My Journey into the World of Computer Science 🦁

Hello, I’m Sarthak Arora. My journey into the world of computer science began during my mid-second year of college. At that time, I knew very little about coding. My fascination with technology was palpable, but I wasn’t sure where to start. That’s when I discovered a range of invaluable resources, including Roadmap.sh, W3Schools, GeeksforGeeks, and MDN Web Docs. These resources became game-changers for me.

How These Resources Helped Me

1. Finding My Path: Roadmap.sh offered clear, structured learning paths across various tech fields. When I began with web development, its roadmaps outlined exactly what I needed to learn first, starting from HTML and CSS. This clarity was crucial in helping me focus and avoid being overwhelmed by the vast array of information available.

2. Step-by-Step Learning: The step-by-step guidance from Roadmap.sh was invaluable. Following the recommended order of topics—starting with JavaScript and ReactJS—allowed me to build a solid foundation before diving into more advanced concepts. This structured approach made learning more manageable and less stressful.

3. Practical Learning with W3Schools: W3Schools was an excellent resource for practical, hands-on tutorials and exercises. Its interactive code editor allowed me to experiment with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other technologies in real-time, which was crucial for reinforcing my learning.

4. In-Depth Understanding with MDN Web Docs: MDN Web Docs provided comprehensive documentation and in-depth explanations of web technologies. Its detailed articles and reference materials were essential for understanding the nuances of web development and for solving more complex problems as I progressed.

5. Problem-Solving with GeeksforGeeks: GeeksforGeeks offered a vast collection of coding problems, algorithms, and data structures. The explanations and practice problems helped me sharpen my problem-solving skills and prepare for technical interviews, which was crucial for my career development.

6. Staying Updated: Technology evolves rapidly, and these resources kept their content current with the latest trends and tools. This was essential to ensure that I was acquiring relevant and in-demand skills, which was crucial for my development as a programmer.

7. Exploring Different Areas: As my skills grew, I explored various domains like Frontend Development, Backend Development, and DevOps. Roadmap.sh, W3Schools, MDN Web Docs, and GeeksforGeeks provided resources and roadmaps for these areas, enabling me to broaden my expertise and find my niche.

8. Practical Application: The learning was not just theoretical. I applied my knowledge by working on personal projects and contributing to open source. This hands-on experience was vital for reinforcing my learning and developing practical skills.

How I Transformed My Career

By leveraging these resources, I transitioned from a coding novice to an open-source contributor and professional web developer. Here’s a brief overview of my journey:

• Mid-Second Year: I began learning the basics of web development through Roadmap.sh and various YouTube channels, including CodeWithHarry and LoveBabbar. My focus was on building small projects to apply what I was learning. W3Schools and MDN Web Docs were invaluable for understanding and experimenting with code.

• Third Year: I expanded my skills by exploring more complex topics and new tech domains. I started contributing to open source projects on GitHub daily, which provided real-world experience and helped me connect with the developer community. My learning continued with JavaScript and React through CodeWithHarry and Chai aur Code. GeeksforGeeks played a key role in improving my problem-solving skills and preparing for technical challenges.

• Present Day: I am now an active contributor to several open-source projects and actively seek opportunities within the React and JavaScript communities. As I approach graduation in June 2025, I am focused on finding a software development role that will allow me to leverage my skills and continue growing as a developer.

If you’re beginning your journey in computer science or contemplating a career change, I highly recommend leveraging resources like Roadmap.sh, W3Schools, MDN Web Docs, and GeeksforGeeks. They offer clear, structured paths and practical knowledge, making the process more manageable and effective. Just as they helped me, they can provide the roadmap you need to build a successful career in technology.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and check out my GitHub.