Unlocking Success: Navigating the Code of Life with GitHub CoPilot - Michelle Sandford

GitHub Copilot acts as a supportive pair programmer to help overcome imposter syndrome by validating code, explaining concepts, and providing alternative solutions

Growth mindset is crucial - embrace learning opportunities, accept that not knowing everything is normal, and view challenges as opportunities for growth

Diversity in teams brings value through different perspectives and approaches - seek teammates who think differently rather than clones of yourself

Documentation of achievements (like keeping a “brag doc” on GitHub) helps combat imposter syndrome by tracking progress and acknowledging accomplishments

Perfectionism can be counterproductive - there’s no single “perfect” way to code, and seeking constant improvement should be balanced with completing work

Junior developers should be empowered to ask questions and seek help - it demonstrates eagerness to learn rather than incompetence

AI tools should complement rather than replace human learning - use them to understand concepts better and stay in flow while coding

Don’t try to solve everything alone - seek support from colleagues, mentors, AI tools, and professional help when needed

Fear can be an indicator of growth opportunities - embrace challenges that scare you rather than avoiding them

Shift-left practices (early testing, security considerations) are important but shouldn’t overwhelm the core development process