfect course for you. And don’t worry about missing out on our events or course help; remote students are welcome at campus any day of the week and can benefit from everything offered to in-person students. Our Lisbon campus You’re in luck - during the 2022 winter holidays, we moved! Now located at R. do Instituto Virgílio Machado 14, 1100-284 Lisboa, our central campus’ rooftop boasts one of the city’s best views . Our new location is truly unbeatable; we’re located in the heart of the city, surrounded by tons of restaurants and bars, have easy access to shops and stores, and can get practically anywhere with the various metro and bus lines. What more could you ask for?! And that’s not all: Lisbon hosts one of the world’s biggest tech events annually, the Web Summit . The tech community is growing incredibly fast; you will have the opportunity to join amazing meetups and events that will quickly introduce you to the tech community. It's home to some of the world’s best startups. Will yours be next? Financing options in Lisbon Financing options You should always check with your bank or your financial institution to see what options are available to you, but here are a few we’ve checked out for you: Student Finance: This ISA program is specifically for people who would like to start a career in tech, but can’t pay the full tuition fee before finding a job. Student Finance will take care of the tuition and start to repay the money when you land a job; no deposit is needed and you can repay it over 36 months. To be approved, students have to show motivation, have an attractive profile, and have to complete the Ironhack’s admissions process. Quotanda: Quotanda provides financing options for national and international students, democratizing education access with student-friendly loans. You can finance your studies at Ironhack through their easy-to-use online application and approval process and decide if you want to pay over 12, 18, or 24 months. Relax with a low payment period during your course – only pay €33.5 per month for the first three months. The rest of your payment will be in installments starting at €250. Skill Fund: Are you a U.S. citizen studying at Ironhack Lisbon ? Fund your tuition and living expenses with the Skills Fund! Through their online application process, you can choose the financial package that best fits your needs. You can decide how much to borrow and preview your monthly payments. Funds for living expenses are sent directly to you and Ironhack Lisbon receives the tuition loan directly. Focus on jump-starting your career with all your costs covered! Income share agreements within Ironhack Fundação José Neves: Are you the next big Portuguese tech talent?! We have the ideal option for you: choose Fundação José Neves. They take care of the full tuition fee and students only start paying after they graduate and start working in the field. The income-based repayments are made to Fundação José Neves over 5 years. To qualify, the student: Must be over 18 years old Have their fiscal address in Portugal Hold a Digital Mobile Key Attend a full-time, on-site bootcamp Pay in installments This is the perfect option for those who don’t want to take out a loan, but prefer to pay in smaller installments. You can pay Ironhack directly in 4 monthly installments (full-time course) or 6 monthly installments (part-time course) with no additional charges. The first installment has to be paid at least 1 week before bootcamp begins and the next payments should be made by the 10th of each of the following four or six months (according to the bootcamp chosen - part or full-time). The student only receives their certificate and access to the career services if the payments are up to date. Ready to kickstart your career in tech in one of Europe’s best cities? Lisbon is waiting for you with open arms. Ask our admissions team any questions you might have here or start your application today . We’re excited to meet you!

Everyone’s heard of tech conferences and the truth is they’re valuable resources for those looking to network, learn, travel, and stay up to date with the industry . Not convinced? We’re confident we can show you why: You can learn : conferences are full of information, introducing you to the industry’s latest trends, things happening in other sectors, and what is expected from the future. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge. You can make new connections : tech conferences are absolutely exploding with likeminded, ready to connect individuals. There’s truly no better way to meet new people and look for support; make sure you talk to as many people as possible and keep note of who could be a good resource later on. You can find new partnerships, jobs, or employees : are you looking for your next opportunity? Or maybe for a business partner in a new startup? Or even looking to bring new, talented tech professionals to your team? Tech conferences are bursting with people who are eager to work together. You can introduce your ideas : tech conferences boast a wide variety of topics and this is your time to shine. If you see a roundtable discussion that’s interesting to you, make sure you attend. Then contribute what you know to the conversation. You can get ideas from others : sometimes you get stuck and can’t move past a problem or issue. Conferences are a great time to share your work with others and receive helpful feedback and critiques from industry experts. We’ve convinced you, right? We knew it! Check out these tech conferences in 2023, sorted by region, and start planning your next trip. Tech Conferences in 2023 Tech Conferences in Europe Business & Data Intelligence Minds - Berlin, Germany From 26 to 28 February, Berlin will host a conference focusing on technology and business intelligence, bringing together thought leaders in the sector to transform the way we handle data. Mobile World Congress - Barcelona, Spain Get your bags packed for Barcelona! From 27 February to 2 March, Barcelona will host the Mobile World Conference, focusing on robotics, blockchain, and more. This year, this famous conference will host CEOs of the following companies: Lockheed Martin, Orange, Telefónica, and the Ericsson Group. South Summit - Madrid, Spain Ready to learn about the new technologies that are driving the sector? From 7 to 9 June , head to the Spanish capital to take on the theme Today 2030, explore the future of technology, and study sustainable practices in the industry. London Tech Week - London, UK Join the 10th London Tech Week and spend a week in this capital city surrounded by entrepreneurs looking to break into tech. Just like Madrid’s event, this conference will focus on the future and how technology is transforming both business and society. Interested? Head to London from 12 to 16 June 2023. Viva Tech - Paris, France Europe’s biggest tech conference is coming to Paris from 14 to 17 June ! Leaders from companies like LinkedIn, Snap INC, Binance, and Ethereum will be joining the more than 300,000 attendees (virtual and in-person!) as they take part in fun technology challenges and share innovative ideas with those in attendance. The Next Web Conference - Amsterdam, Netherlands If you’re ready to get into tech, you have a date in Amsterdam from 15 to 16 June . The Next Web Conference is the place to be if you’re looking to kickstart your career; recruiters from Meta, Google, HSBC, and more are there to meet candidates, host panels, offer workshops and much more. Are you in? Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal Can’t make room for a conference until later in the year? No problem! From 13 to 16 November , Lisbon will host what the New York Times called “a grand conclave of the tech industry’s highest priests.” Companies like Apple, Mars, Facebook, Microsoft, Spotify, and many more will come together to share innovation in digital transformation and learn from one another. Tech Conferences in North America Tampa Cybersecurity Conference - Tampa, Florida Interested in the cybersecurity industry and finding out what’s been going on? Or do you want to hear from industry experts? Head to Tampa on 2 March to stay up to date with the latest in the sector. TECHSPO - New York City, USA Join big names like ABC and CNN in NYC from 20 to 21 April as the latest trends in technology come to the Big Apple. The world’s biggest companies will be showcasing their newest innovations: are you going to miss it?! eMerge Americas 2023 - Miami, Florida This international conference is bringing together leaders from across the globe to discuss how technology is changing our lives and how we can benefit from these changes. We’ll see you in Miami from 20 - 21 April! Tech Conferences in South America The Green Expo - Mexico City, Mexico For the 30th year, Mexico City’s The Green Expo will welcome international brands looking to present their innovative technology solutions for the environmental, energy, and renewable energy sectors. Want to be part of the change? From 5 to 7 September , you have a date in Mexico City. DigiMarCon Brazil - São Paulo, Brazil Looking to network, learn from experts, and check out what’s happening in other sectors? DigiMarCon Brazil is the perfect place to learn about the latest technologies in a wide range of industries and discover how technology can help advance practically any area. São Paulo is waiting for you from 6 - 7 November. Remote Tech Conferences Can’t make it to one of the above conferences? Many have remote attendance options, but if that FOMO gets too strong, check out one of these completely remote conferences in 2023: Women in Tech Global Conference 2023 - Online From 9 to 12 May , check out the world’s largest conference for women in tech and learn from industry experts. It will include breakout sessions, panels, keynote speakers, workshops, networking, and much more. The Product Conference - Online This virtual conference for software product managers on 18 May will dive into the world of software building, helping you get a better understanding of market needs and make connections with professionals from around the world. Whew, we have quite the year ahead of us! If you’re looking to make 2023 your year and truly dive into tech, you know what to do.

A new year starts and we're excited to see what the tech sector is going to bring for us. While we can't know the future, we've consulted with some of the Ironhack team to give you our predictions and tech trends to watch in 2023. Here is what our team had to say: Don’t be put off by the tech layoffs story - digital skills are still in demand Recent news has been dominated by layoffs and hiring freezes in the tech sector. The reality is that the digital sector will still face a skills gap that is much bigger than the layoff crisis. From an Ironhack perspective, the number of students joining its courses and company hiring partners has not seen a decline. José Maria Garrett, Global Outcomes Lead at Ironhack, explains: "The demand for digital skills from companies in the tech sector has not declined in the last quarter of 2022. Even in a more risk-averse economic environment, tech employment continues to increase because of that demand for skills. In reality, the biggest change we're seeing is that mid and senior talent profiles are changing jobs less frequently vs. the abnormal behaviour we saw during and immediately after COVID. We have shifted from "the great resignation" into a new stage: "the great renegotiation." Garrett continues: “It's a great time for junior talent to leverage new skills development and access the tech sector within more traditional industries which have an increased demand for those digital skills.  It also provides an opportunity for scale-ups and SMEs to acquire great talent that might not otherwise have been available to them whilst employed in larger tech companies.” Generalists vs. specialists shifting in tech organisations Felipe Rocha, Lead Teacher in Data Analytics at Ironhack, explains a shift from specialists to generalists. According to Felipe, “The job market is changing and we can now see generalists thriving as data professionals. The wide range of knowledge that Ironhack bootcamps equips students with improves their ability to make connections that specialists might not. Having a professional that is capable of "wearing different hats" and navigating the vast world of data can be a big win, especially for smaller tech companies and teams”. Gabriel Pizzolante, UK Growth Marketer at Ironhack, adds: "At Ironhack our bootcamps prepare people for a wide range of skills within the field that they choose, making it easy to become a more generalist professional with the option to specialise if that’s what they require in future. For example, our Web Development bootcamp equips them with a full-stack development skill set that can then be developed towards front-end or back-end development in any industry of their choice. Our UX/UI Design bootcamp provides concepts and frameworks of user experience, user interface and basics of front-end development. These can then be used in a multitude of roles as the Ironhack graduate finds opportunities and gains more experience.” Bootcamp uptake will exponentially increase not just from career changers but from school leavers Skills bootcamps like Ironhack have always been a great alternative for career-changers to launch a whole new career in a very short timeframe. The intensity and the level of commitment required offers an effective alternative to having to go back to university to pursue a dream. Pizzolante explains: “While we are very focused on the career-changer, we are starting to see more applicants who are dropping out of university because it wasn’t right for them.   What we’re observing is that Gen Z is taking a new approach to higher education. They value professional development at a faster pace over and above a traditional career path.  In 2023, we expect to see an increase in school leavers taking bootcamps as a fast-track alternative in just nine weeks, as opposed to taking years to study for an undergraduate degree.” Employers will prioritise spending on upskilling career starters and reskilling existing teams over hiring senior tech professionals Over the past decade the more experienced tech professionals have been in high demand, making it very hard to retain them. With changing market conditions, we predict that more companies will shift the focus to invest in their existing teams to develop them in-house, foster loyalty and retain them for longer. By having the right infrastructure, more employees within companies will be able to shift careers to technical roles and there will be more opportunities for bootcamp graduates to gain the development they need within a tech company. When it comes to reskilling, according to Jan Molendijk, Lead Teacher in Data Analytics at Ironhack, “In today's super competitive job market, with quiet and not-so-quiet quitting, employers have no choice but to use the potential they already have in house. It is easier and cheaper to retrain employees that are competent professionals in newer technology, than it is to find new people that have had recent training in that new technology. The big plus is that these people already speak the language of the company. And this is also a win for the employees, they not only keep their job, but gain valuable new skills, knowledge and experience”. Energy-efficient technology design will become more popular The world is facing an energy crisis, affecting not only the UK but most countries around the world. Saving on energy is increasingly a priority.  For this reason, the use of technology should also be a consideration. According to Ironhack’s course leaders, developers are being wiser about creating and optimising code that does not consume high levels of energy in every-day or weak devices. Mathieu Subin, Lead Teacher in Web Development at Ironhack, comments, “The way code is being optimised for use is more similar to old technologies like we would see on cartridge games decades ago. This may lead to new design patterns and/or paradigms”.

With a career in the tech world, you have to stay up to date with everything that’s going on around you in the world of computers, social media, and IT. This includes knowing about the current status of the economy and the stocks that could affect the tech companies that you are working for. It’s an important part of the job because it can potentially affect your salary , the atmosphere of the workplace, and the safety of you and your coworkers’ positions. Right now, the tech sector is where big money and lots of jobs are, but their growth has stagnant in the last year. The group of tech companies that make up the name "FAANG" have been the leaders in this growth, but is that trend still going strong or has the climb become an uphill battle that has met its match ? How is FAANG dealing with a market that is expected to end up in a recession before 2023 meets its end? We'll get to all that, but first things first: what is FAANG? What is FAANG? If I were to ask you to think of the biggest companies out there, which ones would you mention? Probably companies like Google, Amazon or Facebook would be the first few you mention, and without a doubt at least one of the members of FAANG would come to mind. FAANG, so aptly named by Bob Lang back in 2013 and later popularized by Jim Cramer, is a group of the biggest tech companies and refers more specifically to their stocks and status as influential powers in the market. These letters stand for Facebook (currently Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google (currently Meta); unsurprisingly, these companies are some of the most powerful giants in the tech world with major influence on what happens in almost everything related to the economy. Let’s take a look at what is going on with them now. FAANG’s Influence Did you say growth?! Unless you have been pulling a Thoreau for the past decade, you have most certainly heard of these five companies without flipping to Bloomberg - and with good reason. For the past ten or so years, they have become staple services that almost everyone uses , and as a result, they have seen consistent substantial increases to their stock prices and unending growth . So much so, they also constitute a portion of the S&P 500 Index, which is used as an indicator of the health of the stock market. This means that since FAANG accounts for a sizable portion of the index, their weight in the system shows that these companies are connected to the overall economy’s health . But sometimes having all this influence can be detrimental . Bubbles have to burst Their impact on the stock market is significant, and some experts fear that this could become a problem in the future due to their potential as a bubble . A bubble in the stock market means that the value of the good has risen above the actual product’s real value and when the bubble bursts , there is a sudden decrease in value . Some examples of a bubble come would be the infamous tulip frenzy of the 1600s , where the prices of tulip bulbs soared until one day a buyer didn’t show up to receive a shipment in a trade-based economy, which caused a major drop in value and a huge panic across Europe. Or another great example would be the US housing crisis of the 2000s . In both cases, when the bubbles of highly influential and overpriced products burst, the prices of those products plummeted as a result. The rest of the market was impacted as well and as a whole, struggled to recover from the shock. Why is this important? Bubbles pop and if you consider FAANG to be one, then it’s possible that they are nearing the point of bursting soon . Unfortunately, this is evident when looking at the 2022 fiscal year. The tech industry has taken a big hit during 2022 ; in particular, Netflix and Meta have dropped by 52% and 65%, respectively. Although other FAANG members like Amazon and Apple have had their fair share of problems with declining prices as well. A bit of a rough patch There are a few contributing factors to why they have hit a rough patch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, tech companies had the advantage given people were at home on their devices, scrolling around and sharing anything they could get their hands on since there was nothing else they could do. This gave FAANG the opportunity to go on a hiring frenzy, but soon enough, confinement ended and people went out into the world leaving their devices unattended at home and corporations had to continue paying for these new employees. To remedy this mistake, layoffs were on the menu . Not only have they been reducing the number of their staff, but also the number of new, open positions has diminished. In addition, since the 2008 housing crisis, interest rates have remained dramatically low , which in turn has made debt quite cheap, and exponential growth became the name of the game for the past few years for the big tech giants. But now that interest rates are increasing thanks to the Fed, the game is changing , and growth and expansion isn’t the best strategy under these circumstances. The smarter move in this situation is expense management and profitability , which means a strategic shift from their years of making growth their principal aim. All in all, the confidence of investors seems to have tapered off too and with a supposed recession on its way, the future does seem a bit bleak for FAANG. What next? Although these big corporations may have to pull back on the reins a bit in terms of their growth, they will still continue to have a big influence on the world’s economy. The decline in hiring opportunities and the potential bubble burst coming does mean trouble for sure. It may seem like FAANG having issues could end their running streak as tech companies, but if they shift their approach of constant growth, they have the potential to thrive again in the future. For now what does that mean for the tech sector? These companies’ growth has started to slow down and taper off, but there will always be a need for more IT professionals ! As the world comes to depend more and more on technology as a basic life necessity, you can be sure that there will still be plenty of jobs available for anyone looking to work as a computer programmer, website designer, or software developer. If that means working with smaller companies or as a freelancer, the number of opportunities is limitless.

You’re back from holiday and wow, this return is tough. Coming back from a week or two off can be difficult and we get it. Who wants to get back to work after being surrounded by family, friends, good food and maybe a trip? Not us! But life is what it is and it’s time to open your laptop, brew up some coffee, and get back to work. Here’s how. The January Blues: what are they? There’s a few reasons why January can be tough. December (and November, for Americans!) is full of social events, family gatherings, days off, and bright Christmas lights. And as soon as the year changes, everyone heads home, ready to get back to work. There’s fewer exciting events on the horizon to peak your interest and keep your spirits up. And for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are short and cold. The effect that the above factors have on you can result in what is known as the January Blues. There are different ways to combat it, both personally and professionally. But first, let’s see if you’re affected by it: You might have the January blues if you… Are feeling sadder than normal Can’t find the motivation for simple tasks Have trouble falling or staying asleep Feel constantly tired It’s totally normal! Here’s how to fight it on a personal level: Get some sunlight Lots of places in the world are lacking abundant sunshine right now, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get any ! Sunlight naturally boosts our spirits so as soon as you wake up in the morning, open those blinds and let your body soak in the light . If you keep your bedroom or house dark, it’ll be a lot harder to get up and motivated. Find regular patterns Our normal schedules get all messed up during the holiday season and it’s crucial to get back to a routine as soon as possible. Set boundaries with yourself: go to bed by a certain time and get up early. This will help you get back into the swing of things. Prioritize exercise You might be feeling like you’ve put your exercise on the side during the holidays and we completely get it! It’s hard to keep up a normal routine while traveling or attending events, but January is a great time to get back on track . Go slow and incorporate workouts into your daily routine at a manageable pace - you don’t want to overdo it! Try something new Ever heard “new year, new you?” We certainly have and there’s a reason for that: we’re in a new year and many people set resolutions to improve something they’re already doing or try something new. If you’ve been thinking about learning French, why not now? Or if you have always wanted to take a kickboxing class, what are you waiting for? The rush of trying something new can boost your confidence and overall mood. The January Blues at Work There’s nothing like a return to work after the holidays to lower your mood. The January Blues can come on even stronger in the workplace but there are ways to avoid them, or at least lessen their effect. We’ve compiled some ideas here: Take a walk That 8-hour day can feel endless after vacation. Getting some fresh air and taking a walk in the morning or after lunch can help break up your day and get your brain working again. No one can just sit for 8 hours and churn out work; make sure you step away, get a coffee, or take your dog to the park to get a change of scenery. Limit screen time Most of us have jobs that require us to be staring at a computer for the entire day and that can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. So when you’re done with work, try to limit your screen time. Put limits on your phone or TV time to ensure that you’re getting your chores done, spending time with your friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy. Socialize at work As remote work gains popularity, lots of people are working from home, limiting their socialization. It can be hard to motivate yourself to get up early and get to the office, but if you’re feeling the effects of working alone all day, it may help to go in at least once or twice a week. And if you’re in the office full-time, try to eat lunch or grab coffee with co-workers. This will help boost your mood and productivity . Plan for that day There’s nothing worse than sitting down at 9:00 am and realizing all you have ahead of you is 8 hours of work. If you struggle with motivating yourself in the morning, t ry planning something fun or different for after work that will help you get through the day. And it doesn’t have to be something big and exciting - simply ordering takeout from your favorite restaurant or planning to watch a new movie can help improve your mood. Give yourself something to look forward to in the long-term Did you just take vacation over the holidays? Or are your cousin’s Instagram photos from her trip to the beach making you jealous? It’s normal and we totally get it. But planning something in the long-term can help you also get excited for what’s to come and push through these tough first weeks of the year. And again, it doesn’t have to be something huge! If a vacation isn’t in the books for you, think about planning other exciting things, like eating at your favorite restaurant or tickets to a show you've been wanting to see. Listen to your body This might be our most important tip! Only you know what you need and listening to your body is just as important as anything else we’ve mentioned. It’s good to plan on diving right back into the swing of things but if you’re feeling exhausted, cancel a workout or spend a Friday night at home to give yourself time to recharge. Even though we are on vacation, the December holidays can be emotionally and physically challenging and you need to listen to what your body needs. January can feel simultaneously endless and incredibly short and the January Blues can really affect your mood and productivity. But use these tips and tricks and soon you’ll be unstoppable!

You’ve almost completed your studies and are looking at employment options. There’s a lot and you might be thinking that it’s impossible to know what you want. Or maybe you’ve been in the corporate world for a while and are looking for a change. This blog article will help you determine the right place for you. First, let’s define both. Startup: definition and examples “ Startup ” is a word that’s frequently thrown around, but what does it mean? Strictly speaking, it’s a company that’s in its first stages of development , founded by one or more entrepreneurs. They are started to meet a specific market need with the aim of rapidly expanding as the product succeeds in the market. It’s important to remember that 95% of startups fail and 42% of those fail because there is no actual market need for the product or service. Focused on rapid upward growth, startups are fast-moving, constantly changing, and volatile. Here’s a few kinds of startups: Scalable startups : these are typically tech startups that employ the best candidates to secure international and investor funding, turning them into successes. Examples would be Google, Uber, or Facebook. Small business startups : these smaller organizations are founded by regular people, such as hairdressers or bakers, looking to meet local needs. Lifestyle startups : health influencers, fitness instructors, or other lifestyle enthusiasts can offer their services through a small startup. Buyable startups : these startups create a product or service with the goal of being sold to a larger company once they’ve gained traction. Big business startups : larger companies might start startups to continue meeting client demands as the market evolves. Companies: definition and characteristics Companies are more established organizations, with hundreds or even thousands of employees and years of experience in their field. This means that companies tend to move slower, have established hierarchies and business plans, and brand recognition. Here are some key characteristics of established companies : Clear boundaries : as an organization that’s been functioning for a long time, established companies have better work/life balance and there’s a staff that’s big enough to meet needs. This means that you won’t be expected to work multiple jobs or strange hours. Defined goals and metrics : instead of trying to find their place in the market, these companies already have experience and decided goals under their belt. This helps them focus on precisely what is needed, instead of trying to anticipate market needs. Does that clear it up a bit? We hope so. The biggest difference to keep in mind when considering a startup is that everything is up in the air and it’s all hands on deck. If something needs to be done, it needs to be done. And this could give you valuable experience in a wide range of areas, a positive, or cause you lots of stress, a negative. Although we can’t make the decision for you, we can help you weigh your options, considering each factor. And even though we can list out a few advantages and disadvantages, a lot of these factors depend on you personally. Check out the pros, cons, and key things to consider of both startups and established companies below. Pros of working for a startup Access to equity We know that startups have the reputation of being low on funds, but there’s another side to that: many companies offer equity shares in the company to their first employees, something that could become extremely beneficial later on. Flexibility Given that startups can be made up of teams from across the world, flexibility is something most offer. If that’s important to you, a startup may be your best bet. Business needs are always changing in a startup and your responsibilities and hours could as well. Leadership opportunities Startups start out small and that means there’s more work to take on and chances for leadership. They typically have lots of people covering multiple roles, especially at the very beginning; if you are looking to shine, a startup is full of opportunities. Fast growth Startups are known for their hectic schedules due to their need to secure funding and prove their product or service is needed within a limited period of time. This means that if your startup is successful and you’re one of the founding employees, your growth trajectory will be a lot faster and more straightforward than in a corporate scheme. Cons of working for a startup Changing salary It’s not all butterflies and rainbows at startups: 95% of startups fail. This means that your salary, benefits, and altogether job stability will vary considerably depending on the company’s success. Joining a startup is a risk and you need to make sure you can handle being without a job within a short period of time. No mentors Startups are usually small and built from the ground up, meaning there’s little or no upper management to learn from and use as mentors. If you’re just starting out and are looking for clear direction and guidance as you begin your career, you may feel a bit lost without a mentor or growth structure. Other things to consider about working for a startup As we mentioned, there are some factors that we can’t group into “pro” or “con.” The following are aspects that need to be considered on a personal level to see what side they fall into: Smaller teams Startups don’t have to have just 10 employees; some have 50 or more. But when compared to working in a large company with maybe thousands of employees, they can feel much smaller and at a startup, you’d almost certainly be working on a smaller team or even individually. If you like the structure of a large team, a startup may not be for you. Wide range of tasks In a startup, it’s all hands on deck. And even if you’re hired for a certain role, you could be asked to take on different tasks that fall outside what you expected. For some, this could be a fantastic opportunity to get experience in a wide range of tasks but for others could be frustrating and overwhelming. Pros of working for an established company Stability One thing that corporations can offer you is stability and this can be very valuable for those looking to make a more permanent career switch. When you join a startup, you’re aware that the job may not last; on the other hand, established companies usually know what role needs to be filled and why. This means that you’ll have more job security. Structure Some people need strict hours and growth plans in order to be successful and that’s totally normal. Established companies usually have clear and outlined policies such as working hours, vacation policies, onboarding, promotion plans, and more. If you work better with structure, a startup may be too uncertain for you. Brand recognition At the end of the day, what’s on your resume matters. And if you have a well-known company on your resume, it will catch the attention of future recruiters and employers. This doesn’t mean that startups won’t look impressive, but brand recognition is big, especially in the tech industry. Cons of working for an established company Hierarchy Larger and established companies also have more structure when it comes to leadership and promotions; it might be hard to feel like you will play a significant role. This also means there’s a predetermined process for changes, new developments, and anything else that falls outside of what the company’s been doing for years. Slower growth You’ve probably guessed this, but growth in corporations isn’t quick. Even if you’re the best employee, there’s usually a set plan for promotions and pay raises that is based on your time in the company and performance reviews. If you’re looking to shoot up the corporate ladder quickly and gain leadership experience, an established company probably isn’t for you. Other things to consider about working for an established company Specialized role Again, this depends on the person. Larger companies will hire employees for specific roles and your duties and responsibilities will be pre-defined. For those that are sure of what they want to do, this is great and gives you tons of experience in a particular area. However, for those that are unsure or want to try new things, they might feel a little bored. The company culture is already set In a startup, you’re able to help mold the culture to what you think is right. In established companies, the culture is already decided and enforced by a large number of people. Before joining a company, get a feel for the culture and decide if it’s going to be a good fit for you. We hope this article helped you clear up some of your doubts about working for a startup or established company; at Ironhack, we’re here to help you meet your goals and make the right choice for you. Are you looking for a change? Check out our bootcamps today and kickstart your tech career.

Tech tools are an essential way businesses gain a competitive advantage in the tech industry. The tech tools we have at our fingertips are always advancing and should be regularly updated in order to help your company forge ahead in the ever changing tech landscape. Here are some of the latest tech tools to get your hands on in 2023. Tech Tools for Web Development Web development tools have greatly expanded in the last few years and finding the best tools to help with web development is more important than ever. There are a number of softwares, plug-ins and add-ons to help developers save time, improve workflow and take their development abilities to the next level. Here are a few that we’d recommend. Sublime Text Sublime Text is a web development tool that helps with code editing. Its easy-to-use interface, well designed layout, and quick access to files, symbols and lines make it one of the most beloved tools by web developers. The program offers an array of keyboard shortcuts to help make efficient edits and simultaneous changes to multiple selections of code. It can be downloaded for Windows, MAC and Linux. Notable Characteristics: Efficient and Clean Interface: Sublime’s easy-to-use interface is complete with keyboard shortcuts, easy navigation between files, overall multitasker friendly which is huge in the world of web design. Multi-Select Tool: The multi select tool helps make several changes at once without having to individually change each part of the code. The layout has been tweaked to make code navigation more intuitive than ever. Auto-Completion : Provides smart completions of code based on existing code in a project. Its efficiency in this sense is unparalleled. Price Plans offered by Sublime Text: May be downloaded and for free, but a license is required for continued use. Personal License: $99 Website : Sublime Text Chrome DevTools Chrome DevTools is a Google Chrome extension that helps edit and add styles to HTML, troubleshoot your JavaScript, gain information on how a web page is running, and optimize website speed. It’s free, Google releases an update every 6 weeks, and there are already a number of users and an online community to help better take advantage of what the tool offers. Notable Characteristics: Sources Panel Overview: The panel overview allows you to view and edit files, create Snippets, debug JavaScript, and organize workspaces in Chrome DevTools Sources panel. Inspecting and Troubleshooting: Chrome DevTools is known for being able to help fix JavaScript bugs, pause code at the breakpoint, and fix different scenarios as quickly as possible. Performance Features : DevTools allows you to analyze the runtime performance of a webpage, looking specifically at the response, animation and idle phases of your page. Endless Resources: Google releases an update every 6 weeks, there are countless tutorials and information online to help utilize the tools to their full capacity. Price Plans offered by Chrome DevTools: Free Website : Chrome DevTools Cybersecurity Given our reliance upon technology and the vulnerability that comes with our dependency on the Cloud, many businesses consider cyber security one of their top priorities. Companies cannot risk potential financial loss due, interception of company or customer data, nor a damaged reputation as a result of cyber crime. As a result, being aware of the top cyber security tools is more important than ever. Acunetix Acunetix is a cyber security tool designed for small businesses, pentesters and web designers. Acunetix is used to scan websites and web apps for vulnerabilities. The product tests for over 7k potential security risks at record speeds. It has become a top rated tool by industry experts. Notable Characteristics: Security Analytics: Acunetix scans everything from simple web pages to password-protected areas in order to find potential vulnerabilities in web applications. Solution Based: After a lightning-fast scan, Acunetix provides actionable results confirming which vulnerabilities are real so that they can be fixed before they become issues. Integration: Acunetix can be integrated with current systems and immediately scans as you build so that issues are caught before they end up in production. Price Plans offered by Acunetix: Custom Pricing: Get a quote from Acunetix. Website: Acunetix Perimeter 81 Perimeter 81 is an all-in-one cloud based security network management tool. The platform protects user traffic and endpoints, helps create custom, scalable network access policies, and integrates local and cloud resources. Perimeter 81 provides user-centric security through Identity Providers, 2FA, Single Sign-On and granular access policies. Notable Characteristics: Total Network Visibility: Perimeter 80 offers integrated security across local and cloud environments. User-Centric Access : Perimeter 80 utilizes identity providers to help define users and create access rules for network segments. Multi-Layered Security: Perimeter 81 enforces the use of encryption, 2FA and Single Sign-On to access resources. Full VPN Encryption: Always-on encryption ensures devices are unable to access sensitive corporate resources without first connecting through Perimeter 81. Price Plans offered by Perimeter 81: Perimeter 81 Essentials: $8 per user per month Perimeter 81 Premium: $12 per user per month Perimeter 81 Premium Plus: $16 per user per month Perimeter 81 Enterprise: Custom pricing Website : Perimeter 81 SecPod SanerNow SecPod SanerNow is a cyber hygiene platform that offers active risk management and cyber attack prevention. The tool scans for miscalculations, vulnerabilities and other potential cyber risks and provides methods for remediation. It’s built for use by small to large businesses. Notable Characteristics: World’s Largest Built in Vulnerability Database: SecPod SanerNow helps mitigate risks with comprehensive scans based on their homegrown SCAP feed with over 160,000 vulnerability checks. Their feed has been built in hand with over a decade of security research. Vulnerability Scans: SecPod SanerNow offers real time, on demand, and continuous security scans and can detect risks in under 5 minutes. These scans can also be scheduled. Integration : SanerNow’s tools are supported by all major operating systems like Wingos, MAC, Linux and over 350 third-part applications. This allows for greater security scans and reduces vulnerability to exposure on a larger scale. Price Plans offered by SecPod SanerNow: Custom Pricing: Get a Quote from SecPod SanerNow Website : SecPod SanerNow Data Analytics Data analysis without a doubt plays a huge role in decision making processes for businesses today. As data collection expands, the tools to help gather insight from that data equally grow. Here are a couple of the tools that we would recommend for 2023. Tableau: Tableau is a data visualization tool used to create data dashboards and worksheets. It offers unparalleled visual data representations, is interactive and quickly analyzes large amounts of data. Its main drawback is that Tableau does not offer a scripting layer meaning that it’s limited when it comes to pre-processing data or building more complex calculations. Notable Characteristics: Visual Analytics: Tableau helps people and organizations make the most out of their data through data visualization. It’s considered the most popular data visualization tool in the industry. Intuitive and User-Friendly: Tableau is as easy as dragging and dropping data into the interface. From that data, Tableau creates insightful dashboards in just a few clicks. It was built to be easily used by folks without much data analysis experience. What if Analysis: The easy-to-use tool allows for analysts to manipulate the data and test for different situations. Data Prep : Tableau allows for data to enter from multiple sources varying file types. The tool offers support in organizing that data into columns, dashboards and worksheets. Price Plans offered by Tableau: Tableau Creator: $70 per month per user Tableau Explorer: $42 per month per user Tableau Viewer: $15 per month per user Website : Tableau KNIME KNIME is an open-source and cloud-based data integration platform. It’s primarily used for data mining and machine learning. It’s intuitive layout makes the data easy to understand to folks with limited data analysis experience. Between being free and user-friendly, there’s no excuse for not taking advantage of what the tool could offer your company. The tool is flexible and customizable to the needs of your organization --making it highly used specifically by small businesses. The tool is more useful if you already have experience using R and Python. Notable Characteristics: Graphical User Interface (GUI): KNIME offers a drag-and-drop graphical user interface making visual programming easy for users without technical experience. Gather and shape data: KNIME helps blend and transform data from a variety of sources into one platform and workflow environment. Delivers Business Insights: Using KNIME, your team will feel empowered by its easy-to-use interface to deliver usable, reliable and reproducible insights for the business. Interact and collaborate : KNIME allows users to interact with the data in a highly participatory manner. Through the generation of models, KNIME helps users to look back into the data science cycle and update data sources, tweak parameters, insert domain knowledge in order to update data or gain additional insights. Price Plans offered by KNIME: KNIME Analytics Platform: Free KNIME Hub: Custom Pricing Website : KNIME UX/UI Design If you work in the world of UX/UI design, then it’s time to improve your work with the assistance of these top design tools. We looked for design tools that offered a user-friendly layout and a smooth-functioning interface. Equally, the software must be intuitive, functional, and follow an appropriate style guide in terms of branding, colors, logos, layout and overall style. With this in mind, we would recommend starting 2023 with the following: Figma Figma is an easy-to-use prototyping tool that helps transform static designs into lively animations and interactive prototypes. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and requires no knowledge of coding. Its intuitive platform lets you design prototypes, integrate those prototypes with third-party applications, and store designs in the cloud. Figma is one of the best tools for team collaboration while offering top data security. Notable Characteristics: Prototype Design : Build and animate prototypes using their user-friendly interface. Advanced tools : Offers advanced tools to help with animation, insert transitions, and smart editing. Figma boasts about their auto layouts, modern pen tool, and other one of a kind features. Cloud-Based : Connected to the cloud for easy access to designs and ability to work on the design from anywhere. Access from all devices. Multiplayer editing : Option of sharing prototypes, commenting on designs, and conversing with others viewing the prototype. With an unlimited number of viewers and easy export tool, Figma is one of the best options for collaborative work. Price Plans offered by Figma: Starter: Free Figma Professional: $12 per editor per month (Free for students and educators) Figma Organization: $45 per editor per month Figma Enterprise: $75 per editor per month Website : Figma InVision InVision is a powerful all-in-one tool for designing and animating prototypes. The affordable and easy to navigate application will leave you saving time and money as you make and share scalable prototypes and interactive designs. There’s an initial learning curve, however, the program is ultimately user-friendly and compatible with other commonly used design applications. Notable Characteristics: Prototype Design: Users can create interactive designs and animated prototypes using premade templates and useful ad-ons. Advanced Tools: InVision offers instant playback, point-and-shoot prototyping, screen animations, and mobile device mirroring among other tools. Cloud-Based: Designs are saved and can be shared on the cloud. Integration: InVision allows for integration with a number of other applications including Adobe XD, Asana, Azure DevOps, Coda, Figma, Google Docs among others. Price Plans offered by InVision: Starter: Free InVision Pro: $4 per active user per month InVision Enterprise: Custom pricing Website : InVision Sketch Sketch is a well-known prototyping tool trusted by freelancers as well as multinational companies like Google, Facebook and Stripe. The tool allows designers to make universal changes at once, for example, changing text styles, layers, or resizing or aligning designs. That feature saves time for designers and allows for consistency of designs. Sketch is easily integrated with plugins and over 700 extensions created by the Sketch development team. Notable Characteristics: Prototype Design: Sketch is first and foremost a prototype design too. It allows users to turn static sketches into interactive designs. Work Collaboratively: Sketch Workspace offers the ability to work collaboratively on designs, comment, store and share files, get feedback and manage the collective workload. Customer Service: Given the amount of Sketch specific extensions, the company is known for their active customer service options. Live chat support is offered at all hours as the company is committed to customer success. Price Plans offered by Sketch: Starter: 30 day free trial Sketch Standard: $9 per editor per month Sketch Business: $20 per editor per month Website : Sketch Be on top of the tech trends and tools that will transform business in 2023. From web development to cyber security, these tools will help you dominate in the field of tech this year.

Cybersecurity has absolutely skyrocketed over the last decade, due to both incredibly fast technological advancements and a rise in cyber threats and attacks. Advances in what we can do with both our computer systems and user data means that they’re at an even greater risk: balancing the two is the key to the future. And it’s important to remember that even if it seems like the cyber threats are contained locally or within extremely developed regions, as the world becomes more and more connected, the threat of cyber attacks from the other side of the globe becomes more realistic. That’s why cybersecurity is and will continue to play a major role in 2023. Cybersecurity in 2023 Cybersecurity is ready to take over in 2023, even more so that it’s already done. Here’s what to look out for: Stricter policies about user data to protect client information. Stable technologies and policies will be put into place instead of VPNs for to support the popularity of remote work. Preventative measures will be taken to educate employees about cyber risks and use historical data to avoid future issues. Security measures across the entire organization will be improved. Cybersecurity itself will expand to include risk management and assessment. New Year’s Resolutions for Cybersecurity Professionals 2023 is the time to commit to cybersecurity policies that will improve your organization. Here’s a few: Change your passwords - now and later! This might seem like a no-brainer, but this one is key! A simple best practice that can have positive effects on your company is regularly changing passwords and ensuring that breaches involving stolen credentials are a lot less common. Check out these keys to solid passwords: Mix upper and lowercase letters, preferably throughout the password and not just at the beginning. Use symbols (if permitted) Make it as long as possible Avoid personal passwords like birthdays or names. Try to vary your passwords across different accounts. Update software The last thing you want is a data breach simply because your software isn’t updated. Make sure your systems and apps are all up-to-date across the board (and continue to be throughout the year!). Introduce request confirmation The oldest scam in the book is someone pretending to be someone they aren’t. To avoid this, request confirmations; although they can seem tedious, they're essential. When a request from an outside organization arrives via email, ensure that the person is who they say they are through phone calls, video calls, or a third system that your company chooses to employ. Educate your employees/team It only takes one mistake for a cyber breach and that means the mistake of just one employee could have serious consequences for the rest of the company. And even though cybersecurity professionals are the ones trained in the ins and outs of cybersecurity, all employees and team members need to have some knowledge of how to be responsible online. Multi factor authentication We know that being forced to enter a code that you received on your phone or authenticate your access from another computer is a drag, but this is a fantastic way to truly protect access to both your company’s and your personal information. MFA requires an extra step through another device to gain access, meaning that even in the case of a credential breach, your information is still protected. Take stock of where you are One of the best things about working in cybersecurity is the wide range of roles available to you. Every kind of company needs cybersecurity help, so the start of the new year is the best time to check where you are. Are you happy with your current role? Would you like to shift into a new industry? Are job postings listing skills that you don’t have? Take a step back and see where you are at the beginning of the year and set goals for where you want to be in 2024. Commit to using safe websites only Have you ever entered a website and thought it didn’t look that secure? Don’t worry, we all have. And that’s because there are some pretty creative fraudulent websites out there. There are certain browser extensions that you can add to your homepage to help you find them out or you can check the current security settings on your computer to see what you’re allowed to visit. The important thing to remember here is no matter what you’re doing, if you’re checking your bank statements or searching for the perfect chocolate chip recipe, any website could be fraudulent. Test your security team Are you prepared for a data breach or cyberattack? You might think so, but it’s quite difficult to decide until you face it. And while it might seem impossible to be able to practice the stress and urgency that surrounds these kinds of attacks, it can make all the difference. Set up incident response plans with your security team and practice how you’d handle different kinds of attacks. Monitor your social network usage We live in an era of over-sharing and this can actually be the downfall of people’s privacy, thanks to the absolutely huge amount of information that’s available online. Think about someone’s Facebook profile: you could see where they grew up, where they went to school and college, their current relationship status, their recent pictures, and much, much more. While it’s great to share your life with your loved ones, change your privacy settings so that only accepted followers or “friends” can see your personal information. Update your security knowledge It’s never a bad time to keep learning and refresh your knowledge, especially as both cybersecurity and cyber hacking techniques become more refined. And thankfully, there’s lots of courses, podcasts, videos, and articles about cybersecurity trends and techniques to help you continue to grow in your field. 2023 is your year and it’s a year where cybersecurity will take on even more importance. So take a peek at these resolutions and decide which ones you’ll comitt to this year. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish!

Agile Methodology in Start-ups Strategies, techniques, structure. Upon establishing any new entity, whether it be a team of people or an organization, these are indispensable, especially when the stakes are high. Take the world of start-ups where only 10% survive their first year of business; for these new companies, there are several types of methodologies and frameworks that they can adopt to not only survive but rather thrive successfully in the dog eat dog world of business. If you have worked in tech, you may have heard the terms scrum, feedback, backlog, or sprint thrown around, and these all have a shared origin: Agile methodology . Agile methodology is one of the project management methods that has had a successful run since its recent creation in 2001, and you can learn more about its foundation, meaning and well-known offshoots here. What is the Agile methodology? When you hear the word agile, the synonyms that come to mind could be fast, adaptive, rapid, nimble, or active amongst others, and as these words suggest along with agile, this philosophy for project management focuses on iterations and continuous and incremental improvements to the product. These allow for the teams to adapt to the needs and desires of the clients and customers by giving their voices more weight in the equation while also prioritizing consistent communication amongst all team members in order to divide and conquer with their goals in mind, which simplifies the process of making adjustments to their product. How did it come about? After ninety plus years of mainly using the Waterfall methodology, a strategy that was created by Henry Ford in car manufacturing with the assembly line, the advancement technology made this method both inefficient and old-fashioned. A group of seventeen representatives that worked in programming and development decided to make a change and come together to discuss and create a new methodology that would ease their disappointment, shake up the status quo, and revolutionize the tech world. The result: the Agile Manifesto . What is the Agile Manifesto? The seventeen programming and development professionals, or what came to be known as the Agile Alliance , established a list of values and principles that would come to instruct those in how to best take advantage of the approach. Both the values and principles are a philosophy of beliefs that focus on the client’s role and responding to and meeting their needs with a quick turnover rate . Values Since this was a new methodology for project development, they had criteria to compare the ways of the past with how they wanted to make future changes. The values established attempt to emphasize the importance of the words on the left over the ones on the right, although they are both important for any project’s development: 1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools 2. Working software over comprehensive documentation 3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation 4. Responding to change over following a plan You may notice that these values represent more of an adaptive organism that evolves thanks to the clients’ input and feedback , which prevents the product from ever becoming stuck or stagnant. It’s constantly developing and undergoing slight adjustments . The product isn’t destined to remain in a vacuum; on the contrary, change is both valued and streamlined to stay up to date with the needs of the customers . Principles In addition to the values explained in the Manifesto, the principles expanded upon them and added more specific details to the Agile philosophy: 1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software. 2. Welcome changing requirements , even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage. 3. Working software is the primary measure of progress. 4. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale . 5. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project. 6. Build projects around motivated individuals . Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation . 8. Agile processes promote sustainable development . The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely . 9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility. 10. Simplicity – the art of maximizing the amount of work not done – is essential. 11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams . 12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective , then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly. Although the Agile Alliance was more focused on project management for software, which is especially evident after reading the principles, Agile methodology can be used for all types of project management as a fundamental philosophy . Similarly to the values section that focuses on the customers, the individual workers, feedback and incremental modifications, the principles section of the Manifesto builds more on the foundation, while also elaborating upon the importance of daily collaboration, support and communication amongst team members, project managers and higher-ups and the always-improving quality of the product in question. How do start-ups use Agile to complete their projects? Thanks to the Agile Manifesto laying down a framework, professionals founded other methodologies that maintained the same beliefs, built upon them and implemented them in actionable ways. Two examples of  popular methodologies that are based on Agile are called Scrum and Kanban . Scrum By using the Scrum methodology, a team will work together under the leadership of a scrum master in brief iterations that tend to last one to four weeks. These short iterations are called sprints, and the scrum master supports their progress, morale and communication by holding daily scrum meetings and providing feedback. Another tool in their toolbelt is the scrum board , which is a visual representation that allows the team to see what the product backlog requires them to finish for the current sprint. The focus behind managing a project with scrum is a quick turnover rate and consistent improvement. Kanban While Scrum is all about sprints, Kanban is an ideology that believes in a continuous workflow that is broken down into stages. Not only are they different in their belief on time, they also disagree on the idea of roles; in Kanban, there are none since their tasks are based more on a Kanban board that are separated into three categories: Planned, Doing and Done. Visualization is an important aspect of Kanban as well because it provides visibility and easy access to the project. Also Kanban practices intend to maximize efficiency by reducing works in progress and implementing a constant feedback loop. Despite the fact that they have their differences, Scrum and Kanban share their foundational elements of Agile project management and even have their own principles and guidelines similar to the Agile Manifesto. Why is it important to know about Agile? Understanding the foundational elements and some of the different tools methods found in Agile is important if you’re going to work in a tech career nowadays given that more than 70% of American start-ups are using it. Ironhack believes that learning is key , in addition to the courses that are offered, information about project management has real world application that will be important moving forward and launching the tech career that is on the horizon! About the Author Adam is a teacher, translator and writer living in Madrid, Spain. He’s also studying to become a therapist. Since he is bilingual he teaches both English and Spanish and loves to write in both languages as well. He writes his own blog posts on Medium about mental health, psychology and his journey to self-discovery.

Whether you’re looking to further your data analyst career or jump into the sector this year, 2023 has a lot to offer. As the world bounces back from the pandemic and businesses throw themselves full fledged into what data analytics can do for them, now’s the time to hone your skills and make yourself the best possible analyst you can be. Data Analytics in 2023 The following trends are set to revolutionize the data analytics sector in 2023: An increased focus on customer experience will place an importance on design and analysis. More and more digital workloads will be on cloud-native platforms. Single dashboards that consolidate valuable information will become more popular. A heightened priority placed on privacy and data protection will mean companies work harder to secure customer data. Companies will invest heavily in data - data is how good decisions are made. New Year’s Resolutions for Data Analysts If you’re looking to transform your data analytics career this year, there’s never been a better time. Check out these 10 ideas: Focus on data ethics Between major data breaches and increasingly strict regulations, data ethics is key for any company looking to use client data. To achieve transparency with data, companies need to clearly and explicitly explain their policies to clients and train all employees (not just data analysts!) in the proper handling of data to avoid any problems. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but the last thing you want is to come across as untrustworthy. If clients are ensured a safe and transparent experience while entering their data on your site or app, they’ll be more likely to revisit. Update your resume You might have the job of your dreams, but data analytics is one of the world’s most fast moving industries, especially as we can do more and more with data. Even if you’re happy with where you are, take a look at your resume. Is there anything you can do to update it? Can you add more skills to your resume or is there any market need that you’re lacking? Taking a peek at your resume now can help you prepare for any opportunities that come your way in 2023. Create a network One of the best aspects of being part of such an incredibly fast-moving industry is the vast amount of connections you can make. Data analysis isn’t limited to just a few sectors; every single company needs to analyze their data. Use LinkedIn, conferences, local or online meet-ups, or online communities to take advantage of every opportunity. Learn about AI Artificial Intelligence is evolving hand in hand with data analytics, letting us do even more with data. But it can be tough to use correctly; that is, to use correctly to get a benefit out of it. In the last year alone, new AI techniques have allowed us to handle small data sets, in addition to large ones, which can change how we use our data. Learn a new data analytic tool It can be tempting to stick with what you know, but expanding your skillset can help you not only become a better data analyst, but also be a candidate for more and more jobs. Check these out: Tableau : this tool is great for analyzing, manipulating, and visualizing data Microsoft Office : you probably already know Word and PowerPoint, but try learning tricks in Excel to really transform your data Google Analytics: track website traffic with this web tool Embrace data democratization The days of data being just for data analysts to look at are far behind us: data is so crucial that the entire organization must know how to use it to their advantage. And because data is now at the center of every possible project, data needs to be widely accepted in any company. Companies that properly train and educate all their employees on what data is, how to read it, and how to interpret it will see a major difference quickly. Pursue personal or freelance projects It can be hard to get experience in data analytics and you may feel like there’s no way to get your feet in the door at your dream job. And in 2023, it’s on you to create your own experience. Try to look at your own computer or phone data to interpret some of its results or offer freelance services to local companies. This will help you get real-world experience in a less stressful environment. Learn different kinds of skills for data analysis Data analysts need a wide range of skills beyond just programs - have you thought about some of the technical skills that are in high demand with data analysts? Here’s a few: Data cleaning and visualization Matlab R Python SQL & NoSQL Machine learning Algebra and calculus And data analysts also need some soft skills: Problem solving Presetnation Analytical thinking Communication Review your NLP knowledge Data is key, we know this. But if your computer is spitting out unintelligible data, it doesn’t help you. Natural Language Processing, or NLP, is how computers and humans interact and how to use computers to fully understand human interactions and the information that comes from them. In 2023, NLP techniques will become even more powerful as we hone their capabilities to get more information from the data. Find a mentor There’s nothing better than learning from an expert and we have a secret - we don’t just mean learning about interpreting data! Finding a mentor in the data analytics industry can help you a lot; you can learn about the current market, the interview process, up-and-coming skills, industry trends, and much more. If you can find a mentor in your desired industry, that’s even better! Is data analytics in your future in 2023? Whether you’re just starting out or are an expert in the field, our Data Analytics bootcamp and subsequent career assistance can set you on right path.

Returning to school is often a necessary step in advancing in your career. However, enrolling in courses on top of a full-time job is a difficult decision to make. Are you ready for that lifestyle transformation? One of the biggest concerns is, of course, how to pay for that additional education. Luckily, there are many employers who will fund educational expenses to help with the cost of attendance. Yet, it’s most likely up to you to make that request of your employer. If returning to school is important to you, then getting clear on your goals and preparing to pitch your boss is necessary. Why going back to school may benefit your employer It’s important to be 100% certain on your goals and do your research about the programs where you wish to enroll. Are the skills that you will gain from these additional studies skills those that will help you be more successful in your current position? Is there a specific qualification that you need in order to advance in your career? Your job is to ultimately convince your employer that their investment in your education will benefit the company. Businesses know that employee retention is crucial to a company’s success. Training new employees is costly and failing to give employees opportunities for growth simply pushes them to seek opportunities elsewhere. Your boss knows that the company will benefit from having experienced loyal employees who can grow as leaders, take on additional projects, and bring in more revenue for the company. If we understand this, we know that your employer has already invested in you. They’ve trained you and they know that your success is directly related to the success of the company. You’re simply asking for an additional investment in your education so that you can offer even more to your employer. It’s a mutually beneficial situation, but it’s upon you to communicate that. Get specific: What skills will you gain from this additional educational experience? How do those skills tie directly into the work that you do for the company? Is there a specific position you’d like in the company? What are the requirements or expectations for someone in that position? Why should your company invest in this specific educational endeavor? Don’t forget, you’re surrounded by resources. If you want to return to school because you think the skills you gain will help you obtain a senior level position, reach out to the person who currently holds that senior level position. Find out what their educational background is. Ask what skills they see as necessary in being successful in that position. Figure out what classes they wish they had taken in order to be more successful. This information will help you prepare a pitch that’s grounded in the reality of the company. Educate yourself: how do educational benefits work at other companies? It’s been long proven that providing educational benefits to employees is one way to increase employee loyalty , reduce employee turnover rates , and increase productivity on part of the employees. This is why many employers offer educational benefits programs. The most common programs are tuition assistance programs for employees and family members. In the United States, employers can provide up to $5,250 per employee toward tuition tax-free, thus many companies in the states like United Parcel Service (UPS) and Chipotle have chosen to offer tuition assistance. Other businesses simply offer support in the form of training schemes or funding allowances. Meanwhile, some larger companies have partnerships with local universities. Do your research to see if your employer already has an education benefits program before making a request. If you’re sure that they do not, prepare to pitch to your boss. Knowing that many other companies already offer tuition assistance helps your case. Prepping the pitch for your boss Undoubtedly the most stressful part of this is actually asking your boss to fund your education. But if you’ve done your research, are clear on your goals, and know the ins and outs of the program you’d like funded, you’re in a good place to make a strong pitch. The most important things to remember are: It’s a selfless ask : your goals align with the goals of your boss. Your success is your boss’ success. Funding your education will only make you more loyal and excited to put the new skills you’ve learned to work to benefit you and your company. You are a valuable asset to your company: your employer has already made an investment in you and they do not want to lose you. An investment in you is an investment in the longevity of the company : employers know the benefit of having employees develop as leaders. The skills you learn you can later teach to your colleagues and mentor new employees. Employers are most likely to fund educational asks that: Are directly related to the work you’re doing. Are part time --they do not want to lose you as an employee. Are seen as a good financial investment for the company --upskilling current employees is often cheaper than contracting a new employee. Be prepared during this meeting. Practice pitching your key points. Prepare a presentation or at the very least bring your notes with you --you do not want to miss key information. Know that you and your employer are on the same team and your success is shared. Don’t let a no discourage you -- you’ll learn from the pitching process and can try again in the next quarter. Signing an educational contract If your company agrees to fund your education, they may ask you to sign an educational contract. It is extremely important to read this document because the funding may be contingent on you earning specific grades or on an extended work contract with your current employer. In short, know what you’re agreeing to . Look for language surrounding: Grade requirements : are you expected to maintain a specific GPA or grade in order to continue receiving financial support? Failing to complete the program : what happens if you fail to complete the educational program for reasons such as illness, an opportunity in a different city, or other personal issues? Will you be expected to pay back the funds once granted to you? An extended work contract: what does your employer expect from you while you’re studying and after completing your academic program? Payment for the courses: is the payment partial or complete? Will you pay upfront and be reimbursed or will your employer pay the fees directly? Will your employer also cover expenses such as books or other supplies? Time commitment and flexibility: will you be working during the duration of your studies? Is your employer open to you missing work for exams? Will your employer allow you to prioritize your studies? These are all important things to take into account while making the decision to accept funds from your employer. Remember, it’s a negotiation; you can make alternative requests of your employer and make your case for what would actually grant you a stronger educational experience. This contract is also a document to keep you safe. If you know you’re going to need time off during exams or want to be able to dedicate more time to your studies, make sure you’re also clear with those needs. Think of all the possibilities Getting your education funded does not mean strictly returning to college or getting a masters degree. This could be enrolling in an online course, getting CPR certified, attending a two-day academic conference, or a variety of other opportunities that promise education - even if they’re not met with a diploma. Maybe it’s easiest to start small and demonstrate to your boss that you're up for the challenge. Get ready to work! Studying while working is a huge commitment. It’s intellectually demanding and will most likely mean making sacrifices to your current lifestyle. If your company does invest in you, they are expecting a return on their investment. Be prepared to study hard and demonstrate all that you’ve learned to your employer. It’s an exciting opportunity for personal growth and the investment from your employer will only leave you feeling more respected as an important member of your workplace.

As the new year begins, you’re probably starting to think about your new year’s resolutions and how to ensure that t his year is the year that you crush them. And while your goals may be more personal, such as eating healthier, budgeting, or taking time to relax, the new year is a great time to tackle professional goals as well. UX/UI Design in 2023 With the abundance of products on the market, there’s never been a better time to create truly user-friendly products. If a user doesn’t like the design of your website or app and has trouble finding what they need, it can result in lost conversions and clients. That’s why in 2023, UX/UI design is predicted to reach new heights and become even more crucial. Here’s what to expect from UX/UI design in 2023 : Integrated design and code Parallel creation for designers and developers No more mock-ups Updated system states Easier testing All this means that UX/UI designers will continue to be in high-demand and it’s time to transform your career. New Year’s Resolutions for UX/UI Designers Work with your team Even if you think you’ve come up with the world’s best design, it’s likely that others on your team have good ideas as well or can help reduce your workload. Don’t be scared to rely on your team and spread out responsibilities. You never know - maybe they have the perfect idea to complete the design! Be patient We all know that UX/UI strategies are key to the success of a website, but don’t get too excited. It’s tempting to expect drastic changes immediately, but that’s not a reality. UX design is a process; you must understand both the brand and the client’s needs to create a successful design. It will take trial and error and reviewing data to find the secret to success: don’t panic! Continuously update Working for the world’s most popular company doesn’t ensure success; in fact, with the incredibly high competition that the market currently has, you must guarantee the best possible user experience. Worried? Make sure you check out these factors: Slow loading times Limited search options Confusing design Get organized Designers tend to have very creative ideas and it’s easy to get caught up in all of your good ones. Instead of trying to implement every idea immediately, try organizing your thoughts and plans. Then, it’ll be easier to choose the best one for a specific project later on. Learn color theory Did you know that different colors trigger different responses in users? And that some colors have been proven to actually encourage users to click on an ad or make a purchase? Choosing the right colors isn’t just about aesthetics; the right color can make or break a customer’s experience on your page. Diving into color theory can help you understand both the best choice and the why behind that choice. Try to reduce clicks The less “work” a user has to do to get to where they need to be is the holy grail in UX/UI design. Set a challenge for yourself: on one of your designs, find one place to eliminate at least one click. Then, check out the page analytics and see if it helped improve the page’s performance. Learn to balance aesthetics with usefulness Here’s that horrible struggle all UX/UI designers have to deal with at some point - is compromising the page’s usability worth increasing the site’s aesthetic look? Or the other way around: is a more user-friendly, but not as attractive design better? It’s hard, but the key to a successful design is to balance the two. And this might take some time - play around with different designs and choose the one that works best for the specific situation. Learn from experts The internet is full of helpful videos, podcasts, blog posts, and tips from experienced and successful UX/UI designers that can help you become even more skilled. These are some of the most common tips from top designers: Reduce clicks Use images instead of words Keep it simple Provide the necessary information Be original It’s not ideal, but one company’s recipe for success won’t be the same as another, even if they’re quite similar. Try not to just copy another website or app design; all clients and companies are different (we promise!) and successful UX/UI design incorporates this into the design process. Polish your data analysis Creating designs is great, but you need to know how to interpret the data that you get from your work. You could be just one step away from an incredibly successful design, but you won’t know that unless you can check out your results. Scheduling a time weekly or monthly to review page or app statistics can make all the difference - it’s time to polish your data analysis skills. Are you ready to take on UX/UI design in 2023? Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced professional, this is your year. And at Ironhack, we’re here to help.

New Year’s Resolutions on the Horizon At the end of each year, a new beginning looms on the horizon where potential opportunities await and you envision big plans for the future. Those aspirations can seem far off and scary, but luckily the decision to be productive often starts off strong at the ring of the new year. When it comes to starting any new career, let alone one in tech, a surplus of motivation is necessary to get the wheels off the ground. Fortunately, leveraging the new year energy to get organized and connected with what you really want is a great start. Stay Determined All Year Long Research and plan Getting ahead takes a lot of preparation, and having a realistic timeline and plan for what the year(s) may look like is important to have as a solid foundation. Rome was in fact not built in a day, and entering the workforce in tech may take some time depending on what role you want to pursue. Plans can look very different; however, the most important part is for them to be both realistic and doable. The best way for you to keep those in mind is by speaking to someone else who already has the job that you’re aiming for. The best way to go about finding these individuals is to look for professionals on Linkedin or reach out to friends of friends, asking them questions like: 1) What studying did you have to complete to reach your position? 2) What challenges were you met with? 3) Is there any advice that you wish you had been given when you started off? Why go on a hunt when you can get first-hand knowledge quickly and from one source! After creating that base, more information may be necessary and researching online would be your best option. Some Google searches to start off your research can be in the following fields: 1) Web development 2) UX/UI design 3) Cybersecurity 4) Software development 5) Data analysis Having a good plan starts off with finding the right information and if you’re just entering the world of tech, it’s highly likely that you don’t have the necessary studies to make that happen. At Ironhack, there are great options to get you started and provide the foundation for learning those tech skills. With bootcamps both online and in person around the world, you have access to several options that will allow you to study and fit your schedule with full time and part time schedules available. Check out our courses page to find out more information. Still stuck? Follow these steps: Set attainable, bite-size goals Waking up on January 1st, you can easily fall into the trap of making huge, abstract goals that are near impossible to achieve: get a raise, lose 30 pounds, buy a car, etc. A big vision isn’t the problem here, however, having that well thought-out plan and making weekly and monthly goals can help make them seem more attainable, keep motivation and spirits high, and stay on the right track. One way to break up your goals is through making monthly and weekly goals. As a result, achieving that mini-goal, as Marie Kondo would say, sparks joy and is a small reminder of the hard work going into your own future. Smaller wins keep the flame alive. To make accomplishing a goal even that more impactful, a prize or self-gift can reinforce that behavior: anice dinner out, a new shirt you’ve wanted for the past few months, or even a sticker on an achievement chart.  A small celebration of your accomplishments, however little they may be, adds flame to the fire. Is it similar to the coveted “Great job,” that teachers used to give you in elementary school? Yeah, and that recognition of your hard work was so special because it wasn't given out frequently. 2. Write in a diary or journal Along with creating a detailed plan and setting benchmark goals, keeping a log or diary of your progress, status, and effort is a great way to reflect on what’s happening currently in your world and how things can be improved or changed. A look into the past and acknowledgement of all you’ve done to get where you are is incredibly empowering and an enormous reminder that you are strong, capable, and hardworking. More often than not, thinking alone isn’t enough . When you write down what you’re thinking, not only is there a record for you to go back to, but also you are putting more intention into what is going through your mind. In addition to the typical updates that you can write in your diary, prompts can be helpful in guiding you towards a specific answer, especially one that is reflective of your inner world. Some journal prompts that may be helpful are: 1) What do I want right now? What do I need right now? 2) What have I done that I am proud of? 3) Do I feel like I’m on the right track? If not, how can I get back? 4) What am I doing that is helping me reach my goals? Is anything detracting me from getting there? Self-reflection can open doors to your inner-workings and help you get more in touch with those desires and patterns that can be leveraged to succeed. 3. Adopt a growth mindset Corporations and educators have been pushing heavily for the past few years a growth mindset, an idea coined by Carol Dweck - with good reason too! It states that a shift in thinking that focuses on growing, improving, working hard, and learning instead of focusing on your own fixed capacity, allowing people to stay curious and motivated despite any challenges that may arise. For example, you don’t complete a project on time, and from there your mind can go in a few directions: 1) I can’t finish things on time ever and I’m always going to be a procrastinator. 2) I am still figuring out what I need to do in order to procrastinate less and next time, I will start earlier and communicate more clearly with my project manager. The second thought would be considered to be that of a growth mindset since improvement can still occur without fear of failure. It’s easy to believe that you are fixed in who you are, but knowing that you are constantly changing and growing can be quite motivational, even when goals are not met or you don’t get that second interview. Adoption of a growth mindset provides the grit, resistance to failure, and the determination to succeed despite difficulties and challenges that may arise. 4. Create visual reminders Waking up and walking over to your mirror to see yourself and pictures hanging on the wall of your goals provides you with the opportunity to see yourself in the present and what your future will hold. Visual reminders of our intentions, dreams, and plans make quite the impression, especially when you see the same images day after day. Everyone has heard of a vision board, and as cheesy as they are, they can also be helpful in keeping your eyes on the prize. Maybe grabbing magazines from around the house isn’t the best way to go about making these though, since there are online tools like Canva’s free vision board creator that can help in making a perfect collage of all the images you may need to complete your full vision. The more specific the goal-related photo, the better, and since you’ve already listed your goals and plans previously, finding the right photo to encapsulate those achievements is the final step. 5. Outsource to motivators Our own validation and reinforcement of behaviors are a driving force of moving forward, but sometimes it may not be enough. What you can’t provide for yourself can be outsourced to a motivator though. A motivator can be a friend, significant other, coworker, family member, or anyone you can trust and rely on, and when they tell you, “Hey, you are doing a spectacular job” or, “Man, you’re working so hard and almost there, you’ve got this,” it can be both powerful and encouraging. Sometimes, it may look a bit different, “[insert name here], I know you didn’t get that promotion this time, but next week get that project done, and you’ll see from there.” Motivators are there to provide you with whatever you may need from them in the right moment. Humans will always need to depend on others no matter what, and having support from the people around you is essential can be a huge relief. Armed with the self-knowledge of what you need given the situation, you can ask a motivator for encouraging words, outside pressure, or a strong shake back to reality - and they’ll give it to you! Education Comes First You may be starting off the new year with overwhelming feelings, a headache, and a list of accomplishments and tasks to complete, but with the right support in place, you can cross off each one of those bullet points throughout the next twelve months. Given how easy it is to get started with us and the number of jobs available, the opportunity to begin a successful career in tech has never been bigger. Register your email at Ironhack to cross off the first goal on your list: get the proper education. Don’t forget to check out all our online and in person available courses today. About the Author Adam is a teacher, translator and writer living in Madrid, Spain. He’s also studying to become a therapist. Since he is bilingual he teaches both English and Spanish and loves to write in both languages as well. He writes his own blog posts on Medium about mental health, psychology and his journey to self-discovery.

Talenthack Berlin: Partner talks and tech talent network Come and join one of Berlin's top tech events where young tech talents and our partner companies can meet! What is Talenthack Berlin? What do you think is the biggest challenge for people when it comes to breaking into tech? Building your network. Once you have the technical knowledge you need under your belt, the next challenge to overcome is diving into your local tech community and building your network. Hey, we know it's not easy. Striking up conversations with people you don’t know can be scary and sometimes you might not even know where to look to find your fellow tech workers. But if you are a young tech talent who recently started your career transition, we are hosting the perfect event for you. Talenthack is a unique meeting and networking space where young tech talents and our partner companies can meet! Other young tech workers, in the same position as you, will be attending and our thriving Ironhack community is here to welcome you and help you build your local tech talent connections. So, what exactly is Talenthack Berlin? A local tech talent event hosted at our Ironhack Campus Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg). Hosted several times a year, for one evening we open up the campus to share drinks, snacks, and stories. An opportunity to meet the current students and latest graduates + alumni A chance to view talks from some tech leaders and learn from the best. View profiles in Web Dev, UX/UI Design & Data Analytics Why come to the Talenthack tech event? The team at Ironhack loves how our values of bridging the gap between talent, technology, and community align, so we knew that hosting this tech event for our Berlin alumni would be a game-changing experience. To give you a glimpse of how you can use the Ironhack community to help you break into tech, here are the highlights of coming to an Talenthack event. Get to know the local companies that are on the hunt for tech talent in Berlin. Connect to awesome companies that share your values and can help you take the next step in your tech career. See how companies present themselves and get a look at what makes them special. Hear talks from tech leaders at some of the most influential companies and listen as they share their wisdom. A look back at our last Talenthack event Talenthack Berlin has been a huge success since it started. Our alumni have used it to not only build their network and assist them in their job hunt but also to hear the stories of talented tech employees and how their journeys started. Our last Talenthack took place at our beautiful campus in Berlin. Companies like Zalando, HelloFresh, REDSOFA Berlin, VISSERO, Hyve Local, GetYourGuide, and Feminutes took part and used the opportunity to get to know the latest tech talent in Berlin – people just like you. Deborah, lead talent acquisition Manager at @ HelloFresh : Deborah shared the story of her career change and highlighted the skills and motivations that make any Ironhacker an ideal fit for the tech industry. “A bootcamp graduate, someone coming from Ironhack would be a great fit for a company like Hello Fresh . Someone who decided I'm going to put something on pause or slow it down so that I  can focus on something new and really immerse myself and dedicate myself to learning. That's exactly the kind of person that we're looking for. And I can even share. Personally, I'm pretty new to recruitment. I've actually only been a recruiter for two years. What they were thinking when they hired me, I don't know. But I spent a year as a technical recruiter and then moved into this role in January. If that doesn't speak to the kinds of opportunities that exist and the trust and the dedication to learning, don't know what at what I'm a recruiter, take everything I say with a grain of salt, as I'm sure you all know. But seriously, I think it's important to focus on.`` Roy, Senior Product Design Recruiter @ REDSOFA Berlin Roy is a recruiter at REDSOFA and specializes in design. In his talk he shared how he is happy to help any Ironhacker take the leap into their first tech role. Do you want feedback on your online portfolio? Or some insights into how to approach searching for a UX design role and what skills to highlight on your application? Then you can reach out to Roy. Get some professional insight from him on his experiences as a designer recruiter as well as insights into what he loves/hates in design portfolios. “Calling all recent Ironhack Germany graduates! We had an absolute blast at the speaking at the TalentHack event last week -There was so much great energy in the room. As someone who knows how scary career shifts can be, and understands the design job space well I want to try and do more helping career changers & entry level job seekers out. I have blocked out an hour 15.00 - 16.00 every Friday to do short 15 min calls with entry level design job seekers to offer help advice and portfolio feedback. You can book a slot using this link below.” https://lnkd.in/eK4RT4UQ Is your company ready to reach Berlin's tech talent? If you are a company that would like to be part of our next #talenthack to discover new talents, reach out to Marc Peter Dauter . Get set up at our next event and discover how Ironhack can help you reach a new generation of talent. Ready to join? More than 10,000 career changers and entrepreneurs launched their careers in the tech industry with Ironhack's bootcamps. Start your new career journey, and join the tech revolution!

The new year is here and we’re sure you’re as eager as we are to start crossing off your New Year’s resolutions. And while you probably have some great personal goals like going to the gym more or spending time with family, have you considered making a few professional goals as well? Even if you’re happy with your current role or professional development, it can’t hurt to set some goals to help advance your career. Web Development in 2023 Web development is still one of the most in-demand career options out there and companies are in need of skilled web development professionals . Here’s what to expect from web development in 2023: Java is popular again and JavaScript is the most in-demand language. Data analysis is a sought-after skill. Coding tests are becoming more common in the interview process. Remote work is now a reality for most web developers. New Year’s Resolutions for Web Developers Even if you can’t meet all ten of these resolutions, choose a few that work for you and make sure you work for them in 2023. They will help your web development career take off! Revamp your CV It’s always great to have an up-to-date resume on hand in case a new opportunity comes your way. Do you know how to organize your resume so it’s as impressive as possible? Here are some tips: Prioritize your relevant experience: if you’re applying for a role that requests Java knowledge, make sure you put that on the top of your resume. Ensure your CV is easy to read and understand : clearly list the role, your employer, dates of employment, and responsibilities. List your skills at the top of your resume: list your skills and competencies at the top of your in bullet points so it catches the recruiter’s eye. Be easy to reach: the very top of your resume should have your full name, contact information, and address (optional). Keep it simple : there’s no need to include a headshot or colorful bullet points; keep the paper black and white with only information relevant to your professional experience. Complete your reading list Your education as a web developer isn’t limited to just coding and practical skills; certain books can help hone your soft skills, help you plan out your professional trajectory, and explore the future of web development. Complete a project from start to finish It can be tempting to just do one part of a project, but trying to complete the entire project and seeing it through from the beginning could help you expand your skills and better understand the process. It could also introduce you to a part of the process that you really like - what are you waiting for?! Learn new frameworks Improving your skills will help you not only be a better developer, but also be better suited for new and more advanced roles. Check out these three frameworks to learn in 2023: Spring : this open-source application framework for Java apps is easy to test, flexible, lightweight, and is the most popular Java Framework worldwide. Django : this high-level python framework boasts speed, free tools, backward compatibility, and has more than 28,000 stars on GitHub. Express : this node.js web application framework is easy to learn, boasts fast app development, and is used for backend development by Paypal, Walmart, and IBM. Check out new web dev products Web dev is constantly evolving in a wide range of sectors and it’s essential to stay up-to-date with them to not only hone your skills but be prepared for new challenges. A quick internet search of Google reviews and professional opinions can help you understand the current market. Join tech communities Tech communities like GitHub and Product Hunt are great ways to chat with other developers, ask for technical help, provide assistance to fellow developers, and explore the world of web dev. Prepare for tech interviews You never know when your next big opportunity will come around the corner and you don’t want to find yourself unprepared. Practice some tech interviews throughout the year and stay on top of what you need to know. Get organized Is your desk space getting a little cramped or is storage on your computer low? Or is your calendar filled with unnecessary meetings? The new year is a great time to get organized, clear up your clutter, and set achievable goals. Make a list of what you absolutely need to accomplish, prioritizing those tasks above all else. Improve your time management skills We all know how hard it can be to juggle work, personal life, and maybe even studying. That’s why it’s crucial to hone your time management skills and set boundaries between your work and personal life. Even though it may seem like your boss wants you to work constantly, your performance will actually improve with strict boundaries and scheduled breaks/time off . Learn a new skill Your education journey is never truly over, especially as a web developer. And as web development becomes more and more popular, making yourself a truly unique candidate will help you land that role. Learning to write blog posts as a tech professional or creating physical designs instead of just computer ones (think business cards or posters!) will expand not only your knowledge, but the range of roles available to you. 2023 is here and this is your chance to further develop your skills, make yourself a more attractive candidate, and reach new heights. At Ironhack, we’re here to help you meet your goals. Are you ready?

Tell us a bit about you! Hello there ! I’m Ioana , currently living in Paris. In my professional life, I work as a Cybersecurity Officer in the Defense industry. In my personal life, I like to travel, paint, play guitar, and to regularly learn new things. What did you do before joining the Bootcamp? I used to be a Project Manager in the aerospace industry, at the crossroads of IT & Engineering - type of - projects. Why were you interested in Cybersecurity in the first place? On my last project I had to accidentally deal with a cybersecurity-related part as the project was in a military environment. So I had no previous knowledge of cybersecurity & I somehow had to start training myself on my own the best I could in order to make the project go smoothly. Why did you decide to make a career change? With plenty of time on my hands due to Covid, I was also financially able to invest in a new career as it was already on my mind for some time. The hardest was the first step - meaning the decision to dive in a new field, after that, everything kind of started to fall into place gradually & quite effortlessly. Looking back now, a year later, I can say beyond the shadow of any doubt, that it was one of the best professional decisions I had ever taken. How was your experience at Ironhack during the course? During the bootcamp I experienced a mix of fulfillment (at what I was achieving) sprinkled with frustration here & there (on the more technical or complex parts). I would say the most important is: to never give up even if it may look hard (or close to impossible at times). Success is going all the way, effort & resilience always pays back (in due time). How was the remote collaboration with the rest of the class? It was nice & easy & although remote, the colleagues were always eager to help out when someone gave them a shout. We even continued our collaboration after the class, when recommending different positions and/ or companies among us. It’s a pity we didn’t create a group on Signal or some other rather safe social network, we could have definitely kept in touch for longer. What did you enjoy the most about the self-learning format of the Bootcamp? It was done remotely in the comfort of my home - I tend to learn quicker & work more efficiently when I am in a psychologically safe / Home-like environment. I was also able - up to a point - to manage my own learning rhythm & adjust it accordingly based on my brain-sharp or brain-lazy hours during the day. After graduating, you found a job. What would you highlight from your current company and position? I actually found several positions & I worked for 3 companies already since I graduated last year, all of them in cybersecurity. It was hardest in the beginning due to the obvious lack of cyber work experience. But once I got on the cyber market, it literally rained with opportunities & I was no longer forced to let other people choose me, I chose the best for myself. Piece of advice on this one: life is short so never settle unless you feel appreciated, valued & fulfilled where you are. And yes, it does exist. How did the Bootcamp prepare you for the job market? I honestly don’t think I could have been here without the Bootcamp. It definitely provided the necessary tools, knowledge, technology & the self-confidence that came with all these. It was thanks to the bootcamp that I managed to get on the cyber market & to make my career change & ultimately proudly work in an awesome company that I greatly cherish. What advice would you give to those who want to get started in the tech sector and are afraid of change? Whether we like it to admit or not, our entire life means constant change. Look at it this way: yes, it’s scary to make a big change (& fear potential failure) but you know what it’s even scarier ? Regret (of not having risked it when you had the chance, energy & finances). So be scared (if you cannot help it), but do it anyway. Just some advice from my side: whenever you feel not (experienced or skilled) enough for a position you’d like to apply & you somehow don’t feel ready, do it anyway. Take the risk, let a company tell you no (it’s a possibility), but don’t tell yourself no beforehand, don’t sabotage your own opportunity. don’t forget to celebrate success (even small successful moments), remember you are your biggest fan, be kind to yourself & understand this is a process - stairs to climb one by one - and not a one-time target to hit. fear is an illusion, most of the things we fear do not happen, train that resilience & mental strength, run risks regularly & know that failure is a greater teacher than success & a perfect trainer to prepare you for better things to come. Now go & be courageous & enjoy every bit of that cyber ride out there !

Your dream of transforming your tech career doesn’t mean you’ll be staring at a computer screen for an endless amount of time before you finally learn the skills you need. With Ironhack, you can choose from one of our 10 campuses on 3 different continents to explore your tech future while experiencing one of the world’s best cities. Not totally convinced? Take a look at what Madrid offers here. In a nutshell, Madrid has: a low crime rate tasty wine and food job opportunities a good work/life balance Why Madrid? Madrid is known for its vibrant life, fantastic food, and bustling streets. And that’s not all: with pleasant and sunny weather for most of the year and a mild winter, Madrid is truly an unbeatable destination. Madrid is made special by one specific factor: although it boasts a relaxed lifestyle that is many paces below that of New York or London, it’s full of activities and excitement. World-class museums, exhibitions, cinemas, sporting events, parks and more: Madrid has everything you could ever want. Here’s some key information about Madrid: Madrid’s cost of living is lower than other European cities like London, Milan, and Amsterdam. Missing the green of the suburbs? Madrid offers some of the country’s biggest and best parks. Check out Parque del Retiro, Parque del Oeste, and Casa de Campo to get some much-needed greenery. English is spoken by many Madrileños , in addition to extensive and inviting expat communities from a wide range of countries. It’s also a popular Erasmus destination, bringing in tons of international students a year. Madrid experiences all four seasons of the year; it’s usually quite dry and sunny with low humidity. As the capital city, many of Spain’s (and Europe’s!) largest companies are headquartered in Madrid, providing you with ample job opportunities. Madrid’s quality of life is improved by its high-quality metro lines, bus system, commuter trains, and incredible food. Its location is perfect for traveling throughout Europe and Spain itself. Spanish people are friendly, welcoming, and eager to practice Spanish with you. Ironhack in Madrid If you know Madrid is your next step or you’ve been lucky enough to call Madrid your home all your life and are looking to enjoy this bustling city while working on your professional career, it’s time to check out Ironhack in Madrid . We’re proud to promote women in STEM through our FemTech movement and offer our students an unparalleled experience. Ironhack courses in Madrid Web development : learn front and back end technologies and everything else you need to know to become a full stack web developer. Data analytics : become a data analyst through learning tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau and learn to interpret data to make the right decisions. UX/UI design : user-centric design is key here; learn design thinking to build digital experiences created specifically for users. Cybersecurity : cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, due to their wide range of skills pertaining to protecting companies from risks and hacks. No matter if you choose remote, full-time, or part-time courses in Barcelona, Ironhack’s campus offers you something beyond your course; we offer events, chances to network and connect with your fellow Ironhackers, an awesome space to get your best work done, and much more. Unsure if you should take the full-time bootcamp? What about part-time? Or remote? Let’s discuss: Our full-time bootcamps are ideal for those looking to get a new job soon and can exclusively dedicate nine weeks to learning. If you want fast results, this is for you. Our part-time bootcamps are for those who can’t dedicate nine weeks to just the bootcamp; if you want to keep your job elsewhere or continue your studies in another institution, our part-time bootcamps are perfect for you. The results are the same as our full-time course, just spread out over more weeks to allow you time to handle your other commitments. Our remote bootcamps are an option for everyone, even if you’re already located near our campus. These courses offer more flexibility and start dates, in addition to language variations, to help you choose the perfect course for you. And don’t worry about missing out on our events or course help; remote students are welcome at campus any day of the week and can benefit from everything offered to in-person students. Our Madrid campus Located at the stunning Matadero in Madrid, our campus has everything you need for success. This old slaughter house is now the location of restaurants, exhibits, and theater , making it the perfect place to experience Madrid. And just below Matadero, you can find a park and river that stretches across the bottom of the city; Madrid’s sunny weather means studying outside is always an option. Our campus is open 6 days a week and is the perfect place to meet with your fellow Ironhackers, get some quiet studying done, and let loose on Friday afternoons with ping-pong and Ironbeers. Financing options in Madrid We know our bootcamps may not fit everyone’s budget, which is why we offer various payment plans to help make our bootcamps a reality for everyone. Bank financing You should always check with your bank or your financial institution to see what options are available to you, but we have a few we’ve checked out for you: Banco Sabadell: Sabadell offers two different financing options with different interest rates for a max of €8,000 or €5,000. Lending-as-a-Service platforms: Quotanda offers various and flexible loan options for students around the world, personalized to your needs. Income share agreements within Ironhack StudentFinance : This pay-for-success financing model gives you access to education funding in exchange for a fixed percentage of your post-graduation income over a set period of time; you won’t pay anything until you land a job, and your rate will be based on what you make. CHANCEN eG : CHANCEN eG covers your tuition and deposit until you have your dream job! Then, you can pay it back on an income-based repayment plan over 5 years. Pay in installments If you’re not looking to take out a loan but want to spread out payments over time, Ironhack offers the option to pay in installments. Depending on if you’re taking a full or part time bootcamp, your payments can be spread out over 3 or 6 months. Have we convinced you? Madrid can not only help you change your career path, but also take in one of the world’s best cities. Make Madrid your home and discover Ironhack Madrid today.

Tips for Goal Setting Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. A goal gives you a target to aim for and it inspires you to take action. Without goals, you’re just drifting through life without a plan or purpose. And when it comes to your career, goals will help you ensure you are heading in the right direction and following what we consider your north star. To keep your goals realistic, we suggest you follow the SMART goal model. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound . This acronym will help keep you focused on what’s important. Here are some tips to help with the SMART goal model: Write your goals down and keep them in a place where you can see them. When you see your goals every day, your motivation to achieve them will be enhanced. Set deadlines for yourself! Part of setting SMART goals means you have measurable benchmarks , which require timelines. Share your goal deadlines with peers to help hold yourself accountable. Receive feedback and support through accountability partners to help you stay on track to hit your benchmarks. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Goals Qualitative goals for 2023 Develop a comprehensive understanding of the job market and available roles Research employers and organizations that align with your career aspirations Proactively network with industry professionals to gain insight into the current hiring landscape Create an up-to-date resume and online portfolios that highlight your skills and experiences Quantitative goals for 2023 These consist of measurable accomplishments, so you may want to set your sights on a few certifications pertaining to the sector you want to get into. One great way to set measurable goals is to use the SMART system: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound . For example, “I will land two interviews in the next month” is a specific goal that can be measured (whether or not you actually landed those interviews). It’s also achievable and relevant—you want to get interviews, after all!—and it has a timeline attached so you can measure your progress. Goals to Set to Land a New Job Finding a new job can be an intimidating process, but setting realistic and achievable goals can help make the process smoother and more successful. With the right mindset, dedication, and preparation, any job seeker can be successful in pursuing their dream job. Here are some essential goals to set when searching for a new job: 1. Know your worth Before beginning the search for a new job, it is important to know your worth as an employee and understand what you bring to the table. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, experience, qualifications, and skill set will help you determine which positions are best suited for you. Knowing your worth upfront can also help you confidently negotiate salaries or other benefits with potential employers; understanding what kind of value you bring to an organization enables you to demonstrate that value in interviews and other aspects of the hiring process. 2. Research prospective employers Researching potential employers is essential when pursuing a new job. Take time to familiarize yourself with an organization’s mission statement, values, culture, and recent news stories about the company that may have been published in newspapers or online media outlets. It will give you insight into whether the company aligns with your values as well as show potential employers during interviews that you have done your homework on their organization. 3. Develop and maintain professional connections Networking is an integral part of finding a new job - by developing relationships with professionals within industries relevant to your desired career path, you increase your visibility in the workforce and open yourself up to opportunities otherwise unavailable through traditional methods such as submitting resumes online or attending job fairs. Never underestimate how far simply maintaining contact with industry-relevant professionals will take you in your search for employment - networking events could land you an interview or even help connect you with recruiters who specialize in placing candidates like yourself into jobs they deserve! 4. Update your resume & cover letter Having a resume ready at all times is important when trying to land a new position; depending on the type of role being pursued, there may be specific qualifications required or keywords used by employers during their searches for potential employees that need to be included in resumes and cover letters submitted for consideration. Make sure these documents are up-to-date according to current industry standards so they stand out from competitors vying for the same position. 5. Practice interviewing skills A great way to prepare for future interviews is by rehearsing answers beforehand - research common questions asked during interviews relevant to potential positions so there aren’t any surprises when it comes time for face-to-face meetings with prospective employers! Additionally, practice active listening skills such as making eye contact throughout conversations - this shows attentiveness and interest which could make all the difference come decision time! 6. Aim high & stay positive Just because one opportunity doesn’t work out doesn’t mean another won't come along eventually; don’t forget to stay positive throughout the entire job hunting process! Aim high while keeping realistic expectations – try applying for positions slightly above those seemingly suited best based on education/experience requirements so there is room for growth if hired. Additionally, always remain professional by promptly answering emails/phone calls from recruiters/employers – doing so increases chances of standing out from other candidates vying for similar positions. 7. Be patient Landing a new job takes patience – don’t get discouraged if results don’t happen overnight; keep pushing forward until something sticks! Doing research on potential companies/positions prior to putting yourself out there goes a long way too - this provides insight into whether roles match desired criteria before wasting time applying/interviewing! Patience pays off when it comes down to crunch time and perseverance works when desperately searching for gainful employment elsewhere! Set Clear Goals to Climb the Career Ladder When it comes to setting goals to climb the career ladder, an individual should have a formidable plan that is realistic and achievable. It can be daunting to try and map out a career path, especially when one does not have access to seasoned mentors or advisors. However, by practicing careful goal planning and staying focused on self-improvement , anyone can develop a successful roadmap for their future success. Set up a 30-60-90 day plan When pursuing new opportunities, it's important to have a 30-60-90 day plan in place. This plan will help manage the change and keep things running smoothly. The first 30 days are used to assess the situation and get organized, the next 60 days are for implementing changes and communicating with staff, and the final 90 days are for monitoring results and making any necessary adjustments. Having a clear plan in place will help minimize disruption and chaos during a time of upheaval. With these goals in mind while job hunting, anyone seeking employment has every chance of finding success in their pursuit of ideal roles both domestically and internationally! Setting realistic expectations while remaining dedicated enhances chances of finding enjoyable careers sooner rather than later. We wish you the best of luck in your search and remember: Ironhack is here to help you upskill so you can stay on track with your career goals.