Becoming a developer getting started (3:23)
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Become a Developer — Getting Started February 2017 http://bit.ly/tf-dev-starter
Transcript of Becoming a developer getting started (3:23)
Become a Developer — Getting Started
February 2017
http://bit.ly/tf-dev-starter
About me
• Jasjit Singh
• Self-taught developer
• Worked in finance & tech
• Co-Founder Hotspot
• Thinkful General Manager
About us
Thinkful prepares students for web development & data science jobs with 1-on-1 mentorship programs
What’s your goal?
• Just curious about a career change
• Somewhat considering career change
• Seriously considering a career change
Agenda for tonight
• What is the market landscape for dev jobs?
• What programming language should I learn?
• What are the best ways to learn to code?
• What are the first jobs / trajectories?
• How do I break into the field?
What is “tech”?
Tech isn’t just one industry anymore — it’s the new business model. Every company is becoming a tech company.
“Software is eating the world”
E.g. Goldman Sachs
• Lloyd Blankfein, CEO
• “Goldman Sachs is a Technology Firm”
• 9,000 out of 33,000 employees are on tech team
Other examples
• Entertainment => Netflix
• Hotels => AirBnB
• Logistics => Uber
The good news
By 2020, there will be 1.4M computer science jobs and only 400,000 C.S. grads with the skills to apply for those jobs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
How to pick a first language?
• Objective
• Popularity
• Accessibility
• Job prospects
• Longevity
Our picks
Javascript for front-end & full-stack — Python for back-end or data science
Critical caveat…
Don’t jump around. Learn one technology deeply to understand the concepts. It will be surprisingly easy to pick up more languages later.
How should I learn?
Coding is a skill that can be objectively verified through portfolios and technical interviews. This levels the playing fields making it possible for many paths to learning.
Anyone can learn how to code
A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence is not just something that you are born with. People who believe this have higher levels of success. Neural connections grow and become stronger the more you struggle with learning and correct your mistakes.
Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University
Learning the skills
• Build stuff + Google
• Free online resources (e.g. CodeAcademy)
• Flexible coding bootcamps (e.g Thinkful)
• Full-time coding bootcamps (e.g. GA)
• Full degree programs (Georgia Tech)
First jobs
• Frontend developer
• Backend developer
• Full-stack developer
• QA developer
Salary ranges
Salaries vary substantially depending on location. In Atlanta, developers start at $60K-$70K per year
Coding plus Roles
• Coding + Product = Product Manager
• Coding + Marketing = Growth Hacker
• Coding + Community = Developer Evangelist
• Coding + Sales = Sales Engineer
• Coding + Data = Data Scientist
The good news about breaking in
Demand for developers continues to grow and supply isn’t growing fast enough. Employers are hiring based on actual skills, not just credentials.
Next steps after learning the skills
• Learn the skills
• Build a portfolio of high quality work
• Develop a relevant network
• Prep for technical interviews
Portfolios level the playing field
A great portfolio showcases your skills and can get you an interview. Passing the technical interview gets you the job.
Personal website
Github
Github can tell employers more about your abilities than a resume. For developers, your Github is your resume.
How to build your portfolio
• Build a personal website
• Get a Github account
• Do side-projects that excite you
• Try and look for contract work
• Have professionals guide & review your work
Getting the interview
We recommend a job-search process that includes carefully identifying opportunities, networking asking for feedback, and eventually getting referrals
Why?
• 80% of job openings are never advertised
• 120 average applicants per job posted
• 20% get an interview
*https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/26/why-every-job-seeker-should-have-a-personal-website-and-what-it-should-include/#578fbf6f119e
Conclusion
Cold applications are a tough approach — there are more people applying to fewer opportunities
*https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/26/why-every-job-seeker-should-have-a-personal-website-and-what-it-should-include/#578fbf6f119e
Networking the right way
• Figure out what you want (size, industry, role, etc)
• Reach out to someone that works at company
• Ask them about their work, genuine interest, build a relationship
• Eventually (1-2 months in), ask for referral
Example email
The job search funnel
Thinkful students find jobs through referrals
The technical interview
• Phone screen
• Take home tech challenge
• In-person interviews
Resources
• Prep sites (e.g. Interview Cake)
• Books (e.g. Cracking the Coding Interview)
• Mock interviews with technical friends
More about Thinkful
• Anyone who’s committed can learn to code
• 1-on-1 mentorship is the best way to learn
• Flexibility matters — learn anywhere, anytime
• We only make money when you get a job
Our Program
You’ll learn concepts, practice with drills, and build capstone projects for your own portfolio — all guided by a personal mentor
Our Mentors
Mentors have, on average, 10+ years of experience
Our Results
Job Titles after GraduationMonths until Employed
Special Prep Course Offer
• Three-week program, includes six mentor sessions
• Covers HTML/CSS, Javascript, jQuery, Responsive Design
• Option to continue into web development bootcamp
• Prep course costs $500 (can apply to cost of full bootcamp)
• Talk to me (or email me) about special offer
