Tech Candidate Spotlight – Miranda Waters, Software Engineer

Hi Miranda! Can you start by sharing a little bit about your educational background?

I have my Bachelors degree in Nutritional Sciences. About 7 years after college, in 2019, I attended a 6-month full stack web development bootcamp. Before attending the bootcamp, I had no previous web development experience or knowledge.

The bootcamp I attended, which was hosted through my alma mater, had a huge impact on my career. I took the course on a whim, thinking at the very least it would help me land some sort of tech-related job in sales or customer service. I ended up realizing software engineering was something I really enjoyed!

Related: Coding Bootcamps & Non-Traditional Education for Tech Talent

What would you like to learn more about?

I’d like to learn more about cybersecurity. I did some training in my previous job, and it was so interesting to see the common ways systems (and people) are taken advantage of.

I’ve also been meaning to learn how to play the guitar that’s been gathering dust in my office…I’ll get there eventually!

What led you to pursue a career in tech?

I’ve always wanted a career helping people, but I didn’t know where to start. At the same time, I wanted to be challenged and leverage my creative problem solving skills. I realized a career in tech would allow me to potentially change lives on a large scale and offer plenty of room for growth.

How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

I’m still pretty new to the field, so everyday I’m excited and proud about the things I know today that I didn’t know yesterday. Dev ops/systems architecture is where my skill set has evolved the most, but I still have so much to learn. Coding is only a small part of web development!

Related: Curious about a Career in DevOps? How to Prep for Strong Interviews

Do you specialize in any specific area?

I haven’t chosen to specialize in a specific area yet. Right now, I’m focused on becoming a solid full-stack developer and seeing where that takes me.

Is your new role different from previous ones and what are you most excited about?

My new job is in a completely different industry (I moved from FinTech to Travel & Leisure). While my role is the same, and the tech stack I’m working in is very similar, the two positions have their own unique challenges!

At my new company, Engineers are much more involved in what’s going on in different departments (Customer Service, Design, Marketing, etc.). Looking at problems through these different lenses will really help me grow as an Engineer and hone my leadership skills.

What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

Not fun. There were so many different places to keep track of job postings and where I applied. Plus, all the cover letters…ick!

There was also a lot of wasted time. I would write up a whole application for a job, go through a few interviews, only to learn their salary offering was way lower than I was looking for or we weren’t on the same page for some reason.

What’s your best advice for job seekers registered on the Hired platform? 

Be specific about what you’re looking for and don’t be shy to ask for it! To me, Hired is about transparency and honesty from both sides. No need to keep all your cards to yourself.

Also, take advantage of the coding challenges they offer. It’s great practice for interviews!

Related: Discover upcoming coding challenges and events tailored to help jobseekers

What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

Joining Hired is like having your own personal assistant/interview advocate. They’ve thought of everything! I got multiple interview requests in the first couple days after signing up. The whole process was so smooth and enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend Hired to anybody looking for a job in tech.

Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

My new company told me they like to hire people who should have an ego but don’t. I think a lot of companies share this motto in one way or another. Obviously, your knowledge and skills are important but it’s just as important to show vulnerability, ask questions, and be curious.

Congrats on the job! If you’d like to land a great role like Miranda did, complete your free profile on Hired today!

If you’re looking for innovative, talented tech talent like Miranda, ask for a demo customized to your needs.

About Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts is a membership program for RVers offering unique overnight stays and over 3,000 community locations all over North America. Harvest Hosts aims to help millions of people live happier lives through road travel, while supporting wonderful small businesses and communities along the way. Founded in 2018, Harvest Hosts has 51-200 employees and is headquartered in Colorado.

Tech Stack

React, React Native, TypeScript, Redux, AWS, Laravel, Jest, Cypress

Benefits

Health/dental/vision insurance, 401K plan, performance bonus, paid time off, employee discount programs, career growth, and more.