I have just read the post about Advice for people who changes career after their 30s. And I must I say it encouraged me to write my first post here at dev.to.
A Story
Let me introduce you a bit of a story. Of how a Graduated in Politic Sciences abandoned her CMO job to become a dev from zero (feel free to jump directly to the achievements).
As my bio depicts, I've been working since I was 21 in the Real Estate industry in Spain, and most of the time for a bank. At the end, in another company, I reached to be COO and later CMO. I must say I really enjoyed my work. But there was something that didn't fulfill me. Must admit that in the last year, I was really burnt out due to many reasons. During all that time, my colleagues, today friends, where my rock.
So this March this year I decided to give everything up, and really persue my dreams. A passion I had when I was so young (I am talking about 10 or 12 years old) and left behind when I reallized that Maths were not my cup of tea. Somehow I thought that I would never be a developer if I didn't get along with them. So I choose the opposite path, and life just took me where I mentioned before. Nothing really vocational, to be honest. Although I am always trying to the best in what I am doing. Doesn't matter what.
I am not only self-teaching myself. I am also taking an official degree here in Spain of Web Applications Development. I am aware that in this industry academic titles do not mean that much anymore. But I needed to feel condifent to ask for job in the industry.
So, the #100DaysofCode...finally
I have finished my first quarter at school (don't know how to call it), quite succesfully. So now, I have decided to teach myself to code in JavaScript, and improve my skills with web development. And THAT's how we arrive to the #100DaysOfCode challenge.
At this point, we probably all know what is it about. However it's quite self-explained, hehe. I started 15 days ago, and this is what I achieved so far (bear in mind that I started almost from 0):
- I am growing a humble portfolio at Codepen.io. You can check it here
- Got my First Certification at FreeCodeCamp.org for Responsive Web Development.
- Got my very first version of my personal website Nadine Thêry
- I discovered Dev.to and I am completely hooked.
- I grew my contact network and have new colleagues. Trying to help people with my yet small knowledge.
- I managed to make two simple JavaScript apps: The Light Bulb The Dice Game
- I attended the VueJS day celebrated in Alicante.
Wow, writing this list was very inspiring. It made me really put in perspective what I have really achieved in just 15 days. And it's a lot. However, these are some of the feelings and doubts I've been experiencing:
- The more I study, I discover things I don't know. And wonder if I will ever get to know them!
- When I see those stunning Codepens in the general dashboard I feel that I am far away from there. How much time will it take? Do I have it?
- The fear to finally arrive to a company and not being able to resolve a problem.
So, if you are in the same point I am right now. Feel free to share your feelings and your achievements so far. And Hold On!
Thank you for reading!
P/S: and sorry for misspellings, I am a Spanish native :D
Oldest comments (16)
Great article. You have motivated me to write more as well. Good to know there are others in the same boat as me. Keep it up!
Sure! I feel like Dev.to is definitely the good place to do it. Please share your mood and feelings it helps us to keep moving!
Good job, and keep going! You’re doing great!
Thank you Cécile. There's still a long way to go. But I feel that I am in the right path.
Best!
What you've done so far is incredible. It took me a month to create a simple carousel at the inception of my dev tuition (Although at the time i didn't even know sites like freecodecamp existed). Keep learning by working on real projects. That way you are incited to make research about some design patterns that could help you scale through problems. Wish you d best of luck in your tremendous learning journey
Thank you very much for your kind words. I will do my best!
Like you, I too am teaching myself. The fear is 100% natural, and you're not alone. Not only do self-learned people feel this way but people who have been in the field for years, even tens of years. Just keeping pushing through and remember the struggle is part of the process.
All that being said, you have accomplished a lot in the short time you have been learning, just think what you can do with more experience.
Thank you! Of course it is a matter of patience:)
Seems like we are following the same path and going through similar emotions on this journey. I’m excited to see where this leads you!
It is so nice to share experiences. Please let me know about your improvements too. Best!
Excellent progress, keep going!
FYI: your codepen dashboard link leads to my own one. codepen.io/nanythery/ is the one you may want to use.
Also some ways to think about refining work etc, can you do the lightbulb without JS? (html checkbox button and css pseudo classes)
Thanks a lot for going throught the whole article. I have just corrected the URL for Codepen!
I will write down the suggestion about the bulb for next project. I was focusing on getting some CSS and HTML basic knowledge asap. And now I do want to focus on Javascript.
I will keep you posted :D
First off, for real, what you've already done in 15 days is fantastic! Especially the fact that you attended an event, that's a super valuable way to meet people, get involved with the community (if you want to, you can also just have fun for a day and that's fine 😎), and stay excited about the journey!
DEV is a great place to be, and I hope you stick around and keep showing us what you've been up to! Your portfolio site is gorgeous, by the way; it's motivating me to go update my own haha!
Thanks a lot for your words. It is flattering coming from you. And of course it is awesome to have inspired you in some way hehehe. Cheers
Hola, you are doing very well already Nadine. You are going fast.
Keep making things. Make lots & lots. Make hard things. Make real things. Build your portfolio. Get traffic (it makes you make things differently).
Congrats & good luck. 👍
Thank you Vuild!! I will take your advice seriously.
Kind regards :)