REFACTR.TECH Janurary Meetup: Crafting Great Web Apps: Talks on Design + Engineering Growth Strategies

This month's collab meetup was a hit, kicking off the year at Tech Square ATL with a packed house, including lots of new faces. For this one, we partnered with our friends at the ​Atlanta Javascript​, Modern Web, ReactATL, and Atlanta Vue.js meetups. The night was all about leveling up in tech, with a mix of career advice and design tips. First up, Beth Laing, Sr Director of Engineering at CallRail, shared her journey into leadership, stressing the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and a balanced approach to engineering, product, and marketing. She also highlighted the need for prioritization, communication, and supporting others' growth.

Then, Dustin Goodman gave a talk on career growth strategies for software engineers. He broke down the different stages, from junior to senior and beyond, emphasizing that success depends on output and constant learning. He also warned against skipping steps and getting distracted by the latest tech trends. For mid-level engineers, he advised mastering the craft, increasing productivity, and automating repetitive tasks. He noted that senior engineers should focus on leveraging their team and making others more productive.

Finally, Calypso Hernandez covered the basics of web app design, including color palettes, typography, spacing, and layout. She shared some handy tools and resources and advised attendees to research other websites for inspiration. The next meetup is slated for the Modern Web Meetup in Alpharetta next month.