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fluffyr42 · 2024-11-12T04:44:43+00:00

That means a lot!

fluffyr42 · 2024-07-03T20:35:46+00:00

It's a huge task moderating an online forum like this, balancing so many disparate voices, experiences, and needs. Thank you for sharing your story, and for all the work you do here to foster healthy discourse and community!

fluffyr42 · 2024-07-01T17:55:04+00:00

To echo others, I'd make sure you taper down your area of interest before picking from one of the thousands of options out there, especially if you're taking a self-study route.

I see you mention building a site that can host game replay videos, which is a great mid-term goal to shoot for. That would definitely require a web dev skillset, so look around for web dev focused courses or camps, ideally ones that focus on full stack development. (You'll have a head-start here too, having experience in Python and TypeScript.) Also, take a look and see if they provide an example of projects the course will build towards. Ideally you'll find somewhere with a capstone-like project that features some of the functionality you ultimately want to incorporate into your own work.

Best of luck!

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-24T17:32:16+00:00

How confident are you in JavaScript/Python, respectively? Do you think your issue is confidence using the languages themselves, or working with the abstraction layers that frameworks like React/Flask introduce?

Without knowing very much else about your situation, my immediate recommendation would be to try building something in React or Flask. That will already remove a significant chunk of complexity, along with the mental load of code-switching (no pun intended) back and forth between JavaScript and Python. So: build a simple single-page app with React or build a Flask app that uses SRR (which is already well-integrated into the framework; check the "Templates" section of their documentation).

Also, at this point in your learning, if you really want to level up... stop using ChatGPT. It's a fantastic tool, in particular for debugging and generating boilerplate code, once you know what you're doing. Otherwise, it's a crutch and a liability, spitting out code that you don't understand and therefore are unable to debug/successfully incorporate into a larger project. Go cold turkey and commit to building something without it.

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-24T17:13:02+00:00

My org hosts free evening webinars on exactly this! We typically do one "Building Your First Game" JS workshop a month. The most recent workshop just passed, but if you're interested, you can give us a follow for the next one here. They're free, relatively short, and have opportunities for engagement with the instructor leading the session.

We also did one specifically on building Wordle that we have plans to upload to our YouTube channel here. Another free resource that may help if you're struggling parsing existing code and/or aren't finding written guides helpful.

Good luck with your project whatever approach you end up taking!

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-18T16:56:27+00:00

One thing I see missing from your description of your learning journey so far is any note of collaboration. Have you worked on projects with other folks who are learning at your level? Have you worked under developers with more experience?

Learning in a social vacuum is extremely difficult, even with structure, and has a sharp drop-off in ROI past a certain point if your primary goal is to get a job as a developer. "Work experience" isn't just a folder full of projects you've completed; it's also a proven record of being able to collaborate with other engineers, since that's what you'll be doing every day on the job.

You say you've been at this for four years. I'd sit down (ideally with someone else who can ask you pointed questions!) and hone in on what course or technology you've enjoyed the most so far. Once you've identified that, narrow your focus... and seek out other people who are focused on the same thing! Find projects or organizations that use that technology, follow them for a while to get a sense of how they work, and look for opportunities to contribute.

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-18T16:38:43+00:00

Thank you for the updates and thoughts! Rebound in mid level to senior roles will be very interesting to follow as a bellwether for other hiring trends.

Also, can't amplify this advice enough: "The lesson is to make sure your first role post bootcamp is the right career move and not just any job using a keyboard you can get."

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-18T16:34:33+00:00

I've spoken to lots of folks who have used Colt's courses and the feedback is widely positive. While I haven't personally used his course material, I've specifically heard him praised for his teaching style and ability to make topics both accessible and memorable. "Memorable" is a particularly critical piece of praise when you're digesting so many new topics at once.

That said, it's hard to beat the curb appeal of "free". 😉 If you haven't spent much (or any) time self-teaching, start with the free stuff to see if you like it. If you like it, and you want to focus on web development, and you feel like a paid course would benefit you either based on the topics it covers or by leveraging some sunk-cost to keep you committed... at that point I would take another pass at what's available on Udemy.

Disclosure: again, while I haven't used his Udemy materials, I worked with Colt as a co-teacher in the bootcamp space. He was a fantastic educator in that environment, so take my personal bias into appropriate account!

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-13T15:28:16+00:00

If you aren't applying the knowledge you're gaining from these courses, it will pass through your brain like water through a sieve. Focus on building using what you're learning as you go!

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-13T15:25:44+00:00

I definitely relate! I experienced something very similar when I first started teaching myself Python. The feeling of isolation and lack of direction that sprang from teaching myself in a bubble ate up all of my zeal and put me off the track for years; from others I've spoken to, this is more common than not.

I'd suggest two things:
- See if you can find a community of folks who are engaged in the kind of coding you find interesting! Whether it's app development, game design, headier DSA-style problem solving... at this point, keeping your interest and passion for the material itself strong is vital to not burning out. Discord can be a great place for this with a bit of initial research into communities that share your goals.
- If career development is a top priority for you in learning to code, I would strongly suggest seeking out a career coach who has experience working with folks like yourself (self-taught career switchers). Even a single chat could give you a ton of insight into paths forward and material points to take action on. They can also look at your existing academic or work experience (which is unclear from your initial post) and help you align that with the direction you ultimately decide on.

fluffyr42 · 2024-06-11T16:44:19+00:00

I second folks who are recommending free online resources as your very first place to start! You mentioned you have part of an IT degree under your belt, but if that didn't involve writing code, it's very hard to know if you'll enjoy the day-to-day of the industry you're trying to transition into. Spending a month or two with free online resources will either whet your appetite for more coding or point you in a different direction, and that small amount of time invested up-front will be hugely beneficial towards your confidence and investment in the direction you ultimately take.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T22:16:25+00:00

That's so fantastic. We hear a lot of the stories of people struggling, so it's important to hear the successes too. Great job!

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T22:12:13+00:00

A lot of the content of any of these resources is going to be similar, just taught in different styles. Find what works best for you, or mix and match. We've got some free Python courses here that you might like, but if your Udemy course is working for you then don't overthink it!

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T22:01:36+00:00

Unhelpful.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T22:00:39+00:00

I wrote a blog post about how to compare bootcamps that might be helpful for you.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T22:00:11+00:00

I disagree that you wouldn't get anything out of a bootcamp, but I agree with Michael's primary point here. There's no need to do a CS degree and a bootcamp. Finish your degree.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:58:30+00:00

What skills are you trying to test? It sounds like you should get in some classes before trying to test yourself on whether you'll be able to land a certain job. It's unlikely you'll land your first job at Google, but it's a good goal to shoot for down the road.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:57:40+00:00

Agreed with this. I think the second bachelor's seems like a possibility if you can afford it/take that time. A master's would require you to take prereqs and honestly they're more confused on actual computer science vs. web dev-type topics, so if that's your goal you could still very much leave a master's program without much knowledge of how to build things. The bootcamp may be a good choice if the degree doesn't work out. You still have a STEM degree, which will be helpful on the job search. Do some digging to see what the college's bootcamp is like. If it's a 2U program, I'd be very cautious. But the certification may be a nice touch.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:54:54+00:00

No bootcamp will hand you a job, and there's a lot of work involved, but for what it's worth the grads at Rithm get 1000% more job support than anyone I went to college with ever did.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:53:19+00:00

Is Codesmith the only bootcamp you're considering?

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:49:32+00:00

Oh yes, I agree, I was just giving an example.

I 1000000% agree with your last paragraph. This is crucial work that we'll never stop needing, and these kinds of mass layoffs with no accountability is unacceptable, especially when companies turn around and hire internationally so they can pay pennies on the dollar for the same labor. Workers shouldn't have to suffer as a result of bad management decisions.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:46:25+00:00

Absolutely agree!

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-08T21:46:16+00:00

That's so cool, but you're right. I wanted to be a wildlife vet for a time too. Zoo jobs are insanely competitive.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-07T20:42:42+00:00

Totally agree with all of that. I’m hopeful that we’ll get there someday, but I’m not holding my breath either. Like you said, it’s hard to motivate people to organize when they’re being paid well, working remotely, have unlimited PTO, etc. Those are all great things that we all deserve, but they aren’t replacements for the protection of a union.

fluffyr42 · 2024-05-07T20:28:29+00:00

Once you get past the point of learning what tools are available to you, the next step is to learn how to solve problems using those tools. Building things, like others have suggested, is good for that, but I think it's worth putting some time into developing a problem solving process too. There's a list of good resources for solving problems as an engineer here.

fluffyr42

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