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drew
drew

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Looping Back(to Web Development)

First I just want to say thank you.

Recently I've had a great interaction with someone on one of the social media platforms I frequent, that led them to become my mentor. Sort of like a Jedi of coding, if you will, taking on a young(old) padawan :D

We've had two video chats so far (he's in another country) but he's taken time out of his busy schedule with work, family, life, to give me time. To help guide and teach me as I head towards a career as a dev, and I just wanted to give him a hearty thank you for all the advice and mainly just for giving your time. I won't let you down.

I also want to say thanks to another guy I've talked to on twitter a bunch. I'm not sure if he reads my posts, but he's answered a ton of questions I've had in the past, and continues to offer me support when I need it.

Which brings me to the title. I call it looping back because When I first started learning to code, I did what every person trying to learn how to code does. I jumped on Udemy. (I'm kidding, but seriously) I went for web development like probably 2958395835.3333 other people. Rounded to the nearest decimal point.

The point is, after having tried a few languages and frame works (and a lot of thinking and several good conversations) I realized my interests still lie in more of the visual aspects, although (obviously) having knowledge of backend won't hurt either.

So with that in mind, I picked up the web development basics again, and added React.

If you've been reading my posts, you know I was laid off a few weeks (I think?) ago. I decided a few days ago to spend 4 - 8 hours studying each day. It's not a hard number, obviously depending on what I have going on that day, but with all this free time in between family time and job applications I have a ton of spare time that I feel it would be a travesty to waste doing things that won't get me to the career I want. someone said that you can do anything you want, have anything you want, as long as you're willing to pay the price. For me, the price is time, and I'll gladly pay it.

The plan Part 1: Finish two courses
The courses:
Andrew Mead's Modern JavaScript Bootcamp
30% Complete
Andrew Mead's The Complete React Developer Course (w/ Hooks and Redux)
5% Complete
The plan Part 2: Build Small Projects
I don't have a hard list of things to build yet. I'm doing a couple apps in the javascript boot camp that I'll most likely try to convert to react when I'm finished.

The main point will though, will be to have an "end" point to the initial tutorials, and build stuff. That way instead of hopping from course to course, learning material to learning material, I will start using the skills I gain in order to solidify them and build solid portfolio projects that I can speak to.

Obviously both of these courses are project based, and have more than a few projects in them to sharpen the skills/learn how to put projects together.

I know I haven't posted much recently, so I'll go back to trying to post something maybe once a week as an update. Thanks for reading.

Top comments (5)

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mmaitoza profile image
Michael Maitoza

This was a great post! I got two main things out of it as I was read (although I'm sure there are more):

  1. You have taken a difficult situation and turned it around.
  2. You are a diligent worker who thrives on working according to the plans you have laid out.

This is what I like about you. You are persistent and diligent. Two qualities that are most certainly going to get you places in the world of development. Don't let the current situations around you let you down, but keep pushing forward towards your goals. I can't be of much service in the way of coding experience, but perhaps I could give you some encouragement from time to time. Keep on chugging along man.

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andevr profile image
drew

Thank you Michael. I know you have gone through some struggles as well, but you keep plugging away. You've really been someone I look up to for that.

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mmaitoza profile image
Michael Maitoza

I'm having a rough go of it, but I have a positive mental attitude and I feel that makes all the difference. Also finding my niche in development has been a game changer. If you have the chance look up websolutionsforchurches.dev

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jamesrweb profile image
James Robb • Edited

Sounds like things are picking up momentum slowly but surely which can only be a good thing 🔥!

Gary Vaynerchuk telling you to stop focussing on dumb shit and just keep moving

Keep it up man! 🚂

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andevr profile image
drew

GaryVee! love it!