Ep. 40 | From Librarian to Software Engineer: Tammy Metz on Career Pivots and Mentorship

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Erika and co-host Brittany Ellich welcome Tammy Metz, a software engineer at GitHub, who shares her unique journey from teaching and library science to software engineering. The conversation explores the challenges of transitioning careers, the importance of transferable skills, and the value of mentoring in the tech industry. Tammy discusses her involvement in the Women to Women Mentoring Program, offering insights into common struggles faced by students and the significance of giving back. The episode concludes with a fun segment where the hosts share their unexpected teaching skills.

Takeaways

• Tammy transitioned from a librarian to a software engineer.
• Non-traditional paths can lead to successful careers in tech.
• Soft skills from teaching are valuable in engineering roles.
• Job searching can be challenging for career switchers.
• Mentoring can provide guidance and support to students.
• It's common for students to feel lost in their career paths.
• Volunteering can fit into busy schedules and be rewarding.
• Career paths are often not linear and can change over time.

Links

• Tammy Metz on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-metz/⁠
• Girls Who Code: https://girlswhocode.com/
• Woman to Woman Mentoring: https://www.womantowomanmentoring.org/

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead