In late 2022, Works conducted the Asia Developer Survey to showcase the region’s skilled developers. Based on extensive research, the survey reflects the essence of Asia’s technology experts, emphasising the potential of the area in terms of education, remote work, and the flourishing start-up scene.
The survey results highlighted a prominent trend – the importance of companionship and a sense of community.
In Asia, it is becoming increasingly crucial for IT experts to unite and form a cohesive community. Developers in the region, much like their global colleagues, make significant contributions across various domains essential to the community. They are increasingly building solidarity among themselves by collaborating on open source projects and online networks, thereby sharing their expertise.
The Director of Talent Experience at Works is of the opinion that community groups played a pivotal role in the network’s growth. These self-sustaining groups possess the ability to attract and engage new developers, contributing significantly to the platform’s expansion.
For any tech professional, networking with fellow developers is crucial for their growth. According to the Asia Developer Survey, communities like the Works Learning Community (ALC), Google Asia Developer community, and Stack Overflow, provide excellent opportunities for professionals to connect with like-minded individuals. In Asia, they can leverage the ALC and Google to communicate with peers and solve problems collectively. As Rosa Langhammer highlights, many participants in these groups are driven by the satisfaction of assisting others and seeing their work make a positive impact.
Assuredness of receiving help is crucial, and developers in Asia are no different. When asked about how they solve problems, the majority of respondents (81%) said they relied on Stack Overflow. Additionally, around 73% stated that they preferred video instructions, while 44% mentioned seeking help from colleagues or taking a break and returning to the task later.
Open-Source
Developers in Asia are increasingly eager to participate in the global development community by contributing to open-source projects and producing technical articles. They are also enthusiastic readers, with StackOverflow being the go-to platform for help with complex problems.
Open-source software is a crucial aspect of the development ecosystem and signifies developers’ esteem for this valuable resource and trust in their abilities. According to a survey, over 40% of respondents said they have contributed to open-source software, dedicating an average of 4.4 hours per week on this. Experienced developers, on the other hand, spend roughly 9.8 hours per week on open-source efforts.
Participating in open-source projects provides developers with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of modern applications, further honing their abilities while working on globally significant projects. As Rosa Langhammer puts it, “Numerous developers wish to contribute by collaborating on open source projects, driven by the desire to make an impact.” However, some are hesitant, given that “many of the leading projects necessitate significant expertise from volunteers.”
Social media and Blogging
According to a survey of technicians, 46% of developers have written technical articles, primarily on platforms such as Medium (31%) and personal websites (28%). Some 10% of developers and engineers use Hashnode, Blogger, and WordPress. Blogging is gaining popularity in Asia’s IT industry, contributing significantly to thought leaders’ credibility while serving as a platform for fellow professionals to seek guidance and support. Additionally, WhatsApp and LinkedIn groups are facilitating connections among digital talent in Asia, both locally and internationally.
With the growth of online communities and increased collaboration among members, technologists are joining forces to combat complex problems. This collective experience and expertise is propelling both personal and professional development.
Elijah Rwothoromo, a member of the Works Talent Network, agrees that staying up-to-date, engaged, and active in the digital space requires one to join as many groups as feasible. Members of the Works Talent Network can connect with one another through numerous channels, including Google Developer Groups (GDGs), Facebook Developer Circles, technology-specific user groups (such as Python, JavaScript, Kotlin), WhatsApp groups, Slack workspaces, and more. To keep our community united, we organise coding competitions, meetups, social events, and seminars.
Asia’s young population and rapidly evolving technological infrastructure place it in the forefront for the future. As the number of digital trailblazers in the region grows, Asia is poised to become a prominent global destination for innovation, guided by the pioneering efforts of its tech innovators.
Interested in joining the Works Community? Submit your hiring request with us at https://www.works.so/hire-talent.
