2015
Become a Better Engineer
Through Writing
Kristina Thai
iOS Software Engineer
Intuit
#GHC15
2015
@kristinathai
2015
Hi, Iβm Kristina!
@kristinathai
π» π± π
2015
What makes a good
engineer?
@kristinathai
2015
Engineer Checklist*
Technical skills
Strong coder
Domain expert
Problem solver
βSoftβ skills
Communicates well
Passion for learning
Learns from
mistakes
Teacher/mentor
@kristinathai
*Not a comprehensive list
2015
What does this have to
do with writing?
@kristinathai
2015
4 Writing Channels That
Help Engineers
@kristinathai
2015
π Personal Journal
β Question & Answer Forums
π Blogging
π Technical Tutorials
@kristinathai
2015
Personal Journal
@kristinathai
π
What is it?
β Private place to record your technical
challenges
2015
Personal Journal
@kristinathai
π
Benefits
β Reflection time
β For your eyes only
β Easy to get started
Challenges
β Hard to keep up
β Doesnβt benefit
anyone else
β No one to correct
you if youβre wrong
2015
Developer Q&A Forums
@kristinathai
β
What is it?
β Places where people go to for help with their
technical problems
β Knowledgeable experts answer questions
2015
Q&A Forums
@kristinathai
β
2015
Q&A Forums β
@kristinathai
2015
Q&A Forums
@kristinathai
β Benefits
β Learn what others
are struggling with
β Easy to pick up
whenever you want
β Bite-sized chunks
β Builds reputation
Challenges
β Negative comments
2015
Blogging
What is it?
β Public place to record your technical
challenges
β Your own personal site, or a part of a
blogging community
β Most popular form of technical online writing
@kristinathai
π
2015
Blogging
@kristinathai
π
2015
Blogging
@kristinathai
π
2015
Blogging
@kristinathai
π
2015
Blogging
Benefits
β Public exposure
β Builds reputation
β Reflection time
Challenges
β Lots of time &
commitment
β Keeping your blog
fresh & unique
@kristinathai
π
2015
Technical Tutorials
What is it?
β Step-by-step technical walkthroughs that teach
others how to do something
β Usually has a working demo project at the end
β Your own personal site, or a part of a tutorial
community
@kristinathai
π
2015
Technical Tutorials
@kristinathai
π
2015
Technical Tutorials
@kristinathai
π
2015
Technical Tutorials
Benefits
β By far the absolute
best to build
reputation
β Reinforces learning
β Build full projects
Challenges
β Even MORE time
and commitment
β Find
unique/undiscovered
solutions
@kristinathai
π
2015
Thatβs a lot!
@kristinathai
π βββ
2015
My Journey
@kristinathai
2015 @kristinathai
2015
My Posts
@kristinathai
2015
Website Stats
@kristinathai
As of Oct 4, 2015
2015
Blog Contributor
@kristinathai
2015
Invites to Speak
@kristinathai
2015
Benefits
@kristinathai
2015
Getting Started
@kristinathai
2015
Engineer Checklist
Technical skills
Strong coder
Domain expert
Problem solver
βSoftβ skills
Communicates well
Passion for learning
Learns from
mistakes
Teacher/mentor
@kristinathai
2015
Tips for Getting Started
@kristinathai
π
π
π»
Donβt have to be THE expert
Check out your side projects
Find a blogging buddy
2015
More Resources
@kristinathai
Websites & apps for personal journals
Great beginner question and answer sites
Blogging & tutorial writing platforms
Tips on how to keep it up
kristinathai.com/writing
2015
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