Mentorship and Problem-Solving in Real Time
During my time as a contractor or “Mentor” for HackHands—a platform later acquired by Pluralsight—I experienced firsthand the power of on-demand technical support. HackHands offered a web application where users could either seek help or serve as experts, leveraging their skills to assist others in real-time. It was a unique and innovative approach to bridging skill gaps, particularly for developers facing immediate challenges.
The platform’s structure was simple yet impactful. Mentors were paid by the minute for their expertise, and many of the issues I encountered were straightforward hurdles: debugging code, understanding best practices, or implementing a feature. Often, these problems were ones a more seasoned developer could solve quickly but posed significant roadblocks for someone working in isolation—whether in school, a small team, or a startup environment. In this way, HackHands felt like a lifeline for developers who needed expert guidance but didn’t have access to it locally.
One of the aspects I particularly appreciated was the mutual feedback system, similar to Uber’s model. Both mentors and mentees could leave reviews, fostering a positive and respectful community culture. This reciprocal evaluation helped maintain high-quality interactions and ensured both sides benefited from the experience.
The Pluralsight Acquisition
When HackHands was acquired by Pluralsight, the focus shifted towards broader collaborative learning experiences within the Pluralsight ecosystem. The emphasis moved from one-on-one support to offerings like skill assessments, curated learning paths, and expert-led courses covering today’s most in-demand technologies. While these are undoubtedly valuable resources, the sunset of HackHands marked the end of a unique platform tailored for immediate, personalized problem-solving.
HackHands + Pluralsight
The decision to sunset HackHands.com was made to focus on the future of collaborative learning inside the Pluralsight ecosystem. Take your career to new heights with experiences like assessments, paths and expert-led content on today’s most in-demand technologies.
For me, HackHands was more than just a side gig that provided reasonable supplementary income. It was an opportunity to connect with developers from around the world, share knowledge, and collectively overcome challenges. These interactions created a sense of global community that far outweighed any monetary benefit. Solving problems together and witnessing the “aha” moments of mentees was deeply rewarding.
A Legacy Remembered
Looking back, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss that HackHands didn’t leave more visible remnants in the tech landscape. It was a platform that perfectly balanced financial opportunity with the intrinsic rewards of teaching and collaboration. The connections I built and the problem-solving experiences I shared will always stand out as a meaningful chapter in my career.
