As the reliance on software grows across all sectors, the need for skilled software engineers continues to rise. However, despite the increasing interest in software development education, not everyone has equal opportunities or resources to succeed in this field.

Barriers to entry include limited access to technology, as well as systemic issues like gender and economic disparities.

Toptal aims to bridge this gap through its Toptal Global Mentors program, which connects experienced Toptal developers with aspiring individuals from underrepresented communities. For a six-month period, mentors provide weekly guidance and support, fostering professional growth in their mentees.

This article explores the Toptal Global Mentors program, offering insights into its workings, the expectations for both mentors and mentees, and effective strategies for maximizing this valuable opportunity.

The Challenge

Rapid technological advancements are constantly reshaping our world. Reports frequently highlight how traditional skills are becoming obsolete, replaced by automation and artificial intelligence. Software development stands out as one of the few fields that promises a secure and prosperous career path.

However, becoming a proficient software developer requires significant time, dedication, and often, guidance, as the fundamental concepts can be challenging to grasp independently.

It’s understandable why many are choosing to pursue software development careers, with a significant number achieving success. However, despite the high demand, women, minorities, and individuals from low-income backgrounds encounter substantial obstacles in this journey. Access to educational resources presents the first hurdle, followed by gaining acceptance in an industry struggling with a lack of diversity.

In essence, the playing field is uneven. This disparity not only hinders individuals facing these disadvantages but also limits the potential of the tech industry as a whole. The Toptal Global Mentors program strives to address this very issue.

Toptal Global Mentors Program

Toptal has joined forces with General Assembly to tackle this challenge. Through its Opportunity Fund, General Assembly has empowered students from underprivileged backgrounds to acquire essential programming skills.

The Toptal Global Mentors program expands upon this initiative. Through this program, Toptal developers, including myself, have the chance to provide consistent remote mentorship to Opportunity Fund graduates. As a participant, I am dedicated to connecting with my student for a minimum of one hour each week for six months, assisting with their questions and imparting new software development knowledge.

The Mentor-Mentee Dynamic

Having been a mentor for approximately twelve weeks, I’ve found the experience to be incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable. The adage “teaching is the best way to learn” rings true, as I revisit various concepts and gain fresh perspectives. Moreover, there’s a profound sense of satisfaction in knowing that I’m contributing to someone’s positive life changes and witnessing them unlock new opportunities.

My interactions with my student are consistently enjoyable. Learning about their background, experiences, and aspirations creates mutually beneficial exchanges that foster both technical and cultural understanding. I often find myself learning as much from them as they do from me.

Patience and empathy are crucial for mentors. It’s essential to recognize that students may come from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of access to resources. My student, for instance, has faced significant economic and social disadvantages, lacking the educational opportunities I was fortunate to have. While I’m occasionally taken aback by the concepts I need to explain, these differences underscore the systemic issues we’re striving to address, reminding me to remain understanding.

Teaching complex subjects can lead to frustration for both the student and the teacher. If a student struggles with a concept, both parties might place blame, labeling each other as a “bad teacher” or a “bad student.” However, this is counterproductive. Both participants have demonstrated their capabilities to be part of the Global Mentors program. My focus is on supporting my student’s individual learning journey, not imposing my own agenda.

Finding the right teaching approach can take time. Students may not always be aware of their knowledge gaps, requiring mentors to identify these missing pieces. Initially, my student and I focused on application building, aiming to incorporate design and procedural techniques like cohesion, reusability, testing, and version control. However, this approach lacked engagement and seemed overwhelming. After a few weeks, we shifted to fundamentals, discussing trees and sorting algorithms. The positive change was immediate – this was precisely what was needed! Now, with a clear focus, each session is engaging and productive.

Instead of succumbing to frustration, I view mentorship as a continuous learning opportunity. Guiding someone in acquiring this invaluable skill is incredibly rewarding, and it enhances my own abilities along the way. While the commitment is one hour per week, our sessions often extend beyond that.

Helpful Resources for Mentors and Students

For those starting with the Toptal Global Mentors program, here are some free and useful tools for connecting and collaborating on software projects.

Communication and Screensharing

Effective communication is paramount. Given the limited mentorship time, utilizing voice or video chat tools like Skype or Google Hangouts enables real-time discussions while working, eliminating delays from typing. Their built-in screen sharing feature is invaluable for observing each other’s progress, especially if not using pair programming tools.

Document and File Sharing

Google Drive and Dropbox remain unmatched for swift and effortless sharing of documents, images, and other files. This proves handy for exchanging lesson materials, code snippets, diagrams, or any resources students may require between sessions.

Code Repositories

While mentors may be well-acquainted with GitHub or BitBucket, students might be new to these platforms. These code repository services facilitate collaborative code management and maintenance. They provide a centralized repository for both parties, enabling simultaneous work without conflicts, tracking changes, and experimenting without the risk of losing progress.

These repositories also provide an excellent opportunity for students to grasp the importance of version control and learn the intricacies of distributed systems, including tagging and branching.

Text Editors

Programming text editors are where the actual coding takes place. While numerous excellent options exist, I recommend Atom and Sublime Text. Their appealing interfaces, robust features, extensive customization, strong community support, and excellent pair programming plugins make them ideal for teaching and learning.

Pair Programming

Pair programming involves two individuals working on the same code simultaneously. This approach is popular in both educational and professional settings as it allows for real-time error detection, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing within the code itself.

As an Atom user, I favor the motepair plugin. Another option compatible with Atom, Sublime Text, and others is Floobits. Both offer powerful tools for collaborative coding and learning.

In Conclusion

Programming is a demanding field, and even experienced programmers encounter challenges when learning new languages, tools, or algorithms. Imagine the challenges students face!

Through the Toptal Global Mentors program, students gain access to dedicated mentors who guide and support them on their learning journey. This invaluable mentorship accelerates their progress and helps them establish themselves in this exciting field.