Let's set off on an awe-inspiring journey with our guest, Cecilia Martinez, who, armed with self-awareness and an appetite for growth, has carved out a successful career in software development. Starting from her high school days, designing layouts for myspace pages, Cecilia's trajectory includes journalism, web development, and a self-discovery of her place in tech communities. Her story of growth and transformation, nurtured by her battles with ADHD, the trials and triumphs of a software development boot camp, and her blossoming career as a community lead at Replay, is nothing short of inspiring. What role can tech communities play in launching and shaping your career? Listen as Cecilia shares her experience exploring various local tech groups and the profound impact they had on her career. We examine the role of multi-channel outreach in creating diverse and representative communities and discuss how these communities can act as springboards for newcomers to the industry. Cecilia's narrative underlines the importance of aligning work with passion, the power of self-awareness, and the necessity to take calculated risks. From being a people pleaser to learning to push back when necessary, Cecilia shares the invaluable lessons she's picked up navigating her career paths. We discuss the decision-making processes involved in considering the next career move, the advantages of early-stage startups, and how she's grown to identify the most valuable work to do with her time. Cecilia also shares insights from her deep involvement with open source development tools and the influence these experiences have had on her career. Join us as she takes us through her journey of discovery and growth in the tech space. Use my special link https://zen.ai/dsVpYxjSth5fD-hlbzdIiw to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paidplan. Support the show