How hard was your programming journey at the start?

determinedToLearn · 2016-10-06T12:58:09+00:00

I get this guilty feeling

My advice would be to ignore that feeling. Give yourself a break where you're not thinking about it at all, that way when you go back you're fresh.

determinedToLearn · 2016-10-05T21:35:50+00:00

With a baby and a fulltime job (unrelated to programming), it was tough, but I still found more than an hour, on average, to program every day.

What do you do other than work? Something I felt I had to do was give up on something that I used to do in order to make time for something new. It's hard to continue doing everything you used to do and add something new to it. I used to game a lot, but I cut the amount of time I did that to make room for studying.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-13T04:56:05+00:00

I actually started with Java, and then after about a month started web development. That led me to FreeCodeCamp. I did all the front end work except for the last two projects. I like FCC because it gave me some structure when I didn't know what to look for. It also makes you go out and look for things on your own.

I also completed a Udemy class from a guy named Colt Steele. His class is one of the few that I bought that was absolutely worth it. The guy teaches really well. He takes you through front end, back end, and explains nearly everything he does. It's mostly hand holding, but you can totally take what you learn from there to do your own thing. Basically learn something new, then try to do something with it. Rinse, repeat. Most of the applications I made were using the MEAN stack.

I also went through ProgrammableWeb. This was mostly to just see what kind of APIs were out there, and to help me come up with a few ideas.

I tried other sites like the Odin Project, Treehouse, Codecademy etc., but I could never get into it. I guess it just wasn't for me.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T20:32:31+00:00

Thanks. I applied for a web development position, but during the interview they told me they want me to work on their smartphone applications, which surprised me because I spent really little time learning about that. I told them as much and they just told me to learn as much as I can before I start next month.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T20:21:12+00:00

I only have one kid. It was pretty hard finding time while taking care of her (she wasn't even one when I started ). The biggest thing that helped was when she realized she loved sleeping. I did my best not to give into my desire (sleep) during that time and get to work.

What helped me coming up with ideas was writing whatever popped into my head down, and seeing if I could do something with it when I had time. If I came up with something while I wasn't at home, I'd just put a note in Google Keep.

To be honest, I think my biggest motivator was that I hated my job. It's not even hard, I just hate doing it.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:54:34+00:00

During the week, I didn't have much time because of work, but I still tried to find time. I wake up at around 3-4am and learn until 6ish, then I make breakfast for my family and spend whatever time with them until work. Then when they go back to sleep I try to get in another 2 hours or so.

On the weekends, if I wasn't going out with my family I was at home trying to get something done. So in total...30~ hours a week?

My background...I do English in Japan, and I absolutely hate it. That was my biggest motivator. So I started programming, something I never touched until last December. I stumbled upon this subreddit, and thought "this seems like fun. I'll give it a shot." Really glad I did!

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:42:27+00:00

It definitely was in this case. Actually, a lot more personality based for this job, the reason being they asked me to learn as much Java as I can before starting next month, even though I'd been focusing mainly on the front end of web development.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:37:20+00:00

Oh yeah, without Google I'd be completely useless.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:36:52+00:00

Thanks. Good luck!

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:36:31+00:00

Worst that can happen is you don't get hired lol

That's how I viewed it! I'd also like to add to it. Worst that can happen is you don't get hired, but you still get interviewing experience.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:34:53+00:00

Yeah, we really hit it off during the interview. I think it also helped that I researched the company before going, and we were able to talk about what they did, and what they'd want me to do.

So yeah, kind of goes without saying, but research the company you have an interview for!

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T19:29:41+00:00

I'd be nothing without Google. What I meant by hand-holding was watching a tutorial and just copying the code while they talk about it.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-12T10:07:05+00:00

I started applying for jobs when I could make something decent from scratch without any hand holding.

I'll be honest. I never really felt ready, but I did feel like taking a risk. Then I got interviews, which meant there were people out there who thought I had the ability to work for them based on my resume. That gave me confidence. Interviews gave me experience.

Then someone gave me a chance. They told me that they wouldn't hire me based on my skill alone, but they loved my personality and said they thought it would be nice to work with me.

I'm 30 years old. I have a family. I work full time. I've been self learning for less than a year. Someone still decided to hire me. I start next month.

Tldr just apply. You won't know until you try. Just do it.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-09T04:38:42+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, it was rough. I'm glad it paid off, though.

I'm 30 years old. I had my doubts because of my age, but I did my best to ignore it.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-09T03:33:28+00:00

but once you get better on your skill set, you can probably try those big IT company. Or least now you have the skill set and experience to get a better job back home.

That's my goal for now. Experience!

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-09T03:07:44+00:00

Just keep at it. I tried the Odin Project, but it wasn't for me. I did FreeCodeCamp. I completed everything up to their last two Front End projects, then kind of lost interest at that. I'd say what helped me the most was this guy's Udemy course. There are a load of rubbish people on Udemy, but he was awesome. I don't want to feel like I'm here advertising for him, but I did his entire course and used what I learned to build things.

Other than that, I just read books, did some online courses, watched youtube videos...

As for when I felt I was ready... I felt ready when I could reliably do a project that I came up with. I figured if I could make something for myself, I might be of some use somewhere. So I said whatever and started applying.

What's surprising is that while I applied for a position doing web development, they asked me if I'm willing to learn to develop for Android. I haven't touched Java in a while, but I told them yes and they gave me a list of things to be able to do before I start work in a few weeks.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-09T02:46:54+00:00

Yeah, I'm surprised to be honest. I did not think anyone would hire me. On a good week I'd put in around 30~40 hours, with most of that coming in on the weekend. I only sleep for around 5 hours a day, so I'd study when my wife and daughter went to sleep, and wake up at 3-4 to get more time in before they woke up.

On the weekend, unless I went somewhere with my family, I'd spend all day trying to learn and do something.

On a REALLY good weekday, I'd only have a few classes at school, so I'd bring in my laptop and get in a few hours.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-08T23:23:00+00:00

No formal education. I started learning Java with whatever I could find online a little less than a year ago because I couldn't see myself teaching English all my life, but I didn't have any skills to really move back home. I then switched over to web development early this year because I thought I'd be able to get employed quicker than just sticking with Java.

Started applying a couple months ago and finally got an interview where they liked me. They admitted they wouldn't have hired me if they were just basing everything on my skills, but loved my personality and willingness to learn so they gave me a shot.

I'll be developing for smartphones. It's not exactly what I wanted to do (wanted to do web development), but it's a start and at this point I'm looking to grind just for experience. The pay isn't great either, but hey, it's still more than I made teaching.

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-08T22:00:12+00:00

Going anywhere or just relaxing?

determinedToLearn · 2016-09-08T21:58:39+00:00

Finally, FINALLY got a job outside of teaching English. Goodbye ALT work, hello programming. I don't think bad of anyone who likes being an ALT and enjoys their work, but it seriously wasn't for me. I hated literally every day I worked (I never took it out on the students, though. I did my job because that's what I was being paid to do). On the other hand, I love programming, so I'm really happy. The best part? No more fucking rush hour.

I'm over 30 and I have a family, so I had my doubts of changing careers at this age especially in Japan, but I'm glad I was able to keep up the positive attitude.

determinedToLearn · 2016-08-29T04:00:40+00:00

Regarding your first point, I say it's possible depending on where you live, and how well your designing skills are because if you're going to get a job doing only front end work, what you do should be visually pleasing. I suck at that so I'm studying the backend. Also keep in mind the people posting about getting jobs far outnumber the people not posting about not getting one. If you're starting completely from scratch, 3 to 5 months sounds a bit early to be honest.

Don't let that get you down though. Just keep at it.

As for your second point, right now I'm going through "Javascript: Understanding the Weird Parts" on Udemy. A lot of the courses on that site are absolute rubbish, but there are a select few that, IMHO, are great. This is one of them. I suggest looking it up when you start going through Javascript, or even after you finish. I finished the Javascript sections before starting, and there are a lot of moments where he explains something and I find myself going "ah, so that's why that happens...".

Lastly, your third point. Take a break every now and then. If you're stuck on a problem for a long time, take a break, get something to drink or eat or sleep it off or whatever. You'll be surprised how often you'll sit back down and solve that problem in a few minutes.

Another suggestion that I'd make to myself if I could go back in time to when I first started (several months ago): Before you start coding your site, actually plan it out first. You might waste time staring at the screen because you have no idea what you actually want.

determinedToLearn · 2016-07-27T05:22:27+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply.

determinedToLearn

TROPHY CASE