Learn to Advocate for Yourself with GitHub Developer Advocate Rizel Scarlett

<p><strong>🎙 About the episode</strong></p><p><br><strong>Meet Rizel Scarlett 🇺🇸! </strong>Rizel is a Developer Advocate at GitHub. She's also a career changer, software engineer, and community builder! </p><p>Rizel dropped out of psychology studies after running out of money. Then she went into IT support, then into coding, and then realized that, after working in an organization that teaches women and non-binary people of color to code, developer advocacy could be a great career for her! </p><p>In this episode, you will hear how Rizel learned to code, paved her own path, and knew when she needed to pivot. You'll learn why internships are cool and what to be on the lookout for if you're looking for your first opportunity. Rizel will also teach you why you need personal branding and how to do it even if you're an introvert - complete with step-by-step instructions on how to write a blog post, practice public speaking, or network. </p><p><strong>🔗 Connect with Rizel</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizel-bobb-semple/">👩‍💼 Linkedin</a></li> <li><a href="https://blackgirlbytes.dev">🌐 Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/blackgirlbytes">🐦 Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://github.com/blackgirlbytes">👩‍🚀 GitHub</a></li> </ul><p>⏰ <strong>Timestamps</strong></p><ul> <li>Why Rizel switched from psychology to IT and, later, to coding (01:59)</li> <li>Was the transition to coding easy? (03:08)</li> <li>Rizel tried many different jobs. Here’s why that’s not a bad thing! (03:41)</li> <li>How Rizel approached learning to code (05:55)</li> <li>Community and camaraderie are important parts of learning to code (06:29)</li> <li>How Rizel decided to enroll in a bootcamp (07:50)</li> <li>On learning to code with your significant other (08:49)</li> <li>Thinking like a programmer comes with practice (09:34)</li> <li>Why Rizel pursued internships (10:44)</li> <li>Why connections are important (12:13)</li> <li>What was Rizel’s internship experience like (13:02)</li> <li>What should you