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How Do We Prove Our Value?

They say, "know your value" but what does that mean? Hopefully it doesn't mean comparing myself to a mule and selling myself?! Of course not. But how do you quantify your value? How do you know what kind of impact your work has made? I'm going to break down the following brilliant and on-point article into simpler, more approachable steps-- or habits or thought processes rather than steps. It's an excellent article, but there's a problem with it. It uses experienced corporate language to explain simple things, and this makes it unapproachable for recent grads, and those inexperienced with business and the corporate world. So-- let's begin de-coding. Research Your Market Value My value? Ew. I don't give anyone else the right to determine my value. This article is encouraging me to determine it for myself. I have to know how much money I want to make or someone is going to low-ball me. How do I know? People want to keep money in their own pockets...
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How to Tell When You're Working For Free

Let's face it. When you're looking for work in the industry of your dreams, it's really easy to think wishfully. No one wants to suspect that so many start-up companies are here to rip you off. Sometimes you don't plan on working for free, but you end up working for free.  How does that happen? Start-ups are notorious for looking for young people who have no problem working for free. If you don't have rent to pay and just love to code, you may be completely fine working for free. And start-ups know that. They wishfully think that this type of person is you.  They may also ignore and avoid your subtle attempts to discuss money and negotiate contracts with you as well. You may feel rude asking about money, and you may trust that they're going to do what's right and pay you. This kind of trust is tragically dangerous. So let's look at some warning signs at when a company expects you to work for free, and are so eager to get the app built, that the...
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Mentorship

Honestly Mentorship is easy. I had thought it would be harder, really. I am now unofficially a mentor to several recent grads, and officially a mentor to one. They're doing great. You do have to teach people to think for themselves, but they need a boost. It makes me angry that teachers and employers don't seem to think new people need a boost in the industry. I will bet that someone helped them, and/or many people helped them. They must have taken this for granted. Part of mentoring is helping them be sure of their own abilities. As a teacher, always tell them how to teach themselves. Always have them use the software. Even though this is tedious, it is crucial. Don't use the software in front of them and make them watch. Best thing you can do for someone is take a deep breath and give them your time without judgments. And we were all young once. It's important for young people to have choices and to find themselves. When it comes to professional language, they may n...
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