Cracking the code with Jared Valdron
Third-year Integrated Science student and New Brunswick native Jared Valdron was recently named one of Youth in Motion's 'Top 20 Under 20' thanks to his innovative hiring agency, Careers in Code.
The handshake was firm. The questions were well-answered. So why didn’t I get the job?
Jared Valdron, a third-year student in the University’s Integrated Science Program, wants to make sure no computer programmer is left wondering what happened during the interview.
Valdron was recently named one of Youth In Motion’s “Top 20 Under 20” thanks to his innovative startup company, Careers in Code — a unique hiring agency that strives to eliminate discrimination from the hiring process.
The award celebrates the innovation, leadership and achievement of remarkable Canadian youth from coast to coast, including those involved in athletics, the arts, business and entrepreneurial endeavours.
“It feels great to be recognized,” says Valdron, who received word of the award during the spring exam period. “It helped me get through my final exams with an added boost of confidence.”
Valdron, who hails from the small town of Riverview, NB, says his overall goal with Careers in Code is to recruit the best programmers available, regardless of ethnicity, and help connect them with potential employers. To date, he’s been able to secure more than 20 jobs for highly-skilled coders, thanks to a five-stage hiring process that involves a code test and in-depth interviews. Once the testing is complete, participating employers can simply cherry pick from the best-of-the-best.
“The code test is really cut and dry, and it’s completely objective,” he explains. “We’re really working with the top 2 per cent of programmers available.” Many of those talented coders are straight out of university, and looking to break into the industry beyond an entry-level position, he says.
This summer, Valdron is spending his time in a research lab at Harvard University, examining a number of different factors that influence hiring decisions. Everything from skin colour to eye colour can impact on a potential employer’s decision, he explains. For the latter, Valdron is researching how some employers can unconsciously associate brown eyes with a more “dominating” persona, making those with darker irises likely to make a bold impression during interviews.
“I’m basically in research and development mode down at Harvard. I really like looking into what kinds of things can impact hiring decisions,” he says. “The iSci Program at McMaster is one of the best, in terms of preparing someone to do advanced research. Being in the program has contributed a lot to my research success.”
Valdron and the other 19 winners were recently profiled in the Globe and Mail.
