May 2022: Is PHP a legacy Language, and returning to software after 20 years

Welcome all! After a few discussion-oriented events, we'd like to have a more traditional setup this time around. We'll be kicking off the second half of 2022 with two speakers. On top of that, keep reading for some more info on swag...

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Talk 1: Dispelling the misconception around PHP as a legacy language (Lightning talk)
This lightning talk makes the case for why PHP is not a legacy language (a hot debate!) but in fact an increasingly marketable and relevant skill. Based on our marketplace data, PHP has a solid place in the SA tech market - and thanks to the rise of Laravel, we’re seeing an increase in demand for PHP devs. We’ll share some tips on how PHP devs can better market themselves and some insights into the PHP hiring landscape today.

Speaker: Melishia Ebersohn, Tech Talent Advisor at OfferZen
After completing her BCom in Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations Managment, Melishia started her career at a niche recruitment agency specialising in finance where she worked for 3 years. Her passion for candidate experience and success in the job search process attracted her to the Tech Talent Advisor role at OfferZen. She is passionate about helping candidates feel confident and prepared for interviews, and coming up with strategies to fight job search fatigue. In her spare time she is cooking, baking and starting a herb garden.

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Talk 2: Starting software development - A baptism of fire - try not to get burnt!
The first three months of my return to software development, after a 20 year hiatus, was confusing and depressing. What are the problems of those early months (and ongoing months), how can we navigate them and come out on the other side. If you are new to software development, I hope my insights will give you courage to stay the course. If you are old to software developement, I hope my insights will assist you to be a better mentor.

Speaker: Cris Higham
I am a trained Mechanical Engineer. I have worked in numerous occupations, and while science and technology has run through most of it, I have returned to Software Development after a 20 year hiatus. Currently I work with CodeInfinity in PHP using the Magento and Tina4 frameworks.

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We'll have some OfferZen-sponsored goodies for attendees and speakers, as well as a Jetbrains license to raffle off :)

If you'd like to speak at the next event, please reach out to us! We've got a speaker form over here: https://forms.gle/Zgo18hVgc6GoS2gx9 .
Follow @php_za on Twitter.
Join the conversation in #php on the zatech.co.za Slack group.

We hope to see you there!