The Scrimba Podcast

🎙 About the episodeThis is a rebroadcast of one of our most popular interviews. Meet Kevin Powell 🇨🇦! Kevin is a CSS Evangelist and educator. He makes weekly YouTube videos, streams on Twitch, writes articles, and teaches courses. His mission is to show new developers that CSS is fun and teach them how it works... and why it works the way it does.In this episode, you'll learn how not to get frustrated with CSS, how to debug it, why people struggle with it, and how come we might never see a launch of CSS 4. Kevin also explains why different browsers render CSS differently and how much you should actually care about that. Alex and Kevin also discuss how the web gets made behind the scenes and how you can join the conversation and suggest the features you'd like to see in certain technologies. Plus: Bad design trends, tools and plugins, CSS memes, and tabs vs. spaces.🔗 Connect with Kevin📹 YouTube🐦 Twitter🌐 Website👩‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsHow Kevin found himself in the world of web design (01:40)Can a new developer focus solely on CSS? (04:38)What is a CSS Evangelist? (07:24)Why do people struggle with CSS? (09:26)Community break! (11:00)Why CSS works the way it does (13:25)CSS tools you should use (15:25)CSS extensions for your editor (17:26)The learning curve of CSS and the Importance of Experience (17:17)Why different browsers render CSS differently (and why it sometimes doesn't work) (22:31)Progressive enhancement and accessibility (27:05)The History of CSS (30:34)Will there ever be a CSS4? (34:24)How to stay in the loop and join the conversation around features (36:30)Quick-fire questions (38:43)🧰 Resources MentionedKevin's courses on ScrimbaMiriam SuzanneAdam ArgyleModern CSSPodcast: Ace the job interview with Cassidy Williams ⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and let us know who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan he's butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Katrina Tucker 🇺🇸! Katrina recently changed careers and got her first software engineering job. But here's the interesting part – she didn't start as a junior! No, Katrina was immediately offered a senior title.In this episode, you'll discover the importance of never labeling yourself as a junior, especially when transitioning careers. Katrina dives into the significance of language and emphasizes how your domain knowledge can make a significant impact. Get ready to uncover Katrina's networking strategies (spoiler alert: you're probably overthinking yours) and gain insights into how she learned to code while juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities. Plus, find out the number one thing you should know about technical interviews and what you can do to work on your interviewing skills.Join us as Katrina shares her inspiring journey, challenges conventional notions, and reveals valuable tips and tricks for career success. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by Katrina in this podcast are solely her own and do not represent the views or opinions of her employer.🔗 Connect with Katrina👨‍💼 LinkedIn🐦 Twitter🌐 Blog⏰ TimestampsKatrina learned to code at school, thanks to her father, but ended up majoring in international finance (02:19)Katrina's career in finance and law (04:14)After the stock market crashed, Katrina went on to work at IRS (05:04)Suddenly, Katrina realized she was coding! (05:46)Katrina's current job combines all of her skills (06:39)Don't call yourself junior! (07:18)What made Katrina transition into software engineering (08:10)Why we should retire the term "breaking into tech" (08:50)How Katrina joined #100Devs (10:28)How to learn to code when you have a family and full-time job (11:50)Community break! Your LinkedIn posts and tweets, with Jan The Producer (14:22)How Katrina wanted to address her knowledge gap (16:40)When did Katrina start to feel ready to apply for coding jobs? (18:52)The most important thing to know about coding interviews (19:47)How Katrina practiced her interview skills with Brilliant Black Minds (20:56)Katrina's networking strategy (22:22)What's the difference between networking and just talking to people? (24:10)How Katrina found her first software role (26:56)Find your unique angle and double down (31:44)How Katrina prepared for her final interview round (32:58)Why you should ask your prospective employer business questions (33:54)Why your domain knowledge is important (37:04)🧰 Resources Mentioned#100DevsfreeCodeCampBrilliant Black Minds⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so that he can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Tom Chant 🇬🇧! Tom is a Scrimba instructor who has just released a course on building your own AI apps! In this episode, he joins Alex to discuss everything about AI for developers. You'll find out how AI can augment your skills. You'll learn how to use ChatGPT, Codex, and GitHub Copilot, all powered by OpenAI, what their limitations are, and where they overlap.Tom will also give you useful tips for prompt engineering. You'll hear about the ethical and security risks of using AI when writing code. You'll also get to know how you can train your own ChatGPT model for a specific use! Finally, Tom and Alex also discuss the future of AI. Will coders be replaced with AI language models? Spoiler alert: nope.🔗 Connect with Tom👩‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsWhat AI tools can developers use in their coding today? (01:11)GitHub Copilot vs. ChatGPT for coders (02:57)Why is generating code with GitHub Copilot superior? (04:34)What is prompt engineering and how to get better at it (06:01)What parameters can you tweak when using the OpenAI API to get more customized results? (10:08)Using AI for debugging (13:03)The downsides of using AI: security risks and false information (15:05)How to find balance and use AI wisely (18:08)Ethical considerations of using AI for coding (19:50)Why some companies aren’t okay with developers using ChatGPT (23:31)Community break! Your tweets and LinkedIn posts with Jan The Producer (25:25)Tom taught English before joining Scrimba (27:27)Why student examination is broken, and how AI might help change it (28:19)What’s in Tom’s OpenAI course (30:49)How to train and fine-tune your own ChatGPT using OpenAI API (35:07)Why does training data need to be checked by a human, and can you automate that (41:01)How will developers and AI coexist in the future? (43:21)🧰 Resources MentionedCourse: Build AI Apps with ChatGPT, Dall-E, and GPT-4⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan the Producer he has butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Shaun Jackie Hickman 🇬🇧! Shaun is a new developer who has recently landed his first dev job after meeting his now boss at a LAN party, playing Call of Duty! Earlier, Shaun wanted to become an English teacher but ended up studying social sciences and graduating in business.Eventually, Shaun realized there was another language he was interested in - and that language was JavaScript. Within a year of dedicated studying, he changed careers. In this episode, Shaun shares how he learned to code while working a full-time job and why it's important to take breaks and have hobbies other than coding. He reveals why long interview processes are not necessarily a bad thing and talks about the philosophy of AI and the ethics of using ChatGPT. Plus: Shaun and Alex delve into the power of determination and maintaining the right mindset. 🔗 Connect with Shaun👨‍💼 LinkedIn🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsShaun's long and winding journey into tech (01:29)Shaun discovered Scrimba by listening to the Scrimba podcast while at work at his previous job! (04:52)How Shaun learned to code alongside a full-time job, and why you should not overwhelm yourself (05:54)Power hour (08:16)What motivated Shaun to get back into coding, and why this episode almost got titled "Learning to code after a breakup" (09:08)Community break! Your tweets, LinkedIn comments, and Apple Podcast reviews (12:25)How Shaun met his future boss at a LAN party (14:25)Increase your surface area! (17:10)Nobody talks about LAN parties, but they can actually be great for networking (18:08)Shaun's interview process was long. But that was a good thing! Also, he was at a crossroads: React or PhP? (18:52)Contacts don't always turn into opportunities overnight, and that is why Shaun wanted to take things slowly (20:45)Quick-fire questions: Favorite projects, ChatGPT, NetworkChuck, and coding to soundtracks and lo-fi Synthwave (21:56)Finding a balance in using AI (24:24)What is business development (27:07)How Shaun combines his background in business with coding (28:03)You always bring something from your previous experience with you (29:51)On failing and sucking at things, and why you shouldn't avoid that (32:24)Commitment and drive are all you need (34:39)🧰 Resources MentionedFrontend Developer Career PathKevin PowellNetwork Chuck⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so that he can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Angie Jones 🇺🇸! Angie is a veteran software developer currently working as a global Developer Relations executive at TBD. Before that, she worked as an automation engineer at Twitter and as a software engineer and master inventor at IBM (where she worked for nine years)! Angie is also a teacher and an international keynote speaker who has authored 27 patents.In this episode, Angie takes us through her career path, from falling in love with coding through automation engineering to eventually discovering her passion for teaching and DevRel. You'll learn the differences between large enterprises, medium-sized companies, and startups and find out what to look for if you're just breaking into the industry. Angie also talks about teaching, patenting your ideas, and finding specialization. Plus: decentralized technologies, changing jobs with the same company, and why it's important to keep learning new stuff. 🔗 Connect with Angie👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter👩‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsAngie's father thought she should familiarize herself with computers, so she took a C++ course. The rest is history! (01:41)What Angie loved about programming (03:14)Are developers missing out if they don't study computer science at university? (04:02)What makes a good teacher? (05:51)Community break! Your Tweets and LinkedIn posts (10:00)Angie got his first role in tech through an internship (11:23)How Angie spent nine years at IBM (12:54)What are the advantages of changing jobs within the same company? (13:31)How does working at a huge corporation compare to working at smaller companies and startups, and why should you try a bit of both (15:12)What does career progression look like? (17:17)As a beginner, should you prioritize learning opportunities? What size companies should you go after? (17:55)Pay attention to the ratio of juniors vs. seniors (19:18)Software development is about much more than coding (19:39)How Angie discovered automation engineering and, subsequently, DevRel (20:22)There are gaps in the market for specializations (23:56)How to find a slight specialization within frontend (28:06)Quick-fire questions: Java, decentralized technologies, Sarah Drasner and Kelsey Hightower (29:53)Angie Jones has 27 patents! Here's how that happened. (34:00)What does a patent look like? (35:24)What's it like to invent patents within a big corporation like IBM? (37:54)Closing advice: Aside from technical competency, what else should new developers focus on? (39:31)🧰 Resources MentionedSarah DrasnerKelsey HightowerScrimba Podcast with Chad Stewart: Tech Is Hiring, and Here's What You Need to Do!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan the Producer he has butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Jimmy Johnston 🇺🇸! Jimmy is a sous-chef turned developer who's just landed his first developer job after working in the culinary industry for twenty years! The career change took Jimmy eleven months. It also involved going through burnout, figuring out his "why," as well as hitting a dead-end with job applications and changing the strategy from the ground up! In this interview, Jimmy will let you in on all of these things so that you can learn from his experience.You'll find out the similarities between cooking and computing, how Jimmy learned to code, and why you shouldn't try to learn too many technologies at once. Jimmy also talks you through his interview process so that you can figure out at what point you are ready to apply for a similar position. 🔗 Connect with Jimmy👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website⏰ TimestampsJimmy was always interested in computing but became a chef instead (02:30)The restaurant industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but coding is almost like cooking (02:54)How Jimmy learned to code and chose what to focus on (04:59)Why you should learn how to learn (07:21)Cooking and web development: science or art? (08:37)Community break: Your LinkedIn posts, Tweets, and Apple Podcast reviews from the past week (10:41)How Jimmy discovered the Scrimba bootcamp (12:58)Jimmy needed mentorship and community, and on Scrimba bootcamp, he found all of that and more (14:31)If he hadn’t enrolled in a bootcamp, Jimmy would have been back to cooking (19:31)Quick-fire questions: brain food, getting old, game development, and learning in silence (21:08)How Jimmy dealt with burnout (25:43)Jimmy’s job hunting strategy: start with “why” (27:07)Jimmy tried the “spray and pray” method before, and it didn’t work - but when he changed his strategy, he saw results immediately (28:51)Jimmy’s interview process (30:27)What do you need to know to start interviewing for jobs? (33:09)Jamie’s first technical interview (34:08)How Jimmy got his first developer job (37:48)What Jimmy wishes he had known when he was starting to learn to code: Stick to one programming language! (40:38)🧰 Resources MentionedScrimba BootcampFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityBook: How to Speak Machine: Computational Thinking for the Rest of UsKevin PowellScrimba Podcast: An Introvert's Guide to Networking (and Becoming Amazing at LinkedIn), with Stephanie Chiu from PayPalScrimba Podcast: Homeschooler, College Dropout, Developer and Master Networker: Crush Your Career with Madison Kanna⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes or follow him on LinkedIn and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so that he can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan he's butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Laura Thorson 🇺🇸! Laura is a Program Manager at GitHub and has previously worked at Facebook, Twitter, and Salesforce. She broke into tech after attending the first-ever coding bootcamp in history and has only ever gotten jobs through LinkedIn. So... there's a lot we can learn from her!In this episode, Laura talks about her career path and how he went from not knowing what coding was to working in high-profile tech companies. You will hear how she approaches LinkedIn and what was the one piece of advice she got from a recruiter that enabled her to get back into tech after a four-year hiatus. You'll also hear how she got a second chance at Facebook after bombing a job interview - and it only took sending a single email!Laura and Alex also talk about best practices for job interviews, why you should stalk your interviewers, and what to do about impostor syndrome at a new job. Ultimately, Laura reveals how, no matter how you learn to code, the technologies you know come and go - and what you should focus on instead.🔗 Connect with Laura👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website 🐦 Twitter👨‍🚀 GitHub ⏰ TimestampsLaura studied oboe, then English, and then enrolled in the first bootcamp in history! (02:05)How Laura knew made sure she wanted to code before paying for the bootcamp (05:26)On bootcamps vs. learning on your own (06:35) What was the first ever bootcamp like? (07:55)Community break: We got some new reviews on Apple Podcast! Plus, your tweets from last week. (10:06)Laura’s career in tech: it all started when Salesforce reached out to her on LinkedIn (12:44)Laura’s role at Twitter (14:07)How Laura bombed her interview at Facebook but got another chance after sending an email to the hiring manager (15:08)At Facebook, Laura worked on the Live Video API (18:32)How Laura approaches LinkedIn (19:49)Why Laura’s LinkedIn bio is written in the third person (21:37)How to use your LinkedIn about section (23:19)Why you should send follow-up emails and research your interviewers so you can ask them better questions (25:21)If you’re going to ask a question, be prepared, BUT LISTEN (27:42)When you interview, every touchpoint is an opportunity for them to assess whether you’re the right culture fit (29:22)The killer LinkedIn advice Laura learned the hard way (30:18)What to do with your LinkedIn (and portfolio) if you don’t have relevant coding experience (32:05)Interviewers will do homework on you (33:33)Quick-fire questions: Ruby, Taylor Swift, water, and AI (35:11)Laura’s career journey at GitHub (38:47)Why your most valuable asset is not the coding language you’ve learned (41:29)Imposter syndrome? Don’t overcompensate but talk to a peer or mentor (44:28)🧰 Resources MentionedErica Brescia on TwitterScrimba Podcast with Shannon Brown⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan the Producer he has butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Gabriel Pedroza 🇺🇸! Gabriel is a Scrimba student who has just landed his first internship. And the internship is at Meta (formerly known as Facebook)!After finishing Scrimba's Frontend Career Path, Gabriel studied computer science at a university, so if you were wondering about the main differences between Scrimba and university, he's the right person to talk to! You'll also hear how he approached learning, how he's already been teaching others how to code, and what did it take for him to get an internship at Meta. More importantly, Gabriel will teach you how to follow your interests and passion, why you shouldn't be afraid of AI, and how to maximize your chances when applying for jobs!🔗 Connect with Gabriel👨‍💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsHow Gabriel got interested in coding when he saw Bruno Simon’s portfolio (01:17)How Gabriel learned to code (03:23)Gabriel had imposter syndrome! (04:18)Scrimba and a university: do they go together, and how do they differ? (05:17)Community break: Your tweets and LinkedIn posts (08:10)How Gabriel got his foot in the door at companies like Meta and Google, and the importance of keywords (09:40)What are OAs (open assessments)? (10:42)Gabriel almost didn’t apply at Meta! (11:37)Gabriel taught programming workshops at the university where he’s studying (12:11)Hard skills or soft skills? Gabriel only had behavioral interviews in person at Meta! (13:03)How Gabriel prepared for an interview at Meta (14:28)Why you should practice LeetCode and learn to think like a programmer (15:17)Gabriel’s internship at Meta (16:10)Quick-fire questions: coding languages, AI, and people to follow on YouTube (17:00)Will AI take over coding? (18:43)Follow your passion (20:52)Is AI relevant for front-end development? (21:33)Learning coding is just like learning anything else (23:15)Don’t try to memorize everything! (24:46)It’s easy to apply for jobs: here’s what you can do to maximize your chances (25:45)Gabriel’s plans for the future (28:26)Next week: Laura Thorson from GitHub! (30:59)🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityBruno Simon's portfolioTheo BrowneThePrimeagenFind your Ikigai!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Chad Stewart 🇯🇲! Chad is a Senior Front End Engineer and the founder of TechIsHiring - it's a hashtag, a community, and a transnational job listing channel helping great jobs and great engineers discover each other. In this episode, Chad talks about the inspiration behind TechIsHiring, plans for its future, and how he cultivated a community around it. More importantly, Chad will teach you how to cultivate community yourself! We all know we need to network, but networking can be daunting. Chad reveals how he networks, who he follows on Twitter, and why being part of a community can help you get jobs, grow as a programmer, and get help when you need it.Chad and Alex also talk about different paths to getting into tech. Becoming a developer is not the only way, and we hope this interview gives you some ideas. Plus: computer bugs, the threat of AI, and water.🔗 Connect with Chad👨‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Blog🌐 TechIsHiring 🐦 Twitter🐦 Tech Is Hiring Twitter👩‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsHow Chad got interested in computers from a very young age (01:54)There were literal bugs in his computer at times! (03:07)Why do you eventually need to learn how to learn on your own so you can keep growing (04:35)Also… Chad learned React using Scrimba! We had no idea. (05:32)What is TechIsHiring, and how did it start? (07:36)Community break! We’re highlighting tweets and LinkedIn comments from the past week. (09:27)Starting a hashtag is not enough - here’s how Chad cultivates community and what the community says about it (10:57)Becoming a developer is not the only way you can get into tech (13:28)What TechIsHiring is about, and why Chad doesn’t want to branch out into other niches (18:51)Quick-fire questions: Will AI replace software developers?What is the most important thing that a new developer should focus on so they can get their first job? Leverage your connections to get jobs, but don’t forget to grow with your network (25:32)How to create a network and get involved in communities if you’re not good at networking? (28:42)Networking is a marathon, not a sprint (31:26)🧰 Resources MentionedTechIsHiring (also on Twitter)Learn React for free with ScrimbaAngie Jones on TwitterVirtual CoffeeScrimba Podcast with Dan Moore, author of Letters to a New Developer⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan the Producer he has butchered your name here.

🎙 About the episodeMeet Leo de Leon 🇺🇸! Leo was a successful self-taught motion graphics designer. Today, he's a successful self-taught developer! He used to design motion graphics for billboards at an arena in Kansas City that seats 20,000 people. But he needed a change. Eventually, he taught himself how to code in 314 hours over 3.5 months and landed his dream job in a Web3 startup around four months later.In this episode, you will hear why it's essential to know your learning style and how not doing great at school doesn't mean you cannot learn new things. Leo will teach you how to approach your project and portfolio website, as well as his number one tactic for landing your dream job: niching down.Alex and Leo also talk about some shady recruiter practices you can come across nowadays, the perks of working at startups (yes, especially in this economy!), developers to follow on YouTube, learning opportunities, consistency, and blessings in disguise. 🔗 Connect with Leo👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website⏰ TimestampsHow Leo decided to do something with computers after he saw a Matthew Broderick movie when he was 8 (01:59)How Leo worked as a motion graphics designer for a decade (03:15)Why Leo wanted to change careers and get into coding, and how a failed job opportunity propelled him forward (04:20)Why Leo is equipped to teach himself new skills (06:49)Leo signed up for a bootcamp and then realized it didn’t work for him (when he discovered Scrimba!) (08:31)How long it took Leo to learn to code (11:01)Why you need to set realistic goals (11:45)You’re not too late: there’s never a bad time to get into tech (13:37)Community break: Highlighting tweets and LinkedIn posts from our community (that’s you!) (15:26)How Leo approached finding a job and positioning himself in the job market (17:25)When choosing portfolio projects, choose something difficult! (18:08)Here’s how to make sure your projects and portfolio look nice! (20:07)Leo got his first developer job when a recruiter reached out to him on LinkedIn (21:27)Why a culture fit is important at startups (25:14)Leo’s trial project took an entire month, but he still got the job! (27:48)Quick-fire questions: first lines of code, favorite tech YouTubers, and music with lyrics (32:16)How to create an appealing LinkedIn profile, and how to recognize shady recruiting practices (34:15)Leo works at a Web3 and blockchain-related company. How did he optimize his LinkedIn profile to get there? (37:30)Let other people review your LinkedIn profile and your resume before putting yourself out there! (38:36)Why do you need to niche down and focus on one field or technology (39:56)Don’t get FOMO: you can’t be known for everything (41:07)Be consistent and purpose-driven because motivation comes and goes (45:12)What’s ReadMe Driven Development and how to apply that approach to your career (48:39)🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityDonTheDeveloper on YouTubeJames Cross on YouTubeChris Sean on YouTubeSyntax.fm⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeThis is a rebroadcast of one of our most popular interviews. Meet Randall Kanna 🇺🇸! Randall is a software developer, lead product engineer, and the author of The Standout Developer.Once upon a time, Randall learned the unsettling truth that almost everyone on her team earned more money than her. She mustered the courage to confront her boss and said, “Hey! Google is interested in me. I could go there, or you can give me the fair salary bump I deserve!” They obliged, and at that moment, Randall learned just how important it is to advocate yourself.Randall wants you to have the best possible start to your tech career and joins the podcast to share what she’s learned about how to stand out and thrive in tech. Spoiler: It’s not just about your coding skills.🔗 Connect with Randall🐦 Twitter🌐 Website📄 LinkedIn🧰 Resources mentioned📕 The Standout Developer⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy this episode please leave a 5 star review here and let us know who you want to see on the next podcast. You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Spencer Dye 🇺🇸! Spencer is a new developer who recently got his first dev job! In the past, he was a designer, but before that, he studied to become a biologist, and then, an accountant! While moonlighting as a designer during his studies, he discovered Webflow, and from there, realized that development is... kind of fun?In this episode, you'll hear how Spencer learned to code, kept up his motivation by practicing stoicism and filling in a habit tracker, and ultimately landed his first dev job after only five months since he decided to change careers. Alex and Spencer discuss whether you should focus on any job or only the jobs you like, why your background is your asset, and are your coding skills the only thing you should focus on. You'll hear how Spencer interviewed his interviewers and focused on making a human connection - which resulted in one of the shortest interview processes we've heard about on the pod!Plus: YouTube recommendations, your tweets, and many words of encouragement.🔗 Connect with Spencer👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website⏰ TimestampsHow Spencer went from computers to design to biology to accountancy, back to design, and eventually, into development (01:25)Before learning frontend, Spencer freelanced as a designer and worked with Webflow (03:03)Spencer dropped out of college and decided to learn development (03:44)How Spencer created his own curriculum and why he used a habit tracker (04:40)What challenges Spencer faced while learning to code (06:17)Nobody teaches problem-solving, but it's essential (06:51)It only took Spencer five months to learn to code at a hireable level (07:53)Community break! Here's what you've been tweeting and posting on LinkedIn (08:35)Interviewing is a skill (11:17)What's the benefit of focusing only on opportunities you find exciting (12:07)How stoicism helped Spencer during his job search (12:46)What Spencer found surprising during his job search (14:23)Why the job Spencer ended up getting had the most effortless interview process compared to the previous ones (15:06)Where does Spencer work now? (16:30)Did Spencer's previous experience in design help him in his new role? (16:56)Another advantage: Spencer interviewed his boss! (17:49)On transferable skills (18:18)Quick-fire questions: favorite frontend YouTube channels, future coding plans, and English breakfast tea (18:52)Why Spencer chose a career in coding (21:03)Webflow jobs vs. coding jobs (22:37)How Spencer got the job within five days of his first interview (24:29)Spencer's interview process and interviewing his interviewers (22:54)Focus on making a human connection! (26:47)Did Spencer have a tech interview? (29:35)Your coding skills are not the only thing (30:31)Why it's important to practice interviewing (32:45)Spencer's tip: Apply at the same company through multiple channels! (33:30)Closing advice: You will get better! Just focus on the smallest steps. (34:58) 🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityfreeCodeCamp Everyday habit trackerWeb Dev Simplified on YouTubeDesignCourse on YouTubeTraversy Media on YouTube⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Rizel Scarlett 🇺🇸! Rizel is a Developer Advocate at GitHub. She's also a career changer, software engineer, and community builder! Rizel dropped out of psychology studies after running out of money. Then she went into IT support, then into coding, and then realized that, after working in an organization that teaches women and non-binary people of color to code, developer advocacy could be a great career for her! In this episode, you will hear how Rizel learned to code, paved her own path, and knew when she needed to pivot. You'll learn why internships are cool and what to be on the lookout for if you're looking for your first opportunity. Rizel will also teach you why you need personal branding and how to do it even if you're an introvert - complete with step-by-step instructions on how to write a blog post, practice public speaking, or network. 🔗 Connect with Rizel👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter👩‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsWhy Rizel switched from psychology to IT and, later, to coding (01:59)Was the transition to coding easy? (03:08)Rizel tried many different jobs. Here’s why that’s not a bad thing! (03:41)How Rizel approached learning to code (05:55)Community and camaraderie are important parts of learning to code (06:29)How Rizel decided to enroll in a bootcamp (07:50)On learning to code with your significant other (08:49)Thinking like a programmer comes with practice (09:34)Why Rizel pursued internships (10:44)Why connections are important (12:13)What was Rizel’s internship experience like (13:02)What should you look for in an internship or your first job? (13:47)Community break! Here’s what you’ve been tweeting (15:47)What juniors bring to the table (17:30)How Rizel discovered developer advocacy and got hired as a developer advocate at GitHub (18:45)What does a supportive manager do (20:46)How Rizel approaches personal branding (22:08)You can’t expect people to find you. The best person to advocate for you is you (23:31)How to work on your public speaking (24:36)How to work on your writing and how Rizel approaches writing blog posts (26:58)How to get involved with the community (31:18)Closing advice: it’s okay to switch your focus, take your time, and maintain a list of your wins! (35:11)🧰 Resources MentionedHow to support early career developersfreeCodeCamp⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Emre Albayrak 🇹🇷! Emre is a classical pianist from Turkey who decided to change careers, so he trained as a pilot! But then, the pandemic hit. Looking for something else to do (yet again), Emre discovered coding, tried it, and realized he enjoyed it! Only a year after starting to learn to code, Emre landed a job at an international IT company.In this episode, Emre talks about his long and winding but also efficient path to becoming a developer. You'll hear how he learned to code, what resources he used, and how he approached his portfolio projects and job applications! You will probably learn something about keeping up your motivation and managing stage fright before your interviews.🔗 Connect with Emre👨‍💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsHow Emre went from music to piloting to coding (02:06)Emre had a developer friend who encouraged him to focus on frontend, after writing his first code in Python (05:10)What resources did Emre use to learn to code? And how did he discover Scrimba? (07:06)Emre landed a job only a year after he started learning to code... and he completed the Career Path in the meantime! (08:10)Emre's job hunting strategy: it's all about your portfolio (09:19)The secret to getting a job quickly (10:45)Quickfire questions: Why doesn't Emre, a musician, listen to music while coding? Who are his favorite coding teachers? Who does he follow on YouTube?How Emre knew he was ready for job interviews? (15:24)Where does Emre work now? (16:01)Emre found the job posting on LinkedIn. Here's what happened next (18:12)Emre had to learn Redux for the test project (18:44)The interview was so successful that HR told Emre they would continue with him immediately! (19:32)The final stage of the interview was an English test! (20:05)How Emre felt when he found out he was hired (20:24)Community break! Here's what you tweeted since our previous episode. (20:55)Did Emre regret leaving musicology? (22:37)How Emre made sure to stay motivated during tougherr times)? (22:57)How Emre deals with the stage fright that hits right before job interviews and with the pain of being rejected for a job (24:28)Why does stage anxiety hit? (27:28)🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityfreeCodeCamp ⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Saron Yitbarek 🇺🇸! Saron is a developer, entrepreneur, community builder, and the founder of CodeNewbie. Saron has been helping new developers break into tech for a decade, and in this episode, she distills her best and most sought-after advice! Saron, who recently launched a new project called NewDevCareer.com, is a career changer herself - she first studied to become a doctor! In this interview, you will hear how she decided to make that change, why her first attempts at learning to code didn't work, and what she wishes she knew then. You will learn the ins and outs of different paths you can take to break into tech. You will get practical tips for creating deeper connections within your online community - and learn why they're important. Saron and Alex also discuss the right motivation to learn to code, why tech is fascinating, and how to decide what to learn first.🔗 Connect with Saron🧑‍💻 CodeNewbie👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsSaron’s road to becoming a developer: Originally, she studied to become a doctor and then worked as a journalist (01:31)How Saron got interested in tech after reading a book on Steve Jobs (03:32)How Saron approached learning to code and why that approach was wrong (05:43)Saron first joined startups working in sales and marketing and decided to try coding again out of frustration (08:03)Bootcamp, university, or a self-directed path? Here’s how Saron made that decision (09:38)The benefits of bootcamps… and coding communities (11:35)Community break! Jan the producer reads your tweets, reviews, and LinkedIn posts (13:21)How can an aspiring developer involve more in the community? (15:21)How to foster deeper connections online? (17:24)How important is consistency when learning to code? (19:21)Can anybody teach themselves coding? (20:23)What is the right motivation to become a developer? How much should you be passionate about coding? (22:00)What are a first-time developer’s biggest assets and why? (24:22)Is “passion” too strong of a word? Should you be passionate about coding? (27:15)The importance of mentoring juniors (28:53)Junior developers are an investment (30:45)What is newdevcareer.com? (32:22)Information is all around us, but we’re lacking action (36:42)What is the main problem new developers face? (38:38)🧰 Resources MentionedCodeNewbieNewDevCareer.comScrimba Podcast: Tech Layoffs Are Still Happening, and ChatGPT Can Code: How To Stay Ahead of the Curve as a New Developer, With Lane WagnerHow to Be Great? Just Be Good, Repeatably⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Jamie Baker 🇬🇧! Jamie is a recently hired new developer who used to be a butcher. Recently, he took the plunge to leave his growing business and, at 38, start his first front-end developer job after only interviewing at one company! This is a story of perseverance and knowing when to niche down. You will hear how Jamie started coding, why he loves CSS, and how he fell in love with Shopify. You will learn why you should be enthusiastic about the tech you're working with and why if you're sending too many resumes, that might mean you need a better strategy. Jamie also talks about his typical day as a developer working at Velstar, a Shopify agency, why honesty and people skills matter, and why you shouldn't sleep on domain knowledge. There are also some fun quick-fire questions!🔗 Connect with Jamie👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 The butcher shop⏰ TimestampsHow Jamie started learning CSS by hosting a football forum (01:54)How Jamie landed his first paid gig while knowing only CSS (03:16)How Jamie decided to go from a craft butcher shop owner to front-end developer (and discovered Scrimba) (04:33)Jamie learned to code alongside his day job (07:29)His butcher shop had a Shopify website, and Jamie loved it (08:01)Today, Jamie works in a Shopify agency (09:17)How Jamie decided to narrow down his focus on Shopify-related jobs (09:58)Community break! (11:32)How Jamie left his business and started a coding job at the age of 38 (13:11)The job Jamie got was the only job he applied for! (13:54)Jamie's personality and people skills played the biggest role when it came to him getting the job (14:29)Find what excites you! (18:44)Quick-fi e questions: Favorite coding courses? Is CSS a language? Why is everybody wearing headphones? (19:28)What Jamie's typical day at a Shopify agency looks like, and why you should put yourself in the shoes of the user (21:50)Why you should be honest with your prospective employers (23:27)Has the career change been worth it for Jamie? (17:00)Next week: Saron Yitbarek, the founder of CodeNewbie! (29:20)🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityScrimba Podcast: Becoming a Standout Developer with Randall Kanna⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Lane Wagner 🇺🇸! Lane is an engineering manager and the founder of Boot.dev. In this episode, as an experienced leader and educator, Lane talks about the recent changes in the job market and what they mean for aspiring and established developers alike. With tech layoffs and AI that can write code, how do you even stand out?Lane and Alex discuss the future of the industry as well as the ongoing recession and why it seems to hit tech companies especially hard. You'll learn what's the main difference between a developer and an AI that can write code and how to focus on it. They also talk about different types of companies, how different paths require different strategies to break into tech, and why it's okay to change companies as that's the quickest way to learn and figure out what works for you..🔗 Connect with Lane👨‍💼Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter✏️ Blog⏰ TimestampsWhy is the tech industry experiencing layoffs? (01:41)Do tech layoffs affect junior developers in the long run? (03:20)Why we are in a recession: the (tech) bubble created during the COVID pandemic burst (05:00)Why have big companies mostly hired seniors in the past three years (08:31)Should junior developers aim to work at smaller companies? (09:24)Getting a job requires different strategies for different types of companies (12:29)Changing jobs is okay! (16:06)Community break! (18:23)Get your first developer job ASAP because that's the quickest way to learn (20:36)AI can write code. Should developers be worried for their livelihoods? (22:37)The difference between ChatGPT and a junior developer (26:03)If your biggest selling point as a junior is what technologies you use, you're doing something wrong (30:21)What we can learn from the data available at layoffs.fyi (33:39)We can't control most things happening in the job market, but we can focus on the things we can control: Lane's advice for junior developers (35:21)🧰 Resources Mentionedboot.devlayoffs.fyiBlog post: What Do Tech Layoffs Mean for Budding DevelopersScrimba Podcast: How to become a successful Junior Developer with Danny ThompsonScrimba Podcast: How to Use Twitter to Beat Your Social Anxiety and Land Your First Job, with Scrimba Student Trecia⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Matheus Pessoa 🇧🇷! Matheus is a recently hired new developer who landed his first junior developer job after only about a year of learning to code. To make this story even more awesome, the CTO of the company he now works at reached out to him! In this episode, you'll hear how Matheus approached learning to code with ADHD, how he chose front-end development as a career that blends his different interests, and how he ultimately landed his first dev job. You'll learn what's important when applying for jobs at startups (hint: it's not necessarily your tech knowledge, especially if you're a junior), whether you can apply for a position involving something you haven't learned yet, and how not to get stuck if everybody on your team is super young.🔗 Connect with Matheus👨‍💼 Linkedin👨‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsHow Matheus decided to learn to code after studying statistics while being interested in visual arts (01:42)What projects did Matheus make to learn to code? (03:02)How Matheus decided to focus on becoming a front-end developer (04:32)How Matheus approached learning to code and navigated being self-taught while having ADHD (05:56)What's the job market like in Brazil, and when did Matheus start applying? (08:23)Community break! (09:35)The real challenge is finding the right cultural fit (11:37)Matheus found a job because the CTO of the company reached out to him! (12:06)Interviewing in reverse (14:43)What kind of technical skills were they looking for from a junior candidate? (15:47)What made Matheus stand out (16:10)What is more important: mission fit, tech, or communication skills?Matheus got an offer letter only five days after the interview! (18:22)What does a day of work look like for Matheus today? (20:08)Matheus works in a very young team. Here's why that's awesome and how to do with its shortcomings (20:41)Matheus's future career goals (21:55)What Matheus wishes he had known when he was starting out: Be patient! (22:38)Next week, Lane Wagner of Btalks about layoffs and what they mean for new developers (24:06)🧰 Resources MentionedFront-end Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityMatheus' museum projectOptimize Your LinkedIn Page with Danny ThompsonScrimba Podcast: How to Make Your LinkedIn Stand OutScrimba Podcast: An Introvert's Guide to Networking (and Becoming Amazing at LinkedIn), with Stephanie Chiu from PayPal⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Mathias Biilmann 🇩🇰! Matt is CEO and Co-founder of Netlify, a cloud computing company you might have heard of. He's also a self-taught developer who was a music journalist in a past life! In this episode, he talks about bootstrapping a company, and hiring his first developers. He also talks about how he initially learned to code and, eventually, decided to change careers! Yes, this story will also take you to the time before everybody had Internet. Matt will teach you how to best position yourself as a developer, and why companies in different stages of their development look for different things in their hires. Alex and Matt will discuss the current state of the job market and whether you should be worried about the potential for finding job opportunities. And on top of that, this episode is also about the fascinating story about the inception of a company we all know and love.🔗 Connect with Matt👨‍💼Linkedin🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Matt started fiddling with a Commodore 64 before becoming a developer was cool (02:07)How you would learn coding in the era before everybody was connected to the Internet (03:56)Matt pursued musicology, comparative literature, and cultural studies degrees and worked as a freelance music journalist! (05:40)How Matt kept coding as a hobby and decided to switch careers after meeting a girl from Spain (06:10)Matt’s first notable coding projects: a Sudoku game where you could challenge friends like in Wordle, and a procedurally generated space game (07:24)How Matt got his first developer job (09:29)Break: Here’s what our community is saying! (11:50)How Matt Biilmann went from being an employee to CTO to CEO (14:28)Matt had a hunch about the future of the web… And it turned out he was right! (17:04)What is Jamstack? (20:38)How much code does Matt write today, and how much did he use to write in Netlify’s early days? (23:32)What was Netlify looking for in the first developers they hired? (25:45)What kinds of developers do early-stage startups need? What are the differentiators between developers with similar backgrounds? (27:57)Break: Subscribe! (31:37)Why do companies still need to hire junior developers? (32:19)Are junior developers a good investment? (37:03)Why are there tech layoffs happening right now? (37:49)Should you be worried about the current state of the job market? (44:28)🧰 Resources MentionedNetlifyNetlify Drop, formerly BitBalloonJamstackScrimba Podcast: How to Avoid Burnout, Improve Your Confidence and Keep Coding Fun, with Scrimba Student Sylvia⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Trecia Kat 🇿🇦! Trecia is a new developer from South Africa who originally wanted to work in healthcare. She eventually decided to study IT, but she dropped out of college when it turned out that online resources were better! Today she's a front-end developer. She got her feet wet in the world of Developer Advocacy, she beat her social anxiety, and she even spoke at a conference! In this episode, you'll learn why passion doesn't mean you'll be great at something - and how to recognize what you can actually be great at. Trecia tells us how she learned to code, overcame her fear of interacting with people she doesn't know, and landed her first developer job. Twitter was essential for Trecia's journey - she will teach you how to use it to get out of your comfort zone and what Tech Twitter tropes to ignore. You will also hear about Trecia's DevRel internship at Strapi and how she ended up speaking at a conference by trying not to speak at a conference. 🔗 Connect with Trecia👩‍💼Linkedin🌐 Website🌐 Blog🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Trecia decided to learn to code, and should you be passionate about coding to do so (01:27)Trecia wanted to work in healthcare but eventually decided to study IT (02:52)Why Trecia dropped out of her studies (06:42)How Trecia decided to pick up front-end when her cousin needed a website (9:30)Resources Trecia used to learn to code (11:18)Break: Here’s what you’ve tweeted about the podcast. (13:54)The biggest challenge Trecia faced was wanting to learn too many things at once (16:13)Tech Twitter is useful… but don’t believe everything you read (17:41)How Trecia grew her Twitter following (18:52)How Trecia used Twitter to fight her social anxiety and connect with the community (20:05)Trecia got her first freelance gig because of Twitter! (26:15)How Trecia learned about DevRel and got a DevRel internship (27:29)Ad break: Next week, it’s Netlify CEO Matt Biilmann! (30:03)On Trecia’s DevRel internship at Strapi (32:10)How Trecia spoke at the Next.js conference by trying too hard not to speak at a conference at all (33:36)Why Trecia decided to drop being a developer advocate for the time being and focus on becoming a better developer (34:34)What Trecia wishes she knew when she was starting out as a coder: focus on yourself and break out of your comfort zone (37:15)🧰 Resources MentionedfreeCodeCampLearn Javascript for free on ScrimbaTrecia at Next.JSIntro to artificial intelligence and Developer Relations with Pratim BhosalePratim Bhosale on TwitterTraversyMedia on YoutubeScrimba Podcast: How to get started in Developer Relations according to Head of Developer Relations Phil Leggetter⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Patrick Akil 🇳🇱! Patrick is a software engineer, Golang trainer, and the host of the Beyond Coding podcast. In this interview, he shares his story of becoming a developer and talks about everything beyond coding - mindset, mental health, life- and soft skills. By the way, this is the 100th episode of the Scrimba podcast! 🎉In this episode, you will learn how to become a better team player and what being a good communicator actually entails. Patrick will teach you how to find your strengths even if you're not the best coder in the world, why mental health is important, and how creating genuine connections with your coworkers benefits everybody. You will also hear how Patrick pivoted to coding after initially missing an opportunity to study it at a university and how he learned from consultants from a company he later worked for! 🔗 Connect with Patrick📹 YouTube👨‍💼Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsPatrick’s long and winding path to coding through operations (01:28)Is attending a university a good path to becoming a developer? (05:02)How Patrick learn development on the job from external consultants (07:36)People around you will define your growth curve, and mentors are important (10:09)How much of success is luck, and how much is under your control? (11:09)How to advocate for yourself (13:13)What does it mean to be a good communicator (14:16)Ad break! Next week, it’s Trecia Kat! (16:13)Why it’s important to talk about things that are ‘beyond coding’? (17:53)How not to be too harsh on yourself (19:37)Creating a system that doesn’t rely on motivation (21:55)What’s more important: hard skills or soft skills? (24:04)The typical roles within a team (25:28)How to get better at teamwork (29:04)Where does perfectionism come from? (33:17)How to get better at receiving feedback (35:11)How to apply the takeaways from this interview to interviewing for a job without going over the top (37:56)Redefining what success means (40:19)What are goals (43:05)How Patrick got his first developer job even though he wasn’t expecting to (44:15)How Patrick became a podcaster (47:54)🧰 Resources MentionedBeyond Coding on YoutubeBeyond Coding on AnchorBeyond Coding: Mental Health Problems and Conference Talks, with Stacy Cashmore ⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Amy Corson 🇺🇸! Amy is a recently hired new developer. She's also an aspiring comedian! During the pandemic, she realized she was unhappy with her day job and decided to change it. So: this episode is both insightful and funny!In this interview, Amy talks about learning to code and how her brother, also a self-taught developer, introduced her to Scrimba. You'll learn about ghost buses, local coding meetups, and how help can come from the unlikeliest of places. Amy also teaches you how to pick a coding project you're not going to give up on, even if it might give you food poisoning. Ultimately, you will hear how Amy approached both studying and applying for jobs, how she prepared for the job interview that landed her the job she's doing now, and why vague emails from recruiters are even more stressful when you're in the mountains. 🔗 Connect with Amy👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website👩‍🚀 Github⏰ TimestampsHow Amy went from an aspiring comedy writer with a day job to learning to code (02:12)Amy quit her job and focused on coding (04:51)Amy landed her first developer job after a little over a year of studying! (06:20)How Amy approached learning to code (06:48)What projects did Amy build? (08:07)How Amy decided on a complex project, learned a lot, and avoided food poisoning (08:20)Ad break! Next week, it’s Patrick Akil! (10:17)How Scrimba’s Discord community helped Amy solve problems better (12:11)When did Amy decide to start applying for jobs? (13:58)How Amy tackled her lack of teamwork experience by joining a civic open-source meetup (15:02)What Amy did when she got stuck on her new project (17:38)Does Amy’s new job mirror her experience working on the projects at the local meetup group? (18:52)You don’t know who you know! (21:24)How Amy landed her developer job (25:14)What Amy did to prepare for her job interview (27:37)Why did Amy put work into presenting herself to the interviewers (28:58)How did Amy's technical interview go? (32:47)Amy almost two job offers at once! (34:29)How do you tell your prospective employer to hurry up? (36:22)How Amy got the job offer she ended up accepting while on a hike with no phone reception (38:15)Should you negotiate the salary for your first opportunity? (40:08)Junior developers are an investment (44:39)🧰 Resources MentionedThe Front-End Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Stephanie Chiu 🇺🇸! Stephanie is a self-taught iOS software engineer and career coach. She's also a chemical engineer who thought she would never code... until she met people who actually worked in tech!In this episode, you'll learn everything about her path to becoming a developer and landing her first job at PayPal! You'll also learn how important it was for Stephanie to be a part of a local developer community. Stephanie will teach you how to optimize your LinkedIn (and think about what recruiters see), seek mentorship, and reach out to senior developers for coffee chats, even if you're introverted.Stephanie and Alex share excellent tips to help you find your niche and stand out as a new developer. They also discuss predictions for the state of the industry and job market in 2023. 🔗 Connect with Stephanie📸 Instagram👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter👩‍🚀 Github⏰ TimestampsHow Stephanie started coding even though she thought she would never do that (01:36)The life of a chemical engineer working as a production supervisor and why Stephanie wanted to change careers (04:28)The collaborative nature of getting into tech and how to do coffee chats with developers (05:52)Why you should go to hackathons (07:13)Why getting out of your comfort zone can lead to cool stuff (08:17)How Stephanie surrounded herself with tech people and why that was helpful (09:16)Should a junior developer work remotely or in person? (11:48)Ad break! Reading your podcast reviews + next week on the show: a comedian-turned-developer Amy Corson! (14:00)How Stephanie picked her tech stack and approach learning to code, and why you shouldn't focus on collecting certificates (16:58)Why iOS developer communities are tightly knit (20:51)Why iOS developers generally receive higher compensation (21:55)How Stephanie got her job at PayPal and why you shouldn't sleep on LinkedIn (25:32)Do small companies hire juniors in the current job market? (27:34)How Stephanie was found on LinkedIn by a manager at PayPal... and then rejected (28:50)The engineers replied back to Stephanie's thank you email, she took up one of them on an offer to help her with learning, and the rest is history! (30:56)The engineers initially doubted Stephanie (32:28)How Stephanie's manager needed somebody who could think outside the box (35:24)What is more important for junior developers: a resume, portfolio, LinkedIn, or GitHub? (37:46)How to teach LinkedIn's algorithm what is it that you want to become (39:55)The key to using LinkedIn is curation (40:53)How the Skills section on LinkedIn makes a difference in what you see and who reaches out (42:33)People don't scroll, so put the most essential things on top! (44:17)What recruiters see on LinkedIn, and why Stephanie put her GitHub projects into the Experience section (45:36)Stephanie's take on the state of the job market in 2023 (47:24)🧰 Resources MentionedLevels.fyi - Salaries and tools to level up your careerScrimba podcast with Austin Henline: How to make your LinkedIn profile standout according to a LinkedIn expertScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Marleigh Morgan 🇺🇸! Marleigh is a recently hired graphic designer turned developer. She has always wanted to learn to code, and she tried to study computer science but gave up after it turned out that, at her university, she was supposed to write Java on paper. During the pandemic, she picked up coding again. Two years later, she changed careers!In this episode, Marleigh will teach you how to balance learning to code with having a full-time job. She also talks about online communities and how to benefit from them, the importance of developing independent projects for your portfolio, and why you shouldn't be afraid to take breaks when you need them. She also shares how she eventually changed career paths within the company she was already working at and how she knew she was ready to apply for jobs.🔗 Connect with Marleigh👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter👩‍🚀 Github🤖 kittywizard#9211 on Scimba Discord⏰ TimestampsMarleigh was interested in coding, but gave up after her university wanted her to write Java on paper (01:27)Marleigh went back to coding after changing majors and working as a designer for ten years (02:22)What made Marleigh pick up programming again (03:57)The importance of being consistent (06:05)How Marleigh learned coding alongside a full-time job (06:28)Marleigh's advice for everybody learning to code alongside work (07:41)The difference in mindset between learning to code as a hobby and learning to code as a career path (10:05)Ad break: Next week, it's Stephanie Chiu!How specifically Marleigh learned to code (14:34)Do you ever feel ready to apply for jobs? (16:44)Remote vs on-site work for junior developers (17:55)Marleigh is a Scrimba Community Hero with over 2000 messages on our discord server. Here's how she discovered the Scrimba Community (19:33)Why being in a developer community is important when you're starting out (20:50)Job applications don't always pan out - here's how Marleigh knew when to take a step back and tweak her resume (21:13)Marley eventually ended up changing careers internally - here's how it happened (23:10)Did they grill Marleigh about her coding skills? (27:33)The perks of being in the Scrimba community while job searching (28:41)It's okay to take breaks! (30:37)🧰 Resources MentionedThe Front-End Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Don Hansen 🇺🇸! Don is a software engineer and developer mentor who helps aspiring juniors land their first opportunity. He's also a Youtuber, podcaster, and streamer who met his first boss on Twitch!In this episode, Don and Alex talk about career changes, leaving a good first impression, and the state of the job market right now. You'll learn whether you should consider attending a coding bootcamp or stick to a self-directed path, how to see past the marketing copy on a coding bootcamp's website, and how to actually look at networking (especially if you're bad at it). Don also shares valuable insights on all the things you might be doing wrong if you're just starting your job search. 🔗 Connect with Don👨‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website📹 Youtube📹 Twitch⏰ TimestampsDon always coded as a hobby (01:19)Bridging the gap between a hobbyist and a professional: it's a shift in mindset (02:56)How to keep coding playful while maintaining discipline (05:02)How did Don go about getting his first coding job? (06:23)Don met his first boss on Twitch! (07:20)Why is providing transparency very powerful + are you curious about coding? (09:01)What Don learned from failed job applications (11:21)How you should think about networking (13:10)Ad break! Next week, it's Marleigh Morgan! (14:52)Fight shyness with exposure (16:21)How James Mariott fought his insecurities by streaming, and why streaming can be a great strategy for you (19:03)On imposter syndrome: it never goes away (20:32)Why you should train yourself to be a problem solver (23:25)Don put stuff you don't know (or senior developers, for that matter) on a pedestal (25:47)Short-term vs long-term goals (26:19)How to pick your area of expertise, and why Don picked CSS (30:10)Should you sign up for a bootcamp or choose a self-directed route? (34:32)Can you pick a bootcamp based on their success rate? (38:24)What to do if you're applying for junior developer jobs but never hearing back? (42:39)Coding ability vs. soft skills, and why it's important to learn presentation skills (45:58)What's the motivation behind Don's YouTube channel? (48:13)How to look for jobs during a recession (51:05)The only surefire way to fail is to quit (55:47)🧰 Resources MentionedDonTheDeveloper YouTube channelDon's YT video: How I Got My First Web Developer JobDon't review of ScrimbaShould aspiring developers be worried about the recession?Scrimba podcast: Code Like Nobody Is Watching: On Community, Learning, and Finding the Right Culture Fit, With Scrimba Student James⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Mislav Markušić 🇭🇷! Mislav is a new developer from Croatia who has changed careers at the age of 40. After attending law school and realizing it wasn't a good fit for him, he spent 14 years working in a record store! Now, he's a junior developer.In this episode, Mislav shares how he decided to pursue coding, how long it took, and how he managed to do it alongside a full-time job and a family. Mislav and Alex discuss taking breaks, knowing you're ready to apply for jobs, and whether or not a junior should learn TypeScript. Mislav also talks about his portfolio, how having a well-thought-out portfolio can help you stand out in a sea of candidates, and how you can prepare for your job interview by listening to podcasts!🔗 Connect with Mislav👨‍💼Linkedin🌐 Portfolio🌐 Blog🐦Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Mislav started coding after dropping out of law school and working in a record store for 14 years (01:22)How Mislav knew which technologies to focus on (05:07)How Mislav approached learning to code (06:54)Hurry up, but slowly (08:33)Ad break! Check out our video where Alex is reenacting a day in a life as a learner. Next week on the podcast, it's Don Hansen! (10:55)Mislav wasn't ready too apply for jobs, but a friend of his thought otherwise (13:22)The hiring manager loved how Mislav presented himself. Here's what he did, and how he picked his portfolio projects! (14:55)Podcasts were the single best resource for Mislav when it comes to nailing the interview. Here's why (18:20)Mislav's interview process (20:22)Mislav's new job! (23:13)What's the first week of his first developer job been like for Mislav? (23:47)How fast do you learn coding at home, and how fast do you learn on the job? (26:55)How you feel about your abilities can change within a month (28:04)What would Mislav do differently, and why is that - learning TypeScript? (29:03)🧰 Resources MentionedBlog: Mislav's Roadmap to Getting Hired as a Frontent DevMislav's portfolioYouTube video: A day in the life of a self-taught React developer in LondonScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Katy Ashby 🇬🇧! Katy studied physics before becoming a developer, and once she did, she went from a complete novice to a principal developer and team lead in only four years! In this episode, Katy shares how she fast-tracked her career and how you can do the same.In this episode, Katy talks about why you should remain curious, how to recognize opportunities to progress in a company, and what makes a senior developer. Katy shares her view on whether you should seek a remote position as a junior developer and the benefits of staying at a job for longer. Alex and Katy also discuss contractors and whether you should be wary of them (or become one). Also: HTML for Dummies, and rats!🔗 Connect with Katy👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsKaty never thought she was going to become a developer, even though she dabbled with coding as a child (01:06)How Katy worked on her first website as a kid and kept coding playful (01:54)Katy never thought about studying computer science because her computer classes at school were boring, and she ended up majoring in physics with a minor in French! (04:23)Why a developer career, in hindsight, was a perfectly logical choice for Katy (06:25)How Katy went from a beginner to a principal developer in four years (07:27)Ad break! Next week, it's Mislav Markušić! (12:21)What made Katy determined to climb the ranks? (14:13)Why becoming a senior developer is more about your attitude than just your coding skills (15:07)Did Katy know much about software development jobs before she got her first one? (16:10)More and more physicists are becoming coders. Here's why (17:05)What Katy learned over the course of four years (19:08)How Katy used the experience of using Python for a physics internship to kickstart her coding journey (19:55)Is there anything that Katy would do differently? (23:42)What challenges did Katy face when she started working? (25:29)How Katy turned a graduate role into an actual job (27:55)Consider the whole offer, and not just the salary (30:40)Should junior developers work remotely or in person? (32:45)Why applying for jobs at other companies can get you a raise (34:18)How does everybody working remotely change the job landscape? What's the difference between employees and contractors? (37:46)How Katy took a break between jobs and shared her knowledge with the community (42:09)Quick-fire questions: favorite places in the UK, Anglo-Indian food, coffee, and keeping rats as pets! (45:07)🧰 Resources MentionedDummiesScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Sylvialynn Favello 🇺🇸! Sylvia got exposed to coding accidentally: by watching online courses for fun after she took a break from work and studying so that she could have surgery. Today, she works at Docker! She will teach us how to stay on track even when our brains don't want to.In this episode, Sylvia will give us her insights on how to recognize you're heading towards burnout, how to keep learning fun, and how to remain motivated. She also talks about working on her self-confidence and public speaking by participating in communities and Twitter spaces (the latter is also how she met her hiring manager!), as well as how she found a way to enjoy the learning process for what it is. Spoiler alert: you'll get many unconventional study tips, but they might work for you!Alex and Sylvia also discuss programming with ADHD, why being a developer is rewarding, and how you can turn perceived failures into learning experiences. 🔗 Connect with Sylvia👩‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Hashnode👩‍🚀 GitHub🌐 Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Sylvia started learning to code because she was bored and wanted to learn... anything (01:48)Alex met Sylvia a year ago when she was joining Twitter spaces to work on her self-confidence and public speaking. Here's how it went down! (03:59)Why you should try different things until you find something that sticks (05:12)How Sylvia's dream about studying at Harvard turned into a passion for coding (05:53)How Alex got exposed to coding by watching videos from Stanford, and Sylvia's unconventional learning practices (07:09)Developers with ADHD and how programming can be stimulating (11:12)Ad break: Have you heard our show with Jessica Chan? Coming up next week, lead software engineer Katy Ashby.Sylvialynn's approach to learning and why you shoulud follow your cuiosity (15:27)Why you should always be open to tweaking your goals and plans (17:21)Finding motivation in challenges (18:39)Keep learning fun! (20:06)How to recognize and avoid burnout? (23:18)Why you should enjoy the journey, not the destination (26:44)When did Sylvia feel she was ready to start applying for jobs? (28:12)How Sylvia chose her portfolio project (29:34)What resources did she use to learn JavaScript and React? (30:25)Sylvia's approach to findind a job (spoiler: in the end, community is always important) (31:26)Why you should start working on your presentation skills right away (34:13)How to deal with mental setbacks in networking and socializing (39:16)Sylvia met a hiring manager at Docker in a Twitter space! (43:33)Are you an introvert... or an anxious extrovert (45:33)Sylvia's interview process at Docker (47:33)What is it like being an intern at Docker? (49:47)What's it like doing an internship remotely? (51:00)Technical vs behavioral questions for a Docker internship (53:12)How long did the internship last and did it come with a promise of a possible job opportunity? (54:46)Keep trying different things! (57:19)🧰 Resources MentionedHow to speakCS50's Introduction to Computer Science on edXMia Bala on TwitterScrimba's Front-End Developer Career PathSylvia's project, Blue SignalScrimba Podcast: How To Learn To Code From the Free Content on YouTube, With Jessica ChanScrimba Podcast: Communication skills for developers with Dylan Israel from AmazonfreeCodeCampLearn Python for Free on ScrimbaScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Alexander Lee 🇺🇸! Alexander, also known as TechRally, is a front-end engineer at Amazon. He's also a developer coach, Youtuber, and career changer. In this episode, TechRally teaches you how to solve a number of challenges you might face as a junior developer trying to break into the industry.Alex (the host) and Alex (the guest) discuss the pros and cons of bootcamps, as well as developer portfolios, job market trends, and whether job hunting is similar to... dating. You'll also learn what's the least you can do to stand out as an applicant and how to make sure you really stand out. TechRally will teach you how to approach your portfolio project, how to keep up the motivation, and what to do when you feel stuck in your job search.🔗 Connect with TechRally📹 YouTube🐦 Twitter📸 Instagram👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website⏰ TimestampsHow Alexander Lee decided to enroll into a coding bootcamp and become a developer (01:48)Bootcamps vs. traditional education (03:16)Are bootcamps a good path for people learning to code and breaking into tech? Is there a difference between bootcamps in 2015 and bootcamps today? (05:02)The best advice for aspiring developers (07:59)What should you do if you think you're doing everything right but you still don't hear back after you apply for jobs? (09:39)Ad break! Have you listened to our interview with Madison Kanna? Plus: You can leave a review of our podcast and make the producer smile. Next Tuesday: Sylvia Favello, who started learning to code because she was bored after surgery!Your developer portfolio and resume should be the best at the start of your career (16:31)How many projects should you have in your developer portfolio? (18:31)How Alexander landed a job at Amazon (19:19)Why do there seem to be fewer recruiters reaching out at the moment? (21:28)What is the current state of the tech job market, and is there enough work for juniors? (22:42)Should you worry about seasonal trends in the job market? (25:24)What are the aspects of the hiring process that a junior developer can control? (26:43)Job hunting vs. Tinder (30:46)What kind of projects should you have in your portfolio? (33:14)One solid project kills two birds with one stone (34:34)How to stay motivated while building bigger projects (36:26)Quick-fire questions: coffee, front-end frameworks, and Korean food! (41:13)🧰 Resources MentionedTechRally Youtube ChannelScrimba Podcast: Homeschooler, College Dropout, Developer and Master Networker: Crush Your Career with Madison KannaScrimba's Discord server!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet James Marriott 🇬🇧! He's a software developer and a career changer who previously worked in education, project management, and communications. He devoted himself to learning to code during a lockdown because he likes making things! In this episode, you'll hear how he found a way to get more comfortable coding in front of interviewers by streaming on YouTube, avoided emails to stay motivated, and ultimately landed a job at a company that perfectly fits his personality. James also talks about impostor syndrome, the importance of finding a community, and how being open about not knowing something can benefit you in the long run. He and Alex also discuss whether coding skills alone are enough to land you your first job and whether your previous work experience is relevant when you're breaking into tech.🔗 Connect with James👨‍💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsHow James decided to become a developer after decades of waiting (02:31)How did James learn to code? (04:18)How does one go from hobbyist to professional? Plus, the true value of Scrimba (05:26)How James connected to other coders in the community (07:06)The difficulty of changing careers later in life (09:30)Ad break! Have you listened to our interview with Quincy Larson? How to support us and who's on next week (10:29)Changing careers in your 40s: advantage or disadvantage? (13:30)What do you have in your 40s that you don't have in your 20s? (16:06)Where does motivation come from? (17:03)How James approached finding his first developer job (18:40)James set up an email filter so that he couldn't see rejections! (19:32)Focusing on the things you can control (20:32)James was interviewed by three companies - here's how it went down (21:25)What James learned from his first interview and how he battled his fear of live coding by... streaming on YouTube! (23:40)Why should you learn how to explain your code to other people (27:16)On imposter syndrome (29:10)How James ended up in a company that aligns with his values (31:08)Slow burning motivation, humility, and finding a good fit (34:19)James' interview process and why you shouldn't lie on your resume (36:59)James' technical task and being transparent (42:37)Salaries, how to do them differently, and why a higher salary isn't always a good thing (47:19)🧰 Resources MentionedScrimba Podcast: Quincy Larson: Why Learning To Code as an Adult Might Be Easier Than You Think Scrimba's blog!Our discord community⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Caitlyn Greffly 🇺🇸! She's a career changer, developer career mentor, and the author of The Bootamper's Companion, a book of tips she wishes she had known when she was breaking into tech. In her past life, she was a psychologist working in beer. After changing careers at 31, Caitlyn is nowadays a full-stack software engineer with a passion for frontend.In her book, Caitlyn shares resources, advice, and approaches to help you stand out and find a job. In this interview, she does the same! You'll hear how she decided to become a developer and chose a path to get there. You'll learn why you shouldn't be intimidated by your more experienced colleagues, and why struggling is essential. Caitlyn and Alex also discuss how employers can help juniors grow and how new developers can figure out if an employer is right for them. 🔗 Connect with Caitlyn👩‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Caitlyn ended up in programming after studying psychology and working in beer (01:37)Becoming a coder as a woman in a male-dominated industry (03:03)Did Caitlyn have any exposure to coding before attending a bootcamp? (04:39)How Caitlyn knew she was ready for a career change (05:59)The bootcamp landscape in 2019 and why Caitlyn chose that instead of a self-directed route (08:35)How Caitlyn found a bootcamp that worked for her life circumstances (10:06)Ad break: We had a bootcamp mentor on the show! (13:04)What Caitlyn found more challenging - coding itself or maintaining positivity and motivation (15:08)The importance of struggling and what to do when you struggle (18:17)Why you should time box (21:22)Caitlyn’s book, The Bootcamper’s Companion (21:54)How Caitlyn got her first developer job (25:02)On being front of mind and building a community (26:49)The thing that had the biggest impact on Caitlyn’s journey - how one tweet resulted in her hanging out with Scott Hanselman! (29:17)How to get yourself out there as a new developer… if you’re an introvert (32:46)Caitlyn’s experience interviewing (35:45)Are interview processes a necessary evil? (40:28)Don’t forget to interview the company! (42:42)Did Caitlyn feel like she was starting from scratch, changing careers at 31? (46:58)🧰 Resources MentionedScrimba Podcast: Bootcamp Mentor Hussien Khayoon: Careers Come in Three Stages, and Here’s How To Navigate ThemScrimba Podcast: How to become a successful Junior Developer with Scott Hanselman from MicrosoftBook: The Bootamper's Companion by Caitlyn GrefflyScrimba's Discord server!Thinkful⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Michael Robards 🇺🇸! Michael is a career changer whose path to becoming a developer was a long and winding one: he was a business analyst and a personal trainer; he worked front of house and managed restaurants; he studied biology and worked in customer service. Eventually, he got a developer job at Coca-Cola!In this episode, Michael shares his story and his approach to learning and getting a job. He did a lot of things right, and he's also a proof that it's never too late for a carreer change. Michael and Alex also talk about imposter syndrome, difficulties of learning to code while having a full-time job, differences between big and small companies, and why having to keep on learning is a great thing about working in tech.🔗 Connect with Michael👨‍💼LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsMichael's long and winding path to becoming a developer (01:44)Why Michael thought becoming a software developer wasn't right for him (08:17)How Michael commited to learning to code - and did that on company time, at least at first (09:04)On learning to code while having a full-time job (11:56)How Coca-Cola helped Michael on his coding journey (12:45)Ad break: We had a lot of career changers on the podcast. Here's one of them! Plus how to support us, and who's on next week (it's Caitlyn Greffly)!Is there anything Michael would've done differently? (17:43)Why did it take four and a half years for Michael to get a software job at Coke? (20:31)What does it look like to be hired internally? (22:57)How to fight imposter syndrome? (25:12)What kind of a coworker does a junior developer need? (27:32)Why you should do things at your own pace and choose your employers wisely (28:35)Michael's career goals (31:01)Keep on learning! (31:47)🧰 Resources MentionedSome of the career changers we interviewed: Chris, Silvia, Theo, WemersonScrimba's Discord CommunityGrow with GoogleThe Frontend Developer Career PathCodecademyFreecodecamp⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Madison Kanna 🇺🇸! She's a front-end developer and a creator of a coding book club. She's also a college dropout, a master networker, and a former homeschooler. In this episode, you'll learn about her fascinating journey and get a lot of good, actionable advice!Madison will teach you how to figure out what you are actually interested in and how to keep pursuing it. You'll learn about her journey to becoming a developer and how being homeschooled helped her in the early days of her coding career. Also in this episode: Why do companies want juniors with experience, and what did Madison do to go around it? Do you get any better at personal branding if you get a domain with your name at the age of nine? Why is it important to work on production code? How to stand out if you don't have a degree? Madison also shares how a single tweet turned being laid off into the best experience of her life! 🔗 Connect with Madison 👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website🐦 Twitter👩‍🚀 Github⏰ TimestampsHow Madison dropped out of college and decided to learn to code (01:28)Do you need a college degree? (02:50)What's it like being homeschooled, and did it help Madison teach herself development? (04:11)How to avoid burnout as you're learning to code? (06:20)How to tackle projects as a self-taught developer? (08:09)How to follow your curiosity? (11:48)What was Madison's goal? (14:07)When should you start applying for jobs? Also, MOMS! (15:37)Madison and her sister, Randall, both became developers. Were their parents an influence there? (18:40)Madison's approach to personal branding and history of blogging (21:26)How Madison created her first tech opportunity - and why it was an unpaid apprenticeship (24:25)Why do companies want juniors with experience (26:44)How to get the experience needed for your first tech job (28:28)Why you should work on production code (29:28)Should you go easy on yourself or keep grinding? (31:50)Recently, Madison got laid off! But one tweet changed everything. A.K.A. Here's why you need to build community (37:04)Should you interview even when you're happy at your job? (44:38)🧰 Resources MentionedScrimba Podcast: From Doctor to Developer, with Jefferson TangScrimba Podcast: Becoming a Standout Developer with Randall KannaBook: Deep Work by Cal NewportBlog post: Why I'm Glad I Grew Up Playing Neopets⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Rían Errity 🇮🇪! He's a Scrimba student who started learning to code as a child. Today, he studies Computer Science and Language, a study program that marries his interest in linguistics with his passion for computing. He has also recently completed an internship with Microsoft!In this interview, Rían talks about his love for computers, growing up with Linux, how he ended up choosing his study program (hint: there was YouTube involved), and whether he actually needs a CS degree. Alex and Rían discuss what self-taught developers might be missing out on compared to developers who are learning to code at a university and what universities could learn from bootcamps and online platforms like Scrimba. You'll also hear all about Rían's internship at Microsoft and learn about his journey from Dublin, where he was competing with 16.000 candidates, to former Skype offices in Tallinn, Estonia! This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice, but it also brings you an exciting story brimming with enthusiasm! 🔗 Connect with Rían 👨‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website👨‍🚀 Github🤖 Rían#6500 at the Scrimba Discord⏰TimestampsHow Rían became a programmer: it started with growing up with Linux (02:00)What is CoderDojo (02:45)Why programming appealed to Rían as a child (04:01)On Lubuntu and Minecraft (05:42)How Rían chose his study program (by watching Tom Scott) (06:26)Computer Science and Language (08:37)Do universities give you more in-depth knowledge? (12:34)Teaching children how to code as another way of learning (14:17)Ad break: If you like the show - share it! And mention Alex on Twitter. Next week, it's Madison Kanna! We already interviewed her older sister (and the link for that episode is below, under Resources).What are self-taught developers missing out on compared to the ones coming out of a university? Do self-taught developers have a hidden advantage? (16:58)How do you test programming at a university? (20:11)Has math been important to Rían as a developer? (21:54)How Rían got an internship at Microsoft (23:42)Are Microsoft internships attainable to self-taught developers? (26:38)How Rían had to compete with 16.000 people and eventually ended up at the old Skype headquarters in Estonia (28:58)Does Microsoft care about technical skills or culture fit? (32:48)Rían's interview process for a Microsoft internship (35:24)What is the difference between coding and programming? (37:37)How Rían thought the offer from Microsoft was a spam email (38:40)More on Microsoft's interviews (39:49)What does being an intern at Microsoft look like? (41:17)Rían's advice to anybody who's just starting to learn how to code (45:18)Easy apply! (46:40)🧰 Resources MentionedCoderDojoTom Scott and Computerphile on YouTubeScrimba Podcast: Becoming a Standout Developer with Randall KannaScrimba's Discord community ⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Mike Chen 🇺🇸! Mike is a self-taught developer who worked at Yahoo, Google, and Airbnb, before becoming a CTO and co-founder of Motivo. Nowadays, he also helps other coders succeed. In this episode, you'll find out what it was like to work at Google and what are the pros and cons of working in a big tech company. You'll learn how to stand out as a new developer without a degree and why you should (not) idealize Silicon Valley.Ultimately, Mike will tell us why tech is cool (if you have a passion for it), as well as how we should go about putting in our work wisely and why it is worth it. He will also reveal what motivates him to teach and mentor other developers! 🔗 Connect with Mike👨‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter🌐 Website👨‍🚀 Github⏰ TimestampsHow Mike went from studying biochemistry to becoming a developer and eventually worked at Google (01:45) Paul Irish: Tools, not rules (04:19)Has the way big tech companies hire changed since Mike broke into the industry? (07:12)How were the front-end roles at Google structured back then? (08:36)Ad break: How to support us + Next week: Rian Errity, who's doing a lot of cool stuff (11:15)How big is Google's infrastructure, actually? (12:55)Mike's experience at Google and the benefits of working at a big tech company (14:22)Why working in big tech ultimately didn't work for Mike (16:01)Why do hiring managers like people with big companies on their resumes (17:15)You have to figure out what you want out of a tech job (20:15)The best way to demystify Silicon Valley is to be in Silicon Valley (21:41)Career advice for new developers: How can they stand out if they don't have a degree and haven't worked at Google? (23:09)Why you should have a demonstrable track record (26:35)Losing your passion is normal over time; here's what to do first (27:34)What did Mike have to give up on to learn to code and change careers? (30:09)In tech, it pays off to put in more work, but not any kind of work (31:59)What motivates Mike to help other developers (36:08) 🧰 Resources MentionedMock Junior Front End Web Developer Interview with Mike Chen and Silvia8 essential career tips for new web developersPaul Irish's blog⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Vikas Jyani 🇮🇳! He studied fine arts before discovering coding and realizing that web development is what can combine his eye for design and interest in tech. In this episode, you'll hear about Vikas's approach to learning and job hunting and why he thinks remote work might still not be optimal for a junior. He talks about life-changing advice he got from a senior developer when he saw Vikas was burning out, recognizing red flags in job offers, and, eventually, how he tripled his salary within a year from getting his first job! You will also learn more about India. Specifically, its job market and education, differences between big and small cities, and why a hybrid approach to work, combining remote work and going to an office, might not work there. 🔗 Connect with Vikas👨🏽‍💼 Linkedin🌐 Portfolio🤖 Vick_Pro#6327 on the Scrimba Discord⏰ TimestampsHow Vikas started coding after studying fine art and also discovered Scrimba (01:37)Job opportunities vs. the population in India (05:00)How Vikas got out of tutorial hell (07:33)How Vikas decided to get into React (09:04)Ad break: We did an episode with Bob Ziroll! Next week, an episode with Mike Chen! Also: how you can support us if you like what we're doing. (10:34)Vikas's approach to applying for jobs (13:21)How positive feedback from a hiring manager who couldn't hire him helped Vikas keep going (14:31)Vikas even turned down an offer because he recognized shady practices! (16:15)How Vikas got a job offer when he thought he failed a trial assignment (17:27)A senior developer recognized Vikas was burning out and gave him life-changing advice (20:40) As a junior, should you go for a remote or office job? (21:54)Would a hybrid approach to working work out in India? (26:16)How Vikas tripled his junior salary (27:18) 🧰 Resources MentionedThe Frontend Developer Career PathScrimba's Discord CommunityScrimba Podcast with Bob Ziroll⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Hussien Khayoon 🇨🇦! Hussien is a Full-stack engineer with almost a decade of experience. Currently, he works as a Staff Software Engineer at Shopify. He is also a Bootcamp Mentor at Springboard, and, as you can guess, he's very passionate about helping new developers land on their feet. In this episode, Hussien will be your mentor.Hussien and Alex will help you feel confident and teach you a couple of things that can help you land your first coding job. They explain why is the interview process at big tech companies as complicated as it is and tell you what you do about it. Hussien shares his approach to both interviewing and being interviewed, as well as his take on bootcamps vs. universities. By the end of the show, you'll hopefully feel more inspired to learn to code, start applying for jobs, and navigate your new role - or at least figure out how to assess if you need to study more.🔗 Connect with Hussien👨🏽‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter📹 Youtube⏰ TimestampsHow Hussien started coding - it wasn't without struggle (01:29)What's the difference between solving a math problem and a coding problem? (04:31)The problem with the way coding is taught at universities (06:02)Is there any prestige in getting a degree? (08:20)Programming is vast: do you have to know everything? (12:40)Elitism and gatekeeping in the coding community (15:48) Is learning to code similar to learning a language? (17:38)Interview processes at big companies: why are they the way they are? (18:13)Does LeetCode make you a better developer? (22:36)Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and learning to code (23:09)Are big tech companies doing interviews right? (24:55)Coding is just half the job (25:59)What a mentoring session is about (30:00)Companies are changing the way they hire + Hussien's approach to being interviewed (33:37)What do coding students need (35:49)Why do companies hire people who aren't perfect yet? (39:09)Your career has three stages (42:03)🧰 Resources MentionedFree report: 4 Tips to Get your FIRST Coding Job FasterHussien's course: Get Your First Coding JobScrimba Podcast: This Scrimba Student Battled Depression and Landed a Job at Amazon After 1000 LeetCode Challenges⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Khaidem Sandip Singha 🇺🇸! He's a Scrimba student from Assam, India, who recently got a job at Amazon! 🎉 Originally, he studied civil engineering before realizing he was more interested in coding. In this episode, you'll hear how he learned to code, battled depression, and reverse-engineered a path to a FANG company.You will also learn about his approach to problem-solving and the benefits of practicing on LeetCode - not many students we interviewed did that, but Khaidem completed one thousand challenges! He also shares some details about Amazon's interview process and his approach to keeping up motivation. 🔗 Connect with Khaidem👨‍💼 Linkedin👩‍🚀 GitHub🌐 LeetCode profile⏰ TimestampsHow Khaidem went from civil engineering to learning to code (01:41)Chasing coding certificates or mastering the basics - what is more important for landing your first developer job? (03:20)How Khaidem reverse-engineered the path to a FANG company (04:33)Should you do LeetCode (06:01)The importance of consistency and persistency (07:16)Why Khaidem focused on LeetCode (08:34)Try different frameworks, but then specialize (12:09)Khaidem's approach to problem-solving (13:57)How Khaidem started his job search while suffering from depression (17:47)Khaidem's first jobs and how he knew he was overqualified (21:41)How Khaidem discovered Scrimba around Javascriptmas 2020 (23:15)Why Khaidem benefited from the Scrimba community (24:15)How Khaidem applied for Amazon (25:15)Amazon's interview process (27:18)How Khaidem got an offer, and why it's important to keep up motivation (30:03)Why you shouldn't give up (31:42)🧰 Resources MentionedUdacity Intro to Programming NanodegreeBob Ziroll's React coursesLeetCodeScrimba Podcast: A Teacher's Job Is Never Done: Get Your Hands on the Keyboard with Bob ZirollScrimba Podcast: Talent Alone Is Not Enough: How Theo Changed Careers at 49 Scrimba Discord community⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Bob Ziroll 🇺🇸! Bob is Scrimba's Head of Education and one of the Internet's favorite React teachers. In a past life, Bob worked in marketing before enrolling into a bootcamp, where he eventually became a teacher and Director of Education. In this podcast, you'll learn about his coding story and teaching philosophy, but also about the early days of Scrimba!Bob and Alex discuss career change, Sunday scaries, and finding the right learning path for you. You'll find out how much work goes into creating a quality coding course, what's the difference between courses and YouTube videos, and why it's sometimes better to learn things more slowly. Bob also talks about how he pushed the limits of the Scrimba platform, how it perfectly lent itself to a successful approach to pedagogy, and shares a wealth of good advice for everybody currently learning to code. 🔗 Connect with Bob👨🏼‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Bob went from coding, to advertising, to coding again (via V School)(01:56)Why Bob got interested in advertising, and ended up with Sunday scaries (04:43)How Bob realized he was interested in teaching and making a bootcamp better (07:12)Is there a selfish aspect to teaching? (09:13)What does it take to make a Scrimba course? And how is the approach different when compared to YouTube? (11:51)How Bob discovered Scrimba and ended up recording his first Scrimba course (13:19)Bob's first React course gained traction... How did he look at the stats? (16:27)React is always evolving and a teacher's job is never done: Bob made more courses and here's in what order to watch them (19:54)What happens if you release a course and something immediately changes? (21:10)Pushing the limits of Scrimba's platform and Bob's approach to pedagogy (23:02)The importance of practice when learning to code (and otherwise) (25:16)Do not cram! (26:53)There's no reason to drink from a firehose (29:19)Making a students' knowledge sharp, vs broad (32:32)Quick-fire questions: lofi beats, electric cars, how not to disappoint Cassidy Williams (34:55)Remix meetup (38:33)🧰 Resources MentionedBob's courses on ScrimbaLofi beats on SpotifyCentered appLearn and Understand Node JS by Antony AliceaScrimba Podcast - Quincy Larson: Why Learning To Code as an Adult Might Be Easier Than You ThinkScrimba Podcast - Ace the job interview with Cassidy WilliamsScrimba Podcast - Be a Librarian, Not an Encyclopedia of Code: How To Learn (and Teach) Better, With Guil HernandezScrimba Podcast - Intentional career building with Kent C. DoddsBob's Remix meetup lightning talk⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Chris McCoy 🇺🇸! He's a pastor who did odd jobs on the side. But he was always interested in coding! Somewhere between working retail and doing food delivery, he realized he needed something more stimulating. Nine months later, he landed not one but two job offers as a junior developer!Chris CRUSHED it on LinkedIn, even though he never liked social media: in this episode, he shares his approach to posting and being actively present on the platform. You can use it both to learn and to connect with people working in the industry, and that's exactly what Chris did. Spoiler alert: it doesn't have to be complicated.You'll also learn more about internships: Chris landed one, which turned out to be pretty cool! What do companies look for in an intern? Should you become one, and how? He also shares how he approached learning to code and found a balance between learning and work. Chris and Alex also discuss what you can learn from odd jobs.Sadly, you won't learn the recipe for Chick-fil-A. But it does make an appearance in this episode :)🔗 Connect with Chris👨🏼‍💼 Linkedin⏰ TimestampsHow Chris decided to become a developer (01:51)Can you still learn something from odd jobs that have nothing to do with coding? (03:19)How Chris chose to learn to code and found support in his community (04:35)Balancing work, learning, and being a pastor: how Chris did it (06:28)How Chris discovered Scrimba (09:16)It's okay not to know everything about development (12:08)Why you need real-world examples when learning a new skill (12:57)Did Chris complete Scrimba's Career Path or get a job before he managed to? (14:14)When and how did Chris start applying for jobs? (16:31)How Chris created a LinkedIn profile and started crushing it (17:31)How to be genuinely present on LinkedIn and use the platform to connect (18:33)Chris's approach to writing LinkedIn posts (21:36)How adding Scrimba to his education connected Chris to a recruiter (21:51)Can an internship be... good? (24:41)What does a company expect from an intern, and what did Chris do about it (27:05)Working with other interns and the higher-ups (30:02)How Chris compared to the other interns in his group (32:38)How Chris's internship turned into a job (34:33)In the end, Chris had not one but two job offers! How did he pick one? (36:17)The hard work paid off (37:49)🧰 Resources MentionedThe Frontend Developer Career Path⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Quincy Larson 🇺🇸! Quincy is the founder of freeCodeCamp, a nonprofit company that makes coding accessible for all. He is a self-taught developer who learned to code when he was 31. Why did he learn to code? Because he wanted to make a school he was a director of more efficient. So... We have a career changer!So, how does a teacher teach himself to code? And how does he teach others? In this episode, Alex asks hard questions, and Quincy answers all of them, sharing valuable insights on how adults learn, how important are your intrinsic capabilities, and why learning a new skill after the age of 25 might be easier than you think. You will also learn about the hacker ethic, how you can overcome your limitations, and why software developers need to be humble.🔗 Connect with Quincy👨🏼‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsHow Quincy Larson started coding at the age of 31... as a school director (01:55)Why you should hang out with other developers (03:52)What is the hacker ethic? (04:51)Why do software developers need to be humble? (07:07)Quincy learning to code before freeCodeCamp. What was that like? (08:16)How does a teacher learn? (11:09)The key learning technique for people over 25 (11:56)The elusive nature of learning to code (15:41)How does an adult brain learn, and why might kinesthetic learning be the best way? (17:29)Can an old dog learn new tricks? (18:57)Learning with analogies and associations + why you shouldn't drink (21:47)Quincy is a master learner... But what if you're not? (24:49)Can anyone learn to code and become a successful developer? (27:35)Are aptitudes important? (28:24)Overcoming your limitations (32:16)How does Quincy feel about the success of freeCodeCamp? (34:44)🧰 Resources MentionedfreeCodeCampHackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution, book by Steven Levy⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Stevie Gill 🇬🇧! Stevie was a scientist, a medical writer and an editor, and then he wrote about video games. Eventually, he moved countries and changed careers. Nowadays, Stevie lives in Toronto, Canada, and works as a full-time front-end developer at Kijiji. In this episode, he shares his story and everything he learned along the way that can help you land your first developer job!You'll hear how Stevie learned to code, how he prepared for the interviews, and that LinkedIn can be useful even if you only have a handful of connections. He reveals how he took a generic portfolio project and made it his own - and why you should do the same. Stevie and Alex discuss Stevie's interview process in depth (be warned: there are some witty HR people out there) and also answer the question of whether you should be dreading the gaps on your resume.🔗 Connect with Stevie👨🏼‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter🌐 Blog🌐 Portfolio👩‍🚀 GitHub⏰ TimestampsStevie's journey into coding (02:01)How moving countries helped Stevie switch careers... and discover Scrimba in the process (05:27)Is LinkedIn that important, and how can you stack the deck in your favor (07:56)A hiring manager discovered Stevie's LinkedIn. How? (13:40)Can you have seven years of React experience and still be a junior? (15:39)Are there any hidden perks of generic messages from recruiters? (16:44)What do recruiters want to know when they're getting to know you as a candidate? (18:40)Taylor Desseyn on how to spot a good recruiter on LinkedIn (19:48)How to deal with a gap on your resume when you're changing careers (20:51)How to stand out from other job candidates (23:14)Stevie's four job interviews: deep dive (24:19)Fun HR questions in a soft skills interview: how to answer them and why are they there (24:30)How to prepare for a tech interview + how Stevie impressed an interviewer (27:59)Stevie's final interview, and how he made an app that became a major talking point (33:56)How to make a fun portfolio project and impress your interviewers (35:40)Don't do this! (39:02)How Stevie got a job offer... with a drumroll! (39:41) 🧰 Resources MentionedFreeCodeCampThe Frontend Developer Career PathStevie's RetroFix appScrimba Podcast: How To Work With Recruiters According to Senior Recruiter Taylor Desseyn⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Tiffany Jachja 🇺🇸! Tiffany is a data scientist, career coach, engineering manager, and Twitch streamer! By day, she works at Vox Media. In her free time, she helps fellow developers by sharing career advice and her computer and data science knowledge. In this episode, Tiffany helps you understand a company's organizational structure so that you can come to your job interview prepared!Alex and Tiffany also talk about resumes: what is their function, and is there such a thing as an ideal resume? You'll also learn the main differences between studying computer science and taking a bootcamp, how to approach the job-hunting tips you find online, how to know if you're ready to apply for your first developer job, and why inspiration matters. Tiffany also shares her favorite online coder communities and job boards!🔗 Connect with Tiffany👩🏻‍💼 Linkedin📹 Twitch🐦 Twitter🌐 Website⏰ TimestampsHow Tiffany got interested in coding thanks to Neopets (02:07)What's the main difference between studying computer science and taking a coding bootcamp? (04:10)The importance of trying stuff out (05:36)What drew Tiffany into management... and data science (08:40)What does Tiffany's typical day at Vox look like? (09:52)Understanding company hierarchy for new developers (10:56)Project management vs. people management (16:00)What should a new developer look for in their engineering manager? (18:37)How does Tiffany choose between a stronger technical fit and a stronger culture fit when hiring? (22:42)Should you meet 100% of the requirements when applying for your first junior role? (27:41)How to build up the confidence needed for career advancement (29:09)How does Tiffany get out of her comfort zone? (32:31)How Tiffany became a career coach (33:26)What should a good resume do? (36:46)Why are resumes so difficult to get right? (37:14)Attaching numbers to your contributions on a resume: how to do it, and why? (40:48)How to approach online advice on job-hunting, so you don't lose your mind (45:38) Tiffany's advice for a new developer entering the job market (46:59)🧰 Resources MentionedVideo: From Student to Senior: Career Development 101Danny Thompson's Commit Your Code communityRemoteJobHunters on Reddit⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Silvia Piovesan 🇮🇹! Silvia is a Scrimba student who recently got for job offers after four different interviews. But her success didn't come overnight! Silvia used to be a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry - where she first got interested in coding. After she got laid off (and became a mom!), she wanted to learn to code so that she could become a knowledgeable project manager in IT... before realizing that she actually wanted to code!In this episode, Silvia reveals what's the similarities between learning to code and hiking Camino de Santiago, as well as her approach to learning and finding a job as a new developer. You'll find out how to utilize your soft skills, what to do if you don't know the answer to a question on a technical interview, and what to do during your first week on the job. Alex and Silvia also discuss goal setting, and why it's not a good idea to give your 100% every day. 🔗 Connect with Silvia👩🏻‍💼 Linkedin🐦 Twitter🌐 Website👩‍🚀 Github⏰ TimestampsSilvia's journey from pharmaceuticals to tech (01:11)How Silvia knew a lot about the inner workings of a company but wanted to pursue specialization (03:27)Did Silvia's professional skills from her previous career help her when she became a developer? (06:06)Silvia's approach to learning to code (09:07)Silvia only learned to code so that she can become a better project manager. What happened next? (10:29)What knowledge did Silvia lack after a bootcamp? How did she discover Scrimba? (14:25)Key takeaways from Silvia's approach (16:41)On setting realistic goals (19:56)How Silvia knew it was time to start applying for jobs and how long it took to get there (21:08)On comparing yourself to other people learning to code (23:39)Did Silvia have doubts about whether or not she would make it? (26:41)Silvia's approach to finding her first developer job (plus: do you need to have a portfolio?) (28:21)Let's talk numbers: how many applications, how many interviews, how many offers? (31:59)How to stand out in a job interview (33:34)Silvia's job interview process (36:10)The most important thing you should know if you're interviewing for jobs (28:52)Where does Silvia work now? (40:49)Silvia's first pull request, and how long does it take to code a button? (42:13)What should you do during your first week on the job? (44:24)🧰 Resources mentionedScrimba's Frontend Career PathLearn React for FreeScrimba's Discord communityMock Junior Front End Web Developer Interview with Mike Chen and Silvia⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Jess Chan 🇺🇸! Jess's YouTube channel, Coder Coder, has almost 400,000 subscribers at the time of recording. She's a web developer turned educator, and when she's not teaching her subscribers JavaScript and CSS, she's working on her first course. This episode is about learning, YouTube, and learning on YouTube!In this show, you'll learn how to evaluate a course and quickly decide if you can trust a YouTube tutorial. Jess and Alex talk about how YouTube evolved over the years and why it might be an underrated place to meet other developers. You'll hear about Jess's long and meandering road to coding and learn why it's okay if you don't become a full-time developer in just three months. Finally, Jess will reveal, once and for all, what's the best camera for YouTubers. 🔗 Connect with Jess📹 YouTube🐦 Twitter🌐 Website📸 Instagram⏰ TimestampsOn Coder Coder, and why Jess loves web development (and enjoys teaching it) (01:33)Why you should remember what's it like to be a beginner at something before teaching it (03:33)Can you teach problem-solving on YouTube? (04:55)How Jess went from Pre-Med to photography to becoming a developer and, finally, an educator (06:24)Why it's okay if you don't become a full-time developer in three months (07:51)On becoming a developer in the era before bootcamps (09:33)Can you judge the current state of the industry from YouTube comments? (12:41)How would Jess approach cracking her first coding interview today? (13:22)Why you should look for other people's job interview experiences on YouTube and how the YouTube landscape has changed over the years (14:33)On Jess's YouTube content, the barrier to entry, and the democratization of educational content (16:51)Should new developers make their own YouTube channels? Can you learn soft skills on YouTube? (19:20)Hard skills vs. soft skills - what's more important when it comes to getting your first junior dev job? (21:04)They say you should "be so good they can't ignore you." What does this mean? (22:51)There are a lot of content creators on YouTube. How can you know who to trust? (24:51)Jess's new course on responsive web design, and can you learn without a mentor (30:21)Can you combine resources while learning? (33:25)Quick-fire questions: mechanical keyboards, music for coding, best social networks for developers, and best cameras for YouTube🧰 Resources mentionedJessica's YouTube channel: Coder CoderJessica's new responsive web development courseBook: Cracking the Coding Interview⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Theo Ntogiakos 🇬🇧! Theo has just switched careers at the age of 49! Recently, he landed a paid apprenticeship and is currently attending a coding bootcamp. But before that, he learned on Scrimba - he joined a coding challenge in February and became an active member of our community. Although he always did something with computers, he used to think he could never become a front-end developer. Well, he was wrong! And that's why he's here.In this episode, Theo shares details about a path that led him here, as well as his approach to learning. You'll find out what's it like to attend a bootcamp and how it compares to Scrimba's learning platform, as well as what kinds of opportunities to keep an eye out for if you're a new developer and live in the UK. Theo also talks about motivation, self-doubt, and whether he could've shifted gears earlier. He and Alex also discuss the importance of wanting to become a developer for the right reasons.🔗 Connect with Theo👨🏻‍💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsTheo's journey into web development (it's a long and winding path!) (01:33)Theo's coding background (it includes Pascal!) (02:48)Why Theo wanted to change careers (05:29)On self-doubt (06:13)Was it challenging to change careers later in life? Plus, the perks of a coding apprenticeship (06:41)How Theo landed a paid apprenticeship after only six months of learning to code... and discovered Scrimba along the way (08:42)Scrimba's coding challenges (11:02)UK developer bootcamps (11:56)How to get an apprenticeship as a web developer in the United Kingdom (14:27)Is salary enough of a reason for a career change? (19:23)What do employers want to see in a candidate? (21:33)Slow and steady wins the race (25:17)How does Scrimba compare to a boot camp? (27:49)If you're a self-taught developer, do this! (29:10)Theo's deep dive into Scrimba (30:51)Let's talk pricing: how much does Scrimba cost compared to a coding bootcamp? And what are the differences between the two? (32:18)🧰 Resources MentionedYT Video: Where to Find Developer Job Openings When You Have No ExperienceThe Front-End Career Path⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Dave Mayer 🇺🇸! Dave is a founder and CEO of Technical Integrity, a boutique recruiting firm famous for its culture-first approach. TI has worked with big companies like Twitter, as well as many mid-size startups. In this episode, you'll get a glimpse into the other side of recruiting. Dave explains his culture-first approach and why it benefits both you and the employer. You'll learn why it's important to know your values and how to make sure you find a company that aligns with them. Dave explains why you shouldn't feel desperate if you don't get a job in a company that was your first choice and how to probe into a company's values without sounding disrespectful. From the recruiter side, Dave reveals how looking for a culture fit can backfire and why it's much better to look for a "culture add."Dave and Alex also talk about recessions (Dave has lived and worked through three of them already!) and how to stay focused on what's truly important. 🔗 Connect with Dave🐦 Twitter🌐 Website👨🏻‍💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsDave's path as a recruiter: from a traditional approach to focusing on finding a long-term fit between a developer and a company (01:44)What is company culture, and what makes someone a good fit? (03:19)Should you share your company's values? (06:15)Find your own values first (07:24)How can you verify that a company truly embodies what they claim to be their values? (12:10)Ask your interviewer: What does success in your company look like? (16:45)The importance of technical vs soft skills (18:12)Don't care who's hiring, find out where you belong (20:08)Why integrity matters (23:39)Challenges of recruiting, and the difference between the quantity-first and quality-first approach (25:53)Advice for developers who are thinking about approaching recruiters (30:01)We're in a recession. Now what? (33:14)🧰 Resources MentionedBlog post: The Best Engineering Team Values Statement We've Ever SeenSimon Sinek's "Start With Why" Ted talk⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Wemerson Queiroz 🇧🇷! Wemerson never thought he was going to become a developer. He started studying computer science, dropped out, and spent ten years working in sales because he wanted to earn money immediately. Ten years later, he realized he was unhappy (after all, money is not everything), learned to code, and got his first developer job in no time!What got him back into IT was Blockchain, so he first started learning Solidity before realizing he should first learn the basics. Shortly after, those basics got him a job at a startup working with Blockchain technology! In this episode, you'll learn how far HTML, CSS, and Javascript can get you and how important it is to follow your passion. You'll also hear about Wemerson's unusual interview process and why taking a chance can sometimes pay off.🔗 Connect with Wemerson👨🏻‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Website👩‍🚀 GitHub🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsWemerson's journey into tech (02:44)How important is money? (05:13)How Wemerson decided to leave his previous career behind and learn to code (06:45)On diving head-first into Blockchain and Solidity... and then going back to basics (08:29)How Wemerson landed his first developer job after only three months of learning to code (09:47)Why junior developers should look for work opportunities as soon as they can (11:00)On motivation, passion, and learning (14:29)Why context matters in problem-solving (15:43)About the Web3 startup excal.tv, where Wemerson got his first developer job (18:18)What's it like working at a startup as a junior developer? (20:50)How Wemerson landed this opportunity? (25:18)Was Emerson put off by an unorthodox interview process? (26:59)Wemerson's plans for the future (27:56)🧰 Resources mentionedThe Frontend Developer Career PathLearn React for free!⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and let us know who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Josh W. Comeau 🇨🇦! Josh is a developer, indie hacker, educator, and author. He worked in some companies you might have heard of (including, but not limited to, DigitalOcean, Gatsby, and Khan Academy). He also wrote a book on how to build an effective web dev portfolio. In this episode, we're answering that and many other questions! Spoiler alert: all the advice is actionable.You'll learn why you need to have a portfolio, how to make one, and is there a formula that works. Josh will teach you how to steal a design for your portfolio website and not get caught and how to develop an eye for design in the long run. Plus: why everybody needs junior developers and how to create an exciting portfolio project even if you don't have any niche interests to base them on. Josh and Alex also discuss handy tools you can use, writing cover letters, and hiring biases in the industry. 🔗 Connect with Josh👨🏻‍💼 LinkedIn🌐 Blog + Website🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsJosh's trajectory from development to education (01:09)Why Josh wrote a book on web developer portfolios (02:12)Don't put skill bars on your website! What do they even mean?! (04:40)Who should you cater your portfolio to, and how to do it? There are two main target audiences. (06:16)How does a portfolio compare to a LinkedIn profile or a resume? (10:53)Why everybody needs to hire juniors (12:41)Can you get away with not having a portfolio? (14:40)What to do if you're a developer but not good at design? (16:00)Why minimal design could be better (21:53)Can you use a template? (23:45)What should you put on your portfolio website (25:46)How to present your projects (29:49)How to choose your projects... and write about them (31:10)How to write a good cover letter (34:58)How to approach looking for a job (39:07)Hiring biases in the industry (40:56)🧰 Resources mentionedJosh's book, Building an Effective Dev Portfolio (it's FREE!)xScopePixelSnapFontpair⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and let us know who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

🎙 About the episodeMeet Jonathan Gauthier 🇨🇦! Jonathan volunteered when the company where he worked needed somebody to figure out how to turn a Figma design into a website. The rest is history.After quitting that job, Jonathan gave himself three months to properly learn front-end development and get his first developer job. And he succeeded! In this interview, he shares how. Yes, Jonathan was pulling long hours, but there's more to it!Jonathan talks about his way of learning and why knowing how to approach a problem is better than knowing the exact method of solving it. You'll also learn why it's good to find a mentor - and how to find one! Lastly, Jonathan shares his approach to looking for a job online and why it's important to interview your interviewer. Believe it or not, the latter can make or break your interview process! 🔗 Connect with Jonathan👨🏻‍💼 LinkedIn🐦 Twitter🤖 Pancarte#2314 on the Scrimba Discord⏰ TimestampsJonathan's journey into coding by way of learning to translate designs in Figma into a website + his introduction to Scrimba (01:59)How Jonathan quit his job and had only three months to learn to code and get a job in front-end (04:14)What's manual QA, and was that a helpful background to a new developer? (05:41)Learn the approach, not the method (06:29)How Jonathan decided to switch careers(07:27)Why you should apply when others think you're ready (08:53)Jonathan's study plan (10:21)How can you study both properly and fast? (11:41)The importance of taking breaks (14:10)How Jonathan found a mentor and why are mentors important (15:10)Jonathan's approach to finding his first developer job: LinkedIn, Angel.co, and messaging recruiters directly (17:43)How to optimize your LinkedIn profile (19:16)Jonathan's interview process (21:22)How to interview your interviewers and why that gives you an advantage (22:15)What skills should a junior developer have? (24:44)How Jonathan got his job offer (27:13)Jonathan's new company + Do you have to know Agile? (28:21)How to ask questions as a junior (29:38)Closing advice: don't stress about feeling ready; remember to take breaks, and come up with personal projects! (31:18)On notetaking (32:12)🧰 Resources mentionedJonathan's LinkedIn profileThe Frontend Developer Career PathHTML and CSS crash course with Kevin PowellProgrammingBuddies() on RedditNo WhiteboardAngel.co⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and let us know who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏