Why
There’s one [slash page] I’ve had for a decade, that I think others might consider adding: /why. It’s an opportunity to say what you care about, what direction you’re heading, and how you hope to exist in the world. A minifesto on the purpose of your site, or your work.
Miriam Eric Suzanne
This /why page you are currently reading focuses on my professional why. There are other reasons why I do things in my personal life (like taking naps because they are the best).
Core beliefs
There are two core beliefs that guide me:
- I believe that technology can be used for the good of humanity
- In 2020s, technology is everywhere. What was an opt-in obscure hobby of some in the 1980s and 90s, is now mandatory for participating in society. Therefore, we need a diverse group of people to build those digital services.
From development to building communities
My fascination of computers from a very young age led me to learn programming and becoming a software developer. It took me to Shanghai, San Francisco and many fun adventures in Finland. Over time, I realised that I can have the biggest positive impact to the world if instead of writing code myself, I help others learn programming and connecting them with like-minded people.
I started building communities and teaching programming. I organize events (meetups, conferences, lunches, after works etc), run activities for online communities, write this blog, speak in events around the world, teach programming and few other things.
My main goal with these activities is this: I want to bring together people interested in and skilled in development and design of software so they can learn from each other, get inspired by each other and find people to get help from and to create things together with.
A nice side effect is that it also frees me from one worry: I don't need to be or become the expert, I just need to find the experts and facilitate an environment where they want to share and be part of the community. And I can drive the first belief ( >I believe that technology can be used for the good of humanity) by driving those things towards a direction that embraces that aspect.
The importance of diversity in tech
The second belief
In 2020s, technology is everywhere. What was an opt-in obscure hobby of some in the 1980s and 90s, is now mandatory for participating in society. Therefore, we need a diverse group of people to build those digital services.
is founded on what I've seen throughout my own experience in tech. In the early 90s, tinkering with computers was a specialized hobby that you could (given you had the financial means) choose to participate in.
In the 2000s and every day more and more, we're living in a society where it's not a choice anymore. It's not an "opt-in" and even more impactfully, it's not something you can realistically even opt out from.
Those who build the tools, applications and services (and those who finance them) have an immense power in shaping our world. Sometimes by deliberate intent and sometimes even without realising it, this can lead to certain groups being excluded or having a much harder time than others using the technology and by proxy, participating in the society.
That's why I want to be part of efforts helping people from different backgrounds, life experiences and other factors to have a good chance in participating in that process of building it. It means encouraging, mentoring, teaching, and organizing opportunities to learn, network and get their feet in the door. It's work that never ends.
Developer Advocacy and community building
There wasn't a single day or single decision when I figured this stuff out. It's been an on-going process for the past 10+ years as I've been teaching, writing, speaking and building communities. At one point I realized I was good at that and a bit later I realized I could get paid for that.
Developer Advocacy is one way for me to do what I do and help the developers in the community to achieve their goals while I achieve mine and the company being my salary achieves theirs.
Over the past few years, I've worked as a developer advocate in organizations like Futurice and Mozilla helping others build a positive future through technology.
And outside work, I organize Turku ❤️ Frontend, archipylago, Future Frontend, am part of admin team at Koodiklinikka, write a blog and Syntax Error newsletter and speak in events.
I hope to have a positive impact in the world.