Interview with Robert Dempsey of Rails For All

Visionary: Robert Dempsey

Interviewed by: Julie Cameron on 03/18/2007 by Email

Summary

For my Job Search Strategies course at Michigan State University, I was asked to conduct an informational interview with someone in my field of interest. I chose to interview Robert Dempsey, Project Director of Atlantic Dominion Solutions – a Ruby on Rails website and application development firm, and Founder and Director of Rails For All – a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Ruby on Rails to developers and businesses. Robert’s posts in the Freelancers on Rails Google Group on the ups and downs of freelancing vs. working for a company were what originally caught my attention as they really helped me to think about my own career plans and goals. His history and experience made him a perfect candidate to gain perspective and insight on my field of interest, web development. – Julie Cameron

Interview

1. How did you get into web development, and more specifically, Ruby on Rails? Did you have any university training or were you more self-taught?

Soon after I started ADS in 2000, I taught myself PHP. A developer friend of mine told me to check out VB.NET, which I quickly picked up. Then, about a year and a half ago, someone in one of my classes at Rollins told me to check out Ruby on Rails. I did and was immediately intrigued. I dived in head first, and changed the direction of ADS from a PHP/VB.NET shop into a Rails development firm. My education in Rails has come from buying every book on the topic, watching screencasts, and working with other developers. Working with others, in my opinion, is the biggest aid in my development. Thus far, I do not believe that Ruby or Ruby on Rails is taught in a University, and I also see a lack of newer web frameworks being taught as well. Ruby on Rails is truly coming into its own and quickly gaining in popularity, so I hope to see it in some curriculum. Until then, we have Rails For All (http://www.railsforall.org).

2. What kind of jobs did you have before starting up your own web firm and how did they help prepare you for this work?

ADS began as an IT services firm. I obtained numerous Microsoft certifications, and learned a bit about Linux as well. I have not had a full-time programming job outside of ADS, so learning on my own and trial-by-fire (not always the best for all but it worked for me) gave me real world experience. Owning my own business and being a project manager for numerous companies gave me experience in working with clients, and more importantly, managing client expectations.

3. What part of your job is the most interesting or rewarding and which is the most challenging or difficult? What motivates you to continue in spite of these difficulties?

The most interesting and the most challenging part of business is managing clients. As clients and the work they bring enable a business to continue, I continue to learn. A business owner must continually improve their communication skills.

4. From your personal experience in this field, what attributes do you think are essential for success?

Being an effective communicator is, in my opinion, the single most important attribute essential for success. Along with that comes knowing your strengths and more importantly your weaknesses, and team and time management. You can pay people to do the rest.

License: Creative commons license

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