What was your first role in the tech industry, and how did it shape your journey π
Deniz
68 replies
Hey Product Hunters! π
Let's take a fun trip down memory lane. I want to know: What was your very first role in tech, and how has it shaped your career journey so far?
Whether you're a founder, developer, marketer or just a tech enthusiast, I'm so sure that each one of us has a unique story to tell.
Before ending up as a marketer in Contentrain, I was doing recruiting for IT companies.
Let's inspire each other! Share your tale below. ππ
Replies
Feyzan A.@etjecode
Hey everyone! π
As a frontend developer at Contentrain, my tech journey began with a passion for creating captivating user experiences. Building the interface for Contentrain 2.0 has been an incredible learning experience and has shaped my career path in ways I couldn't have imagined. I love being part of this innovative team and can't wait for you all to see what we've created! π #frontenddeveloper #Contentrain2.0 #TechJourney
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@etjecode Hey Feyzan,
It's always inspiring to hear stories of passion leading to profession! Your journey as a frontend developer at Contentrain truly illustrates the exciting possibilities in the tech industry. The joy you express in creating captivating user experiences and being part of an innovative team is palpable and infectious.
Your enthusiasm for the upcoming Contentrain 2.0 is stirring curiosity and anticipation in the community. Thanks for sharing your journey and keep up the fantastic work!
Can't wait to see where your tech journey takes you next! ππ #JourneyContinues
Actually, as an intern at the beginning of his career, my journey started as a content writer. Then I became a website editor at Marketing Birds.
After this process, I met Contentrain. After learning the necessary information about the ecosystem, I started to work as an intern in the field of "marketing" at Contentrain.
@ardasanilonay Hey Arda! π
Thanks for sharing your journey with us! It's amazing to see how you started from content writing and gradually navigated your way through the marketing landscape to Contentrain. It truly underlines how diverse experiences and continuous learning can lead us to unexpected but exciting paths. Your journey will surely inspire many others who are starting their careers. Best of luck with your role at Contentrain and beyond! π«π
Quality Assurance Engineer for a year right after I graduated. Letβs just say I was happy to get laid off π.
@psd Hi Peyt! π
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's often that unexpected turns in our career like a layoff can open up new and exciting opportunities that we hadn't considered before. It seems like your stint as a Quality Assurance Engineer gave you some unique perspectives, and we're eager to hear more about where your journey led you from there. Keep the humor, resilience, and openness to growth. All the best for your future endeavors! ππ
I applied for a software developer internship at one of the more prominent startups in Austria back then. I didn't really think that i would get the position, but they were on a hiring spree, so they hired me as a junior backend developer instead. Those were great times! I learned an immense amount, made some good friends and my current business partner had started 2 weeks before me at the same company. Unfortunately the company didn't make it, but i'm insanely grateful for the mentoring i got there, without them i wouldn't be where i am now.
@moritztomasi Hey Moritz!
Your story is a testament to the unexpected routes that our careers can take. It's amazing how what started as an internship application turned into such an impactful experience for you. The friendships, lessons, and partnerships that you forged are invaluable! Even though the company didn't make it, it's clear that the experience has helped shape your career and lead you to where you are now. Kudos to you for seeing the positives in every situation and using them to propel yourself forward. Keep going, your journey is inspiring! ππͺ
@moritztomasi That's so often the way IT careers start(ed), don't know if that's still possible today
Moving from a clinical domain (almost twenty years of combined clinical and academic practice), my first experience was an internship and master thesis researcher in an e-prescription health IT firm. I worked on analysing their UI, workflows and a drug allergy database. It was a rewarding experience for both ends and I am ever thankful to this firm.
Thanks @Deniz for this question and for opening up a can of nostalgic thoughts :)
@deniz @arunakiry_natarajan Hey Dr. Arunakiry,
It's fascinating to read about your transition from a long tenure in clinical practice to the tech world. Your experience underscores the fact that it's never too late to take up new challenges and learn. Your journey is truly inspiring and serves as a reminder that diverse experiences and backgrounds bring a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives into tech. Keep exploring and sharing your experiences. Thank you for sharing your nostalgic journey with us. ππ
I had always been a Tech Enthusiast. But I am from a Non-Tech Background, I broke into tech with my Product Internship turning into an Associate Product Manager Role.
I'm interested in knowing how you made the switch from a Recruiter to a Marketer. Sounds like an interesting story! @ako61142833
@nirnimes Hey Nirnimes,
First of all, congratulations on making a successful transition into tech from a non-tech background. That's not an easy leap to make and you've done it! Your journey from a product internship to an Associate Product Manager role is truly inspiring.
As for the switch from a recruiter to a marketer, it's all about leveraging the skills you have and aligning them with your interests. Both roles require a deep understanding of people, effective communication skills, and a strategic mindset. Ultimately, it's about finding what you love to do and pursuing that with everything you have. Can't wait to see what's next for you in your career!
Looking forward to your launch! π
Started as a junior dev, then took the startup plunge. Taught me a lot about resilience and the need for constant learning.
@avaperez12ap Hey Ava,
Your journey is quite remarkable! Starting as a junior developer and then transitioning to a startup environment must have been quite a shift. The fact that it taught you about resilience and the importance of continuous learning speaks volumes about your adaptability and determination.
These insights will undoubtedly be a guiding force in your ongoing tech journey. Thanks for sharing this with the community β your experience could be the spark that encourages someone else to take the plunge!
Keep learning and keep growing! π
I have always been a founder, so I canβt even imagine myself in any other role.
@nickanisimov Hello Nick,
That's the spirit of a true entrepreneur! Being a founder from the start implies an innate drive and passion for creating and innovating. It's an exciting and challenging journey, but one that is certainly rewarding.
I started at Synap, a tech start-up, just over 3 years ago as a digital marketing apprentice after graduating from Uni with a Sports & Exercise Science Degree (a change of pace I know). I've been working there ever since take on projects in marketing, UX/UI design and now product management. I'm constantly learning and trying to adapt with the growth of the company. Every day is a school day!
@gealey97 Hello Georgina,
Your journey is a perfect example of how versatile and dynamic the tech industry can be! It's truly inspiring to see how you have adapted and grown from a digital marketing apprentice to taking on projects in marketing, UX/UI design, and now product management.
Your story speaks volumes about the diverse opportunities that exist within tech, and it's a great reminder that our past education or experiences do not limit us in any way. The phrase "every day is a school day" beautifully encapsulates your zest for continuous learning and adapting to new challenges.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. We're excited to see where your path leads next. Keep on learning and growing! πππ
My first role in the tech industry was actually as a developer, and it had a profound impact on my journey with ProApp. Working hands-on in development allowed me to understand the intricacies of building a powerful edtech platform like ours. It also taught me the importance of user-centric design and how technology can truly transform education.
By the way, speaking of edtech, we just launched our application ProApp on Product Hunt today! It's an exciting platform that helps you learn design in an interactive and engaging way. If you're interested in checking it out, here's the link: (https://www.producthunt.com/prod...)
@realkunalmehta Hi Kunal,
Thank you for sharing your journey from developer to founder! It's truly inspiring to see how your hands-on experience in development shaped your approach to building ProApp. Understanding the intricacies of technology and user-centric design certainly puts you in a unique position to create a transformational educational tool.
And congratulations on launching ProApp on Product Hunt today! Your focus on interactive and engaging learning for design is much needed in the edtech space. I'm sure many learners will benefit from it. Heading over to check it out right now. Keep up the great work and wish you all the best with ProApp! ππ
Started coding at the age of 11, good old assembler on C64 and later Amiga. Then studied law (of all things), hated it, took a job for Berlitz (the language school) in Germany to run their IT. They had an old Pentium 133 MHz server running Novell 4.0. I converted all of that into a proper server infrastructure. Now, 22 years later, I'm trying to productize my consulting business...
@arviaja Hi Sebastian,
What an intriguing journey you've had, starting with coding at such a young age and then venturing into law, only to circle back to IT. Your experience with Berlitz sounds like a massive undertaking and, undoubtedly, a significant learning experience.
Productizing your consulting business is a great move, and with your diverse background, I am sure you have a lot of valuable insights to offer. Best of luck on this new endeavor! Looking forward to hearing more about your progress and the unique product you're going to create. Keep us posted! ππ
At some point, it became clear that I had much more chances to prove myself in the IT industry: my first role - project manager.
@iren_ivashchinenko Hi Iren,
It's great to see that you identified your opportunity in the IT industry and took it head-on. The role of a project manager is quite demanding and requires a unique set of skills!!!
Your journey from this initial role would definitely have been interesting and rewarding. Your insights would be valuable for those venturing into similar roles. Keep growing and best wishes for your future endeavors! πΌπ
Fun question. I started out in cold call sales at Yelp which was a brutal introduction to the business world, but it taught me a ton of valuable things that have served me well throughout my career. Through putting in the 10,000+ cold calls there, I developed the ability to sell, build relationships, and assess the needs of a wide variety of businesses. I also saw firsthand how rare it is to find genuinely hard-working people, and how quickly you can grow in a field if you are such a person.
As I transitioned into a copy/content writer, I was able to combine early-career skills I learned with my education/passion for writing to build a successful freelance brand and serve a ton of great clients worldwide.
Question for you Deniz - of the skills that you learned in IT recruiting, which have been most useful in your role as a marketer? (and do you have a recommendation for a book or blog post that would help me get a foundational understanding of those skills?)
@travischristensen Hi Travis,
Thank you for sharing your journey and how you've leveraged your skills learned in cold-call sales in your current role. It's really interesting to see the crossover between different roles and industries. The resilience you built during those initial days at Yelp and the skills of selling, building relationships, and understanding client needs are truly invaluable, and it's great that you've managed to harness these in your current role.
In my experience transitioning from IT recruiting to marketing, I've found that the skill of understanding and communicating with people, often termed as "people skills" or "emotional intelligence," has been incredibly useful. In both IT recruiting and marketing, the ability to communicate effectively, understand needs and preferences, and build relationships is fundamental.
As for resources, "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry is a great book to understand and improve your emotional intelligence. For understanding customer personas and marketing communication, "Buyer Personas" by Adele Revella is excellent.
I was 19 years old, created the first 2 e-commerce professionally and for a country store and working in-house as an e-commerce specialist and all doer. I was doing ADV, social management, customer care, and taking care of orders and product research.
Basically everything π
@neder_ghadhab Wow, Neder! Talk about wearing many hats and diving right into the thick of things. That sort of comprehensive experience must have given you a uniquely rounded perspective on the operations of an e-commerce business. I'm sure it was challenging, but such valuable learning can't be underestimated. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story! πͺπ
@ako61142833 I admit that it was a period of full exploitation. At 19 years old, in a small town in Sicily, you grow up with undeclared jobs (without a contract) and with embarrassing wages (I was getting 10 euros a day when I started, and then after 1 year I got to 750 β¬ / month managing 2 e-commerce of 10k / month each and an 20k Ebay channel that was then going strong).
In compensation I was able to enter professionally in the business world, I made my experiences and today I am here, CMO of an artificial intelligence startup of which I am the founder and on the way to launch a new project on blockchain, metaverse and NFT that aims to become the reference platform in italy for web 3).
The lesson? It is thanks to the greatest and sometimes even "humbling" sacrifices that I have become what I am today.
But I would have gladly done without it.
@neder_ghadhab sorry for late reply π₯²
Your story is a reminder that hard work and sacrifice can pay off. It's also a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult things may seem.
I'm excited to hear about your new project on blockchain, metaverse, and NFT. I think it's a very promising area, and I'm sure you'll be successful.
Thank you for sharing your story. It's inspiring to hear about the challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Internship in marketing in b2b SaaS company, followed by full-time position in marketing, then as sales representative and account management, which led to current role, product manager. As a young curious freshman with non-IT background, I find now these not-so-IT roles crucially shaped my current skills and knowledge, since m&s positions pushed me to go far with understanding people needs and emotions, although they're often neglected in b2b IT industry.
@andjela_cvetinovic That's quite an impressive journey, Angela! You've really highlighted the importance of understanding and empathizing with customer needs, especially in the B2B sector. This kind of human-centric approach is truly vital in any role, but especially in product management. Your diverse experiences no doubt provide a valuable perspective for your current role. Thank you for sharing your unique career path! π
my first role was a Marketing Design Intern for a company in collaboration with a club I was apart of in college. The club held consulting projects every semester and I wanted to add something to my resume so I signed up. It was my first ever internship. It was fun, it was stress, but overall rewarding and gave me insight in a workplace. And we even won Judges' pick at the end of my internship for our business proposals! We launch next week, would love your support! (https://www.producthunt.com/prod...)
@allison_ly Allison Ly@allison_ly
Launching soon!
my first role was a Marketing Design Intern for a company in collaboration with a club I was apart of in college. The club held consulting projects every semester and I wanted to add something to my resume so I signed up. It was my first ever internship. It was fun, it was stress, but overall rewarding and gave me insight in a workplace. And we even won Judges' pick at the end of my internship for our business proposals! We launch next week, would love your support! (https://www.producthunt.com/prod...)
Well, my beginning was rather unusual. I dropped out of school to start as a products creator.
@cyriljeet Wow, Cyril, that's a bold and daring move! It shows your passion and determination to make your mark in the tech world. I believe your journey must be filled with a lot of exciting and challenging experiences that have made you the person you are today. Best of luck for your upcoming launch, I'm sure it'll be a great success! π
Started of as Market research analyst. This helped me a lot during my Entrepreneurial phase.
@bibhu_panda That's fantastic, Bibhu! I bet the experience and knowledge gained from your initial role as a Market Research Analyst must have greatly benefited you in understanding customer needs, market trends, and shaping business strategies. Thanks for sharing your journey, and here's to continued success in your entrepreneurial endeavors! ππ
Hello Product Hunters!
What a fantastic thread - hearing about everyone's early tech roles is truly enlightening.
I started my tech journey at SAP Labs, working as a banking solutions developer in their research laboratories in the early 2000s. It was an interesting time to be in the tech industry, especially at a pioneering company like SAP. The ambiance mirrored that of Silicon Valley, yet it was nestled in the scenic French Riviera.
Being part of an experienced team early in my career provided me with an accelerated learning experience. This role not only equipped me with technical skills, but also offered a first-hand perspective into the inner workings of a large tech organization.
Interestingly, part of my job was working on risk calculation methods for financial products such as Asset-Backed Securities (ABS). Little did I know, the work I was doing would become incredibly relevant just a few years later with the advent of the subprime mortgage crisis.
This role at SAP Labs greatly influenced my career. I acquired a deep understanding of banking systems and software, which has been instrumental in developing efficient solutions and resolving complex problems in my later roles. The innovative and collaborative ethos I observed at SAP Labs still shapes my approach to work.
Thanks for initiating this thread! Eager to read more stories. π
@ludovic_fernandez Hi Ludovic,
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's great to hear about your early journey in the tech industry, especially your time at SAP Labs. It seems like it was a very valuable period, filled with unique learning opportunities.
Working on risk calculation methods for financial products like ABS and then seeing that work become extremely relevant due to real-world events like the subprime mortgage crisis must have been both interesting and somewhat uncanny.
It's fantastic to see how your early role at SAP Labs provided you with a solid foundation in banking systems and software, and how that experience continues to influence your work today.
Your story is a great example of how early career experiences can significantly shape our perspectives and approaches throughout our professional journey.
Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and insights! Keep soaring! π
I worked for a company that let's you shop in multiple affiliated websites and have it shipped in one box, one package. It was a great concept though the company didn't last long.
@gilvillamater Hi Gil,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds like you were working on a really innovative project. I'm sorry to hear that the company didn't last long, but I'm sure you learned a lot from the experience.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.