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Discussion on: I've re-built my portfolio based on a Dribbble shot I found. What do you think?

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samovertonjr profile image
Samuel Overton Jr.

When I see the things you have worked on I am impressed. What was your journey like to become the developer you are now? I am 1 year and 7 months in my Web Developer career and I want to a better Front-End Developer. Do have anything that shows all the skills needed to become a developer like yourself?

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chipd profile image
Chris Dermody • Edited

Hey Sam.

I don't really have anything that shows the skills I have no. One thing I would say that has stood to me is that I never just built stuff for the sake of it, it was usually to solve a problem I personally had. For instance I built jobb.ie because I was looking for a job and got sick of opening three separate sites to find a job. I didn't know everything I needed to know but the pain of the problem gave me the motivation to Google my way to figuring it out. The code is by no means perfect (the app is a little broken at the mo I think since I haven't updated it in years..), but I learned web scraping, node server tech, Heroku deployment etc.

The main "skill" you need is curiousity and creativity. Feel the pain of something in your life and think of technical solutions to them that you might be able to build, then go find out if it's possible, and if it is, get coding.

;)

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kaelscion profile image
kaelscion

+1 for the "just go for it" mentality. I've worked in both the front and back end and that is the best piece of advice any aspiring Dev can receive. In my case, I had no money for University so I didn't really have a choice, but an insatiable curiosity and near-complete disregard for common sense points like "I've never done this before, I don't know this language/framework, don't even know where to start, etc" will make you happy in your life as a developer. In my opinion, credentials can get you a good job right out of the gate. But unconditional love for your craft and dedication to "building a better mouse trap" will keep it fun and enjoyable regardless of if you feel your not at the prestige level you want to be. That prestige will come if you want it later on. If your a mad scientist who adores his craft, and loves to work with and share it with others, people will find out no matter how many basement levels down your company stashes you 😁😁👍

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juniusfree1 profile image
juniusfree

I never just built stuff for the sake of it, it was usually to solve a problem I personally had

This!