DonTheDeveloper Podcast

This is a heart-to-heart conversation with you about imposter syndrome - exposing all of my insecurities as a developer!---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I don't know if I'm having a content blocker or I'm burned out creating developer content, but I feel lost and overwhelmed with deciding what direction to take this channel in. I wanted to share that with you. Why? Not really sure yet.---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Colby, a previous student of General Assembly, reached out to me concerning an incident that happened at GA, which really concerns me. Even worse, it sounds like several potential negative reviews of that experience were legally silenced if the students wanted a full refund after the incident. Let's talk about it.Colby Jax (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jaxYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@ColbyJaxCodes---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Do you like backend web development more than frontend? Have you been lied to about how entry-level backend developer jobs don't exist? I brought on Lane, a backend developer with a ton of experience in the industry, to break down why you're most likely not landing your first backend developer job. If you really are striving to land a backend position, this episode is for you.Lane Wagner (guest):Backend course - https://boot.devPodcast - https://www.backendbanter.fmYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@bootdotdevTwitter - https://twitter.com/wagslane---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Struggling to find your place in the oversaturated software development job market? You're not alone. I brought on Nevin, an aspiring front-end developer, who shares his journey of navigating the tricky paths of job hunting. I'm hoping the advice I shared with him can help you as well.---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I brought on 3 Springboard graduates to share their honest thoughts about the software engineering program. If you're considering Springboard in 2023 or even 2024, watch this first.Eric Doering (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-doering-3989aa141Portfolio - https://ericdoering-portfolio-swart.vercel.appDanielle Aranda (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemarandaPaul Loguinov (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pashaloguinovPortfolio - https://www.pashaloguinov.com---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

After my last podcast episode with a mother trying to make it into tech, we ended up having a raw and open conversation about trying to become a developer in your 30s, habits, vulnerabilities, motivation, parenthood, and plenty of other things you may relate to if you're older and trying to become a developer.Jessica Goodin (guest):https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagoodinHere's the previous episode if you want to check that out:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdS03dEPamM---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Ever wonder how you can navigate the journey to becoming a developer, especially while juggling parenthood? Meet Jessa, a moderator in our community who is a stay-at-home mom with aspirations of entering the coding world. Amid diaper changes and feeds, Jessa talks about optimizing her precious time to learn coding efficiently, solidify foundational concepts, and the importance of projects that strengthen her learning. We also touch on the potential pitfall of recycling through courses to re-assess knowledge.This conversation takes an interesting path as we discuss how constraints fuel discipline, the role of mentors, and open communication with tutors. The reality of maneuvering motherhood while learning to code is no walk in the park, but Jessa's journey offers insights on keeping the momentum with the right motivation and discipline. We reflect on the positive impact her children have on her journey and how balancing her role as a mom and future developer is possible with the right mindset.Lastly, we explore coding bootcamps - are they worth it? We evaluate the cost, start dates, and time commitment required. In light of Jessa's upcoming second baby, we discuss her potential to keep coding and the possibility of enriching her portfolio through a bootcamp project. What keeps you motivated when learning something new? We explore this question, underscoring the importance of having a deeper drive beyond just motivation. So, whether you're a stay-at-home parent or anyone seeking to balance personal responsibilities while learning to code, this conversation offers valuable insights.Jessica Goodin (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagoodin---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I invited on 4 graduates from the coding bootcamp, BrainStation, to share their experiences with the program - good and bad. Enjoy!Sorry for the low quality. I used Riverside to record 3 episodes - all of which had audio or video issues. I ended up having the worst technical issues with this one but managed to salvage it.David Le (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-huynh-leAjay Singh (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/singhajayWebsite - https://www.ajaysingh.caNathalie Barreto (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliebarreto---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

The world of cloud development can be intimidating for newcomers. Yet, understanding this realm opens up numerous opportunities for career growth and advancement.Fayomi, a seasoned veteran of the cloud industry, guided us through the intricacies of cloud engineering, DevOps, and solutions architecture. The roles and responsibilities in these fields may vary, but paramount aspects such as cost optimization, scalability, and automation remain constant. Sharing his personal narrative of transitioning into this sphere, our guest provided valuable insights into what it takes to excel in these roles.One of the most emphasized points in our discussion was the significance of certification and hands-on project experience. The weightage of mastering a single cloud platform, be it AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, before moving on to others is paramount. Fayomi emphasized the importance of understanding employer expectations, articulating project experiences, and tackling interviews with confidence.When it comes to cloud specialization and certifications, there are clear differences between the various cloud providers. AWS is a market leader, Azure is often favored by enterprise clients, and Google Cloud tends to be more developer-friendly. The recommendation here is to focus on mastering one cloud platform, rather than trying to learn multiple ones. This focus, combined with hands-on projects, can demonstrate your experience and further your career.Transitioning from a software engineer to a cloud engineer requires not only technical skills but also a keen interest in problem-solving. It is crucial to enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the role and to understand that learning adjacent skills can make you more valuable in this industry. Additionally, business awareness and its relevance for software engineers were discussed.Lastly, we touched upon the importance of exploring and having curiosity when starting out in the cloud industry. From software engineering to customer account managers, the tech industry offers a variety of roles. Having a passion for the process is essential for success. The episode ended with resources and advice to help individuals get started in the cloud industry.In conclusion, cloud development is a vast and complex field. But with the right approach, tools, and mindset, it can be an exciting career path. If you want to know how to become a cloud engineer or even if you're just curious about what it's like to be one, this episode is for you.Fayomi Fashanu (guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayomi-fYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CloudCareerMentorFree Guide: https://app.cloudcareermentor.com/others-3-simple-steps-opt-inWebsite: https://www.cloudcareermentor.com---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I previously invited on 3 graduates of Nucamp to review the coding bootcamp. For this episode, I invited on Ludo, the CEO of Nucamp to share his thoughts on the review and provide some behind-the-scenes insight on things that were brought up during the review.The conversation evolved into debating about the best methods and strategies to teach aspiring developers, what should new developers actually prioritize, etc. If you're an aspiring web developer, there's a ton of advice and tips for you in this episode.Ludo Fourrage (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludovicfourrageWebsite - https://www.nucamp.co---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Curious about what a mock technical interview could look like for an aspiring JavaScript developer? I invited on Matt (with an extensive background interviewing junior developers and also prepping them for interviews) to conduct the interview with Brian who is aiming for his first software engineering job. Matt also shared tons of great feedback for Brian at the end that you may find relatable for your own interviews. Hopefully, this can give you a glimpse into a common type of interview you may encounter when trying to land your first job.Matt Oates (interviewer):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maoatesWebsite - https://coachmatt.ioYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPusfUgx-5dm1WDoTv_HRABrian Lam (interviewee):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lam-software-developer---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

In the current tech industry, the job market for developers is highly competitive. A potential solution to this saturation is internships, particularly free ones. However, this concept of free internships has always sparked a debate, with some perceiving it as an excellent opportunity for new developers to gain professional experience, while others see it as companies taking advantage of free labor. My latest podcast episode delves into the pros and cons of free internships for developers, shedding light on this intriguing topic.Free internships offer a chance for new developers to gain professional experience that can differentiate them in the job market. These internships provide an opportunity to receive feedback, learn good conventions, and understand the scrum and agile process, all of which are invaluable to a budding developer. The experience is not only beneficial for the company but is also instrumental in shaping the intern's career journey.However, the conversation does not end at the benefits. The episode also explores the dynamics of working in a professional setting. It focuses on the interactions between developers and other departments, emphasizing the importance of communication. Communication in a professional setting is vital in building trust and nurturing relationships.Moreover, the podcast episode provides insights on finding internships that align with your skillset and interests. It offers valuable advice on balancing the commitment of an internship with your other responsibilities.Despite the numerous benefits, free internships do have potential concerns. One of the significant concerns is the time investment. This aspect can be particularly challenging if you are working other jobs to make ends meet. Another concern is the question of how to value your skills as a developer rightfully.The podcast episode argues that the value of a developer is what people are willing to pay. If you're struggling to find paid opportunities, a free internship could boost your value. However, it emphasizes that you should be careful about the contract you sign and should continue applying for full-time roles during your internship.The podcast also suggests that while free internships can provide a pathway to full-time roles, it is essential to manage expectations. An internship should be seen primarily as a chance to gain professional experience. Everything else, such as a full-time role or professional recommendation letters, should be seen as a bonus.In conclusion, whether or not a free internship is the right step for you depends on your specific circumstances. If you are a new developer struggling to break into the job market, it might be worth considering. However, always ensure that you are getting the right kind of experience and mentorship, and that the internship is worth your time.---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Are you considering signing up for the coding bootcamp, App Academy in 2023? I invited on 3 graduates from the program to share their REAL experiences - no BS. Enjoy!Guests:Max Fong - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfong415Jason Greenberg - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-g-greenbergPatrick McKinney - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mckinney-97aab0245---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Are you considering signing up to the coding bootcamp, Nucamp? Our guests - recent graduates of Nucamp, candidly share their experiences, discussing the highs and lows, what works and what could be better. This conversation is packed with invaluable insights and advice. Listen in for a real, raw, and completely frank perspective on Nucamp.Zynkah (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zena-crepsTwitch - https://www.twitch.tv/zynkahFrancisco Aparicio (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-a-78ba8811aWebsite - https://www.franciscoaparicio.devMichael R (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjraymondWebsite - https://michaelraymond.dev---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I brought on Surya, the technical founder of Argonaut. In his experience, he's seen that user-centered developers are not just a bonus, but a necessity to create a successful product, and we dove deep into this part of the conversation to show you exactly why that is. You'll hear about how high ownership within a team can lead to a profound understanding of the domain, resulting in a ripple effect of expansion and growth.With his wealth of experience, Surya shared his most potent advice for new developers and provided a sneak peek into his hiring process. And for those job seekers, we discussed the importance of relevance and how contributing to open source could give you an edge. He shared a real-life success story of a hire made thanks to open-source contributions, highlighting the immense value of curiosity and problem-solving.This episode is perfect for brand-new developers wanting to know what can make them stand out when trying to land their first job, especially at a startup.Surya Oruganti (guest):Twitter - https://twitter.com/suryaorugantiLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suryaorugantiWebsite - https://www.argonaut.dev---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Do you find the journey of learning data structures and algorithms intimidating? It doesn't have to be! Matt, an experienced software engineer trainer, shared tons of great advice on how beginners can start to navigate through these types of challenges by breaking things down into more fundamental concepts.Matt also provided some great insights on identifying roadblocks you might hit while learning DSA and how to overcome them. We also discuss a list of must-know data structures and algorithms, strategies for mastering them, and the importance of understanding common technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and even Typescript.Matt Oates (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maoatesWebsite - https://coachmatt.ioYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPusfUgx-5dm1WDoTv_HRA---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Have you ever wondered what frontend portfolio project you should build to really stand out as a new developer? It's a question I get asked A LOT. The answer I gave might not be the one you're expecting, but it's one you need to hear.We also talked about how important networking is in the job search and also just as importantly, how unnatural and forced networking can feel for many aspiring developers. If you're looking for a way to "network" that doesn't pop up images of stuffy networking events in your mind, you need to listen to this podcast episode.De'Jour Ford (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dejourford---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

What's the secret to becoming a successful self-taught web developer? How can setting tangible goals and assessing educational options help you land your dream job? Join us as we discuss these crucial questions with our insightful guest who shares their own inspiring journey in the world of web development. Learn how taking ownership of your path, applying knowledge, and pushing through even when motivation is low can lead to significant progress in your career.Justin Alexander (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-alexander-27542522b---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I invited on a software engineer, Byron, who had fears that ChatGPT may take his job. Many professional and aspiring developers have feared this since ChatGPT gained popularity. The fears aren't unwarranted - many developers and content creators have had legitimate concerns for what they perceive as the "inevitable" as well.It seems that only time will tell. But, with the time that has passed thus far, giving Byron a chance to utilize ChatGPT in his current workflow and get a better feel for how his team would integrate this, his perspective has changed somewhat. In this podcast episode, he shared his practical use cases for it; how aspiring developers can benefit from it; and what the future might hold for AI and how that affects developers.Byron Injeeli (guest):Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-injeeliFree todo app he built - https://www.todoplus.app---------------------------------------------------🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper