How to Finish a Side Project: Aligning Personal Learning Objectives and Community Impact

I am a Data Science Bootcamp grad and commonly known as a “generalist.” For many non-traditional techies like myself, there are challenges to overcome when it comes to finding a home in the Tech universe. For example, striking the balance between experience and credentials is tricky. Fluency and comfortability speaking using technical language when you’re largely self-taught are also tricky. There are many more, but at the end of the day, we’re a passionate, resourceful bunch, compelled to solve bigger problems, answer bigger questions, and add value with all the cards we have. Side projects are a way to deal a few cards to yourself for use in any number of situations you may encounter.

Is a Side Project Right for You?

If you answer yes to even two of these, it’s your time to shine. As tech constantly demands evolution, hiring managers find impact-driven candidates stand out among the rest.

• Are you limited in what you can share about your previous work?
  • You worked with protected information and technology.
  • You worked to solve a technical and niche problem, and the whole concept takes too long to explain or distracts from relevant information.
  • You have no relevant previous work. 
  • etc.?
• Do you have a hoard of interview practice questions and assessments to save you time if you’re balancing a rigorous interview with other life obligations? 
• Do you want mentorship and feedback on your work?
• Can you think of a personally motivating application of your existing and desired skills?
• Are you interested in product design and ownership?

Set Yourself Up for Success

Never forget S.M.A.R.T. goals, effective time management, and iterative development. We’re highlighting the key factors needed to create projects that make a difference, come from our brilliance, and fit the demands of real life.

Use Your Personal Values to Motivate Progress

Tech is moving at lightning speed, but the funding for many virtuous causes just is not at the same pace. You’re potentially a pioneer, developing tech literacy and adoption in an arena that matters to you. Your strongest interview responses will come from your experience as a product owner and change agent toward the world you wish to see. And while so much tech hype is drummed up around the bleeding edge, there are ample opportunities and actual value in solving real problems with the right tools, not just the shiniest.

Match Your Strengths with a Solution

Choose a project with realistic and feasible requirements of your existing and desired skill set. Define what you need to get started and how to get it. If this becomes prohibitive, remember this is a project to display your strengths and grow your desired skills.

• Do you need data? What is available? How easy is it for you to obtain?
• Do you need special permissions to submit a FOIA request?
• Are there legal or ethical considerations you need to work into the design of this project?

Find Your Community 

Ask yourself these questions to help you navigate finding a community.

• Are others out there doing similar work? 
• Does a solution already exist? Why is yours different?
• Can others offer expertise on how to accomplish your objective responsibly, ethically, and legally?
• Think of your project in sections, and practice making your progress visible at the completion of each section.
  • Consider and articulate the value-added value of each section, even if it’s “just” information gained.
  • Surfacing your questions in a way that efficiently attracts and utilizes expertise outside your own is valuable.
• You can all benefit from exchanging perspectives if your audience isn’t technical.
• Volunteering to share your progress at WWCode Network events is a prime opportunity for personal accountability and community building! 

Check out my side project: https://nmolivo.github.io/cuyacourts/