I would be curious to know opinions about the purely self-taught developer seeking a junior role.
The discussion mostly appears to be framed around the university graduate vs. the bootcamp graduate, but there are also those who come from the rigorous path of "self-taught." (Self-taught in quotes due to points made below around community)
About 10 months ago now, I first began learning web development through resources like Udemy, YouTube, independent courses and content, as well as Googling and reading lots of docs. I feel the biggest struggle I've faced is finding and maintaining a steady direction (creating my own curriculum equivalent) of which I have been given the most insight and feedback from an online community of devs I am very active in. This has been absolutely indispensable for my growth.
From this perspective, I find that the community is the biggest shared and defining factor, whether it be college, bootcamp, or completely self-starting - there is a need for access and engagement with other developers who are able to provide feedback and mentor-ship, whether on an individual basis or as a collective.
These are the things I see as the differences from my path and both those of college and bootcamp graduates:
I have to constantly seek growth, knowledge, and feedback from peers of my own volition because I am not provided access to the environment and resources through an institution or independent program. I feel as though it is a real skill in its own right. I'm sure there are folks some of you work with who you wish would ask for or receive criticism better or didn't have to be pushed to take initiative.
I cannot provide a reference that implicates what should be expected of me based on the timeline of that reference . A university graduate has blatantly had more time and exposure in order to receive a 4 year degree, with a trajectory that assumes they have certain knowledge and skills at the end. A bootcamp graduate, although I get the impression most span from 4 weeks to 3 months, also has some implication of what they should know by graduation.
I am confident I am just as competent as any bootcamp or college grad, but likely a little "rougher around the edges" or less "specialized" due to having to create my own focus and exploratory trajectory. More importantly, I believe I have developed the kinds of soft skills that only come from experience - self discipline, seeking and receiving constructive feedback, learning how to communicate issues/concerns effectively, taking initiative.
With my wall of text having been said :] I would love to hear what others think about someone coming from this position.
edit - minor grammatical fixes
It's harder to talk about self-taught, bc when they decide to start applying varies for everyone. Depending on how they were self-taught, they might be way ahead of a bootcamp grad or way behind. However, most of the self-taught devs I know have been really amazing and knowledgeable. They've been able to teach themselves bc of their drive. But for me, I think the categories fall more into traditional (CS) and non-traditional (anyone who applies based on their portfolio).
I would be curious to know opinions about the purely self-taught developer seeking a junior role.
The discussion mostly appears to be framed around the university graduate vs. the bootcamp graduate, but there are also those who come from the rigorous path of "self-taught." (Self-taught in quotes due to points made below around community)
About 10 months ago now, I first began learning web development through resources like Udemy, YouTube, independent courses and content, as well as Googling and reading lots of docs. I feel the biggest struggle I've faced is finding and maintaining a steady direction (creating my own curriculum equivalent) of which I have been given the most insight and feedback from an online community of devs I am very active in. This has been absolutely indispensable for my growth.
From this perspective, I find that the community is the biggest shared and defining factor, whether it be college, bootcamp, or completely self-starting - there is a need for access and engagement with other developers who are able to provide feedback and mentor-ship, whether on an individual basis or as a collective.
These are the things I see as the differences from my path and both those of college and bootcamp graduates:
I have to constantly seek growth, knowledge, and feedback from peers of my own volition because I am not provided access to the environment and resources through an institution or independent program. I feel as though it is a real skill in its own right. I'm sure there are folks some of you work with who you wish would ask for or receive criticism better or didn't have to be pushed to take initiative.
I cannot provide a reference that implicates what should be expected of me based on the timeline of that reference . A university graduate has blatantly had more time and exposure in order to receive a 4 year degree, with a trajectory that assumes they have certain knowledge and skills at the end. A bootcamp graduate, although I get the impression most span from 4 weeks to 3 months, also has some implication of what they should know by graduation.
I am confident I am just as competent as any bootcamp or college grad, but likely a little "rougher around the edges" or less "specialized" due to having to create my own focus and exploratory trajectory. More importantly, I believe I have developed the kinds of soft skills that only come from experience - self discipline, seeking and receiving constructive feedback, learning how to communicate issues/concerns effectively, taking initiative.
With my wall of text having been said :] I would love to hear what others think about someone coming from this position.
edit - minor grammatical fixes
It's harder to talk about self-taught, bc when they decide to start applying varies for everyone. Depending on how they were self-taught, they might be way ahead of a bootcamp grad or way behind. However, most of the self-taught devs I know have been really amazing and knowledgeable. They've been able to teach themselves bc of their drive. But for me, I think the categories fall more into traditional (CS) and non-traditional (anyone who applies based on their portfolio).
Interesting. I appreciate you taking the time to read my reply and respond :]