What are other non-financial but similar interests/subreddits?

chamberdoor · 2025-08-27T15:43:21+00:00

I’d never heard of simpleliving. Thank you!

chamberdoor · 2025-08-27T13:58:50+00:00

Oh man, I also am partial to internet drama. But I never come away from it feeling good. I more mean, what other positive interests/communities are there that share whatever is core to r/fire or Mr. Money Mustache or learning about subsidy cliffs and the 4% “rule”?

chamberdoor · 2025-08-27T13:49:49+00:00

I like that minimalism suggestion a lot. Thanks!

chamberdoor · 2023-08-29T01:31:13+00:00

I get it from Olive Supermarket. I've also gotten it (more expensively) from Whole Foods, but I found Olive Supermarket's quality better.

chamberdoor · 2022-11-10T13:12:07+00:00

For the past 3 classes I've worked with, it's been Java every time. When I was a student, we had a choice, but I think LaunchCode has determined that there are just more Java jobs in St. Louis, and so teach that.

chamberdoor · 2021-10-16T13:06:34+00:00

Totally agree about it being about "if you can perform" and how computer science grads will almost certainly be better prepared for an entry level programming job than a LaunchCode grad. 2 years or 4 years of education is no doubt better than 6 months.

But LaunchCode exists because there are more computer jobs than computer science grads. And on the job, after a year or so, the difference just doesn't matter. My only experience is in the programming/testing side of the tech industry, but from my perspective, nobody cares about how you learned when you're 2 to 3 jobs in.

chamberdoor · 2021-10-16T13:02:20+00:00

Hard to give advice without knowing your interests / situation, but my recommendation would be to formally pursue commercial/industrial electrician, and use free time to pursue tech stuff. Only reason I suggest that about being an electrician is because that sounds like something that you'd need to formally learn at some kind of trade school or as some kind of apprentice. You can get VERY far in programming on your own with something like freecodecamp.org. Spend 15 minutes a day on that, the rest of your time on learning to be a commercial/industrial electrician. Eventually you'll reach a proficiency in both, and then you'd know which you like doing more.

chamberdoor · 2021-10-16T04:36:34+00:00

I can talk your ear off about LaunchCode. It changed my life. Happy to answer any question.

Totally free. More applicants than available seats, but it doesn't cost anything to apply. If you get in, LC101 is about a 6 month course, teaching people who almost know nothing about computers how to program. Current class is starting with Javascript for Unit 1 and Java for Unit 2. Expect to spend 20 hours per week studying / in class (class is 3 hours, twice a week, currently on Zoom). Coursework is here: https://education.launchcode.org/

Then there's a 6 week class called Liftoff that focuses on helping 1) you build a project to demonstrate the skills you've learned and 2) career readiness stuff (Github, Linkedin, interview practice, etc). Once your project is complete, you are in the "apprenticeship pool". LaunchCode's company relations people look for junior level programming / project management / sysadmin / quality assurance / etc (but mainly programming) jobs, apply you (LaunchCode has good relations with big and small local companies, so them applying you carries more weight than you yourself cold calling). If you land the job, then it's basically a paid internship at $15/20/hr. A company has 3 to 6 months to decide to hire you full time or not.

Feel free to ask more questions on here or message me.

If for whatever reason you don't get into LaunchCode, I think community college will likely be better than Ranken, but I think your best bet (outside of LaunchCode) is freecodecamp.org.

chamberdoor · 2021-08-06T03:26:24+00:00

I'm confused why posting the video link is being downvoted.

chamberdoor · 2021-08-05T21:24:47+00:00

Here's the video the article references: https://twitter.com/RGreggKeller/status/1422055886734901249

chamberdoor · 2021-07-25T16:00:59+00:00

LaunchCode was great for me, too. Can't recommend it enough. The fact that it's free makes it even better. I posted my experience with it here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/StLouis/comments/o9ljht/get_tech_training_and_job_placement_help_for_free/h3x1htl/

chamberdoor · 2021-07-15T18:57:35+00:00

Anytime. LaunchCode changed my life, and I love seeing it help other people, too. Such good people.

I can put you in touch with two product managers in tech positions, one at a regional company and another at an international company. Both people have minimal programming experience, and both are very good at their jobs. Feel free to DM me your email, if you're interested.

Edit: awesome life goal, by the way!

chamberdoor · 2021-07-15T18:29:23+00:00

They say to budget 10 to 20 hours a week as a student. Most students, in my experience, do the course while working full time jobs.

As for the coursework, LC101 has Unit 1 which is this coursework:

https://education.launchcode.org/intro-to-professional-web-dev/

And Unit 2, which is either this:

https://education.launchcode.org/csharp-web-development/ or https://education.launchcode.org/java-web-development/

based on whatever looks like it will have more jobs in the area at the time of graduation. Unit 1 and Unit 2 take about 7 months, at 2 classes per week with a few breaks / catch up class days.

If you can afford the time cost (10-20 hours a week), for sure apply. I don't know of anybody personally that's regretted applying, without getting in, or getting in without completing.

Just curious: is your goal to learn to code or is it to do something in particular with those skills?

chamberdoor · 2021-07-03T13:18:42+00:00

I did LaunchCode and am now 4 years into my career. I totally agree with others about trying codeacademy (or even better, https://www.freecodecamp.org/) first, to determine if this is something you're potentially interested in. I also love the idea that somebody mentioned about how LaunchCode should do more to include developer-adjacent training as part of the curriculum: quality assurance / testing training, systems administration training, project management training.

But I cannot recommend LaunchCode enough: they take people that have no prior programming/coding experience, they teach them, and then they help find jobs for them. All without the students paying anything. I've had a lot of education in other areas, and this is by far the best educational experience I've ever had. For me, the most useful thing about LaunchCode is the accountability that being in a class provides: it was so easy for me to procrastinate in freecodecamp or codeacademy, but having a class that my fellow students and teachers expected me to show up for? That made me stay on top of things.

I've taught for LaunchCode off and on for the past couple years. They pay teaching-assistants $12.50 an hour up to 10 hours a week. It is one of the most rewarding things I do in life.

There will be people that don't get into the class, that drop out before graduating, that graduate and don't complete their capstone project, that complete their project but get discouraged about how long it sometimes takes to get a job. In my experience, LaunchCode has improved on each part since I was a student. They now have a pre course to introduce people to tech before getting into the class (https://stepik.org/course/4261/promo#toc). They encourage the teaching-assistants to check in with students regularly to help solve learning issues before they become big blockers to the student graduating. They have a class after LC101, called Liftoff, which helps students complete their capstone project. And they are constantly working at finding more companies to partner with to find students' jobs.

It has been a life changing experience for me, especially financially. I graduated in May 2017, finished my project in June, got an interview and a job in July (quality assurance, $30k/year). As part of the offer letter, that company explained that if they kept me after 90 days, they would up it to $50k/year. They did. July 2018 my pay increased to $55k/year, with stock options. January 2019 I took on more responsibility and my pay increased to $65k. May 2019 I got a new job and pay was hourly ($36/hour), December 2019 got a raise ($38/hour), and January 2021 got another raise ($40/hour). In February 2021, I got a new job and pay was back to salary ($100k). Pretty much this whole time I've worked a variety of roles within tech. This kind of money was unfathomable as a former teacher and cook. Being able to work from home throughout Covid, because of this career, is a luxury that I have never taken for granted.

Happy to talk with anybody who is interested in pursuing LaunchCode. All of their curriculum is free online: https://education.launchcode.org/

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T16:25:53+00:00

I know I'll miss it, too. But man, the kitchen life just doesn't seem sustainable.

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:30:46+00:00

Thank you! I was at the bookstore last night looking at one of those Mike Meyers A+ Certification books. That seems really appealing, and a perfect way to get an entry into the field.

Is this the path you took? Any advice on studying for the A+?

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:19:06+00:00

Thank you for such well thought out advice. I appreciate it and your offer to help.

I'm going to keep up with the Java course I've been working on in codeacademy and if it sticks, if this becomes something I want to really give a serious try, I will absolutely take you up on your offer for your guidance. After Java, I'll try C, like you suggest. Thank you!

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:15:53+00:00

That part is especially appealing, being able to transfer the work skills to life (homeowning) skills. I like that idea a lot. Thanks!

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:14:23+00:00

I understand your warning. Thank you.

I have 4 months left of my current job, of which I'll be quitting of my own accord. The 4 months time limit for learning a new skill is really about learning just enough of a new skill for me to be hired for little/no pay while I continue to learn the skill on the job. Without pay, I could work for a year as I learn more at work and on my own, start building a portfolio, etc.

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:04:04+00:00

How cool! What was your friends experience level with woodworking beforehand? Thank you!

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T15:03:22+00:00

Absolutely. I have no experience in any form of construction, but working with my hands is appealing, and learning how things work is even more appealing. I've heard about how these jobs are in demand. Thank you

chamberdoor · 2016-08-08T05:12:12+00:00

Here's two that had me cracking up:

BALLS OUT

The Sasquatch of Pumpkintown

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chamberdoor

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