If you are new to tech or thinking about going into tech, I highly recommend that you join a tech community. Tech communities are useful to developers, technical writers, designers, and data scientists. There are many tech communities like Developer Students Clubs , She Code Africa , Hashnode , MUSDEV , GDG just to mention a few. They have a lot to offer based on their different aims. I am privileged to be part of tech communities which I greatly benefit from.
Highlighted below are some things tech communities have to offer.
❖ Welcoming spaces for newbies: Unlike some other communities where newbies would have difficulties finding their feet, the tech community is filled with friendly people who are ready to help you with your tech journey. From inducting you with whines and praises to telling you how to survive in the tech world and what to expect.
❖ Helping hands: If you text on a tech group chat or tweet that you encountered a problem while coding, you would almost immediately get help. It is surprising that most times, help comes from people you do not know personally.
❖ Beginner-friendly programmers: there’s a tech talk almost every day in the tech space. These talks spread across all tracks and levels. The beginners/newbies are not left out from these talks.
❖ Network expansion: By joining a community and interacting with its members, you begin to build a network which would be useful to you later on.
❖ A happy place: Tech spaces are fun places to be at. There are varieties of swags and stickers, not to forget the food and snacks too
❖ Always learning: People are constantly working on projects and they share with the community for criticism. I find this aspect of the tech community interesting as it keeps me on my feet and prompts me not to slack and keep working.
Other things one can get from tech communities are job opportunities, accountability programs and internships. If you just started your tech journey or you have started for a while and haven’t joined any tech community, try to join one today. It doesn’t have to be a big and famous community; it could just be the ones in your neighbourhood.