Where do I go from here?
-
Upload
justin-foell -
Category
Internet
-
view
190 -
download
0
Transcript of Where do I go from here?
;
Design37
Development85
Usability /User Experience (UX)40
Documentation35
Journalism40
SEO /Marketing35
Branding /Strategy20
; Region 1
Branding /Strategy100
; Region 1
SEO /Marketing100
; Region 1
Usability /User Experience (UX)100
;
Design50
Development55
Usability /User Experience (UX)60
Documentation62
Journalism60
SEO /Marketing65
Branding /Strategy51
; Region 1
Writing /Jounalism100
; ; ; ; ; Region 1Untitled 2Untitled 1Region 2Untitled 3
Knowledge30333303
; Region 1
Development100
; Region 1
Design100
; ; ; ; ; Region 1Untitled 2Untitled 1Region 2Untitled 3
Knowledge30333303
; Region 1
Documentation100
;
Design37
Development20
Usability /User Experience (UX)40
Documentation55
Journalism90
SEO /Marketing85
Branding /Strategy70
Where do I go from here?(!)
Justin Foell - [email protected]
Welcome to WordCamp Minneapolis!Thank you for being hereTalk is filled with hopefully enough tweet-able quotes and internet memes to keep you awake & entertained
1/2 WordPress shop1/2 FileMaker shop (Cross-Platform, Workgroup Database & GUI - Rapid App Dev)Many FileMaker customers are astounded to find out we can make their FileMaker data accessible via a beautiful WP website.Die hard mac geeksEnough about me (disclaimer)
This is not a
get-rich-quick scheme!
DISCLAIMER / SPOILER ALERTWere not going to solve all the problems hereWe may leave the room with more questions than answersWell talk about some stories about other peoples journeysThen Id like your feedback on how we can make things better
Mind the Gap
There is a knowledge gap in WP that separates power users from the professionals.Bottom: where we start - WP101 Green: hungry for more, but often a place we get stuckTHE GAP - my goal is to help people cross this chasm Red: Broad working knowledge1 percenters - I want to help you too, please be patientTo overcome the gap, we may need to think about this stack in a different way
Discipline!
Disciplines
Elephant in the room - Design & DevelopmentThere are so many other places to contributeNo one has these stats, except maybe wonder woman or captain america
Developer Specialist
This is what a development specialist such as myself might look like
Writing Specialist
Cate DeRosia (speaking Sunday at Brunch)Works in the WordPress realm - brushed up on HTML and learn CSS. Thinking she might try theme development, but so far writing has taken off.was able to apply [her] dusty English degree and chase [her] dream of being a writer"
Generalist
This is what a generalist might look like - Im wont argue that either the generalist or the specialist is better.Generalists who have mastered delegating can be fantastic to work for - especially when they trust you to do the things you do well.
@_jmichaelward
I'm far too aware of all of the things I don't know. The most difficult thing is deciding which ones to let go.
Jeremy Ward (speaking later today) considers himself a generalist.Its up to us to decide what to learn and what to rely on others for.
Jeremy also provided this analogy for asking a top-tier specialist to do something out of their specialty
Specialist Adaptability
Its like asking a fire-breather to swallow swords. @_jmichaelwardIn the short term I think this is true, but in the long term people are adaptable
Adaptability
Generalizing-SpecialistSpecializing-Generalist
Specialist - great at one particular function - also good at handling a broader range of duties, and eager to growGeneralist - wears multiple hats - also spent time acquiring greater proficiency in certain specific skillsADAPTABILITY - Maybe the fire breather discovers that the swallowing swords is a bigger crowd pleaser with less risk. In the longer term we can always change our path.
How do you get from here to there?
Where do you want to go?Secret sauce time, ARE YOU READY? Its only one slide so pay attention!!!Or dont because its a repurposed internet meme (Similar to Eric Sherreds talk at 10AM)
Step One Mind Find the Gap
Step Two Do your homework
???? Iterate
PROFIT!!! PROFIT!!!
1. Dont just mind the gap, find the gapThere are places where you may be lacking in knowledge that youd like to fillGaps in the market where you are needed - with skills you already haveCate DeRosia - She didnt need to become a theme developer, she was already a great writer3. Becky Davis (is speaking right now in the next room) said her advice: Practice, practice, practice and perseverance. more personal stories
Topher Derosia
Majored in Religious Education
Minored in Aviation
Built his college website - optimized for Lynx
WP Profile says HeroPresser
Lets talk about some individual storiesI first talked to Topher DeRosia
HeroPress is a collection of essays about people in the WordPress community who feel marginalized as a result of culture, language, gender, etc.WOWI thought about putting heropress.com on a slide, dropping the mic and walking out
heropress.com/essays/
a-leap-of-faith-into-wordpress
by Andrea Zoellner
The first essay I read on heropress.com was this essay by Andrea ZoellnerIt has some very powerful messages - BLEW ME AWAYShe talks about her journey into the WordPress worldFirst as an intern at Automattic, parlayed into full-time employment
@andreazoellner
One of the lies preventing me from pursuing a job in tech was that web development was only about code.
I love this quote because we always tend to think of the two disciplines of design/development when it comes to technology.There is so much more to be done, and we need your help.
@andreazoellner
I overcame the gap in technical skill with a giant leap of faith, hard work, and the support of the WordPress community
HelpHomeworkPractice, practice, practice and perseverance
@andreazoellner
In hindsight, I made the mistake of not asking enough questions
What a great piece of self-reflectionDo yourself a favor and start asking questionsExample: beginning of every WordCamp technical talkDoes anyone have questions about setting up your sass compiler using Ruby?
Top of the stack?
Build something new and share it
Talk at WordCamp
Organize a WordCamp
Hone your skills in related disciplines
If you didnt get picked to talk at WordCamp, you can make it better by helping organize.This isnt my conference, this is your conference.Other ideas from the audience?
Resources
Actual People!
Find a Mentor
WordPress Meetup Group and/or mailing list
WordCamp(s) - lets make them even better!
Birds of a feather / Co-workers
Maintain some FaceTime with people in your community - theyre the most likely to help youMentorship - Ive been to several business-y conferences (like upcoming Prestige) where thought leaders have mentors - but mentors arent just for entrepreneurs.Use your local meet up group - mailing list (google group) in-between meet ups.Our Web Technology VP @ cimbura.com Nick Ciske - built a brand around being the first to answer questions on the list
Society
PostStatus.com
WPTavern.com
Numerous groups on Facebook
Education
College / Community College / Technical Schools
FrontEndMasters.com
CodeAcademy.com
TeamTreehouse.com
CodeSchool.com
CSS-Tricks.com
Your employer may pay for some of theseIf youre not a classroom type person, try something non-traditionalWhile some sources like Lynda are OK (watching videos), many prefer interactive learning to put skills to the test
Lets talk about the schedule
Developers could do this
Designers could to this
Content people could do thisHeres what I say to that
I cant highlight everything/everyoneIf I dont highlight your talk, know that I still love you all.
Everyone should go to one of these community talks1%ers - Im asking that you help bridge the gap by teaching what you know.Topher DeRosia of HeroPress talks about giving back
In this roomTravis Totz gives great design talks that cross all boundaries - you dont need to be a designer to attendChris Lema - arguably one of the hardest hitters in the WP community. Hes a very dynamic speaker, and also very helpful. Recommended for all.
Jen Jamar - AMAZING. Consistently one of the highest rated speakers at WCMpls. Knows her stuff. Not just for content/marketers.
I wish this talk were at the beginning of the day!Learn about WPs data structure and take the next step
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! At the Metrodome!Who is going on Sunday?Go to brunch! You paid for it! Its delicious!Listen to what the people have to say.Wish Cate a Happy Birthday
Mykl Roventine - I call him the font nazi, but hes an amazing local resource. Super knowledgable - not just for designers. Like a wine pairing class for fonts.
Joe Dolson - our local accessibility advocate. 1%ers should go. We are not doing enough great work in this area.Josh Broton - Even if you know nothing about JavaScript, I promise this will be entertaining.
How will you help bridge the gap?
Were not going to solve all the problems hereHow do you plan to bridge the gap on your journey?How can you help someone else on their path?Heres what Im going to do
Justin Foell - [email protected]
Myself and the other cimbura.com folks will be manning the Happiness Bar all day today and tomorrow, so come by and say hi and bring your questions!
References
bit.ly/generalists-vs-specialists
knowyourmeme.com/memes/profit
heropress.com/essays/a-leap-of-faith-into-wordpress
Meetup.com
WordCamp.org
PostStatus.com
WPTavern.com
Facebook.com
FrontEndMasters.com
CodeAcademy.com
TeamTreehouse.com
CodeSchool.com
CSS-Tricks.com
Title Text
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelBody Level OneBody Level TwoBody Level ThreeBody Level FourBody Level Five
Title Text
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelBody Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelJohnny Appleseed
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelType a quote here.
Title Text
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelBody Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
Title Text
Title Text
Click to edit the outline text formatSecond Outline LevelThird Outline LevelFourth Outline LevelFifth Outline LevelSixth Outline Level
Seventh Outline LevelBody Level OneBody Level TwoBody Level ThreeBody Level FourBody Level Five