Week 6 on the BT FurtHER programme!

Time for a Christmas break?

The last week leading towards the Christmas holidays has been intense. It started off slow with operational and conditionals in Python and before we knew it, we were doing objected oriented programming and designing simple programmes. In such a short amount of time we were able to learn so much. As is the case with programming there are times when it is hard, and your brain hurts, but the enjoyment comes in solving these frustrations. This week has taught us to be confident in our skills and be proud of our willingness to play in Python.

Tilly: “Before the course I was working as a Designer/Producer for a motion design studio called Fluent Studio. I worked in the design industry for three years and moved from traditional print, to web, through to applying design thinking/strategy/semiotics to my work before finishing as a Designer/Producer located in London. Throughout these developments I have always had a deep interest in technology as a central aspect of business and communication. This culminated in me deciding that, although I will always remain interested in design, I want to solve real world problems with technology. This led me to programming and this course.

Hien: “Before joining this programme, I was a student studying Economics at the University of Nottingham. It was during that summer after graduating I decided to really invest in learning to code, to which I began to self- learn CSS, HTML, JAVASCRIPT and REACT. Prior to this, I had no experience of coding as I thought it was too late for me to learn, however, it was because of how welcoming and supportive the online tech community was that really helped make that leap. I was really pushed to dedicate myself to learning to code after joining the 100 days of code challenge and since then i have found a true passion for programming and have not looked back.”

The highlights of our week have to be the inbound visit from the Cardiff Technology team and the BT Christmas Carols. On Tuesday, Cardiff visited to show us how great their city is and all about the crucial work their data teams are doing in data analysis to improve their products for customers. The kind of data improvements involve being aware of their customers’ needs, and responding with products that meet those needs. This is similar to modern start-up companies such as Spotify and Air Bnb who also use the human-centred design methodology.

Wednesday was an opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit and sing lovely Christmas Carols. It was a great lunchtime event that again allowed us to see the welcoming and open work culture BT has created. Also, it was a great excuse to eat mince pies, and listen to the BT choir stealing the show with their collection of talented singers!

Tilly: “If I ran BT, I would show the world the “BT way”. I would start with an advertising campaign showing all the good work the company practices in data-driven development and human-centred design, and combine that with the BT I have been introduced to. This BT is friendly, welcoming and open. Staff anecdotes show their interest in their jobs and their customers. This BT stands apart from other large companies, and start ups alike, because it has a responsive culture of understanding people as individuals. It is this BT that I would want to share.”

Hien: “I would try tackling the problem of having our employees having to sit down inside all day. For example, I would invent something called the block walk (which would not be mandatory but highly encouraged) where employees can take a 10min walk outside and around their building. This would ensure they will get some fresh air and exercise, to stay afresh and maintain focus throughout the day.”

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