LaunchPad by Vog

Meet Samuel Noh, one of our recent Launchpad graduates! Originally from South Korea, Samuel started his career in IT before immigrating to Canada two years ago. He had a degree in software engineering from Korea but found it difficult to transition back into tech in Canada. Determined to make a change, Samuel joined the Launchpad program as a Front-end developer.

During the program, Samuel's hard work and motivation shone through. He not only improved his technical skills but also worked on his communication and interview skills, which resulted in increased confidence. Samuel has a wealth of knowledge in his field, and his passion for software development is evident in the quality of his work.

We're proud of Samuel's accomplishments and excited to see him take the next steps in his career. He would be a valuable addition to any team!

We’re excited to share the story of one of our recent Launchpad graduates, Derek Kim! Derek is a Junior iOS Developer who completed our iOS Developer program and has impressed us with his dedication and motivation.

Before finding his passion for coding, Derek worked in administration. However, inspired by his brother's success as a software developer in Korea, Derek decided to pursue a career in software development himself.

Derek’s ongoing commitment to learning and improving his skills is truly inspiring. He continues to work on personal projects to challenge himself and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. There's doubt that his passion for software development and his eagerness to learn would make him a valuable asset to any team.

Congratulations, Derek, on your graduation and best of luck on your coding journey!

Securing an entry-level job in the tech industry can seem daunting, particularly since many job listings require at least 3-5 years of experience.

However, it's important not to let that discourage you from applying. Instead, it's crucial to understand what recruiters are seeking in a candidate.

By clicking on the link below, you can access interviews with tech recruiters who offer practical advice on how to increase your chances of getting hired. https://hubs.li/Q01MpTD90

We’re excited to introduce one of our talented Launchpad graduates, Jonathan Moir! Jonathan is a lifelong learner who has transitioned from a career in civil engineering and teaching math to pursue his passion for software development.

Jonathan found what he had been missing in software development. He loves the creativity and problem-solving challenges that come with writing code. Over the past six months, he has worked on several industry projects and has honed his skills as a front-end developer.

What impresses us most about Jonathan is his experience as a teacher. This experience has allowed him to develop valuable mentorship skills that he brings to the table. We have no doubt that his analytical mindset, creativity, and mentoring abilities would make him an excellent addition to any team.

Congratulations, Jonathan, on graduating from the Launchpad program! We wish you all the best on your exciting journey ahead.

DevTools are crucial for developers as they enable them to efficiently identify and resolve issues.

However, it's important to note that each tool has distinct features.

By clicking the link below, you can explore some of the most exclusive DevTool functions that can save you both time and frustration. ⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpY110

Landing an entry level position can feel impossible, especially when job postings are asking for a minimum of 3-5 years experience.

But should that deter you from applying?

Definitely not. You just need to know what recruiters are looking for.

Click the link below to read interviews from tech recuiters who give actionable tips on how to get hired. https://hubs.li/Q01MpYDg0

DevTools are essential to any developer, as they help you diagnose and debug problems quickly and efficiently.

But each tool has its own unique set of features.

Click the link below to discover some of the most gate kept DevTool features that will save you time and frustration. ⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpWr10

Collaborative coding can be a highly effective approach regardless of your career stage.

As remote work continues to gain traction, now is the perfect opportunity to enhance your pair programming skills and adopt Agile development methodologies.

To learn more about the benefits of collaborative coding, click on the link below. ⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpXRH0

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of remote work has led to an increase in opportunities for individuals to work abroad, particularly for software developers.

Despite the growing popularity and availability of such opportunities, many professionals are unsure where to begin their search for a job overseas.

If you're among them, click the link below to access the ultimate guide to securing international employment.⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpX230

No matter where you are in your professional journey, collaborative coding can be very effective.

As remote work continues to become more common, there's no better time to hone your skills in pair programming and embrace Agile development methodologies.

Read more about collaborative coding in the link below. ⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpSpt0

Opportunities to work abroad have increased since remote work gained popularity throughout the pandemic. And there's no shortage of overseas positions for software developers.

But despite opportunity and growing popularity, some professionals don’t know where to start when searching for a developer job abroad.

Click the link below for the ultimate guide to landing international employment. ⬇️ https://hubs.li/Q01MpYYM0

Another day, another awesome career fair!

We’re always lucky to speak with the minds of upcoming generations and inspire young people to pursue a career in tech.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Internship Fair hosted at Western Canada High School last week. 😊

Software developers play a crucial role in today's technology-driven world, which puts skilled developers in very high demand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers is expected to grow by 25% from 2021 to 2031.

Read more about the software development job market here. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CF7F70

Throughout 2021 and 2022 hiring froze in response to the global pandemic and economic recession. However, tech companies continued business as usual and even increased hiring.

With that in mind, what’s the state of the web-development industry in 2023?

Read the latest projections here. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CDRTh0

Stack Overflow conducted a survey where they asked thousands of developers how they respond when stumped by a coding challenge.

Luckily, ‘panic’ only accounted for 10% of the responses.

View the full results here. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CF3cP0

Being stuck with an ‘entry-level’ title can feel like a dead end, especially when tech companies are looking for highly skilled developers.

Luckily, there are a lot of available courses that can help you advance your skills and add to your experience.

Read more about bridging the gap here. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CD_rd0

No matter how advanced your coding skills are, you’re bound to get stuck while trying to code. What should you do when that happens?

Sometimes it’s just a matter of walking away from the problem, but time doesn’t always provide you with the answers you need.

Click the link below for strategies to help you conquer a coding challenge. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CDVSw0

While most junior developers can produce working code, advanced developers are able to create well-written code than can easily be understood and broken down.

Click the link below to learn how you can advance from a junior developer title.

https://hubs.li/Q01CF8Ls0

Are you considering becoming a software engineer?

Software development is often a less-understood field and is surrounded by various myths. While some might consider it an anti-social or introverted career, the opposite can actually be true.

Walk through a typical day in the life of a software engineer. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CD-vp0

Let’s talk timelines. How long does it take to learn how to code?

You can probably learn the basics of coding in about 3 to 6 months, but that won’t get you very far.

To be an advanced developer, you need to stay current with the latest tech and keep up with emerging trends. Even the best developers continue to learn new techniques well into their careers.

Read more about timelines here. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CF4Wk0

Take a look under the hood to see what a day in the life of a software developer looks like.

While software development roles can vary, along with the culture of the organization - the routine is generally the same.

Read more on the day-to-day life of a software developer here ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CF8Lt0

Missed our last information night? No worries.

Tune into our Virtual Information Session on March 15th at 5:00 pm (MST).

Listen to the career journeys of our alumni, connect with experienced developers in the field, and learn more about our educational programs.

Click the link below to register!



https://hubs.li/Q01BdCbh0

If you’re interested in learning code, you might wonder how long it will take before you can call yourself a developer.

Your timeline will depend on what level of coding you want to reach. It generally takes about three to six months to learn the basics.

Our programs run for 16 weeks, during which you will adopt multiple languages (dependent on your specialization), work on real client projects from start to finish and leave prepared for the job market.

Click the link below to learn more about timelines. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01CF3cN0

If you want to incorporate behavioural research into your product development process, it’s important that back- and front-end development teams "speak the same language."

A good UX team can often enable that collaboration and a positive working relationship ⤵️

How Behavioural Science Optimizes User Experience | Vog App Developers Dr. Michael Barbera, shares how behavioral science can leverage thoughtful design and optimize the user experience.

We’re hosting two information nights this month!

Opt-in for an in-person or virtual information session to hear about the programs we offer, connect with industry experts and open up career opportunities.

Click the link below to register!



https://hubs.li/Q01Bdzxq0

IDEO is famous for popularizing Design Thinking. As the organization says, thinking like a designer can transform the way an organization develops products, services, processes and strategy.

It also enables people who are not trained as designers to address challenges.

Learn more about a human-centered approach to innovation ⤵️

IDEO Design Thinking IDEO introduces design thinking, how it came to be, how it is being used, and steps and tools for mastering it.

Your breakfast cereal is important. Not just because it's the most important meal of the day, but also because the way it was invented is an amazing example of being customer-centric.

In 1894, W.K. Kellogg left a pot of boiled wheat out overnight and that led to a totally new product category.

Here's some inspiration for how breakfast was re-invented thanks to human-centered design ⤵️

Why Human-Centered Design Matters In 1894, W.K. Kellogg made a discovery that would forever change what we eat in the morning. Seeking a more digestible breakfast alternative to baked bread for his brother’s hospital patients, the bespectacled former broom salesman accidentally left a pot of boiled wheat out overnight. The wheat b...

Are you a newcomer to Canada and looking for a career in tech?

Our program helps you build a solid foundation in software development and provides you with the skills, knowledge, and connections you need to launch a successful career in tech.

Join us for an information night on March 8th at the Vog App Developers office. Learn about our curriculum, meet our instructors and discover possible funding options for your education.

Click the link below to register!



https://hubs.li/Q01zR48h0

Some say goldfish have a longer attention span than people, so if you're building products for humans, you really need to understand how to get attention FAST.

The same is true for addressing consumer dissatisfaction with a product or service says Dr. Michael Barbera, Chief Behavioural Officer at Clicksuasion Labs.

Here's his advice on using behavioural science to deeply understand your users ➡️ https://hubs.li/Q01CF8Ml0

When programming skills in voice platforms, invoke action with utterances. When working on wearables, keep complications simple.

The language around emerging technology can be confusing. So here's some simple advice (and an explanation of the jargon) ⤵️

Former CBC app designer shares how UX best practices can inform design for emerging platforms | Vog App Developers “Keep the user in mind from start to finish.”That’s the key piece of advice Jason Mendoza shared with us, when chatting about how he approaches making standout apps and emerging tech user experiences. The advice is straightforward and may seem obvious, but is often easier said than done.And Me...

Interested in learning more about the programs we offer?

We’re hosting a virtual information session on March 15th, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm (MST).

Click the link below to register.



https://hubs.li/Q01Bdz2j0

Former CBC app designer Jason Mendoza approaches emerging technologies — like voice and wearable platforms — with a user-centric focus. Play up the strengths of a platform, and be sure to address limitations.

Here's how that comes to life ⤵️ https://hubs.li/Q01CF1Fv0

Looking to pivot into the tech industry?

Software development is an opportunity to pursue a career that allows for continuous learning and growth and we’re here to help you get there.

Join us at the Vog office on March 8th for a LaunchPad informational session. Hear career stories from our alumni, network with developers who are currently in the industry, and learn about the programs we offer.

Click the link below to register!



https://hubs.li/Q01zRgSB0

Low-code/no-code platforms are great, until they're not.

Some things to watch out for:

⚠️ Scalability issues
⚠️ Restrictive templates
⚠️ Limits on data portability
⚠️ Security risks
⚠️ Compliance concerns

Learn more ➡️ https://hubs.li/Q01xq6330

Low-code/no-code platforms were created to give non-developers ways to build easily. Platforms are easier than building custom software, so many businesses are experimenting with them.

Learn more about the pros and cons in this explainer ⤵️ https://hubs.li/Q01xq33h0

What a fantastic night! Thank you to everyone who came to the TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) event last night.

We always enjoy talking to people about possible career paths in software development.

PS. If you didn’t get the chance to talk to us last night, don't worry. We’re hosting two information nights this month!

Click the link below to learn more. ⬇️

https://hubs.li/Q01C0DJV0

You can spend all day explaining an app design feature to someone. Or you can just show it to them, and either they'll get what you've tried to do or they won't. ⁠
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That’s how you judge if a user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) design works well or not.⁠
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Read more at the link below ⤴️ ⁠
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https://hubs.li/Q01xq3CZ0

Looking to advance your expertise in software development?

The tech industry is growing rapidly and there's a high demand for skilled software developers. Our program is designed to assist you in honing your skills and making the transition from entry-level to intermediate developer.

Join us on Wednesday, March 8th to grow your network, hear about the programs we offer, and open up career opportunities.

Click the link below to register!

LaunchPad Information Night Talk with industry experts, hear career stories and explore different career paths in tech.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the YYC Tech Fest yesterday.

It was great to see such a strong turnout and chat with students about career opportunities in tech.

The event was a testament to the strong and supportive community, and it was a privilege to be a part of it.

See you all at the next networking event!