Pivoting to Engineering With a Non-traditional Background

Jheanell Elliott

Engineering.

Computer Science.

Do these titles strike you as intimidating? Out of reach? Or maybe like a goal for going back to school?

The good news is that even if you’re coming from a non-traditional background, these positions consist of tasks that anyone can...

Engineering.

Computer Science.

Do these titles strike you as intimidating? Out of reach? Or maybe like a goal for going back to school?

The good news is that even if you’re coming from a non-traditional background, these positions consist of tasks that anyone can learn. That means that as scary as engineering may sound, don’t be intimidated by the title. So long as you’re driven, you can reach it!

In fact, Condé Nast’s Engineering Manager at The New Yorker, Jheanell Elliott, transitioned into an engineering position from a background in graphic design. Now she wants to share her journey with others who are looking to break into an engineering role but aren’t sure where to start, what hard and soft skills they will need, or how to deal with the Imposter Syndrome that can come from transitioning into a new industry. As a hiring manager, she will share what she’s looking for in candidates that are coming from non-traditional backgrounds and how those candidates can stand out during the hiring process with their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and code.

Join us to learn:

How to launch into engineering when you are coming from a non-traditional background.
What hard and soft skills you will need to be successful.
Why problem-solving is so important and how it can make you stand out in the industry.
What hiring managers are looking for in potential candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and how you can stand out from the crowd.

Meet The Speaker

Jheanell Elliott

Engineering Manager, The New Yorker

Jheanell is The New Yorker Product team's most senior engineering manager, focused on expanding the breadth and impact of the brand's digital presence.

Her primary focus is to build and maintain features targeted at improving reader engagement and discovery of The New Yorker's digital offerings on the web.

She has a 16+ year career that spans interactive media, visual/web design, and computer animation. Her previous roles as a graphic and interactive designer heavily influence her philosophy as a software engineer and how she thinks about user experience.

She is a firm believer that the most successful applications are the ones that are the simplest to use.