Entrepreneur creates career pathways with MIT OpenCourseWare
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Entrepreneur creates career pathways with MIT OpenCourseWare
When June Odongo interviewed early-career electrical engineer Cynthia Wacheke for a software engineering position at her company, Wacheke lacked knowledge of computer science theory but showed potential in complex problem-solving.
Determined to give Wacheke a shot, Odongo turned to MIT OpenCourseWare to create a six-month “bridging course” modeled after the classes she once took as a computer science student. Part of MIT Open Learning, OpenCourseWare offers free, online, open educational resources from more than 2,500 courses that span the MIT undergraduate and graduate curriculum.
“Wacheke had the potential and interest to do the work that needed to be done, so the way to solve this was for me to literally create a path for her to get that work done,” says Odongo, founder and CEO of Senga Technologies.
Developers, Odongo says, are not easy to find. The OpenCourseWare educational resources provided a way to close that gap. “We put Wacheke through the course last year, and she is so impressive,” Odongo says. “Right now, she is doing our first machine learning models. It’s insane how good of a team member she is. She has done so much in such a short time.”
Making high-quality candidates job-ready
Wacheke, who holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nairobi, started her professional career as a hardware engineer. She discovered a passion for software while working on a dashboard design project, and decided to pivot from hardware to software engineering. That’s when she discovered Senga Technologies, a logistics software and services company in Kenya catering to businesses that ship in Africa.
Odongo founded Senga with the goal of simplifying and easing the supply chain and logistics experience, from the movement of goods to software tools. Senga’s ultimate goal, Odongo says, is to have most of their services driven by software. That means employees — and candidates — need to be able to think through complex problems using computer science theory.
“A lot of people are focused on programming, but we care less about programming and more about problem-solving,” says Odongo, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and an MBA from Harvard Business School. “We actually apply the things people learn in computer science programs.”
Wacheke started the bridging course in June 2022 and was given six months to complete the curriculum on the MIT OpenCourseWare website. She took nine courses, including: Introduction to Algorithms; Mathematics for Computer Science; Design and Analysis of Algorithms; Elements of Software Construction; Automata, Computability, and Complexity; Database Systems; Principles of Autonomy and Decision Making; Introduction to Machine Learning; and Networks.
“The bridging course helped me learn how to think through things,” Wacheke says. “It’s one thing to know how to do something, but it’s another to design that thing from scratch and implement it.”
During the bridging course, Wacheke was paired with a software engineer at Senga, who mentored her and answered questions along the way. She learned Ruby on Rails, a server-side web application framework under the MIT License. Wacheke also completed other projects to complement the theory she was learning. She created a new website that included an integration to channel external requests to Slack, a cross-platform team communication tool used by the company’s employees.
Continuous learning for team members
The bridging course concluded with a presentation to Senga employees, during which Wacheke explained how the company could use graph theory for decision-making. “If you want to get from point A to B, there are algorithms you can use to find the shortest path,” Wacheke says. “Since we’re a logistics company, I thought we could use this when we’re deciding which routes our trucks take.”
The presentation, which is the final requirement for the bridging course, is also a professional development opportunity for Senga employees. “This process is helpful for our team members, particularly those who have been out of school for a while,” Odongo says. “The candidates present what they’ve learned in relation to Senga. It’s a way of doing continuous learning for the existing team members.”
After successfully completing the bridging course in November 2022, Wacheke transitioned to a full-time software engineer role. She is currently developing a “machine” that can interpret and categorize hundreds of documents, including delivery notes, cash flows, and receipts.
“The goal is to enable our customers to simply feed those documents into our machine, and then we can more accurately read and convert them to digital formats to drive automation,” Odongo says. “The machine will also enable someone to ask a document a question, such as ‘What did I deliver to retailer X on date Y?’ or ‘What is the total price of the goods delivered?’”
The bridging course, which was initially custom-designed for Wacheke, is now a permanent program at Senga. A second team member completed the course in October 2023 and has joined the software team full time.
“Developers are not easy to find, and you also want high-quality developers,” Odongo says. “At least when we do this, we know that the person has gone through what we need.”
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We at Roll20 continue to expand at a rate that frankly defies all our expectations. As such, we’re looking at a new round of hires differently than we have in the past-- we’re starting to dream a little bigger instead of simply playing catch up.
Below is a mix of opportunities to work with our team on what’s next. To ensure that your application has the best chance at advancement, please be certain to follow the directions for the individual positions (and know that you are welcome to apply for more than one posting, but will need to apply separately). The positions listed below are:
DevOps Specialist
UI/UX Developer
Content Realization Specialist
Marketplace Coordinator
Customer Support Representative
If you’re selected for a followup interview, we’ll let you know within a few weeks. Based on prior experience, we will receive too many applications to respond to each one individually, but we will update this blog post if the position has been filled.
Roll20 is an equal opportunity employer.
Just in case you didn’t know, Roll20 is an online platform for tabletop gaming with a worldwide audience. Since its inception in 2012, it has grown to more than 2,000,000 players with more than 10,000 years of games played.
DevOps Specialist
Roll20 is seeking to expand our development resources by engaging a DevOps Specialist as a part-time or full-time independent contractor. We work mainly in the browser and mobile (iOS/Android) space, with a heavy focus on Javascript and HTML5. We use cutting-edge web technology as an integral part of our service, including Canvas, WebGL, and WebRTC.
Contractor will work with our in-house Lead Developer to expand Roll20 by administering and scaling our web architecture. You’ll assist by tuning PostgreSQL, securing our Google Compute engine cluster, defending against DDoS attacks, and generally ensuring that the Roll20 service is rock-solid for our millions of players from around the world. When we roll out a new feature, you’ll help make sure that it will work at scale.
We all wear many hats at Roll20, and as such our ideal candidate is someone who has a solid background in running servers at scale, but can also pitch in on coding backend or frontend functionality as well. So if you know your way around Ruby or Javascript, or at least have some familiarity that we can help you build upon, you’ll be at the top of our list. Bonus points for avid tabletop gamers and those with experience working on a technical team remotely in the past.
Work is done remotely so you can contract with us from anywhere in the United States, but priority will be given to candidates from the following states: Kansas, Nevada, Virginia, and Oregon.
Contract qualifications include:
Experience managing Ubuntu Linux servers in high-scale environments
Experience with the following software tools/providers:
HAProxy
Ruby (Sinatra/Rack/Rainbows)
NodeJS
CloudFlare (and/or other DDoS prevention services/tools)
Google Compute Engine, Amazon Web Services (S3)
PostgreSQL
Familiarity with Javascript and HTML5 development, including Backbone, Firebase, Canvas, and/or WebRTC.
Strong communication and writing skills
In addition to the requirements above, we will prioritize contractors who have experience playing in Roll20 on a regular basis, including utilizing advanced features such as the Roll20 API.
To apply, submit a PDF resumé/portfolio along with your proposal including hourly rate to [email protected] with the subject line “DevOps Specialist Application”. Please also include a brief introduction of yourself telling us why you would be an asset to our growing team. We’d also love to see a Github profile showing off previous projects, or another form of portfolio (previous web applications, open source projects you have contributed to, etc.).
UI/UX Developer
Roll20 is seeking to expand our development team with a UI/UX role. The position will be a full-time independent contractor. Work is done remotely, meaning you may contract with us from anywhere in the United States. Roll20 development consists in the browser and mobile (iOS/Android) space, with a heavy focus on Javascript and HTML5. We use cutting-edge web technology as an integral part of our service, including Canvas, WebGL, and WebRTC.
The contractor will be responsible for polishing the user experience for the Roll20 website, virtual tabletop, and tablet application. This will include reworking existing interfaces, improving internationalization, and inventing new features to improve the user experience. The contractor will also be required to communicate directly with our players to gather feedback and provide technical assistance on their projects.
Work is done remotely so you can contract with us from anywhere in the United States, but priority will be given to candidates from the following states: Kansas, Nevada, Virginia, and Oregon.
Contract qualifications include:
Portfolio of existing work showcasing experience with related technologies
Strong web development skills (including multiple years of experience in a team environment) with Javascript (the Good Parts), HTML/CSS, and Ruby (Sinatra, not Rails)
Professional Visual Design and Human-Computer Interaction experience
Strong communication and writing skills
Self starting, flexible, and comfortable working inside a small team
In addition to the requirements above, we will prioritize contractors who:
Have a strong portfolio of existing work on a site such as Github
Have experience with MediaWiki
Have experience with iOS and/or Android development
Have experience with WebGL, Canvas, and/or NodeJS
Have experience working with PostgreSQL
Have experience with Firebase
Have experience playing in Roll20 on a regular basis, including utilizing advanced features such as the Roll20 API, Character Sheet Creation, or Marketplace Submissions
To apply, submit a PDF resumé/portfolio along with your proposal including hourly rate to [email protected] with the subject line “UI/UX Developer Application”. Please also include a brief introduction of yourself telling us why you would be an asset to our growing team. We’d also love to see a Github profile showing off previous projects, or another form of portfolio (previous web applications, open source projects you have contributed to, etc.).
Content Realization Specialist
Roll20 is seeking to expand our adventure adaptation resources by engaging additional Content Realization Specialists as remote, part-time independent contractors.
Applications must meet the following criteria:
Freelance experience including:
Invoicing
Remote meeting tools
Ownership of and accomplishment with the following software and coding tools:
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Basic HTML
Minimum 100 hours in the Roll20 interface including:
Previous use of Plus Level features, including Dynamic Lighting.
Strong competence with Roll20 Dice engine.
Ability to quickly demonstrate proficiency in multiple tabletop gaming rulesets.
In addition to the requirements above, candidates familiar with Asana, the Roll20 Marketplace, and a variety of tabletop gaming rulesets will be prioritized.
To apply, submit a PDF resumé/portfolio along with your proposal including hourly rate to [email protected] with the subject line “Content Realization Specialist”. Please also include a brief introduction of yourself telling us why you would be an asset to our growing team. Additionally, you must include a link to your Roll20 account.
Marketplace Coordinator
Roll20 is seeking a Marketplace Coordinator to oversee continuing expansion for independent creators on the Marketplace.
Your contract with us will be geared toward supporting our growing community of artists. You will interact with Creators via email, handle updates to the Roll20 Marketplace on a weekly basis, and push initiatives for overall improvement of the Marketplace site.
The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a strong history in visual design or e-commerce, and the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
Work is done remotely, meaning you may contract with us from anywhere in the United States. It is likely that this position will start as part-time with an opportunity for full-time advancement.
Contract qualifications include:
2 years experience in e-commerce or client support.
Ability to collaborate, self-motivate, meet deadlines, and work in a closely-knit collaborative environment.
Experience proofreading/reviewing creative content and a basic understanding of common copyright issues.
Strong familiarity with the Roll20 interface and Roll20 Marketplace content.
At least a basic understanding of graphic design and/or proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
In addition to the requirements above, we will prioritize candidates who:
Experience with Wiki applications.
Familiarity with a multitude of tabletop gaming rulesets.
Experience in product development in the gaming or publishing industry.
To apply, submit a PDF resumé/portfolio along with your proposal and rates to [email protected] with the subject line “Marketplace Coordinator”. Please also include a brief introduction of yourself telling us why you would be an asset to our growing brand. Additionally, you must include a link to your Roll20 account.
Customer Support Representative
Roll20 is interested in expanding our customer service resources by adding a Customer Support Representative to our team.
Your contract with us will be geared toward assisting our growing community of tabletop players and aiding the Community Manager with day-to-day tasks. You will be interacting with the Roll20 community via email, forums, and social media.
The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a strong history in high-volume customer support, and the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
Work is done remotely, meaning you may contract with us from anywhere in the United States. It is likely that this position will start as part time with an opportunity for full time advancement.
Contract qualifications include:
2 years experience in a customer service environment.
Experience with social media platforms & scheduling tools.
Ability to collaborate, self-motivate, meet deadlines, and work in a closely-knit collaborative environment.
In addition to the requirements above, we will prioritize candidates who:
At least a basic understanding of graphic design and/or proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Experience with Wiki applications.
Familiarity with a multitude of tabletop gaming rulesets.
To apply, submit a PDF resumé/portfolio along with your proposal and rates to [email protected] with the subject line “Customer Support Representative”. Please also include a brief introduction of yourself telling us why you would be an asset to our growing brand. Additionally, you must include a link to your Roll20 account.
Edit 02/21/2017: Having received a more than suitable potential hiring pool for the Customer Support Representative position, we are no longer taking applications.
Edit 02/27/2017: Having received suitable hiring pools for Content Realization Specialist and Marketplace Coordinator, we are closing applications for both positions.
