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Cover image for Mentor Matching β€” April 2024 🀝

Mentor Matching β€” April 2024 🀝

Michael Tharrington on April 17, 2024

This monthly series (mostly monthly... I missed March πŸ˜…) is dedicated to helping mentors and mentees connect with one another. 🀜πŸ’₯πŸ€› The DEV Communi...
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Schalk Neethling • Edited

πŸ‘‹ Heya! I have been making things on the web for around 15 years now. Through my involvement in the open source world and working on the MDN Web Docs project, I have learned how important and powerful it is to support others.

About two years ago I started a community called the Mycelium Network community specifically focused on helping junior (early-stage) web developers learn, network, contribute to open source, tell their stories on the Mycelium Network podcast, and hopefully help folks find their first opportunity in tech.

My availability varies but I always do what I can to support people through coffee chats, connecting them with peers, code reviews, sharing job opportunities, learning material, or helping people make their first contribution to open source.

Checkout the podcast here. If you would like to be on the podcast, let me know.

Join the community on either Slack or Discord. I would love to learn how I can help you.

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Ephraim

Hi Schalk, glad to connect. I'm Ephraim, from Nairobi, Kenya. I want to start contributing to open source but I feel like I'm stuck in a rut, not sure where to start from, what kind of projects to look into contributing to, and maybe a bit of second-guessing if I'm realy ready to contribute. Would love to pick your mind on how best to get started, and any pointers in the right direction.
PS: Enjoying the mycelium podcast :-)

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Schalk Neethling

Happy to help! Feel free to join either on Discord or Slack and we can discuss further there. I am also going to be doing some regular live streams where I contribute to open source. The idea is not really to watch me (although you are welcome to πŸ˜ƒ), but to have me as a co-contributor working along side you on some open source.

Here is the one happening today: youtube.com/watch?v=R1JTguxhM_s

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Cipi

Hi Schalk!
My name is Cipi and I'm an aspiring webdev from Germany on my way to become professional and would be glad to learn from you. I would be thankful for some code reviews and general advice on job opportunities.
Today I listened to your podcast
and I was really motivated to continue my journey.
I will join your discord for sure.
I'm excited to join your recommended happening :)

Greets!
Cipi

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Schalk Neethling

Wow! Welcome to the community. Both Mycelium Network and the wider developer community. I will be happy to help wherever I can. I look forward to learning more about you and your journey!

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Schalk Neethling

By the way, if there are mentors who would like to join this community, that would be super!!

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shaymk1

Hi Schalk,

My name is Shay. I am in South Africa (Joburg).

I am looking for a mentor. I am new to web development, focusing on Python.

I would love to learn from you how to contribute to open source and hopefully get rid of my imposter syndrome as well.

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Bala Madhusoodhanan

Heya !!

With 18 years of experience in software development, I’ve learned and developed my skills in creating and managing data-centric supply chain applications. My journey has now led me to explore the realms of Artificial Intelligence and Low-code platforms. I firmly believe in the quote, β€œThe best way to learn is to teach,” which has inspired me to contribute to the Dev.to community through technical articles, practical tips, and reflections on philosophical themes.

Preferred Communication Methods:

Email and video calls are my go-to channels for communication.
If you’re local, I’d be delighted to meet over coffee and discuss our projects in person.
Connecting with Me:

Feel free to check out my Dev.to portfolio for a glimpse of my work.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn to engage in enriching professional exchanges.

I’m excited to share my knowledge and learn from others through this mentorship program. Looking forward to connecting!

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Prakirth Govardhanam

Hello Bala. I’m an aspiring software developer, currently working my way through self-learning and projects. I would be delighted to have your acquaintance and guidance.
Correct me if I am wrong, based on your background I understand that you are a generalist with wider approach and understanding towards problem solving, right?

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Paulo Henrique

Cool, it's TIME!

master roshi

I have worked with IT for at least 24 years, and with the internet and social media for the last 15 years, mostly with WordPress as a tool and Open Source as a philosophy. I have written a book, given lectures and courses at various events throughout Brazil, and for some years I have been known as an active tech blogger in Brazil. And there's more, but you can see in my Portfolio.

Honestly, it would be my first time mentoring someone online, but for some years I guided interns and juniors in the agencies where I've worked, giving tips and helping them get the hang of the job. I'm also willing to adapt and learn as I go.

Extra Info

  • Experience in media agencies and startups since 2008;
  • Experience working for digital agencies since 2019;
  • Experience in writing;

What I'm able to offer (all paid)

  • Career Advice;
  • Resume Review;
  • Code and Project Analysis;
  • Help Improving Writing and Documentation Skills;
  • Professional Mentoring for projects;
  • Consultation on something else that you want, like Linux management and scaling, WordPress development, etc.;

Preferred method of communication:

Email and video call. If you are from my city, we can share a coffee and talk about projects.

Frequency:

It depends on what you need you my help for, and how much you need it, but probably weekly

Why you're doing this

There are lots of things that I had to learn the hard way. I think my experiences can be helpful to the new generation.

How folks can connect with you.

You can go to my (in need of an update, I know) portfolio, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

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Michael Tharrington
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Rachel Fazio

Finally! So excited for y'all.

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Colm Duffy

Howdy folks,

I think finding a mentor who is interested in further the development of open source land use change and environmental impact software would be great.

My doctorate is in climate change and agriculture and I have developed a few python packages we have used for research studies.

But, I have never had software development mentorship, and that is largely where the work is at the moment.

I have been working with python for a good number of years now. But, I am am largely self taught and would very much benefit from some insight and ideas from someone who knows more than me.

If anyone feels like taking on that challenge, get in touch!

My LinkedIn, looking forward to hearing from you.

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Michael Tharrington

For anyone who is interested in working on their public speaking abilities, I recommend checking out the following post that @bekahhw shared on behalf of Virtual Coffee.

I realize April is kinda wrapping up, so I may be a little late with this suggestion, but regardless, I wanna give it a mention because if anyone here is looking for a mentor, you might consider joining up with the Virtual Coffee group. It's a casual group open to all devs and they regularly meet up to have conversations during the week. They're just a really cool, helpful, kind group of folks!

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R-boop-D-boop

I am currently learning JavaScript, and plan on finishing the course I am currently learning it on in the next 6 months if possible.

I have HTML, CSS, MySQL and SQL under my belt currently. I've been learning coding for around a year now.

I have had two IT Analyst jobs (currently in one) and plan on moving to a more coding/programming related job very soon.

I want to achieve my goals very quickly (this is a problem I'm working on πŸ˜…πŸ˜…) but I genuinely love coding so much and I have so many ideas on what to make in terms of web pages and programs but just need the tools πŸ˜…

I would love a mentor to keep me on track and drop me some tips and inspiration where needed, if anyone would be free ☺️

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Bart97coder

Intresting post