The Ironhack Blog

We’ve all been there and it’s not fun: feeling uncertain about a decision, especially when it carries the weight of a career change or another major decision, can be quite the challenge. And making the decision to change jobs or even change industries isn’t one you’re going to take lightly--and with reason! In fact, we recommend leaning into that uncertainty and trying to determine where it actually comes from; after all, you know what’s best for you and if you’re feeling doubt or concern, there’s probably a reason why. We’re going to explore the specific instances where you might be feeling uncertain when either choosing to take one of Ironhack’s bootcamps or once you’re enrolled and in the midst of the course. But first, even though we all recognize that sense of uncertainty and anxiety, let’s dive into where that comes from and what possible causes could be. Uncertainty: where does it come from? Uncertainty can be a lot of different things to different people and you might be tempted to conflate its definition with risk, anxiety, or doubt. And while those are all feelings associated with uncertainty, they’re not quite the same. Uncertainty specifically comes from five sources: Missing information: no matter how the information we need is missing, whether we simply don’t know the answer or can’t find what we need, missing information causes that sense of uncertainty. Unreliable information : even if we do have the information we need, it still causes uncertainty because we can’t be sure it’s true and trustworthy. Conflicting information : we might have the information we need and trust it, but if it’s inconsistent with other information, it will be hard to believe it. Noisy information : if there’s a lot of information out there--but we don’t know what’s right--it can be difficult to get a straight answer. Confusing information : you might have everything you need in front of you: you’ve found reliable, trustworthy, and consistent information in your search. But if you can’t understand it, it’s practically useless. These main causes of uncertainty can manifest themselves in anxiety, self-doubt, pessimism, and more harmful behaviors. And we know that changing careers or taking on a new challenge like a bootcamp can be intimidating, which is why we’re going to address some situations that our prospective/current students feel and discuss how to tackle them: "I've been job hunting forever...will I ever get a job?" Of course you will and the tech sector is a great place to look for jobs right now. But finding the right role for you might take a bit of time and there’s nothing wrong with that. Stay mentally strong and look for actionable items you can do to make a difference. Is your CV outdated or not catching the eye of recruiters? Give it a revamp . Are you leaving your interviews thinking they could have gone better? Talk to professionals and seek out advice for things to do differently. Are you having trouble finding the right role for you? Use LinkedIn, your Ironhack alumni community , or any other tools available to you to network and talk to seasoned professionals who can give you practical advice. “I don’t know exactly what I want to do professionally. Is a bootcamp still a good idea?” Maybe the only thing that’s clear is that you don’t want to stay in your current role, but you have no idea what your next step should be. Well, that’s actually great news. Tech is an industry with a wide range of career paths and no matter what field you choose to study, you’ll be able to try out different roles until you find the perfect one for you. “I have NO experience in tech. How will I succeed in the bootcamp?” Don’t worry! The great thing about our bootcamps is that we bring together people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences to help them find their path in life through tech bootcamps. In addition to your fellow Ironhackers, you’ll have dedicated teachers and teaching assistants to help you if you get stuck and your pre-bootcamp module will ensure you have sufficient foundational knowledge before the course even begins. “How do I know tech is right for me?” You might think tech is an industry where you need a calculus level knowledge of math and years of experience coding to be successful. And we’re not saying that wouldn’t help--in fact, it would probably be awesome! But most tech roles require knowledge of tech concepts that change and evolve so frequently extensive educational requirements are being left behind and employers are instead focusing on hard skills . So no matter your background, if you master the tech skills that are so needed within the industry, you and tech will be a great fit. "I've accepted a job offer...what if I don't like it?" Before anything else: congratulations ! Getting a job in tech is no small feat, especially if you come from a different background or industry. And the truth is that no matter how well your interviews went, you won’t know what it’s actually like to work at the company until you’re on the job and have been there for a bit. But keep this important tidbit in mind: you are just starting out and you may have to shop around a bit before you find the perfect role for you. If you don’t like the role at first, stay positive and give it a chance. It could be a valuable learning opportunity and provide you with the skills you’ll need to land your next role. “How do I know the bootcamp will teach me what I need to know to get a job?” Our course content is constantly being updated and renewed to teach you exactly what you need to get a job in tech. We know that tech’s dizzying speed means that the skills you need might change drastically from year to year; we look at what tech companies are requesting from applicants and apply what we’ve seen to our syllabus. "Will my bootcamp actually get me a job?" One of the best things about tech is that the traditional four-year university education is going out the door, meaning that online learning and bootcamps are legitimate and good ways to get into tech. However, getting your dream job is a challenge you’ll have to overcome through hard work and dedication ; your bootcamp can open doors to success, if you’re willing to make the effort. "I'm working for a small startup and things are looking dicey: what happens if I'm made redundant?” Like we mentioned above, these doubts will circle in your head and make your head absolutely spiral. Try to stick to what you do know: you already got one job and you can use the time you have at your current job to hone your skills, learn new abilities, and become a better applicant for future roles. “Is AI going to take my job?!” Oof, you’ve been reading Reddit again, haven’t you? While quite skilled and advanced, artificial intelligence is not going to decrease the numbers of jobs in tech; in fact, more jobs will actually be created. Why is that? Well, at the end of the day, artificial intelligence will revolutionize the tech sector and new jobs will be needed to harness the power of it. Combating Uncertainty Even the world’s most confident and secure person is going to face uncertainty at some point and that’s totally fine. The most important thing is that you have tools available to you that will help you overcome your uncertainty and we have some helpful, albeit challenging, tips to help you achieve peace with uncertainty: Focus on things that are in your control : this seems quite obvious, but it’s actually one of the biggest causes of stress in most people. And although we’d like to have full control over the majority of things in our lives, we simply don’t--and never will. So the next time there’s something stressing you out that’s out of your control, try to break the problem up into smaller issues and tackle the aspects you can control. Find things that help you feel better: uncertainty can trigger some intense feelings and if you can’t control that uncertainty, you will need to learn what helps you feel better in that moment of stress. For example, if exercising helps you let go and focus on something else, try going for a run when you feel that uncertainty rolling in. Think about why you need certainty : it’s clear you’d rather be certain about things, but it’s not always an option. So instead of thinking about the uncertainty of the moment, reflect on times when you weren’t sure about something and it turned out totally okay. Then once you feel a bit more confident, remember that everything works out and this too will be completely fine. Learn to accept uncertainty : this might be the hardest tip we ever give you! Learning to accept uncertainty is quite the challenge, but it’s a part of being human. Try to identify your triggers and what tends to set you off, getting yourself ready to combat it when the time comes. We know that times of uncertainty can bring around strong anxieties and concerns but we’re here to remind you that the most important aspect to remember is that you’re making this career changing decision to meet your goals and better your life, in whatever way fits your dreams. And we’ll be here every step of the way to make sure you reach success.

The tech industry is not immune to challenges by any means. In fact, it’s an industry that’s not simply had to face adversity, but rather, it’s grown and transformed specifically because of the challenges that it’s faced . The pace at which tech is expanding means that an adaptable structure is necessary and the accelerating demand for new innovations is a core reality for tech. That said, the industry does not shy away from adversity; instead, it’s proven to be adaptive, agile and resilient in the face of tough situations. Understanding how the industry faces adversity is crucial in thinking through the future of big tech . What Makes the Tech Industry So Resilient? The tech sector is marked by five characteristics which aid it in being capable of confronting challenges that other industries may not be able to as successfully address. These include: Adaptation The tech industry is known for its adaptability in the face of challenges . Whether that be a willingness to offer new products, pivot business strategies, or transform business models, the sector refuses to be stagnant. Equally, the decentralized structures that mark the industry, whether that means information stored on the cloud or the ability to work remotely, means the industry can be more flexible in comparison to others. Innovation Innovation is a core component of the tech industry. Finding creative solutions is undoubtedly celebrated among the sector; not every industry encourages workers to engage in the innovation process nor is committed to giving employees space to think outside the box. Collaboration Unlike many other industries, tech sees the necessity for collaboration among workers and even across companies in order to solve common problems. It remains a competitive industry, but with the understanding that collaboration can aid innovation . In challenging moments, tech is able to leverage these collaborations in order to be more resilient in the face of threats to the industry. Agility The tech industry is highly agile , with the ability to quickly shift strategies, priorities or resources as necessary. The flexibility and adaptability promised by tech has allowed for the industry to transform and be resilient in the face of challenges. The decentralization of innovation and of influence has allowed the industry to be especially agile in developing new technologies and being creative in challenging moments. Diversity The tech industry has become increasingly diverse in recent years. That diversity promises new perspectives, ideas and opportunities for the industry to find creative solutions to complex problems. This includes gender diversity as well as the important contributions by folks of color to the industry. These characteristics are grounded in examples of the tech industry overcoming tough situations in the past. From the 2020 chip shortage and the pandemic, to the video game crash of 1983, tech has proven to be resilient in the face of adversity. How the Tech Industry Faces Adversity? The 2020 chip shortage and the global pandemic The tech industry faced two major challenges in 2020 : a global pandemic that significantly disrupted the flow of goods and services and a shortage of semiconductors, a critical component to a number of electronic devices. This meant that the industry was greatly limited due to restrictions on supply chains and manufacturing . Tech navigated these challenges through a number of actions: Diversifying supply chains: the pandemic made the risks of relying on a single supplier or geographical location for crucial manufacturing components incredibly clear. Many companies were forced to diversify their supply chains , meaning they sourced from multiple suppliers and/or multiple locations in order to manage the risk of potential shortages or disruptions. Accelerating digital transformation: luckily for the tech industry, the sector was able to shift much of their work to digital channels. There was a new demand by businesses and consumers for tech products and services like cloud computing, online shopping and video conferencing. Instead of waiting for an end to the pandemic, the industry proved adaptable, agile and innovative and embraced the trend towards digital transformation. Investing in automation: in order to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions and reduce the reliance upon human labor, many tech companies invested in automation and robots. This meant investing in a more resilient supply chain and helped mitigate pandemic-related disruptions in manufacturing and production. Innovating new products and services: the chip shortage forced companies to be innovative and explore new technologies and chip designs in order to mitigate supply chain limitations. The research done to explore alternative materials and manufacturing processes led to innovations in the semiconductor industry that will most likely transform tech in the long-run. Collaboration : As noted, the tech industry is highly collaborative. Amidst the pandemic, these collaborations are what helped the industry transform and grow in a moment of great precarity. Many companies worked closely with their suppliers, customers, and industry peers to confront the challenges presented by the pandemic and chip shortage. In all, the tech industry faced the challenges of 2020 head on because of its ability to adapt, innovate, transform, and be collaborative in a moment of great uncertainty. Through the diversification of supply chains , accelerating digital transformation, building a more resilient supply chain , collaboration led the industry to see these challenges as a moment for innovation.  It’s tech’s optimism and commitment to solutions and innovation that help it not only overcome adversity, but grow in the face of these challenges. The late 90s dot com bubble The late 90s dot com bubble was an era of rapid growth and speculation in the tech industry. In 2000, the bubble burst, meaning that many tech companies went bankrupt or were greatly impacted by the crash. Of course, tech proved resilient despite the bubble bursting, and that’s owed to the industry’s decisions to: Restructure: following the dot com bubble bursting, many companies were forced to consolidate and restructure in order to survive the crash. This meant cutting costs, streamlining operations, merging with or acquiring other companies in order to adapt to the new terrain and remain competitive in the face of a changing industry. Focus on profitability and sustainability: when an industry is thriving, companies can focus on innovation, market share and growth; however, in moments of precarity, businesses are forced to focus on profitability and sustainable business models. That said, instead of simply relying on investor funding, businesses had to prove that they were capable of generating revenue and profit. Invest in Research and Development: despite the precariousness of the moment, the industry continued to invest in research and development --a decision which proved crucial in aiding the growth of tech. Investments were made to develop mobile devices, social media platforms, and cloud computing. This led to the emergence of not only new technologies, but also new business models that helped to drive growth and innovation. In short, tech was able to survive the bursting of the dot com bubble because of its ability to remain flexible, resilient, and solution-oriented in the face of adversity. The sector was able to restructure, refocus its objectives , and continue to invest in innovation in order to survive that moment. What was learned amidst the dot com crash are lessons that have helped shape the industry’s evolution in the years since. The video game crash of 1983 The video game crash of 1983 is an early example of the tech industry’s adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity. The video game crash of 1983 marks a period of rapid growth and subsequent collapse in the video game industry . The crash left many companies bankrupt, but the industry was able to survive thanks to a wide range of actions taken by companies: Diversifying the market: before the crash, the video game industry was dominated by a minimal amount of large companies. Following the crash, many smaller companies and independent game developers entered the market. This diversification led to the creation of new and innovative games helped the sector confront the challenges it faced. Embracing new technologies: luckily, the 1983 video game crash coincided with the emergence of new technologies like home computers and arcade machines. This allowed for companies to innovate and take advantage of the changing industry. Building trust with consumers: the crash left many previous consumers disillusioned with the video game industry. This forced companies to regain the trust of their consumer base. Companies were focused on offering quality, transparency, and better customer support, leading to greater company investment in game design and development, improving game quality. Adopting new business models: before the crash, the industry primarily focused on the sale of physical game cartridges and consoles. Thus, following the crash, the industry looked to diversify sales through alternative business models. This included digital distribution options as well as subscription-based services which ultimately helped to drive growth and innovation in the industry. In sum, the video game industry was forced to be innovative and adapt to the challenges of the 1983 video game crash. The sector used the adverse situation to drive innovation and the diversification of the industry , alternative business models , and ultimately the creation of higher quality games for their consumers. What happens next for big tech? The tech industry has proved adaptable in the face of challenges, however, can it remain as resilient in the face of adverse situations today? On March 10th, 2023, the tech industry was met with a huge challenge: the failure of the Silicon Valley Bank . SVB was the 16th largest bank in the United State , and it played an especially huge role in the context of tech as the financier of almost half of all the venture-backed tech startups. In the end, the tech industry is no stranger to adversity. From what we know, the startup industry will adapt, recover, and potentially come back stronger than ever. For folks who are interested in the current trends in tech, you’re in luck because we’ve just published our 2023 global report .

You’ve been at your current role for a while and don’t see any room for growth or maybe you aren’t happy with your position or boss. Making the decision to switch jobs can be challenging and you might be filled with doubt or concern about your future decisions: is it the right choice? What if you’re worse off after the switch? What if you can’t find a new job? These are just a few of the many questions you’ll probably ask yourself when contemplating this big decision. In this post, we’ll break down the right way to make this decision and what to keep in mind before, during, and after you make that career move. When to Change Jobs The decision to change jobs is extremely personal and dependent on your specific situation but we can give you some of the best ways to determine the right time for you: Are you both learning and adding value to the team? Even experts in the field are on a continuous learning journey, no matter how long they’ve been in the industry. If you feel that you’ve reached a wall and can’t learn more nor provide value to the team, it might be time to look for a new role. Are you feeling stressed and tired? Negative feelings becoming more and more common is a sign that your stress levels are rising and your job is hurting your overall well being. Do you see ways to grow professionally? If you have been at your role for a while and haven’t received a raise or a promotion, you might be tempted to see what your future holds in a different company. These are three main questions to ask yourself but also think about these statements and if they apply to your current role: Your work isn’t being recognized You’re earning less than others in similar positions There’s been layoffs and you’re worried about your job security You can’t be yourself at work You don’t enjoy what you’re doing How to Change Jobs Okay, now that you’ve decided that it’s time to change jobs, you might be wondering how to actually make that change. You can head over to LinkedIn and start browsing open positions, but the intricacies of changing jobs while still at your current role can be tough. And even if you’re eager to move on and leave this part of your life behind you, there are right ways to job  hunt. Let’s check them out. Use discretion It may be tempting to tell your work bestie about your upcoming search, but it’s best to keep it under wraps until you have a new contract signed and you’ve correctly and properly quit to your boss and HR. Even if you trust your colleagues fully, something may slip out unintentionally and lead to issues at work. Use your own time You might think about using your work hours to surf LinkedIn for job opportunities, but that’s not the best way to search; use just your personal devices for job hunting and don’t schedule interviews or phone calls during the work day, especially if you work in-office. Make smart decisions If the company with which you’re interviewing asks for references, don’t give them the name of your current boss. And while you’re free to use networking sites to find your next role, don’t post about your active job hunt. Continue working hard Staying focused when you mentally have one foot out the door is nearly impossible, right? We get it, but what if your new job opportunity falls through? Or you simply can’t find a role that you want to apply for? Or need your current boss to write you a recommendation in the future? It’s tempting to burn bridges but it’s best to maintain professionalism throughout the entire process. FAQs about looking for a new job Still not sure about how to find a new job or how to handle yourself at your current role? We got you covered: Should I tell my boss? Every situation is unique, but our general response is no . You might feel like warning your boss to let them know you’re unhappy or even to help prepare them for your upcoming departure, but the reality is that you’re putting your current job at risk by telling them. No one could blame them for finding a new person for your job if you tell them you’re leaving and they’ll act with the company’s best interests at heart. What if my boss finds out? Depending on how secretive you’re being or where you’re looking for new opportunities, there is a chance your boss will find out that you’re thinking about resigning. And as scary as that idea is, the truth is that it’s a natural part of corporate life and it’s not the end of the world. Be honest and don’t try to lie; your boss will appreciate it. When do I tell my boss? Generally speaking, you want to wait until you have a signed offer from a new company before informing your boss. Keep in mind that even if you have received a verbal offer from the new company, it could fall through; waiting until you are absolutely certain about your new opportunity can help you avoid less than desirable situations. Do I tell the prospective company I’m currently employed? Like we mentioned before, switching jobs is a completely normal part of the professional world and your prospective employer will understand and respect that you are currently employed and need to continue doing your job. Be honest about your availability and show your prospective employer that you take your job seriously. I thought I would like my current job but I don’t. How can I ensure this one will be better? The grass is always greener on the other side, right? If you’re worried about taking another job that’s going to turn out the same as your current role, take the time to make a list of your concerns and priorities and then talk about your concerns with your future employer and make sure you are making a rational decision. Making the decision to switch jobs or even industries can be quite daunting, but it’s a completely normal and typical thing that happens daily. That said, there are ways to do it right and we hope you’ll follow our advice. If you’re aware it’s time for a change but aren’t sure what your next steps are, consider a career in tech.

You’ve done it: you’ve signed up for your tech bootcamp ! And as the first day approaches, you might be wondering what exactly you should do to prepare for this next challenge. Should you spend all your nights watching cybersecurity videos on YouTube? Or maybe try to learn every programming language known to man? Don’t worry - all of that is completely unnecessary. Ironhack’s bootcamps are designed for beginners and will take you from the very beginning to reach where you need to be to be employable. Ironhack Pre-work As we mentioned above, the vast majority of our students don’t have any experience in their bootcamp field - yes , we’re telling the truth. But, we do produce alumni who are ready to join the workforce and keep learning in just 9 or 24 weeks. So how do we do it? Through our carefully designed coursework that begins with prework , of course! FAQs: prework No one wants to get work before their course even begins, we totally understand. But you’re about to embark on a completely life changing journey and the amount of information you’ll be asked to learn and retain is massive. And it will happen in a short period of time ; if you take one of our full-time courses, you’ll have just 9 weeks and 24 weeks in our part-time course. This is why we assign prework. How will I learn on my own?! You don’t have to! Your bootcamp prework is carefully designed by our expert teachers to provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to hit the ground running on day one. And if you get stuck, you’ll have access to your class’ Slack channel, where you can contact your teacher, your TA, and fellow classmates. Is the prework hard? Nothing at Ironhack is easy; however, hard doesn’t mean impossible. You’re preparing for a complete reskill and that means that it will be challenging yet doable. Coming into the prework with the right mindset will go a long way; try to maintain a positive attitude at all times. I signed up for a 9/24 week bootcamp - not prework. Why is there work before the bootcamp even begins? Our Ironhackers come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and with no prior instruction, day one could be a bit of a mess. But with our prework, everyone will have access to the same information and content, ensuring everyone is ready to begin the bootcamp. How much time do I have to complete the prework? What if I can’t finish? If you’re studying our Web Development , Data Analysis , or UX/UI Design Bootcamps, you’ll have access to the prework as soon as you’re enrolled; our Cybersecurity Bootcamp students will receive access around 20 days before the start date. Depending on when you enroll, your prework will be due to one week before classes begin (to give your teacher time to correct it) or up to 72 hours before classes start. Each task will show a recommended amount of time to dedicate to it and you should try to stay within that range, but no worries if you need more time. Some modules will take you longer if you’re new to tech and that’s totally fine; take your time and ensure you understand the information. If you can’t finish a task or module for whatever reason, there’s no penalty. But we highly recommend doing your absolute best to complete all tasks so that you’re fully prepared for the bootcamp. Pre-Bootcamp: Things to Do Apart from the prework, there are other things you can do to get ready for the bootcamp. As you know by now, your weeks will be full of new information, labs, assignments, and projects and you won’t have too much free time. And if you haven’t studied in a few years, the return to school may be especially challenging. Take a look at our tips and tricks for preparing for your bootcamp before it even begins: Be realistic with plans/commitments : if you coach your kid’s soccer team twice a week and are expected to be at games on Saturday mornings, you may find that valuable study time is being spent with rambunctious six year olds. It’s completely normal to have to step back during your bootcamp to give it the attention it deserves. Plan your time : not all of our bootcamps observe local holidays and if you have a trip planned and have to miss a day of class, you’ll be missing a lot of important information; in addition, our bootcamps do require a good amount of work outside of class as well, so weekend trips may not be possible. This is especially relevant for our remote courses, which may have different holiday schedules than where you’re located. Learn how you’re the most productive : if you need a daily dose of endorphins and a six mile run to be productive or, on the other hand, find it hard to wake up in the morning after an intense night time workout, this could affect your productivity in the bootcamp. Similarly, if you require 8 hours of sleep but are only able to get 6 due to social plans or other obligations, your learning might be affected. Use the time leading up to the bootcamp to make sure you’re preparing your body and mind for the challenge ahead. Help yourself out: set yourself up for success and help yourself. Get your grocery shopping done before class begins and set up a nice study space at home to continue your work at home. If you have a favorite coffee flavor or snack that you think you’ll crave during the day, stock up! Whatever you can do to make your life easier during the bootcamp will help you succeed. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-suited for success in any of our bootcamps and, trust us, you’ll be happy you listened to us! If you haven’t yet, submit your application today and get closer to your dream tech career.

Whew! It’s finally time to start the job search and you know what your dream role is. But be it UI designer, cybersecurity professional, web developer, or data analyst, one thing is true: recruiters are looking for both hard and soft skills. What does this mean? Well, tech jobs are increasingly universal and employers want workers that can do it all. And no, we don’t mean doing every role. We mean your future employer will be looking for candidates that boast the technical capacities needed ( hard skills ) and general skills ( soft skills). So what do we do about this? How do you prepare yourself for a job in the tech world knowing that recruiters want both? It’s not that hard, we promise. Hard & Soft Skills: What Are They? As we mentioned above, hard skills refer to your more technical abilities that pertain to your specific role; soft skills are generic and personal abilities that are essential for a wide range of responsibilities. Hard skills Your hard skills are what define your role, be it programming language knowledge, design skills, or math experience. Hard skills entail a specialized and close to expert knowledge of a certain field or skill, but are always able to be improved upon and expanded. You may think that these hard skills are only taught in school, but they can come from any life experience: Have you studied and become proficient in a foreign language or been bilingual since birth? Languages are a hard skill. Have you taken accounting or data analysis classes? Excel knowledge is a hard skill. Have you worked a retail job and had to use a point-of-sale system? POS is a hard skill. Soft skills On the other hand, soft skills are your more personal abilities that can’t be taught in a classroom or acquired from studies. Communication, teamwork, and problem solving are a few that are becoming increasingly popular with tech recruiters: Have you had to work in a situation that required you to expand your horizons and interact with people of different backgrounds? Open-mindedness is a soft skill. Have you had to solve some tough problems against the odds? Problem-solving is a highly desired soft skill. Are you capable of handling disagreements with coworkers? Communication is another soft skill. We know you still might not believe us. After all, tech recruiters looking to fill a web developer role wants someone who knows programming languages, not that is empathetic, right? Well, in reality, skills that can be taught, such as hard skills, can be developed and fine-tuned over time and no one wants to work with someone who isn’t dependable or able to communicate with their teammates. How to Obtain/Refine Your Skill Set You know that recruiters are looking for well-rounded, skilled individuals to fill their empty roles and when reading job descriptions, you may feel intimidated by the desired skills outlined on the posting. However, it is possible to gain both the hard and soft skills needed or polish the skills you already have to make yourself an attractive candidate. Learning and refining hard skills The great news here is that hard skills are those gained through training, school, or work experiences and can typically be defined as something that can be taught or learned. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to either learn a brand new skill or refine ones you already have. On the job learning: some skills require lots of practice and experience to gain proficiency and practical experience will help you become familiar with the skill and learn how to use it in a variety of settings. If you’re already working in tech and looking to upskill, on the job learning can help you become an even more attractive candidate. Schooling : tech moves so fast that four year degrees aren’t required for the majority of roles, meaning you can use whatever means available to you to learn a new skill: bootcamps, online courses, workbooks, or online videos. When you decide to take on a new hard skill, try to follow these tips: Be realistic : don’t try to learn four new skills at the same time; go slow and make sure you become proficient in one skill before taking on a new one. Set goals : if you are working a full time job it can be hard to find time for independent learning. Setting goals for yourself can help you stay on track and ensure you’re meeting your own expectations. Be prepared for challenges : learning a new skill is a challenge, no matter your previous experience. Be ready to face dead ends and have a support system in place to help push through. Learning and refining soft skills Although being compassionate seems easier than Python proficiency, soft skills are actually harder to obtain because they typically come from personal experience over time. However, it’s possible to work on them: Observing others : we’ve all had that coworker that stays calm in any situation and boasts incredible patience. If you see others practice soft skills that you want to improve upon, watch how they handle themselves in tough situations and try to practice the same behaviors. Self-reflecting : you’re your best teacher and if you reflect on situations where you just know you could have reacted better, take these as learning experiences to put soft skills into practice in the future. When you decide to focus on gaining a new soft skill, follow these tips: Ask for feedback : talk to coworkers, your boss, friends, or family members for areas where you can improve your people skills. Take their advice and focus on these areas of improvement. Be reflective: it’s called a learning curve for a reason: you won’t be the world’s best communicator after putting new techniques into practice just one time. After you face situations where your new soft skills are required, reflect on what you did well and what can be improved upon in the future. Be patient : everyone has a different skill set and some soft skills may come harder to you than they do to your peers. Take it slow and be patient with yourself: real change takes time. How to Highlight Your Skills on Your Resume We all know the importance of listing out your skills on your resume but it can be tough to organically incorporate them into your resume. Let’s take a look role-by-role to help you create the best possible resume. Skills for web development Web development is a very wide field and your ideal role could be as a programmer, software engineer, frontend developer, Scrum master, or PM. Here are some tips specific to two common positions in webdev: Web developer Hard skills : HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Responsive Design, CMS, testing and debugging, and libraries and frameworks Soft skills : communication, teamwork, time management, self-awareness, and accountability Scrum master Hard skills : domain knowledge, technical knowledge, software design, programming and process integration Soft skills : outcome ownerships, leadership, coaching and mentoring, conflict management, and problem solving Skills for UX/UI design UX/UI design is a popular field with those looking to harness their creative abilities and technical knowledge to create user-friendly interfaces that help both the client and the user get what they need. There’s too many positions to count, but let’s check out what UX designers and UI designers should highlight: UX designer Hard skills : information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, UX writing, coding, and usability testing Soft skills : communication, critical thinking, user research, and empathy UI designer Hard skills : Sketch, InVision, wireframing and prototyping, responsive design, and design tools Soft skills : curiosity, collaboration, communication, feedback, active listening Skills for data analytics If you’re heading into data analytics, you’re probably clear on the importance of hard skills to show your future employer that you can handle any data they throw your way. But that’s not the only thing data analysts or data scientists need: Data analyst Hard skills : SQL, machine learning, data management, probability, and statistics Soft skills : communication, collaboration, critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity Data scientist Hard skills : Python, data visualization, Excel, statistics, NLP, machine learning, and advanced math skills Soft skills : storytelling, adaptability, product understanding, critical thinking, and business knowledge Skills for cybersecurity As cyberattacks increase across the world, more and more cyber professionals are needed to combat these attacks and predict vulnerabilities to prevent future attacks. Security architects and security engineers are just two roles in a rapidly expanding field: Security architect Hard skills : programming languages, database management, statistical analysis, and storage system and management Soft skills : communication, interpersonal skills, decisiveness, and problem-solving skills Security engineer Hard skills : Python, firewall and intrusion detection/prevention protocols, ethical hacking, threat modeling, Java Soft skills : adaptability, interpersonal and communication, passion, curiosity, and active listening The short answer to our questions is both . And of course we waited until the end to tell you this! But as tech becomes increasingly complex and particular, employers will be looking for candidates that possess both hard and soft skills which means you need to prioritize this on your resume, highlighting both, not just your technical skills. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge and become a high-quality applicant with both hard and soft skills to offer, Ironhack’s bootcamps are the right choice for you. Poke around and see which one calls to you; we can’t wait to hear from you!

The new year is right around the corner. As 2023 approaches are you thinking about taking a pivot in your career? If you work in tech and want to relocate, or are looking to start a new career , Hamburg could be calling you. Hamburg tech companies are going from strength to strength and the city is harboring strong ambitions to become one of Germany's major tech hubs. There are currently over one million tech jobs in Germany and the sector generates annual sales revenues of over €230 billion, which accounts for nearly 7% of German economic output. Hamburg foresaw this growth when it was still in the early stages and started investing heavily to attract tech companies and talented IT staff to the city. After numerous complete infrastructure projects and other efforts to attract industry, it is quickly emerging as a favorite destination for those looking to start a career in tech. In this article, we will dive deep into Hamburg's tech scene. We will explore the major tech enterprises in the city, look at the startup scene, and explore what Hamburg has to offer outside of work. By the time you have finished reading, you should know for sure whether or not Hamburg is the right city for you to launch your tech career. Tech jobs in Hamburg Relocating to a new city to start a career in tech is a bold choice. It's one you don't want to undertake without a degree of certainty that you will be able to find the tech job you have been hoping for. So, what is the job market like in Hamburg? According to the European Commission , in 2022 there were more vacancies than qualified professional-level job seekers in the IT industry in Hamburg. A quick search on LinkedIn shows us that there are currently (Dec 2022) 2,772 vacant “developer” positions and 16,998 “IT” positions in Hamburg, Germany. IT jobs are there and waiting for you. Talent gets snapped up fast in Hamburg – especially in tech. There is currently a nationwide IT skills shortage so it's possible to find a tech job when you have the right skills and qualifications. Hamburg tech companies Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and is home to some of the biggest tech offices in the nation. One of the reasons that Hamburg attracts so many developers and other tech workers is that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to companies to work for. Tech giants from Airbnb and Dropbox to Facebook and Microsoft all have offices in the city. Let’s take a look at some of the major players in the Hamburg tech scene. Alphabet Inc That's right, the tech giant Google has modern offices right on ABC-Straße. It was one of the first companies to see the potential in Hamburg and opened offices in 2001 making it the head office for its German operations. If you land a job at Google, you will get to explore their wild offices. Each floor has its own theme. The 5th floor is sports-theme and has a track hallway, mini golf course and ping-pong stadium – not a table, but a stadium! Hootsuite Hootsuite's Hamburg offices opened back in 2015. The social media tool has seen massive success and has offices located across the globe – although its staff can work from anywhere. Dropbox Dropbox dropped its anchor in Hamburg back in 2016. Its service is particularly popular in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), so it made sense to set up an office in one of these locations – and Dropboxs’ top choice was Hamburg. These are only three examples of tech enterprises operating in Hamburg. There are many more for you to discover. No matter what kind of company you want to work for, you are sure to find one that matches your criteria in Hamburg. The diversity of the tech scene means that no matter your career ambitions you can find a way to achieve them in the city. Hamburg’s unique tech ecosystem relies not only on established enterprises but also on many fledgling organisations. The startup scene in Hamburg is flourishing and if a multinational is not the kind of company you want to work for, don’t worry there is plenty more on offer. The growing startup scene in Hamburg Hamburg’s status as a prime destination for startups continues to rise. Hamburg has Germany’s highest number of startups with 253 per every 10,000 inhabitants, putting it ahead of Berlin and Munich. Tech-based startups account for 14% of startups in Hamburg. That might not sound like a lot, but most mon-tech startups also rely heavily on tech. Look at Airbnb as an example, it is considered a travel startup but as of 2018 it employed between 1200-1300 software engineers. Where is Hamburg and what's it like? There are definitely tech jobs in Hamburg. But that is not the only important thing to consider when relocating to start a new career. Here is a quick guide to the city so you can get a feel for the vibe. Hamburg is located in the north of Germany. The Elbe river connects it to the sea. That's right, in those sunny summer months, you are just a quick train ride from the ocean or a short walk from the river. We don't recommend jumping into either though, unless you enjoy ice baths – it is still Germany after all. Friendlier than Berlin and less hectic than Munich, Hamburg is a city you can feel at home in quickly. There is a large international community, lots of outdoor space, good transport and numerous other aspects of the city that make it easy for a new arrival to settle in. You will quickly find community, and learn your way around. Public transport in Hamburg When moving to a new city and starting a new tech job, one of the important things to consider is how easy it is to get to work. Remote working culture is taking over in tech, but many companies are embracing more of a hybrid model. Even if you find a remote tech job, you may have to go into the office once or twice a week. In Hamburg, that will be easy. The Hamburg Public Transport Network (HVV) operates a comprehensive network of trains and buses across the city and the surrounding suburbs. On weekends and public holidays, the busiest U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines (the German equivalent of the metro) run 24hrs making it simple and safe to get home after a night out with friends. Many Hamburgians (yes that's what people from Hamburg call themselves) get around the city by bike. Hamburg is extremely bike-friendly, with separate bike lanes and wide roads. If you do start your tech career here we highly recommend you make a bike your first purchase. How much is rent in Hamburg? Another thing that is likely on your mind is how much it costs to live in Hamburg. The average rents in Hamburg are: Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: €1,054.55 Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre: €801.58 If you are starting a new career in tech, you will likely be in a more junior position and could expect to earn around €45,000 annually. That works out to around €2,490.00 after taxes and deductions. Housing will be affordable for you if you work in tech, and unlike cities such as Berlin, there is not a housing crisis with apartments being easier to find. What is Hamburg like for international arrivals? Arriving in a new city can be scary. You leave your friends and family behind, so you quickly want to fill that gap and find a community. How easy is that to do in Hamburg? Hamburg is an international city. As of 2021, 17.2% of the population are immigrants. With this multinational community, you will quickly find groups of like-minded friends that will make you feel at home. Hamburg is welcoming to newcomers and when you start searching, you quickly find that it's easy to make connections and find communities around your interests – be that tech, pottery, guitar, or whatever else takes your fancy. Outdoor spaces in Hamburg Hamburg is officially a “green city,” with 14% of its space being green. Green areas and parks make up massive areas of the city and Hamburg is also home to Europe's biggest Japanese Garden. The popular garden and the other parks in the city provide a peaceful natural environment for you to find some tranquility after a stressful meeting or on a hot summer day. Should you start your tech career in Hamburg? When you think of starting a tech career in Germany, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich are probably the cities that come to mind. Munich is often considered the top tech city in the country. However, this is not exactly reflected in the rents, community, quality of life and salaries. Hamburg offers salaries competitive to cities like Munich but in a friendlier location. Start your career in tech but don't sacrifice your well-being. In Hamburg, you will have access to outdoor spaces, the ocean, a thriving community and so many other wonderful things that will help support you as you grow your career in tech. In 2023, Hamburg is the attractive city for developers looking to relocate or start their careers. Ready to kickstart your career in tech? Sign up for one of our bootcamps .

The new year is almost here. New years often come with new starts and perhaps you are thinking about changing your career come January. Whether that career change comes from relocation or is fueled by the desire to start a new career in tech, Frankfurt could be the city for you. Tech companies in Frankfurt make up a large part of the local economy. The city might be known for finance, but it's quickly becoming one of Germany's most exciting tech hubs. It's no secret that tech is a booming industry in Germany and the sector generates annual sales revenues of over €230 billion . It’s no surprise then, that every major city is trying to grow its tech community to attract investment, improve services and generate jobs. Frankfurt is no exception; it has been a player in the German tech scene for a while now, which is why it's one of the best cities for you to start your tech career in 2023. With incredible infrastructure, a thriving economy, and a rich history and culture, Frankfurt has plenty to offer you as you embark on your tech career. In this article, we will dive deep into Frankfurt's tech scene. We will explore the current state of the economy, what the job market looks like, what there is to do outside of work, and how the local community operates. By the time you have finished this article, you should know for sure if Frankfurt is the city for you. Tech jobs in Frankfurt If you're thinking about moving to a new city to start a new career, the first thing you want to know is if there are actually any jobs there. Frankfurt has a strong economy that has historically been associated with the financial sectors. But in recent years, numerous tech enterprises have also set up locations in the city, along with many fintech and startups. So, just how tough is the job market in Frankfurt? According to the European Commission , in 2022 the unemployment rate in Hessen (the state in which Frankfurt is located) was at 4.6%, which is almost a full percentage point lower than the national average. A quick search on Linkedin shows us that there are currently (Dec 2022) 3,147 vacant “developer” positions and 25,247 “IT” positions in the city. Overall this paints a nice picture for you and indicates that finding a tech job in Frankfurt won’t be too difficult. There is also the nationwide IT skills shortage to consider. Currently, skilled tech workers are hard to find, so businesses are quick to snatch up the talent that lands in their interview room. It's, therefore, possible you will find the hiring process is also speedier than what you are used to. Tech companies in Frankfurt Frankfurt is one of Germany's largest cities and is home to big names in tech. IBM and Dell both have national offices in the city. But it's not only tech companies you need to think about when you look at job prospects in Frankfurt. Almost every major organization in the world has some dependency on tech. Frankfurt is the finance capital of Germany, and surprisingly this makes it ideal for tech workers. The finance industry is currently undergoing a major shift to digital. Financial services firms across the nation are growing their IT teams, which makes Frankfurt a great place to find a tech role. The city also recently developed its TechQuartier. This hub serves as a creative arena and melting pot for entrepreneurs and innovators. Enterprises and startups alike use this hub as a valuable network to connect with other startups, corporates, investors, talents, and mentors, from the financial industry and beyond. The growing startup scene in Frankfurt Initiatives like TechQuartier have been instrumental in driving growth in Frankfurt's startup scene. In addition, Frankfurt is the seat of the European Central Bank – so it should come as no surprise that it leads the way in fintech and cybersecurity startups. Being such an important financial center with a high concentration of banks, investment funds, insurers, and other large corporations, many startups have seen Frankfurt as a strategic location. With access to such institutions, finding investment can be easier and this has become a significant deciding factor for many startups choosing to locate themselves in Frankfurt. The network of established financial institutions not only brings with it the opportunity for capital but also knowledge. There is huge potential for collaboration between incumbent institutions and innovative startups that bring forward-thinking solutions to the table. If you’re looking to take your newly founded tech career in the direction of finance or security, Frankfurt should be at the top of your list of cities to relocate to. With such a concentration of fintech and cybersecurity jobs, you will struggle to find a city globally, let alone in Germany, that can outmatch Frankfurt for career opportunities in these sectors. Where is Frankfurt and what's it like to live there? Tech job opportunities are rife in Frankfurt – but work isn’t everything. You also want to know whether or not the city fits your vibe, is easy to get around, and has good infrastructure. Here's your quick guide to everything you need to know before moving to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, the locals take a work-hard-play-hard approach to life. As a key financial center, you will find tech workers and other residents moving with order and efficiency in the day but to balance this there is also thriving entertainment and nightlife. And you’ll get plenty of time to enjoy it as many companies offer generous time off and holiday allowance. Public transport in Frankfurt Frankfurt is well connected to most of Germany and other European cities. It has a great train network, extensive autobahn (metro), and a busy international airport. Whether you are looking to take a weekend trip home over the holidays, a vacation to Amsterdam, or just make it to another part of the city in time for your work meeting, the transport will be a breeze. On a side note, we don’t recommend bringing your car with you to Frankfurt. Some of the city is pedestrianized and parking is very expensive. You can always opt for a bike instead, as many locals prefer to get around this way. Frankfurt is a great hub for exploring Germany. And while we’re sure you'll fall in love with the city, don’t forget to take advantage of the train network and leave once in a while. The high-speed rail network will have you in Cologne in a little over an hour, and in summer, you can explore the surrounding countryside and take a stroll through some of the traditional German towns. How much is rent in Frankfurt? There is a wide range of housing options in Frankfurt and rents vary a lot based on what you're looking for – just as in any city. But to give you a rough idea, the a verage rents in Frankfurt are: Apartment (1 bedroom) in the City Centre: €1,135.00 Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of the Centre: €872.00 If you are starting a new career in tech, your first role will be junior and you can expect to earn around €42,000 annually. After taxes at this salary, you would take home €2,313.00. Housing will be affordable for you and there will be options to choose from. With the great transport network, you can also live outside of the center and cheaply and quickly get around. What is Frankfurt like for international arrivals? Moving to a new city, especially when you don't know anyone, is hard. You leave your network of friends, colleagues, and family behind. So how easy will it be for you to make new friends in Frankfurt? Frankfurt is a global cosmopolitan city. Its residents come from every corner of the globe, which is a welcome relief for many newcomers. You have probably heard that Germans can be hard to make friends with, they don't talk about life outside of work in the workplace and have an international reputation for being a little colder than some other nationalities. But this is not always the case, many Germans are extremely welcoming – you simply need to find common interests. We recommend signing up for classes or clubs around your hobbies to meet new people when you arrive – whether you love pottery or piano you will find a local community around it in Frankfurt. The large international population means it will also be easy to find other newcomers to get to know the city with. You might even find some other locals from your city to share a nostalgic meal with when you are feeling a little homesick. Should you start your tech career in Frankfurt? With a ready supply of tech jobs, Frankfurt could be the city for you to start your tech career. If you are looking to work at a fintech or in cybersecurity this is almost certainly the city for you. But there are a lot of other tech jobs going too. Frankfurt is a cosmopolitan city and there is more of a corporate vibe than with some of Germany's other tech hubs. However, there is also a bustling startup scene and ready access to finance, and a developed business network that makes a startup job in Frankfurt feel more secure than in other locations. Frankfurt has something to offer for everyone and if you're ready to kickstart your career in tech, why not sign up for one of our bootcamps? Our tech school offers a range of immersive courses from UX/UI Design to Cybersecurity that are delivered in formats tailored to your needs: online or on campus, full-time or part-time. Apply today.

As of late, tech news has predominantly revolved around emerging AI tools like ChatGPT. That’s because, in the span of only a few years, we’ve gone from having computer programs like AlphaGo that use machine learning to do only one task really well to being able to create tools like ChatGPT that can do a large number of tasks about as well as a human can. And while that sounds scary, it really isn’t! Yes, the speed and span of AI progress has taken the mainstream media by surprise, but many in tech saw this coming years ago. In fact, researchers have been working on AI tools for decades and have published many AI tools that consumers can use today for free! So, let’s explore those right now! But first, let’s take a step back. I’m sure we’ve all heard of ChatGPT, but do you really know what it is? If you’re a tech veteran, feel free to skip to exciting alternatives down below. For the rest of us mere mortals though, read on to learn all about what ChatGPT is—and isn’t! What is ChatGPT? Other than being the subject of a million different tweets, YouTube videos, and news segments (we’ve had a few posts about ChatGPT recently on our blog ), ChatGPT is also a powerful tool. It’s what researchers call a “large language model,” and is a machine learning algorithm (i.e. computer program) that is able to understand natural language inputs and generate human-like responses. Limitations of ChatGPT Spoiler alert: ChatGPT isn’t able to do everything. Yes, it’s a powerful tool, but it won’t be replacing human jobs anytime soon and just like with every tool you use, you should know its exact limitations. ChatGPT’s drawbacks are a lack of common sense, an inability to reason, a limited domain expertise, and biases in training data. Lack of common sense : ChatGPT generates responses based on patterns it found in its training data, but it lacks what we consider to be an “understanding” of the real world. It may generate responses that are technically correct but not useful in practical situations. Inability to reason : ChatGPT isn’t capable of thinking critically. It can generate responses based on patterns, but it can’t comprehend logic behind a question and generate a response based on that understanding. Limited domain expertise : while ChatGPT was trained on an incredibly vast array of data, it may not have expertise in specific domains. It’s capable of answering basic questions in just about any field, but may be ineffective at any questions that require more than a surface-level understanding of a problem. Biases in training data : the training data used to train ChatGPT certainly contains biases and inaccuracies. By no fault of its own, ChatGPT can and will provide the user with inaccurate answers because of an inaccurate training set. What if I want to use ChatGPT, but its servers are full? Sometimes, when you try to sign up for ChatGPT, you may get an error message saying something along the lines of, “Sorry, but our servers are at capacity right now.” We’re here to tell you not to worry! Take a breath! There are a number of cool alternatives to ChatGPT available for you to try. Chat LLM Streaming You’ve probably never heard of this one: Chat LLM Streaming doesn’t have the same big budget as ChatGPT or some of the other offerings we’re highlighting below, but what it does have is a grand goal: to keep AI free . It’s a no-frills offering that does not require any referrals, does not require you to sign-in, and does not have a waitlist that you need to hop on before you use it. Sure, it’s not flashy, but if you want a large language model similar to ChatGPT that you can use at this exact moment, then Chat LLM Streaming may just be exactly what you’re looking for. Bard Every big tech company is vying for a spot at the AI table. To nobody’s surprise, Google’s trying to get into the game, too. If you have a Google account, you can sign up for Bard today ! And if you don’t, then what are you waiting for? It’s free! Bard, just like ChatGPT, is a conversational AI tool that can be used by anyone. But, unlike the free version of ChatGPT available to most users, Google Bard can browse the internet and use real-time data to generate answers about any topic, no matter how recent. Bing with AI You may not have known this, but Microsoft is a major backer of ChatGPT. It’s no surprise, then, that they are quickly trying to integrate their search engine, Bing, with ChatGPT 4.0. If you have a Microsoft account, all you have to do is download the Edge browser and you’ll be able to try a feature called “conversational search” on Bing. Conversational search isn’t exactly the same as what you get with vanilla ChatGPT, but in many ways it’s better: Bing with AI uses current data to provide answers to any questions you could search for. What if I want to use a different kind of AI tool? What can we use AI for? Well, not just chat bots, that’s for sure! If you’re looking to enhance your productivity in different ways, you should look no further than GitHub Pilot, DALL-E, or Soundraw. Let’s learn more about each of these tools below. GitHub Copilot Maybe the biggest addition to a software engineer’s toolset since the creation of the IDE, GitHub Copilot is an AI pair programmer that offers suggestions as you code. GitHub Pilot can help you save time and effort when developing a new idea by taking context from comments and surrounding code to generate code that it thinks does what you’re trying to do. Like all tools, it’s not always right—but it’s not meant to be! It’s there to help you get started and get going, but it can’t think for you. As the developer, you have to choose whether to use Copilot’s suggestion or take a different path. But, whatever choice you make, remember that you still have to test your code! DALL-E DALL-E is the first tool we’ve talked about that does not generate text. Instead, DALL-E is able to generate images based on a text input. How cool is that? You can tell DALL-E what you want to see and you’ll have an image of it in just a few seconds. After DALL-E generates the image, you can download it as a PNG file and do whatever you want with it! The world is your oyster. Soundraw For those of us who love music but aren’t able to create our own, there’s Soundraw , an AI music generator that can take a text description and generate music that matches exactly what you wanted to hear. And, just like DALL-E, you own the content that you create in Soundraw and you can use it without fear of a copyright strike. If you’re a creator who’s searching for royalty-free music, Soundraw may just be the tool for you. ChatGPT has no doubt changed the tech landscape forever. But innovation does not start or end with ChatGPT. The AI landscape is constantly evolving and there are already some cool tools that go beyond what ChatGPT was ever intended to achieve. Don’t let yourself be limited by just the abilities of one tool; use the alternatives we’ve outlined here today to enhance your abilities and dramatically increase your day-to-day productivity. And, If you’re looking to not just use these tools, but also create your own, then Ironhack’s bootcamps may just be the right choice for you. Poke around our website and see which bootcamp is the best fit for you. We can’t wait to see you in class!

Ligia Fascioni is (now) a UX/UI Designer, originally from Brazil, who moved to Berlin with her husband in 2011. Over a decade has passed and a lot has changed in that time. But one of the biggest changes – a change in her career – has happened rather recently. In this article, we share Ligia’s story of becoming a UX/UI Designer at 56. We talk with her about the struggles and fears she went through, how to make a career change after 50, her motivation for a change, and if she is happy with the decision she made. From Electrical Engineer to UX/UI Designer Turn the clock back 12 years and Ligia was arriving in Berlin with her husband. Back then she was an Electrical Engineer and worked in that role for decades. Before coming to Germany, Ligia completed her Master’s Degree in Automation and Control which led her to a career in Electrical Engineering but she felt that her technical skills were not enough. So, in 1999 she enrolled for an MBA in Marketing and a new world opened up for her. She has taken numerous other courses throughout her career and finally got a PhD in Design Management as part of a Production Engineering course. After some years in Berlin, infected by the startup atmosphere of the city, she and her husband (also an Electrical Engineer) started their own technology company. Her work varied a lot and included everything from Python and Javascript programming to helping with the production of GPS-Based reference devices. If you can’t tell by now, Ligia is a motivated woman who loves to learn. Throughout her career, she has continued to look for ways to learn new skills and improve the work she is doing. In 2022 a new phase of her career started. Her startup was sold and she decided to make a career change: UX/UI design was calling to her. Ligia took several courses about design thinking, service design, innovation, future thinking, future of work, UX Design, and related themes over the course of her career and knew that UX/UI design was a new path she wanted to explore. “I’m 56 years old and very excited about this new phase of my (learning) life.” How to make a career change that builds on your strengths Ligia notes that she chose to pivot to a career that not only interested her but that also built on her strengths. Her previous experiences in different industries have shown her that knowledge and Information is the best way to gain trust. “If people know what you're doing, they'll trust your competence.” She became an Electrical Engineer at the age of 23. As a young woman in a more chauvinist time, and in a male-dominated industry there were a lot of challenges for her to overcome. “I worked installing robots in industries and the environment was very hostile -- for example, there were no women's restrooms in most places I worked at that time.” These experiences were tough, but she also learned that the only way to gain respect and trust was to explain her work in detail to people who didn't understand why she was there. This mentality stayed with her over time and led her to become an expert in explaining complex systems in a way that anyone could understand – which is what UX/UI design is all about. “I think UX/UI design is about that: making information accessible to everyone.” Get ready to learn: Using a bootcamp to gain new skills Her decision was made and she knew it was the right choice. But naturally, any change can bring with it doubts and confusion. To help her quell the doubts, she knew she wanted to acquire the right skills that would help her thrive in the new career she desired. So she went to Ironhack and enrolled in the Berlin UX/UI bootcamp . When we asked her about her experience at the bootcamp she told us: “I highly recommend it as it was an unforgettable experience. For me, it was very enriching but of course, the experience depends a lot on the person who is on the journey. Success also depends on how much you are willing to dedicate yourself. I loved the teachers, classmates, and the whole team. It really is a transforming experience.” We pried further and asked Ligia about the challenges of the course and if she struggled with anything while learning. “Technically, I didn't struggle with challenges; the hardest experience was working with people from very different personalities. For example, we needed to create a Hi-Fi e-commerce prototype for a real business. In the beginning, there were four people, but two days after the start of the challenge, two of them contracted COVID-19.” Ironhack bootcamps give you the chance to study in a way that suits you – online, in person, full time or part time – but a part of the bootcamp requires group projects. This can be a challenge when you are collaborating with people and learning how to communicate and work together with new people. But these kinds of soft skills are incredibly useful in any UX/UI Designer role so it's beneficial for students to face them before they enter a job. Ligia continues, “So there were only two people left, with very different backgrounds and different ways of seeing the world. My profile is more analytical and pragmatic; my colleague was more spontaneous and intuitive. In the beginning, it was a big challenge, as we had limited time to discuss all the issues (even the philosophical ones, which my colleague loved to discuss). In the end, I learned a lot! My colleague was a very intelligent person and we both learned that with respect we could work and learn together. It was a very meaningful experience.” Why make a career change past 50? With challenges faced along the way, and an already successful career in hand, we were curious about what motivated Ligia to make a change. Many people get comfortable in the jobs they have, and they often even go on to make up a part of a person's identity – especially when they have been doing that same role for years, and have seen success in it. Not to mention the fact that a career change past 50 can bring about its own fears. There is always the doubt that it’s too late, or that no one will hire you. But Ligia proves those fears are unwarranted if you are ready to dedicate yourself to the change. Part of Ligia's motivation was wanting to make people's lives easier. She decided she wanted to move to a career that would allow her to have a greater impact and this helped her stay focused as she had a goal to work towards and meaning behind her decision. “I intend to learn more and more about how to make people's lives easier. I really think that's what UX/UI Design is about.” Ligia’s advice for anyone looking to make a career change Ligia has taken a step that many of you might be hoping to make too. Through her career pivot, she has learned a few things and she has some advice to share with any of you that will be walking on the same path soon. It’s never too late. Life expectancy is increasing with each generation and at 56 I believe I am in the middle of my productive life. Since you're always learning, there's no reason to stop. I think life is too short to have only one profession. IT is dominated by men these days, but I see the scenery changing. I hope that more and more women can occupy spaces that are our right. My advice is: be together with other women. Together, we are invincible. For many years I believed in the chauvinist idea that women were competitive and couldn't be trusted. But this idea is useful for patriarchy to weaken us. The truth is that women are the best friends ever to fight against injustices. The future is female! Get ready to start your tech career in Berlin Are you ready to kickstart your career in tech? Sign up for one of our bootcamps and learn the skills that German tech companies are searching for. Our tech school offers a range of immersive bootcamps from UX/UI Design to Cybersecurity which are delivered in formats tailored to your needs: online or on campus, full-time or part-time. Apply today .

Congrats! You’ve made the amazing decision to kickstart your career in tech and are getting ready to head into your first week at Ironhack . You’re probably feeling a lot of feelings: excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. But don’t worry: we’re here to help you throughout your tech journey and you’ll have your teacher, fellow Ironhackers, and teaching assistants by your side throughout the entire process. Whether you choose the 9-week full time bootcamp or the 24 week part time bootcamp , you will graduate Ironhack’s bootcamp ready to take on the tech world. But what happens before graduation day? How does this random mix of professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences come together to help each other and learn? It actually begins before day 1. Pre-work at Ironhack That’s right - before you even step foot on campus (or log in, if you’re doing a remote bootcamp), you’ll have pre-work to prepare you for the bootcamp . This may seem intimidating (you didn’t sign up for more work!), we have good reason: Ironhackers come from practically every background and sector and the pre-work helps introduce you to the content, cover the foundations of your particular bootcamp, and make sure everyone has a similar knowledge level heading into week 1. Still confused? We got you covered. I thought the work started on day 1 of the bootcamp. How much time will the pre-work take? For our Web Development, Data Analytics , and UX/UI Design Bootcamps, you’ll have access to the pre-work content from the moment you enroll; our Cybersecurity Bootcamp pre-work will be accessible 20 days before the course begins. It can be completed at your leisure, but needs to be done at least one week before the bootcamp begins so that your teacher can correct it. I’ve never studied (insert bootcamp name here) before! How am I supposed to complete pre-work? That’s exactly what the pre-work is for! We want you to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts before the bootcamp begins so that you can dive right into the nitty gritty on day 1. And if you have questions, you’ll have access to your class’ Slack channel, where you can check in with your future classmates, teachers, and even Ironhack alumni. Hmm..alright. And what is the pre-work like? There are two parts to our pre-work, theoretical and practical, just like the bootcamp itself. Take your time and dedicate the recommended amount of time to the pre-work so that you’re fully prepared for the course. Your First Week at Ironhack The best part about Ironhack’s bootcamps is that you dive right into the courses’ details from the first day; thanks to the time you dedicated to your pre-work, you’ll have all the background and foundational knowledge that’s necessary to dive a little deeper. We spoke to some UX/UI Design bootcamp students after their first week to learn about their experiences: “The first week was about user research, understanding your customer, your users.” - Mohamed “It’s a strange mix because it’s very hard and it’s a lot of work. But then at the end, you feel very, very good because you can do it.” - Issac When asked about her teachers, Marta told us they are: “Very open minded and willing to listen to new ideas and whenever they see that you are a little bit lost about finding—I don’t know, for example, the right questions, they are always there to give you a helping hand.” After just one week in their UX/UI Design bootcamp, Mohamed, Issac, and Marta are already thinking about their final projects and what they’ll achieve after graduation. But they have quite the challenge in front of them and we recommend the following tips : Be prepared for a whirlwind experience Whether you have 9 or 24 weeks, you’ll be facing lots of challenges during your course and it will fly by. Completing your course pre-work is absolutely essential to your success; due to the short length of the course, your teachers won’t spend much time on the basics covered in the pre-work and if you skip it, it will be nearly impossible to catch up. Be ready for the good and bad days We’re committed to providing you with the best possible experience during your bootcamp , but there will be hard days. Keeping a positive attitude and asking for help when you need it will help you overcome challenges and learn as much as you can. And when you’re feeling super smart and talented, run with it! Value those euphoric moments as much as you can. Plan your weeks properly During your first week, you’ll get a feel for what your days will look like during the bootcamp and this can help you plan properly . If you’re coming home exhausted every night, you may need to rethink other commitments for the duration of your course. Planning regular tasks like grocery shopping and workouts for weekends (for full-time courses) or the days without classes (for part-time courses) can help you focus primarily on the course. The first week is also a good time to realize how much sleep and extra work you’ll need outside of class. If you can barely get out of bed every morning, make an effort to go to bed earlier and if you’re just thinking about dinner for the last few hours of your afternoon, pack a snack to help you focus during the entire day. And last but not least: enjoy the adventure! Not everyone has the chance to change careers or gain a new skill but you do. Think about this: when else are you going to have experienced teachers and TAs to help you through each step, an entire class on your same journey, and great career assistance to help you land that dream job? If the idea of bootcamps was intimidating to you, we hope this helps. Check out our available courses and choose the right one for you. We can’t wait to watch you succeed!

“Some of us lose, and some of us win. What’s important is that we’re telling our stories and standing up for ourselves and for one another.” Ellen Pao’s Story Emphasizing the importance of human stories and fairness , Ellen Pao is an activist, programmer, author, co-founder, and current CEO of Project Include. A woman of many talents, she has spoken up for diversity, equality, and inclusion in STEM and consequently has impacted the world of tech. Let’s take a look at how she has made a difference . Education first Her tech story began when Ellen’s mother introduced her to computer programming at the age of ten ; with these abilities under her belt, she dove into tech and received her Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, simultaneously earning a certificate in public policy at the University of Princeton. But her education didn’t stop there . Taking a more humanities-based path, she earned her JD at Harvard Law. After working for two years at a law firm, Ellen completed her MBA at Harvard Business School, which led her back to the beginning of her journey: tech . Hard work She landed her first job at a tech company in 1998 at WebTV and from 2001 to 2005 bounced around Silicon Valley until she landed a position as technical chief of staff at a venture capital firm in San Francisco at Kleiner Perkins in 2005, a job that required all her fields of study: engineering, law, and business. After two years of working under her boss and mentor John Doerr, she became a junior investing partner and a direct employee under the general partner, Ted Schlein. Unfortunately, she was later passed over for the position of senior partner after working on the team for several years, which she knew was unjust since she saw men with similar profiles as hers receive promotions sooner. Feeling discriminated against, Ellen decided to take action and filed a gender discrimination suit against her employer, which gained nationwide attention. The issue of the gender gap in a field like venture capital was placed under a microscope and Ellen was the one to place the slides on the stage for proper investigation. Ellen stated, “You had to be one of the guys to be successful.” Although the jury ruled in favor of the company on all counts in 2015, the case generated a buzz and women opened up about their own similar experiences in work environments. The gender gap in STEM was an important part of her story and a theme that would motivate her later on . Making changes at Reddit She left Kleiner Perkins but was ready to continue moving forward. Her next position was at Reddit, where she had a major impact on the website . First, she was hired as the head of business development and strategic partnerships and cemented the bond between Reddit and image host Imgur. Following the resignation of CEO Yishan Wong, Pao became the interim CEO in 2015 and  tried a modified hiring process that Wong initiated concerning wage negotiation. Upon hiring a potential employee, the recruiter would provide two options for the final salary without the opportunity to negotiate. Pao cited removing the negotiation process as an action that women much less frequently would try to initiate. In the end, Reddit found that there was no correlation between their previous offers and gender; however, Pao believed that it was important to keep this model in place due to equal opportunity priorities. In addition to changing the hiring process, she also implemented a ban on revenge porn on the website, which impacted other social networks that later adapted Reddit’s model for their own privacy policies. Although this was a positive change for privacy policies for Reddit and other social networking pages, there was still pushback by users and soon after, Pao resigned from her position at Reddit. Project Include Some may have seen this as a loss but once again Ellen was ready to embrace change and make something of her own that would be a true culmination of her story up until that point: Project Include . Along with seven other tech-focused women, she established Project Include, a non-profit organization focused on providing HR guidance to new startups with the goal of creating a safe work environment for all. Project Include’s mission is to provide an equal and fair opportunity to all who want to thrive in the world of tech. Analyzing data and advocating for inclusion and diversity in the workplace, Project Include encourages CEOs to employ inclusion solutions so that their startups and enterprises can succeed in bridging not only the gender gap in tech , but also the racial and LGBT gaps that exist. As CEO, Ellen, along with the rest of her team, champion a vision of three core values: inclusivity , comprehensiveness , and accountability , aimed at making the workplace more diverse, vibrant, creative, and equitable. Inclusivity Since receiving her JD at Harvard Law, Ellen has pushed for both justice and fairness in her surroundings and so it’s no wonder that she would prioritize it at her organization as well. She also experienced gender disparity at her office and after her lawsuit, she recognized the importance of creating a safe space for employees at their place of work. At Project Include, they recommend that CEOs hire a diverse group of professionals and improve opportunities for employees. Comprehensiveness According to Project Include, change is comprehensive , which means that a large problem requires measures taken across several fronts. Challenging a well-integrated system is a difficult task and a one-off initiative approach cannot complete the job alone. It’s the CEO’s responsibility to ensure that both inclusion and diversity are present in the whole process and take a comprehensive, company-wide approach with the help of several actionable steps and initiatives. Accountability When managing a company, higher ups need to be kept accountable for those steps and initiatives; at the same time, however, the company as an entity is responsible. Project Include believes that the best way for this responsibility to be tracked is through gathering and analyzing data . By creating questionnaires and implementing benchmarks, companies can access information that answers the following questions: How is the company doing? Where can they make improvements? Who can carry out these improvements? Project Include is one of many organizations that is shining a light on gender gap problems in the tech world and with Ellen Pao at the helm, the non-profit will continue defending fairness and inclusivity . Throughout the past few years, she has also shared her story in varied mediums, knowing that she can make a difference simply by using her voice. She has written a memoir about her experiences at Kleiner Perkins and has appeared as a speaker in several spaces as an advocate for inclusion in tech. Some main themes of Pao’s life are clear after reading her story: perseverance in the face of challenge, the importance of telling one’s truth, and fairness above all. From a young age, she worked hard to succeed despite the pushback she felt from others, buckling down, studying, and prioritizing education, determination, and feedback to continue growing as both a professional and leader. When she felt like the situation wasn’t fair, she spoke up and didn’t back down. Her sense of justice and strength motivated her to push back against the system and as a result, she sparked conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the tech world. She continued pursuing equality more actively and through founding Project Include, has made real and lasting changes to startups and the tech industry as a whole. “If we do not share our stories and shine a light on inequities, things will not change.” -Ellen Pao, Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change

The tech industry has grown significantly over the past several years and is only expected to continue to grow in the future. In many cases, this growth is driven by women who work in tech . We hope to highlight 5 women who are changing the face of tech in order to inspire other women to step up to the plate and take and ensure that women’s contributions don’t go unacknowledged. We know that women, and particularly women of color, are underrepresented in the tech industry. This lack of diversity can lead to a narrower range of perspectives, biases in product development, and missed opportunities for innovation . That said, listening to women in tech has never been more important, and there are many women helping to greatly advance the field. Supporting Women in Tech Of course there is still much work to be done to address issues of gender bias and inequality in the industry. Nonetheless, recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in the tech industry is one of many ways that companies can create more inclusive workplaces. That said, we want to recognize 5 women who are changing the face of tech . It is important to know about these women because they are trailblazers in the tech industry and their work is helping to pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive tech sector. Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code Reshma Saujani is a trailblazing entrepreneur and advocate who has dedicated her career to empowering women and girls in tech . Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code , a nonprofit organization that works to close the gender gap in technology by creating safer spaces to support women advancing their careers, learning how to code, and building a network of women from which they can support each other and navigate what is otherwise a male-dominated sector. Saujani was born in Illinois and grew up in an Indian-American family. She earned a degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later attended Yale Law School. After law school, Saujani worked as an attorney and took up an interest in politics. In 2010, she ran for Congress in New York's 14th Congressional District, becoming the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress . Despite losing the election, the experience had ignited something else in her and she decided to launch Girls Who Code . Since its founding in 2012, Girls Who Code has become a leading voice in the movement to close the gender gap in technology. The organization provides girls from underserved communities with free coding education and exposure to technology careers. Girls Who Code has reached over 500 million people through its programs and initiatives and has helped to inspire a new generation of women in technology. Saujani's leadership has been recognized with numerous honors and awards , including the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education and the New York Times Best Seller List. She continues to be a powerful voice for women in technology and a champion for gender equality in and beyond the tech sector. Fei-Fei Li, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Fei-Fei Li is a pioneering computer science professor at Stanford University and the co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) . Li is perhaps best known for her work on ImageNet , which is used to train machine learning algorithms. Beyond her contributions to the field, Li has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Li was born in China and moved to the United States as a teen with the goal of pursuing her education. She earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Princeton University and a PhD in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. After completing her PhD, Li joined the faculty of Princeton University as an assistant professor of electrical engineering where she conducted research on computer vision and machine learning . In 2009, she moved to Stanford University, where she founded the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab and continued her groundbreaking work. In addition to her research, Li has worked hard to disrupt the gender gap in tech and particularly in relation to women of color in the field. She is a co-founder of AI4ALL , a nonprofit organization that aims to increase diversity and inclusion in the field of artificial intelligence through offering education and mentorship opportunities to women and folks historically marginalized from the industry. Tracy Chou, Project Include Tracy Chou is a software engineer and diversity advocate who has made significant contributions to the tech industry. She is best known as the founder of Project Include , a nonprofit organization that works to increase diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Chou was born in California and grew up in a Taiwanese-American family of engineers. She developed a passion for programming at a young age and later earned a degree in computer science from Stanford University. Following her studies, Chou went on to work for a number of tech companies, including Pinterest, Quora, and the US Digital Service. In 2013, Chou wrote a blog post calling attention to the lack of diversity in the tech industry and the need for companies to take concrete steps in addressing this issue. The post went viral and led to the foundation of Project Include in 2016. Project Include provides resources and guidance to tech companies on how to create more inclusive workplaces. The organization has made huge gains in expanding opportunities for folks historically marginalized in the field of tech. Chou’s important work has been widely recognized . In 2014, Chou was honored as a “rising-star software engineer” on Forbes’ "30 Under 30" list and in 2015 was named one of the " Most Powerful Women Engineers " by Business Insider. She continues to be a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and an inspiration to women and folks underrepresented in the field. Kimberly Bryant, Black Girls Code Kimberly Bryant is a social entrepreneur, software engineer, and founder of Black Girls Code , a non-profit organization that empowers girls of color to pursue careers in tech and computer science. Bryant grew up in Memphis, Tennessee where she developed an interest in science and technology at a young age. This led to her pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University. Bryant started her career working for companies such as DuPont, Pfizer, and Genentech, yet, she quickly took note of the few women and even fewer people of color in technical roles in her workplace. The lack of diversity that she encountered inspired her to create Black Girls Code in 2011 . The organization aims to provide access and exposure to technology and computer science to girls from underrepresented communities. Under Bryant's guidance, Black Girls Code has grown significantly, with 14 chapters located in cities around the United States and one chapter in South Africa. The organization offers a range of programs , from after-school and summer camps to hackathons and mentorship opportunities, that introduce girls of color to coding, robotics, game design, and other STEM fields. Bryant's work has received numerous accolades including being named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business and one of Ebony magazine's Power 100. Through her advocacy and leadership, Bryant is making a significant impact on the diversity and inclusion of the tech industry. Shafi Goldwasser, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Shafi Goldwasser is a renowned computer scientist and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , celebrated for her groundbreaking work in the field of cryptography . Goldwasser's contributions to the development of modern encryption algorithms have revolutionized the field of computer security, making communication networks more secure across the internet. Beyond that, Goldwasser is a co-director of the Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines at MIT where she conducts research on the theoretical foundations of computer science and its applications to various fields including neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Goldwasser earned various awards and honors for her contributions to the field of computer science. Most notably, she received the prestigious Turing Award in 2012 alongside her collaborator Silvio Micali. In addition to her huge contributions to the field, Goldwasser has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech sector . She has been vocal about the need to create more opportunities for women and other minority populations in computer science and STEM at large. From honoring achievements to creating a more inclusive future for tech Despite being underrepresented in the industry, women’s contributions have been crucial to the growth of the tech sector and have aided big advancements in science and technology. We hope that by highlighting the work of women like Reshma Saujani, Fei-Fei Li, Tracy Chou, Kimberly Bryant, and Shafi Goldwasser, we can inspire more women to pursue careers in tech and showcase the diverse range of contributions that women are making to the industry. One simple action that we can all take to support women in tech is to acknowledge the achievements of women who have worked tirelessly to advance and transform the field . We hope that through learning about these incredible women and their work can help promote a more equitable and inclusive future for tech.

You’ve landed that interview at your dream company, but hold on: you head in for your interview and don’t see a single woman in the office. Or during your interview, the (male) interviewer asks you about your relationship status and if you’re planning on having children. And while these are obvious signs that this company isn’t pro-women and doesn’t have active diversity and inclusion policies and practices in place, some other signs may be more subtle. How can you avoid joining a company that doesn’t work to promote their female employees? Let’s discuss. Why are Pro-Women Companies Important? Apart from the obvious ethical and moral obligation to promote equality and fair opportunities , women are incredible assets to any workplace. Unsure why? We have some facts and figures to convince you: Companies with high levels of gender diversity and inclusion are 25% more likely to have higher levels of profitability. Women bring valuable and different perspectives to the table to which men simply can’t relate. Research also shows that women in management positions boast better communication skills and overall leadership skills than male counterparts. On a purely statistical level, women have proven to be more loyal to their companies, creating a lower turnover rate and more company loyalty which then improves their performance. Companies that boast gender diversity are more likely to attract new and talented candidates; in addition, women are more likely to apply to companies that already have lots of female employees and possible mentors. If these points aren’t enough, we’ll leave you with one final sentence: success is impossible without equality. Women bring invaluable skills to the workplace and providing them with the same opportunities and chances to grow as men is the right thing to do. Pro-Women Companies All companies switch their logos to purple during March and highlight a few female employees, but does that make them truly pro-women? Not really. Change comes from consistent actions that are researched, put into place, and then evaluated over time and when a company is truly pro-women, you’ll see that their actions are not just surface-level. Companies that support women want women to succeed… Every company will claim they want the best for their female employees, but do they actually mean it? Here are some concrete actions that show a company’s is truly dedicated to the success of their female employees: Commitment to equal pay : the gender pay gap is real, especially within the tech industry. Companies that are committed to equal pay are transparent with their salaries and pay men and women of the same job equally. Low female turnover : companies that are having women quit frequently probably aren’t treating them right. When interviewing, ask the company about their female employees and how long they’ve been at the company. …have women in leadership roles… We’ve all seen those pictures of all-male leadership boards and thought: “where are all the women?” Lots of companies simply don’t prioritize women in leadership positions and this not only affects equality and female opportunities for growth, but also expands the gender wage gap. And it’s essential that it’s not just C-suite and executive level; women should hold manager and supervisor positions as well. …boast programs & benefits for women… Another great way to see if a company truly supports their female employees is by checking what benefits and programs they offer. There are issues that women alone face and offering generous maternity leave, menstrual pain sick days, and mentorship opportunities geared specifically towards making it easier for women to succeed in the workplace are all great signs that a company is working towards equality. …have accountability programs in place. All of the aforementioned points are great ways to check if a company is pro-women, but there is another measure that’s equally as important: accountability programs. Does your company have a plan in place to report sexual harassment or sexism in the workplace? When reported, are women heard, believed, and supported? These are all signs that the company is equipped to create an inclusive workplace. Questions to ask prospective employers If all the above seem to be in place but you still want to be completely positive, here are a few quick questions you can ask to be sure of it: Does your company have mandatory diversity and inclusion training? Company policies are great, but if the employees don’t practice or enforce them, they’re useless. If a company offers required diversity and inclusion training, it’s a good first sign that they want their employees to put their policies into action. How many women work in the company and your prospective department? Companies that publish their gender distribution might come off better than it actually is; if you’re heading into tech , for example, the sad truth is that most women hold administrative or assistance positions instead of tech-related roles. And companies  may benefit from showing their gender distribution overall, instead of in specific departments. Make sure you know exactly what your future department will look like. What is the gender distribution of the leadership team/management roles? Knowing exactly how many women hold leadership positions can help you both picture how you can move up within the company and the role models/mentors you’ll have available to you. Warning Signs That Your Company Isn’t Pro-Women If you’ve already accepted a job and have started working, keep an eye out for some of these telltale signs that your company isn’t as pro-women as they made themselves out to be: Female voices are not heard/appreciated : is the input of women in meetings ignored or shrugged off? Or are men frequently cutting women off, talking over them, or just being disrespectful? These are signs that company employees are not focused on lifting women up and providing them with equal opportunities. Men get promotions over women : are women missing out on promotions to men frequently with no good reason given? This is a clear sign that your company’s actions don’t match their words. Women’s life choices are mentioned in relation to their ability to work : an unfortunate but true fact of society is that unpaid domestic duties, like housework, childcare, and family care are typically placed on women. If a woman’s decision to have children or take time off to care for her children is mentioned in relation to her performance, your company has a long way to go to be pro-women. And if the above points feel a bit familiar, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. Standing up to adversity can be intimidating and even seem impossible, but taking a stand against injustice is the right thing to do. If you’ve witnessed any of the aforementioned warning sides at your workplace, it might be time to talk to HR or corporate to try to make a change. And if you don’t feel safe or confident speaking to people at work about the issues or don’t know how to approach it, try reaching out to female connections within your network for advice. What YOU Can Do to Make Your Company Pro-Women Just like with anything, your actions count and everything you do to improve equality at your company will have a positive effect on the company as a whole and future employees: Lift women up : become a mentor to younger women and look for ways to support the ideas of your female coworkers, promote their ideas in meetings, and call out sexist behavior when you see it. Believe women : if a female coworker comes to you with harassment allegations, believe them and help create a safe and inclusive workplace for all. Promote transparency : talk openly about salary, benefits, and other ways that women are frequently undercompensated and ensure that no one is in the dark about what they’re being paid. At Ironhack, we’re proud to promote flexible and inclusive courses, in addition to being a diverse workplace, to help women achieve their goals, no matter their situation. If you’re interested in becoming part of the Ironhack family and joining us on our journey towards equality, check out our available programs today.

You’re burned out and just need a break. Or you’ve welcomed a new baby or need to take care of your elderly parents. No matter your reasoning, there are two options that professionals have when deciding to take a little respite from work: career breaks and sabbatical leave. But what are they? Are they the same as retirement? Are the two the same? Let’s discuss. Career Break vs. Sabbatical Leave First, let’s differentiate the two: a career break is when you resign from your current job and are no longer employed; a sabbatical is taking a break from your current role whilst still being employed with the intention of going back. The key here is that both operate under the impression that you will go back to work once your break/leave is over; this is how it differs from retirement. Why take a career break? There are numerous reasons that you’d want to take a career break: to travel, study, recuperate from difficult times, take care of children/family, and figure out what you want from life are just a few. An important fact to note is that career breaks mean that you have fully left your role ; career breaks don’t have to be agreed upon with an employer and instead can be as long or as short as you’d like. However, when you return to the workforce, you’ll need to find a new job. FAQs about career breaks: How do I represent career breaks on my resume? It’s best to include career breaks on your resume; if you’re comfortable sharing why you took a break, feel free to include the reason. If you’re not, you don’t have to, but be prepared to be asked about the gap in your resume. How do I tell my boss about a career break? Since with a career break you’re leaving your job just as if you were taking on a new role, there’s no need to ask your boss for permission. Feel free to share that you’re taking a break and make sure to follow industry guidelines when resigning. Will a career break affect my future career? We’d be lying if we gave you a straight answer because it’s impossible to know for sure. But most future employers will understand that you took a break to have children or reskill; what’s important is that you show how this was the right decision for you and how you benefited from the career break. What is an acceptable length for a career break? It depends on your industry, but if you’re planning on joining the same field after your break, don’t plan on taking too long of a break (around 9 months) because you might be out of touch with new trends or industry practices upon your return. If you’re switching fields and using your career break to reskill, a longer break is acceptable. Why take a sabbatical? Sabbaticals can be used to study and improve your skill set, aid your current role, take a mental health break, take a travel break, or more. Sabbaticals are typically agreed upon with your employer with the understanding that you’ll be back to work after a set period of time . They are typically unpaid but in specific cases, you may be provided a stipend or some sort of compensation during your sabbatical. FAQs about sabbaticals: How do I represent a sabbatical on my resume? Feel free to outline your sabbatical on your resume, especially if you used it to upskill or reskill, but as you’re still employed by your company, simply listing your current role is totally fine. How do I tell my boss about a sabbatical? This can be a tough conversation to have with your boss and it’s crucial to be prepared. Think about exactly what you want to ask for and how it will benefit you and the company and present your argument to your boss. Prepare to go back and forth until you reach an agreement. Will a sabbatical affect my future career? As long as you fulfill your agreement with your employer and return on the agreed date, it shouldn’t impact your future career. In fact, it may actually help if you use the time to improve upon yourself, in any way. What is an acceptable length for a sabbatical? This is a question for specific employers, but sabbaticals typically last for six months to a year. When you enter that conversation with your boss, make sure you’re open to different lengths of time because you don’t know what your boss will agree to! Considerations for Career Breaks and Sabbaticals A break from work seems great, but a lot of thought needs to go into your decision to take a career break or sabbatical. First, are you financially stable enough to not receive a paycheck for the length of your break? And if you choose a career break and don’t know exactly when you’ll get a job and be back in the workforce, make sure you have enough savings for both your planned time and unplanned circumstances. Second, does a break from your role entail losing any benefits , such as  a meal plan, health insurance, or transportation assistance? Lastly, will it have a negative effect on your career? If your sector movies quickly, months away may mean that you won’t be prepared to reenter the workforce. One of the best reasons for a career break or sabbatical is reskilling. Today’s tech market is incredibly competitive and if you want to reskill quickly, intensive bootcamps can get you job-ready in as little as 8 weeks!

It’s happened to all of us: a new opportunity comes your way, be it another job, an educational opportunity, or you’ve simply decided to take a new path in your life. Quitting your job and leaving it can be tough and nerve wracking , especially if you’ve been with your company for a while or are happy in your role. In this article, we’ll dive into the intricacies of quitting your job, what to keep in mind, and how to stay on good terms with your previous employer and coworkers. Quitting: Why? You’ve heard about the volatile job market and probably want to know why someone would quit their job right now. Well, there are lots of reasons; you’ve probably heard of some but others may surprise you. Let’s dive in and discuss the two main areas: company-based reasons and personal reasons. Company-based reasons: if you’re not happy or feeling valued at your current role, it may be time to start the job search. Employees quit because they receive another offer with better compensation or benefits, feel uninspired by their work, don’t have a good relationship with management, or feel stuck in their career advancement. Personal reasons: sometimes everything at the workplace is perfect and employees leave for personal reasons: family commitments, going back to school , a desire to relocate, or an unmanageable work/life balance. How to Quit your Job If it’s been a rough quarter and you have that new role waiting around the corner, it may be tempting to just up and quit. However, companies have procedures in place (that were likely outlined in your initial contract) and failing to respect those could mean that you are subject to consequences. Step 1: Make your decision (and think it through) The grass is almost always greener on the other side; quitting your job is almost always irreversible and you need to be absolutely sure of your decision. Consider what your life will look like in your new role (if you’re taking one) or without your current job. Will your commute be the same? Are your hours and holidays the same? How long have you been at your current job? Short stays at jobs can look questionable on your resume. Thinking the decision through also entails considering what would make you stay at your current role . As the job market becomes increasingly competitive and employers are having trouble finding highly qualified workers, a new focus has been placed on employee retention . Consider what would make you stay and get ready to present that to your current boss if prompted. Step 2: Review company policies Does your contract or company policy outline a specific notice period when resigning? The majority of companies request two weeks notice, but this may mean 14 calendar days or 14 working days. Will leaving before the stipulated time period have financial repercussions? Ensure you fully understand your contractual obligations before you decide on your last day. Step 3: Talk to your boss Once you are sure about your options, it’s time to talk to your boss. This is undoubtedly the toughest part, but it’s key to do it as soon as possible . When breaking the news, follow these tips: Get to the point and be direct: explain that you’re leaving, give a few reasons why, and thank your boss for their leadership. Give them your notice : knowing your last day will help your boss plan and fill your position as quickly as possible. Share good experiences : even if you’re leaving because of your relationship with the  management, it’s crucial to be polite and show that you’re grateful for the growth you experienced in the role. Step 4: Talk to HR and the rest of your team News travels fast and to maintain professionalism, it’s best to tell the news to your colleagues personally. Once your boss is aware of your decision, take time to both tell HR so they can plan accordingly (payroll and vacation days may come into play) and your own team; they work closely with you and will be affected by your departure. Step 5: Complete your duties Your last two weeks may feel insurmountable, but it’s crucial to keep working hard and do your work until your last day. You may also be asked to create onboarding documents for the person taking your job or complete feedback with HR about your experience, boss, and overall responsibilities. You’re still an employee until your last day and it’s important to not fall off the horse. Things to Avoid When Quitting Your Job We’ve all had that job where we can’t wait to get out of there and would just love to tell our boss how we really feel. And while that may be super tempting and would feel good in the moment, it’s best not to take that road. Make sure you avoid this and other mistakes: Leaving without proper notice : when you began your job, you most likely signed a contract that outlines departure procedures and it’s important to respect those. Mailing it in for the last few weeks : as we mentioned above, you’re still an employee after you give your notice and are responsible for your normal duties. Do your job and make it through those last weeks. Telling your team before your boss/HR : you might work with your best friends, but your boss and HR must be the first to know. It can come off incredibly unprofessional if your boss hears about your departure from anyone but you. Not preparing your successor : even if you have the worst relationship with your boss or teammates, don’t set your successor up for failure by leaving them little to no onboarding advice or a mountain of work on their first day. Try to be as helpful as possible and prepare them for success - just like you would like done for you. Trash talking your boss/team/company : you’ll most likely have an exit interview with HR and while it may be tempting to let it all out, that’s not constructive criticism for the future and can leave a bad taste in the mouth of the company. Instead, try to be honest yet respectful; remember, you might have to ask for a recommendation or reference in the future. It can seem daunting and scary, but you can do it! People quit all the time and your boss and HR have seen it before (and will see it again!). Follow these tips and you’ll be set up for success.

There’s no doubt that the tech industry has a reputation for being a boy’s club. Whether it be underrepresentation of women in the industry, pay gaps, fewer career advancement opportunities, or being held to different or double standards , it’s no secret that there are sexist practices within the tech industry. Addressing the gender gap in tech is not only the right thing to do, but it can have great impacts on your business’s success. Supporting women in your tech company is key to developing a more productive, innovative, and positive work environment. It’s more important than ever to take a stand and support women in tech. We have a number of tips for companies and co-workers to learn how to better support women in the industry . These recommendations are for folks of all genders and we hope they can help businesses build more inclusive and successful workspaces. Closing the Gender Gap in Tech Although women account for 47% of the workforce in the United States , the largest technology companies - Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft - employ less than 36% women . And when it comes to leadership positions in these companies, that number drops to 30%. Finally, of tech-related roles in these companies, only 24% of positions are held by women. We know that this isn’t because there’s a lack of talented women to hold these positions, but rather, there are barriers that limit women from being successful in the tech industry. Understanding these barriers and working to address biases is crucial in supporting women in tech. Of course it’s impossible to eliminate the gender gap in tech overnight, but there are concrete things we can all do in order to support women in tech. Tips to build a more inclusive workplace Acknowledge and understand bias The first step to supporting women in tech is acknowledging that the gender gap in the industry is a problem. The second step is seeing how our unconscious biases lead to situations in which women’s work is undervalued or their contributions are not acknowledged. As these biases dominate tech, we see a gender gap that’s deeply ingrained in the industry. Addressing biases can be done on an individual level or at a company wide level. Many companies have decided to implement workshops or training, undergo gender bias audits of company practices, and solicit employee feedback. Unconscious bias training: Unconscious bias training is a type of training aimed to help individuals recognize and address their unconscious biases that may lead to discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Unconscious bias training is often used to promote diversity and inclusion and to prevent discrimination and bias in hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions. Gender bias audit: A gender bias audit is a process of evaluating an organization's policies, practices, and culture to identify areas where gender bias may be present. The goal of a gender bias audit is to identify and address any unconscious or intentional gender bias within the organization and to ensure that women and men are treated fairly and equally. 2. Hire women for leadership positions Having women in leadership positions is hugely beneficial to companies. It’s important to offer other women positive role models, which leads to more inclusive policies across the company, generally improves teamwork , and ultimately brings fresh ideas to the table . These are all positive aspects that greatly benefit the company. A study by Peterson Institute for International Economics found that companies with at least 30% women in leadership roles were 15% more profitable than companies with no women in leadership roles. That said, it’s not only morally and socially important to work towards gender diversity and support women in tech, but there is evidence to suggest that promoting gender diversity within a company can lead to improved financial performance. 3. Use inclusive language Using inclusive language in company communications is a simple way to make all employees feel included and supported in their workplace. Inclusive language avoids marginalizing or stereotyping particular groups --something that ultimately may benefit both men and women in your workplace. Examples include: Use gender-neutral language: Use gender-neutral language such as "they" instead of "he or she" and "humankind" instead of "mankind." Use gender-neutral titles : Use gender-neutral titles such as "chair" or "chairperson" instead of "chairman" or "chairwoman." Similarly, making sure that job positions advertised use gender inclusive language is greatly important. Using inclusive language sends a message to potential candidates that your company values diversity. Appcast found that job postings using gender-inclusive language receive 29% more applications . Accessing this wider pool of candidates from different backgrounds and experiences will ultimately benefit the company. By using inclusive language, companies create a more collaborative and respectful workplace environment, reduce confusion for all workers, and prevent sending unintended or biased messages in company communications. When employees feel valued and included, it improves their morale and engagement. This leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction which benefits both employees and the company. 4. Acknowledge women’s achievements We know that offering positive feedback and encouragement is beneficial to the motivation and self confidence of all employees . In order to build more positive working environments and successful businesses, acknowledging the achievements, no matter how big or small, is something that all workplaces need to deliberately take on. In a male-dominated field, it’s even more important to highlight positive work done by women in tech. Doing so provides women with the recognition and visibility they deserve for their hard work and contributions to the industry. Acknowledging achievements can help to boost their confidence, increase their sense of belonging, and encourage women to continue pursuing their goals in the field . 5. See gender diversity as a strength We know that gender diversity is crucial in the success of any organization. Equally, bridging the gender gap in tech can foster a more efficient, innovative, and positive work culture. Research suggests that companies with higher gender diversity tend to have above-average profitability. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability compared to companies in the bottom quartile. 6. Develop a support network of women in tech It can become exhausting being one of few women in your place of work. Finding a supportive network in your office will help you overcome adversity in what is otherwise an often isolating boy’s club. Building this supportive network of women or other folks who understand your frustrations is important in helping you burn on and not out. Create a support network: This network could be a group of women who you go to lunch with one day a week or it could be one friend who you have coffee breaks with to vent. The important part is that you’re in conversation with and feel supported by other women in your company. Mentorship Program: Establish a mentorship program that pairs women in tech with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and career advice. Build beyond your company: There are more opportunities than ever to get involved in larger “Women in Tech” related organizations and networks. From conferences to professional development programs to networking events, there is no shortage of women taking part in these conversations. Attend a local “women in tech” meetup and connect with other women in the field. Taking Action to Close the Gender Gap Undoubtedly, the tech industry is widely recognized as a male-dominated field. Women who work in tech encounter various forms of discrimination, both explicit and implicit. Women find themselves being underrepresented, receiving lower pay, having fewer career opportunities, and being held to different or stricter standards while working in tech. Of course, it’s hard to transform the industry overnight, but there are a number of ways we can immediately take action to support women in tech. We hope that our recommendations assist companies in taking concrete steps to make more inclusive and thriving work environments.

It’s getting warmer and the sunshine is calling. If you’re lucky enough to work or study remotely and have flexibility when it comes to your hours and location, you’re probably already familiar with the term “workation.” But if you aren’t, here you go: it’s when you combine your work and vacation and get to travel while working. Sound like something you’d like to do? Obviously ! In this article, we’ll explore six of the best locations for your next workation, no matter what you’re looking for. But first, what makes a workation different from regular vacation or a staycation, or even being a digital nomad? Let’s discuss. What is a Workation? Generally speaking, a workation is when you mix leisure and work by going somewhere different and keeping up your regular work duties. But the truth is that a workation can be whatever you want it to be! It could last a few days or a few months: you can make your next workation whatever you want it to be. How can you plan a workation? It can be tempting to just get planning, but it’s essential to check with your boss or HR department before you get too carried away. Even if you work remotely , your company may still have some limitations about where you can work from and for how long. For example, you may be free to work from anywhere within the European Union, but have to ask permission to stay more than three weeks outside. Or you may be able to work from a US island, but need to request permission to work from Mexico. Before you do anything else, check your company rules. How can I choose the right workation? There’s no universal right choice for anyone when it comes to workations; to pick the best place, you need to think about your preferences and choose what matters most to you. Do you want to shut your laptop at 5pm and head right to the beach? Or do you want to visit museums and cultural centers in your free time? Before you make a final decision, make sure you think about what you want. Questions to ask yourself when choosing your workation location: Can you still properly do your job? Working from Bali’s sandy beaches may sound like a great idea, but if your WiFi connection is unstable and you are unable to join meetings, it may not permit you to do your job. If you work asynchronously from the rest of your team, your location may not matter too much, but if you have to frequently join meetings, ensure that your connection permits that. Can you still be part of your team? Agreeing to work hours in a different time zone can seem like no big deal at the beginning, but you might get tired of waking up very early or working well into the night if your job requires you to work the same hours as the rest of your team. Before you decide where to work, make sure you ask your boss about different time zones and the hours you’ll be expected to work. Can you afford to live in your dream workation destination? Salaries vary significantly from country to country and even by city; check out the cost of living in your desired destination before making the decision to ensure that your current salary can cover your expenses. This is also a good time to look into health insurance, medication costs, and any other expenses you’ll accrue from living abroad. Do you meet the legal requirements? Lots of countries have limits on how long foreigners can stay in the country without a visa; in addition to making sure your company permits you to work from abroad for tax purposes, you’ll need to make sure you don’t get into legal trouble in your workation country either. 6 Cities for your Next Workation Now that we’ve discussed how to choose your destination, let’s talk about some of the best: Split, Croatia Located in the middle of the country and full of beaches, great cuisine, and friendly locals, Split is a great place for your next workation. It’s an affordable and vibrant city that connects you to other islands and European cities, as well as offering co-working spaces, an English speaking population, and digital nomad visa options if you want to stay long-term. Bangkok, Thailand Another great option is Bangkok , Thailand, an affordable and bustling city that offers visitors and residents lots of options. Its monthly cost of living and activities rank it as one of the world’s best workation cities, offering co-working spaces and WiFi zones. Most people speak English in this Thai city and you’ll be surrounded by other expats and locals. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon is one of the world’s most popular destinations for workations, thanks to its mild weather, sunny beaches, and affordable cost of living. What makes this European city unique, however, is its mix of beaches and city, offering both lazy days under the sun and history, museums, and cultural experiences. There are lots of co-working spaces in the city and WiFi is almost universally available. Brisbane, Australia This Southern destination is perfect for those looking for nice weather, lots of activities, and an affordable price. If your dream workation involves signing off and having tons of adventures at your fingertips, consider heading down under. Brisbane also offers a vibrant digital nomad community, many coworking spaces, and the chance to explore the rest of Australia. Sicily, Italy Did someone say pizza and pasta under the Italian sun?! This selection probably won’t surprise you; Sicily is a popular workation destination thanks to its wonderful weather, delicious cuisine, and close proximity to other Italian and European cities. Work from a small café on a cobblestone street and live your Italian fantasy. Aruba Does your perfect workation involve spending lots of time on the beach and relaxing as soon as your work day is over? Perfect for professionals that need to work during Eastern Standard Time, Aruba offers coworking spaces, accessible WiFi, and year round sunny weather to digital nomads. Do any of these cities pique your interest? We thought so. If you’re ready to become a digital nomad , a career in tech that boasts flexibility might be the right choice for you. At Ironhack, we’re dedicated to helping people jumpstart their tech careers and start living their dreams. What are you waiting for?!

The Dutch tech industry has been steadily growing in recent years and Amsterdam is at the forefront of this expansion. In this blog post, we will explore the Dutch tech industry and why Amsterdam is an attractive location for those looking to work in tech. Why Amsterdam? The Dutch tech industry has been experiencing impressive growth over the past few years, with an estimated 19,000 tech startups in the country as of 2021 . The tech sector has become a major contributor to the Dutch economy and the industry is estimated to generate over 65 billion euros in revenue annually. One of the key strengths of the Dutch tech industry is its focus on innovation and creativity . The country has a strong culture of collaboration and experimentation, which has helped to foster a thriving startup ecosystem. Additionally, the Dutch government has been supportive of the tech industry, offering tax incentives and funding for startups and innovation projects. The Dutch tech industry is also known for its strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Many tech companies in the Netherlands have made a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting ethical business practices. Why work in Amsterdam? Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and serves as the country's economic and cultural hub. It is also a major player in the tech industry, with a thriving startup scene and a number of well-established tech companies. One of the main advantages of working in Amsterdam is the city's highly educated workforce. The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of tertiary education in the world , with over 50% of the population holding a bachelor's or master's degree. This highly skilled workforce is a major asset to the Dutch tech industry and many tech companies have set up shop in Amsterdam to take advantage of this talent pool. The city is also known for its vibrant cultural scene and its diverse and international population, which has helped to create a supportive environment for innovation and experimentation. Amsterdam is also home to a number of well-established tech companies, such as Booking.com, Miro, Tesla, and Adyen. These companies offer exciting opportunities for career growth and development and working for a well-established company can be a great way to gain valuable experience in the tech industry. Additionally, Amsterdam hosts several international tech conferences and events, such as the Web Summit and the TNW Conference, which provide great networking opportunities for those in the tech industry. One of the main draws of working in Amsterdam is the city's high quality of life. The city is known for its work-life balance, with many companies offering flexible work arrangements and benefits such as unlimited vacation time. Additionally, Amsterdam has excellent public transportation, a vibrant cultural scene, and a diverse and international population, which can make it an exciting and fulfilling place to live and work. Ironhack in Amsterdam We started a new concept for Amsterdam and the Netherlands with the introduction of a flexible way of learning with an international appeal. You can enjoy the benefits of studying from wherever you are while being part of an international cohort of students, joining our local team for networking events as well as additional support. Our hub in the A’DAM Toren is the perfect place to meet with fellow bootcampers, receive help and benefit from an in-person community. If you’re in Amsterdam, you can be part of our active community. If you’re somewhere else, you can visit the city for special events and join our alumni network. Ironhack courses in Amsterdam Each of these courses offers a specific advantage in Amsterdam: Web development : learn front and back end technologies and everything else you need to know to become a full stack web developer. Find supportive developer communities, leading, local tech companies, rapid career growth, high demand for developers and a mature tech scene. 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. Enjoy a supportive environment for data professionals, a wide range of available roles, significant investment in research and development, and an urgent need for data professionals. UX/UI design : user-centric design is key here; learn design thinking to build digital experiences created specifically for users. Amsterdam boasts a bustling UX/UI community with frequent meetups and conferences, a strong job market with attractive salaries and an impressive startup scene. Cybersecurity : cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, due to their wide range of skills pertaining to protecting companies from risks and hacks. Find yourself in a growing field with a wide range of career paths, a city in need of cybersecurity professionals and an expanding community in cybersecurity. Financing options in Amsterdam STAP budget Eligible students can get up to €1,000 in STAP funding to upskill themselves in Web Development, Data Analytics, UX/UI Design, Cybersecurity and Web3 funded by the UWV (Dutch Employment agency). Regionale mobiliteitsteams (RMT’s) These RMTs are an initiative of the Ministries of Social Affairs and Employment and Education, Culture and Science, various municipalities, the UWV, the SBB, the MBO Council, trade unions and employer organizations. Eligible applicants can apply for up to a €5000 subsidy to cover the costs of an Ironhack course. TechMeUp TechMeUp offers talented students a financial peace of mind by providing them financial assistance. They do this by issuing interest-free loans from €2,500, €5,000 and €7,500, intended for training fees and/or living allowance. Students will pay the money back once they find a job, meaning that you indirectly pay for the next participant’s training money and/or living allowance. Pledg In partnership with Pledg, our students can pay in 3, 6, or 10 monthly installments, whether it is for our full-time or part-time bootcamps. Finance4Learning Finance is available for 100% of your course fee and loans are extended for up to 72 months. For €1,000, your monthly payment is some €16.50, which includes an average interest of approx. €2.60. Penalty-free early repayment is always possible. Ready to kick start your career in tech? Apply now .

Business Intelligence: Definition, Job Types, and Examples It's likely that you have heard of the term business intelligence or BI. You might have even learned about it after exploring the field of data analytics . However, one question remains—what exactly is business intelligence ? In this blog post, we will explore the definition of business intelligence, discuss some jobs within the field of business intelligence, and provide a few examples of how businesses can use BI in their operations. I'll also add some commonly asked questions about BI. What is Business Intelligence? Business intelligence is a broad term that refers to the collection, storage, analysis, and visualization of data from an organization's systems. It typically involves analyzing large amounts of structured and unstructured data to provide business insights for decision-making. For example, BI tools can help identify trends or patterns in sales numbers that may not be obvious otherwise. It can also be used to identify areas of the business that can be improved or optimized. Business intelligence is a powerful application of data that can help organizations make better decisions, reduce costs, and increase profits. Jobs in the Business Intelligence Field The business intelligence field is large and diverse and comprises several different jobs. Here are some of the most common business intelligence job roles: Business Intelligence Analyst : business intelligence analysts often work closely with data engineers and statisticians to collect, store, analyze, and visualize data. They use the insights from their analysis to identify trends or patterns that can help a company make better decisions. Business Intelligence Developer : business intelligence developers specialize in designing and implementing data warehouses , ETL (extract, transform, load) processes, and reporting solutions. They are responsible for the development of databases, dashboards, and interactive reports. SQL Developer : SQL developers create and maintain databases, tables, views, and other data structures. They are also responsible for writing complex queries to extract data that can be used in business intelligence. Business Intelligence Consultant : business intelligence consultants provide strategic advice and suggest best practices for their clients. They help companies make decisions about which data to collect, how to use it, and how to get the most out of their data. Business Intelligence Specialists : business intelligence specialists are responsible for building and maintaining a company's business intelligence system. They also support departments such as sales and marketing in using the data they have collected. Business Intelligence Manager : business intelligence managers develop and maintain the company's business intelligence strategy. They also oversee the development of data warehouses, ETL processes, and reporting solutions. They manage all BI analysts and BI developers within a team. In my experience as a data analyst, I previously worked together with a BI specialist to build and maintain data workflows in the company. We also provided support to other departments in collecting the data they needed for making decisions and putting them into simple dashboards on Tableau for reference. Business Intelligence Examples Business intelligence has been around for a while and is starting to pick up over the past decade on a wider range of applications across industries. To get a fuller grasp on where business intelligence can be used, check out these examples below: 1. Business intelligence in healthcare Applications for BI in healthcare organizations can span many applications. Insights from the BI analysis enable informed decision-making about patient care, research, and operations. Through data analysis of medical and clinical data sources such as medical histories and insurance claims, healthcare providers can identify patterns that lead to better diagnosis and treatment of patients. 2. Business intelligence in manufacturing As one of the slower industries to adopt technology, BI provides huge potential for improvement and optimization in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers are leveraging BI tools to analyze data from their production lines, supply chains, and customer interactions. Using this analysis, they can identify problems with product or component design, inventory levels, and the overall efficiency of their operations. This helps them make informed decisions about how best to optimize their production processes. For example, Tesla uses business intelligence to measure and improve efficiencies in their car assembly. Using their MES (Manufacturing Execution System), they monitor assembly progress to track their overall production rate. Additionally, they use Tableau, a common BI tool, for sharing data and reports among stakeholders. 3. Business intelligence in retail Retailers use business intelligence to improve product forecasting, customer segmentation, inventory management, and pricing strategies. They can use data analysis to better understand customer behavior, identify high-value customers, and target them with personalized offers. Also, they can track key performance indicators like sales rate, average order value, and customer lifetime value, which helps inform decisions about product assortment and pricing. Common Business Intelligence Tools Working in business intelligence comes with some general tools to help process and clean data. These tools may vary depending on the different BI roles. Here are some common ones you'll encounter when working in business intelligence: SQL (Structured Query Language) : SQL is the standard language for accessing, manipulating, and querying data from relational databases. It’s often used in BI projects to query data from a data warehouse or other database sources. Tableau : Tableau is one of the most popular BI reporting tools. It provides powerful visualizations to quickly reveal insights from data analysis. T-SQL : T-SQL stands for Transact-SQL and is a Microsoft extension of SQL. It’s used for manipulating data on Microsoft SQL Server databases, as well as writing queries in stored procedures. Oracle BI : Oracle Business Intelligence is designed to help organizations make better decisions by providing a unified view of their data. It’s used for creating reports, dashboard visualizations, and performing analytics on structured and unstructured data sources. Python/R : These are two popular programming languages used by BI professionals. They help with scripting, cleaning, manipulating, and analyzing data for BI projects. Using Python or R code, BI analysts can automate workflows. Amazon Redshift :  Redshift is a cloud-based data warehouse solution offered by Amazon for large datasets. It’s used for analyzing and querying structured data sources with SQL. Power BI :  Microsoft Power BI is a cloud-based business intelligence and analytics tool. It helps organizations produce interactive data visualizations for making informed decisions. Hadoop : Hadoop is an open-source framework for processing and analyzing large amounts of data. It’s used to store large datasets in a distributed manner, making it perfect for data analysis projects. How to Get Started with Business Intelligence Have any of the above jobs or tools excited you? Or are you keen on making a transition into a tech career in business intelligence? Here are some simple steps to help you get started: Learn about data analysis and visualizations : start by familiarizing yourself with the concepts of data science, machine learning, and analytics. Research how to analyze data effectively and create meaningful visualizations from it. Strengthen your technical skills : focus on strengthening your technical skills like databases, programming languages (Python/R), data cleaning, and working with BI tools. Build your portfolio : start building a portfolio that showcases your technical abilities and projects you’ve worked on. This will help when applying for jobs in business intelligence. Network & look for opportunities : network with people in the industry to understand the job requirements and start searching for business intelligence roles. Build a LinkedIn profile to help with your networking online. By following these steps, you can take the first step towards one of the entry roles within BI. For example, you'll be able to land a junior BI developer or BI analyst role. Related Questions Curious to learn more? Here are some additional questions you might find helpful. What skills do you need in business intelligence? Business intelligence professionals need to have a wide range of skills, including technical skills like databases and programming languages (Python/R), as well as soft and analytical skills. Additionally, problem-solving, communication, and business acumen are also important. Is a career in business intelligence a good choice? Yes, a career in business intelligence can be very rewarding. BI professionals are usually well-paid for their skills and knowledge of data analysis and reporting. Plus, the field is constantly evolving with new technologies, giving you plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. Business intelligence is also an expanding field in many traditional industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Therefore, job opportunities for BI roles will be plenty. Final Thoughts Business intelligence is an exciting and dynamic field where you can work with data to drive informed decisions. Job opportunities across industries and company sizes are plentiful, and with the right skills, you can successfully transition into an entry-level BI/data analytics role. Author Bio Hi, I’m Austin Chia! I previously worked as an analytics instructor, a data scientist for healthcare research, and a health-tech data analyst. With my years of experience in data, I now seek to help others learn more about data science and analytics through content at AnyInstructor.com , where I write and share my learnings.

In case you’ve missed it, we’ve recently been doing some round-ups of our favorite FemTech startups from some of the biggest tech hubs in Germany. We looked high and low to bring you the must-watch FemTechs in Berlin and Bavaria but of course, we couldn’t leave Frankfurt out. Frankfurt is one of Germany's largest tech hubs. But is typically known for its Fintechs. With so many banks around and the strong local economy, it's no surprise that Fintechs are popping up all over the city. However, it's not only Fintechs riding the wave of investments that the city has seen. Some savvy founders in the healthtech space have also decided to make Frankfurt their home. Healthcare and healthtech have historically focused most of their time (and money) on men's health. But women are starting to steal the spotlight and bring attention to the disparities and sexism in the healthcare industry. And in Frankfurt, some exciting new healthtech startups are creating products and services to meet women's healthcare needs. In this article, we will explore what FemTech is, why healthtech has seen a historic bias towards men, and highlight 3 incredible startups from Frankfurt that are supporting women's health. What is FemTech? Before we dive into the top FemTechs in Frankfurt let's first clear up what a FemTech is. If you're not familiar with the term FemTech, don’t worry. It's a new term that has only been around since 2016 and refers to a tech startup or company that focuses on women's health. This can be done through research, app development, product design, creating a supportive community, and more. The term was first used by Ida Tin back in 2016 when she was founding her own FemTech Clue in Berlin. The scope of the term FemTech has grown a lot since it first emerged. Previously it focused on women's health issues such as pregnancy and menstruation. But now FemTechs use their innovation and creativity to provide support for everything from reproductive health needs to breastfeeding and menopause. In addition, may focus on finding treatments for diseases that are more prevalent in women (such as Alzheimer's, certain types of cancer, and autoimmune diseases). And some also look at providing support for roles that are dominated by women such as caregiving to the elderly or children. How FemTech is combating gender bias in healthcare Startups across Germany are looking to use FemTech as a way to improve health outcomes for women. But where did the gender bias in healthcare come from and why does it need to be improved? Gender bias in healthcare is real. Historically inequity in medicine and medical research stemmed from women being ignored and excluded from trials. Before the 1990s, in many countries, women were not included in much of the research studies for medical therapies and drugs. This created a real gap for healthcare professionals in understanding how diseases, drugs, and therapies can affect women. Not only are women struggling with a gap in medical knowledge and data but there has been a historic reluctance to talk about women's health issues. Health issues specific to women such as periods, sexual health, contraception, and menopause have been considered taboo in many communities with healthcare being no exception. If we can't talk about these issues, we really can't address them and this is where FemTechs are working to bridge the gap. FemTech, has historically been viewed as a niche market. Many FemTech startups struggled to get their first rounds of funding with investors skeptical of how much success they could attain. But over the years, FemTech founders have quashed the doubts. And it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. With 50% of the population as your target audience, you have a lot of people to market to. As such, FemTech has now exploded with many new cutting-edge startups emerging. With increasing popularity, the global market for FemTech is forecast to reach $60 bn by 2027 . With such big bucks on the table, FemTech is increasingly grabbing the attention of venture capitalists, and we expect they will continue to disrupt the women’s health market in 2023 and beyond. In 2023, we hope to see investment continue to flow to FemTechs. Startups focusing on plugging societal gaps are growing in number and attracting global attention. And FemTechs in Frankfurt and across Germany are using technology to address many of the health disparities that women face. This new wave of women's health technology could bring about significant change to women's health and help women across the globe live happier and healthier lives. The FemTech scene in Frankfurt Within the past five years, the FemTech space in Frankfurt has slowly been growing. While finance is the predominant industry of the city, healthcare startups are starting to emerge and join the startup ecosystem. As more and more women become aware of the importance of monitoring their health and having access to solutions designed specifically for the biological female anatomy, the FemTech scene has grown. In 2023 there will be no shortage of opportunities to network and establish a presence in the Frankfurt FemTech world. In addition, there are several programs that focus on helping women secure funding and grow their startups. For example, The Female Founders Accelerator in Frankfurt has been helping startup founders connect them with capable investors and providing them with outstanding mentorship from remarkable entrepreneurs. In addition, there are several women in tech events and conferences that take place across the city and numerous meetups such as Techettes. Ironhack holds events for women in tech across Germany, including in Frankfurt. Follow us on MeetUp to stay up-to-date on all our local events. Frankfurt has fostered a creative and welcoming environment for women in tech which is what makes it a great location for women in tech to locate their startups. So let's take a look at some of the startups that have already established themselves in Frankfurt. Top FemTech startups in Frankfurt to watch FemTechs are relatively new to the Frankfurt startup scene. But there are some exciting healthtech startups leading the charge in supporting women in their health and caregiving. Here are three of our favorite cutting-edge FemTech startups from Frankfurt that are improving health outcomes for women. 1. Curaluna Did you know that we are facing a global nursing shortage? And more than 430 million people worldwide are already in need of care. So how are these people getting their care? Typically unpaid care is given by women as they look after the elderly and sick relatives in their families. As such, women and girls undertake more than 75% of unpaid care work in the world . But these women are typically neither trained nor prepared for care and end up overwhelmed in terms of time, administration, and emotions. Not only is this incredibly emotionally draining but it can also impact a woman's ability to work as her time is spent giving care. Curaluna aims to help caregivers that often spend too much time organizing and not enough time with those in need of care. Its product is a personal digital care assistant. The device uses inconspicuous sensors on the body of the patient that record data that can be used to improve care. The software  evaluates the individual's data and gives them personalized reporting so that elderly patients can remain independent and safe at home for longer. 2. aescuvest Aescuvest is a little different from the other startups on our list. But as we are in Frankfurt, we can’t create a startup list that doesn't at least include one startup based around finance and investing. But how does aescuvest tie into women's healthcare? The startup is on a mission to “facilitate and enable impactful investments into medical breakthrough innovation to disrupt and improve healthcare delivery models, products, and services.” The platform helps investors build a portfolio of healthcare startups - based on their personal investment focus. In 2021, women received only 2.4% of venture capital funding . Startups like aescvest that help more people invest can be a great tool in redistributing funds in healthcare towards women's health issues. Crowdfunding can be a powerful tool for women in tech. Other women often see the ideas of female founders are related to them. Whereas venture capitalists are predominantly men and less likely to see the potential of FemTech as it does not relate to their own health issues. 3. TFP TFP is a major fertility clinic with locations around the world. It recently acquired the Frankfurt startup Vivaneo and now has a location in the city. VivaNeo previously comprised 9 IVF clinics across four countries, an egg donor bank, as well as a blood diagnostic laboratory, and a dialysis center in Germany. It also held the  1 or 2 market position in market share terms in each of its markets which is what made it an attractive acquisition for TFP. TFP has grown to enormous international success by helping women with their reproductive health and has continuously looked to startups with innovative technology to help it keep improving its services. Now the company can boast that a TFP baby is born every 90 minutes and the location in Frankfurt is expected to see continued success in 2023. Get ready to start your tech career in Frankfurt Are you a woman ready to kickstart your career in tech? Sign up for one of our bootcamps and learn the skills that FemTechs in Frankfurt are searching for. Our tech school offers a range of immersive courses from UX/UI Design to Cybersecurity that are delivered in formats tailored to your needs: online or on campus, full-time or part-time. Apply today .

What is FemTech (Female technology)? We can forgive you for asking because it's a relatively new term and (as with many things related to women in tech) has been historically underrepresented and viewed as a niche market. To put it simply, FemTechs are essentially technology-based companies that focus on women's health. But in the past few years, the pace of change has accelerated and more FemTechs are popping up around Germany, especially in the startup city of Hamburg. And they are widening the field and what could be considered a “FemTech.” While women in tech struggle to get their first rounds of funding, in comparison to their male counterparts – women-led startups received just 2.3% of venture capital funding in 2020 – we are starting to see a shift in this pattern as more investors see the success that FemTechs are achieving. If you’re a woman, it probably comes as no surprise to you that FemTechs are popular. Women make up 50% of the population so that gives FemTechs a very large audience to market their products and services to. And historically, there have been very few companies putting the spotlight on women's health, so these startups also have a competitive edge in the market. As such, FemTech has now exploded with many new cutting-edge startups emerging in Hamburg, Berlin , Munich , and more. With increasing popularity, the global market for FemTech is forecast to reach $60 bn by 2027 . And in this article, we will explore how this growing market is developing in Hamburg. We take a look at the female startup scene in the city and share three of our favorite FemTechs from Hamburg that you need to watch in 2023. What is FemTech? FemTechs are companies that focus on women's health. But women's health covers a whole range of issues, so how can we make a clear definition of a FemTech? Well, that's the great thing about FemTechs, they are incredibly diverse and use their creativity and innovation to combat a whole range of women's health issues – some that you may not realize existed or are predominant in women. The rapidly growing number of FemTech startups and companies can approach women's health in a wide variety of ways. From conducting research to designing innovative products, and even building communities that support women – there is a lot going on in the FemTech world. According to PitchBook , in 2022, FemTech startups raised over $2 billion. This is a substantial increase from 2019, where investment was less than a quarter of this at  $476.8 million. With this rise in investment, we expect 2023 to be a bright year for FemTechs and for exciting new approaches to age-old women's health problems to emerge. Startups focusing on plugging societal gaps are growing in number and attracting global attention. And FemTechs in Hamburg and across Germany are using this attention and investment to create technology that addresses the health disparities that women face. FemTechs use their innovation and creativity to provide support for all kinds of health problems. Everything from the obvious women's health topics such as reproductive health needs fertility, menstrual tracking, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. To the not-so-obvious health issues that affect women such as finding treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's, depression, certain types of cancer, and autoimmune diseases (all of which are more prevalent in women). The work these FemTechs are doing is of great importance to women everywhere. Many diseases affect women differently or more than men but traditional medicine has used men as test subjects when developing treatments and drugs, leaving women on the sidelines. This new wave of women's health technology could bridge this data gap and bring about significant change to women's health. The FemTech scene in Hamburg Hamburg has a vibrant startup scene that everyone in Germany knows about. But one thing about its startup ecosystem you might not know is that they have recently been putting a lot of support and resources into building a city that has a welcoming startup environment for women founders and FemTechs. For example, The Scaleup Landing Pad Hamburg helps young international companies scale their business in Germany and Europe and has been investing in female founders. The Digital Health Hub Hamburg is another initiative that any startup in healthcare, such as most FemTechs, would be interested in. It is a cluster brand of Gesundheitswirtschaft Hamburg GmbH and is the driving force behind innovations in the digitization of the healthcare system in Hamburg. Not only are there these incredible hubs and initiatives to help the ecosystem thrive, but Hamburg is also home to the FemTechConf – the biggest Women in Tech community in Europe and the EMEA with over 150,000 active members globally. In September it will host its Hamburg event that aims to connect the diverse professionals, leaders, executives and change-makers from across the STEM industry in EMEA! There will be world-renowned speakers – all women – who are at the top of their fields and working for companies from Zalando to Google. If you are looking to connect with other women in tech, you can also attend one of the regular get-togethers held by Women Techmakers Hamburg . Ironhack holds women in tech events across Germany, including in Hamburg. Follow us on MeetUp to stay up-to-date on all our local events. Top FemTech startups in Hamburg to watch With so much going on in the FemTech scene in Hamburg, you are probably expecting there to be some incredible and revolutionary FemTechs located in the city. Well, you're right, there are. Here are three of our favorite cutting-edge FemTech startups from Hamburg that are revolutionizing women's health. 1. Ovy Ltd Ovy is a FemTech startup based in Hamburg that is on a mission of improving the health of women through smart and innovative products. Its debut product is the Ovy app which is used with its Bluetooth thermometer to calculate the fertile and non-fertile days of the menstrual cycle. The startup helps women to regulate their conception without hormones and also supports them in getting pregnant and fulfilling their desire to have children - without artificial hormones, simply and safely. 2. Wexxeljahre Wexxeljahre is a FemTech from Hamburg that helps empower women to take their menopausal health into their own hands. The startup uses its Meno-Campus: The first mentoring for menopause, to connect women with a community of experts and offers that help them understand their menopause. The startup puts a major focus on the accuracy of the medically relevant information it provides and has built its courses and community in a way that prepares women for menopause with understandable and digestible content. Evidence is very important to Wexxeljahre, which notes that there are products and solutions that help women, despite the lack of scientific studies. Its aim is to offer guidance to women so that they do not take medication unnecessarily or wait too long for the treatments they need. Menopause (like many topics around menstrual health) has been a taboo in society for a long time. As such, many women struggle to understand what is happening to their bodies when this time of life arrives and how they can make it more manageable. 3. Vulvani Vulvani is another education-based FemTech from Hamburg that is all about teaching women about their bodies. Many women do not receive adequate sexual health education and can be left confused and scared by some of the things that happen to their bodies. Not only this, but every woman's body is different and many of us experience our periods and cycles differently so the information we do sometimes receive simply doesn't fit our experience. The aim of Vulvani is to give women the opportunity to learn more about their own bodies. It wants to normalize taboo topics such as periods, sexual health, menopause, and more through education that will empower people and create inclusive societies. Some of the topics taught in its courses include how to make your menstrual cycle work for you. Here women learn how to make their menstrual cycle a part of their planning for all aspects of life and how understanding your cycle can help you learn to enjoy it rather than dread it. Get ready to start your tech career in Hamburg Are you a woman ready to kickstart your career in tech? Sign up for one of our bootcamps and learn the skills that FemTechs in Berlin are searching for. Our tech school offers a range of immersive courses from UX/UI Design to Cybersecurity that are delivered in formats tailored to your needs: online or on campus, full-time or part-time. Apply today .

Data analytics careers in Germany – those kinds of jobs are for the people that were always raising their hands in math class, right? The people that wouldn't find scrolling through spreadsheets all day tedious. That statement couldn't be further from the truth. Data analytics involves a wide scope of jobs and a huge variety of different tasks. Not only that, but almost every business out there needs data to run efficiently so data analytics jobs could lead to working in almost any sector you could dream of. If you are interested in data analytics but not sure how to break into it, if it’s the right choice for you, or what the next step in your career could be, this is the blog for you. In this post, we will discuss the latest data analytics trends in Germany. We cover what data analytics is, what the most popular roles are in 2023, and the trends we are seeing in the field at the moment. Not only that, but at the end, we also share some helpful tips that will help you get started in your data analytics career. What is Data Analytics? Data analytics is the science of analyzing raw data and developing a conclusion from that information. It is essentially looking at data to find the useful parts of it that could be impactful to a business strategy. But it's not as boring or tedious as that may sound. You don't spend days and days with your eyes skimming over spreadsheets as many of the processes in data analytics can be automated. Algorithms can often review your data and pull out the valuable parts to make raw data easier for human consumption. As a Data Analyst, your role will involve a lot of looking at data and drawing conclusions from it to let designers and developers know how they can improve their products. In addition to being a rewarding and challenging field, a career in data analytics can offer excellent salaries and career growth opportunities. If you love organizing and analyzing data, problem solving, forecasting trends, and visualizing information, data analytics might be your perfect career. What can you earn as a Data Analyst? With data analytics continuing to grow in importance to businesses, salaries are on an upward trend. As we can see from the current state of the German tech job market , tech roles in general have a higher-than-average salary across the country. But data analytics in particular is a lucrative field to enter. The median salary in Germany for a Data Analyst is €58,713, significantly higher than the overall national average of €41,125 . Data Analyst salaries in Germany are amongst the highest in Europe. They are even higher than in London, and they are predicted to rise further given the current skills shortage and high demand for roles. In addition, Germany has a strong economy, in fact, according to the IMF, Germany is the largest economy in Europe with a GDP of about $4.3 trillion. IMF also marks the country’s annual GDP growth as 2.1%. A strong economy leads to high levels of employment and good salaries, so those looking to enter into data analytics in Germany could not have picked a better place or time. Expected salaries in data analytics are high, but it's also important to remember that if you are new to the field, you will likely start with a junior salary. There are also several other factors that affect how much you will earn: Experience Industry Which city you work in Your skills The company you work for Why consider a career in Data Analytics? If you're not in it for the money, there are plenty of other reasons to pursue a career in data analytics. It is among one of the top growing fields globally Great scope for career advancement Wide variety of roles available in numerous industries that use different skills Other than these, here are some less obvious reasons to get a job in data analytics: The work is exciting and involves a lot of problem-solving Roles combine interpersonal communications and technical know-how Skills from data analytics are transferable to many different career paths Many tech companies offer flexible working hours and remote work is continuing to grow in the field Jobs don't typically demand compulsory qualifications – skills are often seen as more important than a degree in a data science Continued learning throughout your career What job roles use Data Analytics? Data analytics is a wide field. It includes more jobs than simply Data Analyst. Here are a few high-paying jobs that are available in the data analytics field. 1. Business Intelligence Analyst A Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst is there to extract value from business data. In general, BI analysts should have skills that include; SQL, creating models, and data visualizations. This is the type of role that not only require technical know-how but also communication skills. You will often be presenting your findings to various stakeholders within the business and will have to find creative ways to make sometimes dull data full of life and easily understandable. 2. Data Scientist Like most roles in data analytics, a Data Scientist spends a lot of time collecting and then analyzing data. In general, a Data Scientist is a step up from a Data Analyst and will typically be able to understand data from a much more informed point of view. Their insights will often be used to make efficient predictions about the market, customers, and more. Data Scientist is not a role you will often land as your first job in the field. To get such a role you need to demonstrate strong expertise in data analytics and a deep knowledge of various software tools. It can also be useful to be familiar with programming languages such as R or Python, and be valuable to be well-equipped in data visualization so that you can effectively communicate your findings. 3. Quantitative Analyst Quantitative Analyst is a sought-after data analytics job, particularly in finance firms. If you live in the fintech hub of Frankfurt, you will probably see job ads for this kind of role all the time. The role usually involves using data analysis to pinpoint potential risks in the business or opportunities for financial investment. Some Quantitive Analysts go on to use their skills to predict stock prices, exchange rates, commodities, and so on. These skills are incredibly useful for investing and as such, Quantitative Analysts are one of the highest-paying jobs in data analytics. Join Ironhack’s Data Analytics Bootcamp Ready to kickstart your career in Data Analytics? Ironhacks' immersive Data Analytics bootcamp gives you the hands-on skills you need to land a job in the growing data analytics field. Intensive training in Python, SQL, Tableau, and statistics will help you become a Data Analyst and no previous experience is required. Join a community of passionate and talented people who will help you get started on your journey in the tech sphere. Any questions? We're here to help! Have a look at our FAQs or get in touch with us directly. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Anne-Lore De Vreese is a Freelance Career Coach who focuses on helping mid-level professionals in tech land interviews so they can get the remote, high-paying roles they have been dreaming of – fast. She does this by helping them craft a compelling career story and master smart networking and we were lucky enough to sit down with her and pick her brain on the subject of finding your first job in tech in 2023. Software development roles in Germany are expected to grow 21% by 2028 . But around 75% of applications are rejected before they even reach a hiring manager. In this article, we talk with Anne-Lore's and she shares her insights into the tech job-hunting world and how just sending in your CV is not the best approach for applying to tech jobs, especially when there's so much uncertainty, like today. We're going to talk about how you can improve your chances of making it to the final interview stage for tech jobs in 2023 and what we will see in the job market in the coming year. The example of Emily the Data Scientist Anne-Lore started her career back in 2018 and a few years ago she was helping Emily, a Data Scientist, find a job. This is a job search she will always remember. Emily came from a nursing background but had been working for two years as a data scientist. However, she started to realize that even though she liked learning new skills in data science she was missing the impact that she had in her work as a nurse. When she came to Anne-Lore she was looking to find a job that could combine the two things –work as a data scientist, but make an impact, and ideally in the healthcare industry. She struggled to find job opportunities because there were just not that many available and spent three months searching with no success. After working with Anne-Lore, she successfully secured a job in just eleven weeks. Anne-Lore says she likes to remember this story because she knows a lot of people right now are feeling like there are just not enough jobs out there, and it's going to be impossible to land something. But Emily was looking for something very specific and managed to make that happen. Major tech hiring trends we are seeing in 2023 While the tech job market might not be the brightest it's ever been, it's not all doom and gloom. No matter what type of tech job you are searching for, with a little determination and strategy in your job search, you can land the role you are looking for. One of the things that will help you most in your tech job search is understanding the current trends in the tech hiring world. What tech jobs are companies hiring for right now? When you start searching for your first tech job you need to know what your strengths are, what your interests are, but also what the current availability of roles is. Software development and web development continues to grow as all types of business invest in new software, new apps, and everything digital. In particular, we are seeing an increased demand for information security roles. This industry has really boomed in the last few years. There is also an increased demand for data scientists as companies are continuing to make data-informed decisions using predictive modeling to understand what consumers will purchase. Then we have UX designers continuing to grow as technology becomes more complex and being customer-centric is more important than ever. So these are the ones where we're seeing lots of opportunities available and continuous growth so far in 2023: Software development Web development Information security Data science UX design What trends are affecting the tech jobs market? Knowing what roles are being advertised can help you refine your job search, but it's not the only trend to look for. We are seeing some other notable trends in the tech job market that are worth paying attention to. Layoffs and the Great Resignation Recently, all the big tech companies, such as Meta, Google, and Amazon have been making headlines for letting people go. So there has been a big decrease in the number of companies hiring. And those layoffs also mean more people are looking for jobs which creates more competition. But we can also focus on the positive other side of this coin. A lot of tech workers have also been quitting and you may have been hearing about The Great Resignation. For you, this means that companies now have to fight harder to keep their employees as well as replace the ones they have lost. This means they're going to offer more perks, flexibility, and befits – which is all great for you. Remote work Remote work is another hiring trend we are seeing. Again this presents both a positive and a negative. As a tech worker when you land a remote role, you get a lot more freedom and flexibility with your work. However, remote hiring means companies can look further afield for candidates which increases your competition. Inflation Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past six months, you will have felt the effects of inflation. From increased energy costs to spending more money at the supermarket, you are probably seeing that your euros don't stretch quite as far as they used to. Well, the same is being felt by businesses. Inflation can mean that some companies cut back on hiring to mitigate costs. But fortunately, according to Gartner , IT budgets are forecast to increase by 2.4% in 2023. This means that while other departments will have to do more with less, tech teams will see their budgets increased. For you, this could mean a higher salary as companies accommodate the rising inflation and try to attract top talent for their roles. Tips to improve your tech job hunt and land more interviews There are a lot of trends to consider and use to help you find your first tech job. But over the years Anne-Lore has also learned a thing or two about how to make yourself stand out in that search. Here are her top tips to help you in your job hunt. Take action At the end of the day, if you're not reaching out to people or applying for jobs, you're not going to get any interviews, and no one is going to see your portfolio. So her first tip is to take action and make a plan. When you start your day, make it clear what you want to do on that day. Ask yourself: What are you going to work on today? What is important? What's your first priority? Set intention Your actions need to have intention. Decide when you're going to work on what and for how many hours. This way you can have structure in your day and you know when you're going to be working on what. You will find this gives you more clarity, reduces stress, and reduces anxiety because you're going to know how to move forward. Another thing is to be aware of context switching. For example, you start your day, you're going to finish a report. Then you're working on Instagram, reading your emails, looking at Facebook, and reading Slack. By the end of the day, you've barely done anything. This type of context switching is very common when you're job searching. First, you're going to work on your CV. But then you think maybe you need to look on LinkedIn for jobs. So you look on LinkedIn for jobs, and you think, maybe I need to be networking with people. So now you're moving on to networking. Then you're checking Instagram. Later someone calls you or you're getting WhatsApp notifications. All these results in you only working for maybe 30 minutes at a time. To avoid this set yourself a clear schedule and try not to fit too many things into your day. Leverage the job search community Anne-Lores third and final tip is to leverage your community. If you have three rejections for tech jobs in a row (which happens sometimes) you can quickly get disheartened. You start to wonder if you are the problem or that maybe you are missing some skills. In fact, a lot of times, it's about the other person who happens to have a better connection with the interviewer. Maybe they have a friend that works at the company or they went to the same university. There are so many things you can't control when it comes to the other applicants. But what you can do is partner with the community, work with a career coach or create your own accountability group to work with and share wins and challenges. 4 steps that you can take to stand out in a competitive market Anne-Lore stresses that there is a lot that you, as a candidate looking for tech jobs, can do to improve your chances of landing an interview. But it would take ten blog posts to cover everything so here is her four-step process to start looking for a tech job. 1. The first thing is LinkedIn networking. 2. The second thing is to emphasize your transferable skills. 3. The third thing is to have an online presence. 4. And the last thing is to show eagerness to learn and the ability to collaborate. A common mistake that job seekers make is to only apply by sending their CV. This doesn't work because per job opening there are sometimes up to a thousand applications. This is especially true if you're looking at very competitive companies, for example, Airbnb. So you need to work on your portfolio and online presence to give yourself an edge and truly demonstrate your skills and what you are capable of. Connect to hiring managers The last thing that Anne-Lore covers is the importance of networking and connecting with hiring managers. But you can't simply send a connection request on LinkedIn and ask for a job. That won't get you anywhere. When you start making connections with hiring managers, always make it about them. Comment on their profile, and prove that you've researched what they do. Organize a call and then tell them you want to learn something from them. At the end of the call, if you build a good connection, you can mention that you have seen that they are hiring for the tech role you are interested in. Then ask them if they have any recommendations they can give you to increase your chances of landing an interview. Can I be good at networking if I'm an introvert? For some of you, who are introverted, the above might sound terrifying. Introverts typically think that they won't be any good at networking, but that's often not the case. Networking does not solely rely on extroverted social skills. It is often more about preparation than having this natural ability to pitch yourself or to be very outgoing. You have to prepare and know what the other person does, and where they work. Have questions prepared that show you really understand what it is they do. On top of that, there is also listening. Introverts tend to be better listeners and at understanding what the details are. So, for example, someone might talk about, going skiing in Switzerland, as an introvert, you might be better at remembering that detail. Get ready to use your network for your tech job search That's all of the major insights Anne-Lore had to share with us. There is a lot for you to take away and apply to your search for your first tech job. If you are someone that has typically only sent in a CV and hoped for the best, you now have a lot of actions you can take away and start applying to your job search – the most important being to start networking. If you want to learn more about how you can leverage your network to land your next tech job, you can watch the full webinar that Anne-Lore gave in partnership with Ironhack here .

It’s a great time to join the tech industry: workers are paid competitive salaries, are offered a variety of benefits, and have a flexibility that is unmatched in other industries. While tech salaries will vary based on location, what stays a constant is the room for growth, the flexibility, and that salary you’ve dreamed of. Let’s explore the average data analysis salaries in some major European countries as well as other advantages that you can expect from a career in tech. Average Salaries for Data Professionals Several factors go into determining someone’s salary, from their experience level, education, location, and position. While the actual pay you can expect will depend on these various factors and more, we can give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to receive by taking a closer look at some average salaries for data professionals in major European countries: Spain : €33,000-€40,000 Germany : €44,000 France : €42,000 The UK : £32,000 The Netherlands : €52,000 What determines a tech salary? As we can see from above, salaries vary significantly based on location. In other words, the cost of living is a significant factor in determining your salary . Countries with higher living costs offer higher wages to compensate for the increased expenses. However, it’s not necessarily better to work in a country with higher salaries. Regardless of where you’re working, you can still have the same disposable income as someone in the same job working in a country with higher salaries and a higher cost of living. Don’t let the average wages in a country be the only determinant on whether or not you should work there. Companies also heavily consider experience when determining salary. If you are just starting out in the tech industry, you may be offered a lower-paying role initially---that’s completely normal. Junior employees are supported by more senior employees who earn higher wages because of their experience and obligations. But, with time, you can expect to take on more responsibilities, receive a raise and be promoted! In the tech industry, there is always opportunity for advancement. Finally, companies may also consider your education when determining your salary. Having the right credentials gets you in the door and allows you the opportunity to convince a company why you might be a good fit for them. While some companies are placing less importance on a university degree and focusing more on skill-based hiring, we still find that many require a particular degree, certification, or bootcamp. Therefore, it's essential to keep your education and skills up to date to stay competitive in this job market. Additional remunerated benefits of tech Besides your salary, there are many other financial benefits to a career in tech. Employers are increasingly offering signing bonuses, performance-based bonuses, yearly bonuses, and stock refreshers to attract and retain skilled professionals. Additionally, many tech companies offer health insurance, childcare, and other programs that can help you save money and give you peace of mind. Other benefits of tech roles How well you’re financially compensated is obviously extremely important. But don’t let your salary be your only consideration. There are many benefits to working in the tech industry that have nothing to do with money and everything to do with your physical and emotional well-being. One important advantage to consider is flexibility . Have you ever had to spend hours of your day stuck in traffic on your commute to work or your commute back home? Many companies have started to offer pro-worker benefits such as remote or hybrid work arrangements which help save you time and reduce the stresses of commuting. And many companies that require you to come to the office on a hybrid basis may even offer perks such as free snacks and lunch or a complimentary, on-site gym. The tech industry is also evolving rapidly, with new tools and skills constantly emerging. This means there are always opportunities to upskill or reskill and employers are often willing to invest in their employees' professional development. This can lead to upward mobility within the company and the chance to try your hand at various skills and roles and see what the best fit for you is. Why data analysis? Are you excited about the prospect of joining the tech industry? If you’ve decided that it’s your time to make the jump , you might be wondering exactly how to accomplish your goal. Well, wonder no more! While there are various options to choose from, we think you should consider becoming a data professional . The field of data analytics can offer you the opportunity to use your creative and analytical skills to produce evidence-backed, influential and informative solutions to problems. You’ll learn skills and tools that can be applied to just about any industry ! Below, we’ll present arguments in favor and against a career in data science and let you be the judge of whether it’s the right fit for you. Argument in Favor Data science is a field that is in high demand. And, you don’t need a university degree to break into the industry! You can learn the skills required to become a data professional through bootcamps, online courses, YouTube, or even on-the-job. Plus, for all the countries we considered earlier (Spain, Germany, France, the UK, and the Netherlands), the average salary for a data professional is above the respective national averages. We think you should definitely consider a career where your time and skills are respected and valued . After all, who doesn’t want to be well-compensated for their work? Moreover, data science is a particularly interdisciplinary field. Yes, you will need skills and knowledge from statistics, mathematics, and computer science. But that can all be taught in a bootcamp or on-the-job; what’s more difficult to learn is domain-specific knowledge. To be able to accurately analyze a particular domain, you’ll need background and familiarity. That’s something that only comes with experience. As such, workers in any domain should consider a change to data science. Another advantage of pursuing data science is that it’s a field that’s constantly changing and evolving. All the time, you’ll see new tools and techniques be created and used. Data professionals are expected to stay current with the latest developments. This can be challenging, but it also makes the job more interesting and more rewarding. Finally, one oft-forgotten factor to consider is how many different opportunities there are for advancement. As a tech employee, you’ll have yearly reviews to go over how you’re doing and you’ll have clarity on the things you need to improve upon in order to be promoted. But, if you don’t want to stay as a generalist, you can always choose to specialize in a subfield such as data analysis. Don’t worry though, you’ll always be able to go back and work in adjacent areas such as data science or data engineering. Whatever your specialty, you’ll have a wide range of opportunities to solve real-world problems, use your creativity and logic to find solutions, and make a positive impact on the world . It’s certainly true that the data science field is competitive. But, it’s also true that the demand for data professionals continues to grow; companies are always investing in their data science teams. In this day and age, data professionals are a requirement for any company that wants to have  competitive advantage against their rivals. There will always be opportunities for individuals with the right skills and experience. And while education can be expensive and/or time-consuming, there are many resources out there for those who want to learn data science skills - don’t think that you need a Ph.D. to break into the field. That is a misconception. Tech companies invest in their employees' training and development whether they be software engineers, product managers, or data professionals. Plus, don’t be caught up by those who say that data science can be a solitary job. We won’t deny that in some cases, it can be a job where you often work alone. But, data scientists often work in interdisciplinary teams alongside engineers, product managers, and business analysts. There is still the opportunity for social interaction and collaboration. Make no mistake, pursuing a career in data science can be an excellent option for individuals who are interested in a field that is in high demand , offers competitive salaries , and is constantly evolving (sometimes at a dizzying pace). There are some challenges to entering the field, but that’s true for any field. Plus, these challenges can all be overcome with training and persistence. Finally, data science is a field that offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and to make a meaningful impact . The ability to be able to make a difference should not be undervalued. Next steps Does data analytics seem like the right choice for you? We completely agree! At Ironhack, we’re eager to help you take that next step. Sign up for a Data Analytics Bootcamp and get started on your new and improved tech career!