Jeanelle Horcasitas
UC San Diego, 2020
Literature/Cultural Studies
Current Title
Associate Developer Educator at DigitalOcean
Previous Title
Program Manager for Career & Postdoctoral Services at Scripps Research
Salary
$60,000-$80,000
As a developer educator I write, research, and perform technical tests on topics in cloud computing, open source software, system administration and more, to provide accessible and inclusive content that empowers both those with and without technical backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to transform their ideas into a reality.
How can I continue to build on my research interests in spaces outside of academia? Particularly, how can I contribute my expertise in a meaningful way to different communities (especially the ones I may have researched about)?
The reason I chose this position and why I value this opportunity is because I’m always learning something new. Technology is changing and evolving all the time, which means there’s never a dull moment in this field. My favorite thing to do is test out something for myself and then brainstorm how I might write about it in a way that resonates with anyone (whether they’re a beginner or advanced). This reminds me of my experience teaching, and challenges me to approach my writing creatively. There are millions of folks in the developer community, so this work truly feels like it’s making a larger impact.
I would tell my pre-PhD self to never feel guilty for pursuing outside interests. I loved working with student affairs and the career center on campus, and this experience led to many opportunities and eventually my first post-PhD job. I was also part of our digital humanities research group on campus and I loved the conversations and projects that came out of that experience – and this too, led me to where I am today. In short, try things out and be intentional about what they are. You never know where it could lead and how valuable it can be for expanding your network.
The most valuable skill I learned from my PhD training is how to listen/read carefully and ask thoughtful questions. But be careful because focusing on a very specific question is always great, but don’t forget to think about the bigger picture, too, the “why should I care?” part of the conversation.
What was the biggest learning curve in your current role and when did you begin to feel more confident?
Yes.
Student loan debt?
Thankfully, no student debt from grad school
