The latest articles on Forem by Amy Simmons 🍉☀️ (@amesimmons). https://forem.com/amesimmons https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F9049%2FSaWlrzEX.jpg https://forem.com/amesimmons en Amy Simmons 🍉☀️ Tue, 07 Mar 2017 17:23:31 +0000 https://forem.com/amesimmons/amy-simmons https://forem.com/amesimmons/amy-simmons <h2> I began coding because... </h2> <p>Before getting into web development I was a journalist. I worked with a lot of data. I wanted to present this data in new and interesting ways. But I didn't have the skills. I realised that if I learnt to code I could come up with just about any idea, and build it. But the more I learnt, the more I realised I didn't know. I decided if I wanted to be good at coding, I would need to truly immerse myself in it. So I changed careers, became a software engineer, and haven't looked back!</p> <h2> I'm currently hacking on... </h2> <p>During the day I'm lucky enough to code for <a href="https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/">TweetDeck</a>. My team is incredibly talented and I love learning from my colleagues! In my spare time I'm working on a little side project which uses React on the front end, Node on the back end, and the <a href="https://cloud.google.com/speech/">Google Speech API</a>. </p> <h2> I'm excited about... </h2> <p>So many things! I can't wait to head to Berlin in May for <a href="http://2017.jsconf.eu/">JSConf EU 2017</a>. I'm currently mentoring for the <a href="http://www.codefirstgirls.org.uk/">Code First Girls</a> Python track, which I'm loving, especially as I don't know Python! I've recently been listening to podcasts like <a href="https://devchat.tv/js-jabber">JavaScript Jabber</a> and <a href="https://www.codingblocks.net/">Coding Blocks</a>, and I'm excited to discover more, so please send any tips my way! I really want to start blogging. I have a list of topics on my pin board, which I can't wait to start writing about. I've recently been learning about <a href="http://reactivex.io/rxjs/">RxJS</a>. I'm exited to work more with observables and for the concepts to start sinking in. I'm also excited about learning JavaScript fundamentals - there's still so much I don't know! More broadly, I'm excited to have been a developer for longer because, I hope, that with time and experience my confidence and technical ability will grow. </p> <h2> My advice for other women who code is... </h2> <p>Don't be afraid to ask for help, admit what you don't know and talk about your struggles. Being open and vulnerable is a great thing. The tech community is filled with incredibly talented, warm and supportive people. We all have challenges - no matter how many years we've been coding for - so let's tackle them together. </p> wecoded journalist tweetdeck frontend