how to be like everyone else in techAfter spending about a month or so interning in San Francisco and then recently attending the Internapalooza (cc: Cory Levy, wohooo), I…
After spending about a month or so interning in San Francisco and then recently attending the Internapalooza (cc: Cory Levy, wohooo), I feel extremely unqualified to speak on behalf of all of the paradoxes, stereotypes, and satires of the tech space. But I decided to do it anyways.
So…you want to be like everyone else in tech?
The good news is that it is not that hard. You just have to make these few adjustments to your life and you should fit right in!
- You need a backpack:
I googled “backpack” to get this image
This is a pretty crucial step to fitting right in. You need a backpack. And perhaps more importantly, you need to wear it all the time (even places you are not expected to).
Where might that be? Well, work of course. But also in the city, dining out, in the bathroom, the list goes on. Pretty much wherever you go…Do not forget your backpack.
Some exciting info:a lot of companies will give you a bag!
2. Become a daily active user of Product Hunt (cc Ryan Hoover, Niv Dror)
Product Hunt is where all of the coooool interns hang out (online) and chat about the latest products, toys, gifs, etc.
But for real, it’s an easy way to get in the know about everything going on in the space.
It’s also a good way to post your products and ideas and get feedback.
But remember: use product hunt, and talk about it.
3. Watch Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley on HBO : A show that seems to perfectly capture the bizarre reality of the tech space. The sad thing is that a lot of the jokes are real.
4. Probably drop out and build cool sh*t like Daniel Singer. And buy a bunch of .af domains (cc Ryan Lawler)
5. Subscribe to all the dope newsletters in town
Here are a few of my favorites:
Inside (cc jason)
The Inside Daily Brief
A twice-daily email newsletter, delivering all the news you need to know. Save time while staying informed and…www.inside.com
Mattermark Daily (cc Danielle Morrill , Nick Frost)
Mattermark Daily – Mattermark
From the Investors Mahesh Vellanki of Redpoint Ventures takes a look at the overnight success of Pokémon GO and digs…mattermark.com
Hiten Shah’s awesomeness
Hiten’s SaaS Weekly
A weekly email of useful links for people interested in SaaS businesses.hiten.com
And John Saddington on Pinpoint:
Build Better Software Newsletter
Build Better Software Newsletter Email Formswhatispinpoint.us13.list-manage.com
6. Use a lot of gifs and emojis
🤑💀💩
Pro-tip: command + control + space bar pulls up the emoji Keyboard
Optional Things:
- Love stickers
- Play Pokemon Go (i don’t 🙁 )
- Blog on Medium
- Colorful socks
Ok so I am sure there are more jokes that we can run on about (feel free to comment them down below, but let’s come to a rounded point.
The point is to be cognizant of the things you do, always checking to see if you are becoming the person you want to be. While most people are mediocre, most don’t strive to be mediocre. They just don’t realize that they are following a crowd, or, even “worse,” don’t care/are not confident enough to change paths.
I know that I do not want to be mediocre. I want to be an outlier. I will* be an outlier (cocky kid).
But what I hope people take away from reading this is both the humor and the bit of truth:
Do things that make you happy, not that fit the part.
(I do like product hunt and silicon valley)
Diversity of background/thoughts/race/gender/opinion is what brings about the best ideas, let’s never lose that.
Anyways 🙂 Thanks for reading! I publish a blog post every single day!?! Why? Idk.
tweet at me @jrdngonen or email me jordangonen1@gmail.com
By jordangonen on July 13, 2016.
Exported from Medium on February 17, 2018.