A recurring theme I’ve seemed to notice for people trying to pick up programming on their own is that they often feel stuck at some point, whether it be learning the fundamentals, exploring new tech, or finding that first job opportunity. This feeling can lead to loss of hope and ultimately giving up. I know I’ve been there.
My first time learning to code, I used a free trial of an online programming course service. Without any prior knowledge or experience to inform my decision, I tried to learn Java. I slogged away at it for a month, feeling like I hadn’t really absorbed anything and had no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t having a good time and considered that I wasn’t capable or programming just wasn’t for me. I gave up.
Through a series of other failed endeavors, my direction pointed back to programming once again. While pursuing a half-hearted business venture, I found I really liked working on the website more than I did trying to pursue the actual business. Being constrained by the tools of WordPress and the theme I had bought (and my lack of knowledge), I wanted to learn how to build my own website without the training wheels.
I started with Colt Steele's The Web Developer Bootcamp course on Udemy which also introduced me to JavaScript. I focused on only the frontend related portions of the course and found I was still having a hard time understanding programming when it came to JavaScript. Once again, I felt I was forcefully pushing through the course, spending only an hour or two a day with it. I felt lost.
(Side note about Udemy - courses often go on sale for $10-$15 USD. I would suggest waiting for the sale price to save as much as $100.)
Fortunately, this course has a Discord community which actually connected me to another community, Reactiflux. From the Reactiflux Discord, I was suggested to complete Gordon Zhu’s Practical JavaScript. It’s free and by far the JavaScript course I would recommend to beginners. It led to my first real “ah ha” experience in understanding JavaScript and the fundamentals of programming. From there, I really took off.
This brings me to my first major point for those who are just getting started - find a community of programmers. Especially one where members use the technology or language you are trying to learn. It will be one of the most vital resources in your toolkit.
Working through online courses, reading endless books, blogs, and web pages, or watching YouTube video after YouTube video can feel pretty lonely or disheartening when you’re struggling with the absorbing the concepts. Having access to a group of people with a wealth of experience and knowledge, or even those who may be facing the same challenges, I believe is a fundamental piece of the puzzle. The "I can do this on my own" mentality is often more harmful than good.
Nearly a year in, I still can’t talk to my significant other or friends about the particular struggles I face as a developer. Try explaining the difficulty you are having designing an API and learning how to query your database through specific end points to someone with no technical knowledge. I’m sure they’ll nod in empathy and agreement.
Developers get other developers.
Amidst the help and insight you may gain from fellow software engineers, fresh and experienced alike, starting to form connections early is vital.
At my time of writing this, we are experiencing COVID-19. My networking capacity is limited to the reaches of the internet, of which the web is vast, but there are plenty of other community and networking opportunities you should seek if possible.
Check for local Facebook groups or MeetUps in your area to join or attend. Making in-person connections will open the doors of possibility when you are seeking your first job or lead to finding new friends.
Ah, the friends we made along the way.
This certainly falls into the category of “I should have listened” for myself as I've only attended one in-person meetup shortly before the pandemic restrictions were put into place. My connections are still limited to online aquaintances while seeking my first professional opportunity.
When you feel like you’re not progressing, not good enough, or not smart enough, there are thousands of very successful developers who have felt that way before too.
Find them. Meet them. Talk to them. Ask them questions. Form connections that will help you reach your goals.
And remember that someday, someone else will be where you are now, looking for a little guidance.
Help them.
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