Software Engineering 💻What I've learned in one year!

I decided to give this (making my first blog) a try when I realized how close I was to reaching my first year of being a Frontend Engineer. This will also improve my Markdown skills which will also improve my README.md in my repositories. If you see any errors, please let me know because I always want to reach perfection... and because of my slight OCD in anything related to software😅

Table of Contents

• TLDR/Specifics

• My background

• When I decided to become a Front End Developer

• What I have learned from one year of coding

• Any advice or things I would've done differently

• What I plan to do accomplish in the future

TLDR/Specifics

Over the course of becoming a Frontend Engineer, I wrote down my progress:

7th grade (2014) - Used blocks of written code from made scratch.mit.edu to create basic games and animations.

11th grade (2018) - Wrote my first HTML code in Advanced Placement Computer Science and had no interest or remembered anything whatsoever.

December 18th 2020 - Switched my major from Accounting to Computer Science because I wanted to be involved with technology and saw incredible and interactive websites.

Late December 2020 - Wrote my first line of code (Python). I chose Backend first because after researching, I’ve read that you get more income and it’s more logic-based. (Chose for the wrong reasons).

Mid-way January 2021 - Realized after some on and off time of Backend, it wasn’t suited for me at the time and only chose it for the money so I decided to try front end and almost instantly feel in love (Inspired by Bruno Simon’s Portfolio.

February 2021 - Watched an 11 and half hour video (willingly😅) on the basics of HTML and CSS.

March 4th 2021 - Bought my first Frontend course (Html5, Css3, Js(es5+), and React (class and functional components)) on Scrimba.

Midway March 2021 - Wrote my first line of JavaScript code.

End of April 2021 - Registered in another course The JavaScript Bootcamp to enhance my JavaScript.

May 27th 2021 - Made a LinkedIn account to network and meet new people that have similar interests as me.

June 13th 2021 - Finished JavaScript bootcamp.

July 12th 2021 - Bought a Three.js course with GLSL and Blender included by Bruno Simon.

July 15th 2021 - Wrote my first line of React code.

Mid September - Learned about Git (commands) and currently using it to push code, pull code, and make open source contributions from and to local repositories on my Github account after learning how to use GitHub.

September 25th 2021 - Wrote my first line of custom shaders in GLSL (Shading Language).

October 23 2021 - Finished Three.js course while balancing Scrimba’s courses and school.

October 24 2021 - Using React Three Fiber and its helpers to start creating 3D projects.

October 28 2021 - Bought AlgoExpert to learn DSA and also deepen my knowledge using JavaScript while preparing for coding interviews.

October 30 2021 - Learned how to calculate time and space complexity using Big O notation.

November 1 2021 - Used SCSS modules for the first time.

November 21 2021 - Used Material UI for the first time.

December 7 2021 - Learned Yarn. Will use in future projects.

My Background

Long story short, I was majoring in Accounting as a freshman in college and I was not enjoying it at all. I later found out about Computer Science (specifically Full-Stack (Frontend and Backend)) and it caught my attention. I decided to switch when my semester finished at December 18, 2020. I have minimal exposure to coding. Checkout the beginning of TLDR/Specifics to understand specifically what I knew.

When I Decided to Become a Front End Developer

Mid-way through January, I decided to switch from Backend to Frontend. I was inspired by Bruno Simon's portfolio and all the other projects on the official page of Three.js. It changed my perspective on websites completely and with a combination of being inspired and experiencing a shit-ton of "bad" websites over the years, I decided to become a Frontend Engineer without looking at its salary, the hard work it would take to feel "ready", and everything else that comes with being a developer that I've probably haven't experienced yet. It was a turning point in my life and I didn't even know how much it would consume me. I can definitely say after a year of programming, I am so happy I chose it because of the right reasons. I got lucky that it pays well and it is a great career path.

My Advice to Future Programmers

JUST START ALREADY! When I started programming, I never saw it as boring or as a job in any way; Frontend for me was just so exciting because of what you can create and be able to give that experience to others that come across your website/projects. Personally, for the first 6-8 months, I learned about code or watch anything that was code-related for a good 8-10 hours every single day (you do NOT need to do this🤦🏻‍♂️). This definitely caused a huge burnout for me. My social life and health were struggling immensely and I wasn't retaining any of the information anymore. I decided to take a break and slowly and focus on my social and health more. It was the best decision for me in every way possible and I would recommend anyone who starts to become a programmer to understand that there is a lot of information to learn and your comfort zone will be eviscerated. You will feel that overwhelming sensation of not being good enough but after that stage of feeling "useless", your mental strength will be calloced from the adversity and your success it will overshadow that stage. I promise😊

My Future Goals as a Frontend Engineer

There are so many goals that I want to accomplish as a Frontend Engineer. The main one is to land a job and become a paid full-time engineer. Currently, I am making projects to include on my curriculum vitae, learning DSA, and filling any holes I have currently since I am a self-taught engineer.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” —William James

“I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can.” —Watty Piper, The Little Engine That Could

“Life isn’t finding shelter in the storm. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
―Sherrilyn Kenyon

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right.” —Henry Ford

I wish everyone the best of luck on your journey!