In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, John Work, founder and CEO of Nashville Software School, sits down with NSS graduates Pemberton Heath and Rob Schulteis to discuss their careers post-NSS. They share insights on how they have integrated generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude into their daily work routines, focusing on generative AI as a learning and productivity aid. The conversation also delves into the evolving skills needed for tech careers and the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on generative AI for learning when you’re first starting out. Tune in to hear real-world applications and thoughtful reflections on the impact of generative AI on professional growth and learning in the tech industry.

Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery
00:33 Meet our Guests: Pemberton Heath and Rob Schulteis
02:23 Pemberton Heath's Journey to Full Stack Development
06:39 Rob Schulteis' Path from the Music Industry to Data Analytics
14:00 Using Generative AI Tools for Learning
33:21 Prompt Engineering and Effective Generative AI Use
38:25 Adding A Human Touch & Generative AI's Infinite Patience
42:00 A Tool To Fight Imposter Syndrome
43:45 Using Generative AI to Write Code
47:18 Challenges of Generative AI in Learning Environments
51:06 Understanding Codebases with Generative AI
58:52 The Evolving Role of Developers
01:05:04 Integrating Generative AI in Education
01:18:36 Final Thoughts


Links from the show:
Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com

How are NSS Alumni Using Generative AI Tools on the Job (Survey 2024): https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2024/06/26/how-are-nss-alumni-using-generative-ai-tools-on-the-job

The Effects of Generative AI on High Skilled Work: Evidence from Three Field Experiments with Software Developers: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4945566

Can GenAI Actually Improve Developer Productivity?: https://resources.uplevelteam.com/gen-ai-for-coding

The Impact of Large Language Models on Programming
Education and Student Learning Outcomes: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/10/4115

Coding on Copilot: 2023 Data Suggests Downward Pressure on Code Quality: https://www.gitclear.com/coding_on_copilot_data_shows_ais_downward_pressure_on_code_quality

Onboarding to a 'legacy' codebase with the help of AI: https://martinfowler.com/articles/exploring-gen-ai.html#memo-09