Hey friends! Sloan, DEV Moderator and mascot, coming back at ya with another question submitted by a DEV community member. 🦥
For those unfamiliar with the series, this is another installment of Sloan's Inbox. You all send in your questions, I ask them on your behalf anonymously, and the community leaves comments to offer advice. Whether it's career development, office politics, industry trends, or improving technical skills, we cover all sorts of topics here. If you want to send in a question or talking point to be shared anonymously via Sloan, that'd be great; just scroll down to the bottom of the post for details on how.
Let's see what we have for this week...
Today's question is:
I'm just getting started with development and have been feeling pretty overwhelmed. There are loads of resources out there: video tutorials, blog posts, self-guided courses, etc. I'm feeling like I could use a human touchpoint to ask questions and provide me with guidance. Any suggestions for how to find a mentor? If you all know of any particularly good resources in this regard, I'd be very grateful!
Share your thoughts and let's help a fellow DEV member out! Remember to keep kind and stay classy. 💚
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Top comments (3)
Hey fellow
Online Communities: 🌐
Dive into vibrant online communities where seasoned developers gather. Platforms like Stack Overflow, GitHub, and Reddit offer spaces to ask questions, seek advice, and potentially find a mentor willing to share their wisdom.
Networking Events: 🤝
Attend local meetups, workshops, or coding events. These are golden opportunities to connect with experienced developers who might be open to mentoring. Don't be shy – approach them, express your enthusiasm, and you might just find a mentorship spark.
Social Media: 📱
Tap into the power of social media. Platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn are treasure troves of networking opportunities. Follow developers, engage in conversations, and reach out politely. Many professionals are open to mentoring and sharing their knowledge.
Coding Bootcamps and Courses: 🎓
Consider enrolling in coding bootcamps or courses with mentorship components. Many programs offer one-on-one guidance to help you navigate challenges and accelerate your learning.
Industry Exposure: 🌐
You mentioned working in the industry – spot on! Gaining real-world experience not only enhances your skills but also opens doors to potential mentors. Consider internships, freelance gigs, or open-source contributions to immerse yourself in the coding ecosystem.
Mentorship Platforms: 🤖
Explore mentorship platforms tailored for developers. Websites like CodeMentor, Mentorcruise, and others connect learners with experienced mentors across various tech domains.
Local Tech Groups: 🏙️
Check out local tech groups or coding clubs in your area. Building connections with developers in your community can lead to valuable mentorship opportunities.
I make use of the ADPList platform to look for mentors in my field. I've also become a mentor recently!
As usual, you get what you pay for. You may find that magically knowledgeable, patient person with enough free time to help you learn for free … but probably not.
As a professional engineer (EE) shifting my practice to Data Engineering, my five months with a mentor from MentorCruise has been invaluable. Much less expensive than a bootcamp, flexible schedule, tailored to my background, structured to my vision of the future and guided/tempered by a professional in the industry on the platform of my choice.
If you’re tired of tutorial/social media/online community ‘hell’ (as I was), consider this route as a way forward.