Develop Yourself: Recent Episodes

Aaron Hayslip & Peter Elbaum

To change careers land your first job as a Software Engineer, you need more than just great software development skills - you need to develop yourself. Welcome to the podcast that helps you develop your habits, your focus, your network and more, all in hopes of becoming a thriving Software Engineer.

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Am I too old to learn how to code?

If you're alive then the answer is NO.

BUT, you are going to need a different game plan than your 22 year old co-workers if you want this to work.

I was 31 when I got my first job as a coder. Here's what worked for me and others I've taught over the years.

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Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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There are some major changes coming to Parsity and this podcast. As a listener, I appreciate you sincerely for listening and I want to extend the largest discount we've ever done for our 30 day Javascript program.

It's usually $49 but I'm reducing it to $10.

Complete the 30 days and you got yourself a $1400 discount to Parsity's software engineering program.

👉 Join Dev30 👈

I want to hear from you!

What are the guests and topics you want in 2026?

Send us a text

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Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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"We don't really need developers any more"

"In 2 years, the tools will be so good, that no one will be writing code"

"Learn a trade bro"

I've heard all of these phrases in the last week and it's honestly getting to me. Too often, the people with the loudest microphones have the least experience with the tools we're using.

Besides being a talking head on a podcast, I'm also a father and full time software developer. I made this episode not only to vent about why AI hype is so dangerous but why the future isn't as bleak as the mainstream media is leading us to believe.

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Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Ryan is a current student at Parsity who build an app for his employer, Smoothie King, to suggest drinks in a chat interface using a powerful and lesser-known AI technology: RAG.

RAG stands for retrieval augmented generation. Basically, providing information (like smoothie recipes) to an AI model so it can return a highly specific response.

Ryan breaks down how he finds the time to build side projects like this and how he built this app.

Want to build your own AI-powered app? Check out this project: parsity.io/ai-with-rag

Connect with Ryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhardin378/

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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You’ll learn the six core JS skills to master before frameworks, why TC39 keeps changing the language, and how to test your skills with a challenge you can access below.

👉 Try out the JS Form Challenge. 👈

We also cover:

  • Why hiring trends still test JavaScript, even when jobs say React
  • How to think like a developer: requests, responses, and UI updates
  • The fastest way to level up without AI shortcuts
  • A way to test your JS skills

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Let's be honest - interviews suck.

But you can't suck at them.

In this episode I break down what your next interview as a junior developer will LIKELY include.

Your mileage will vary.

Grab the interview guide below which includes a playback of a live event that Parsity recently hosted and a ton of resources:

https://brianjenney.substack.com/p/the-junior-dev-interview-guide

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Thinking about learning to code with ChatGPT, Cursor, or Copilot?

Hit pause for ten minutes.

In this episode, I break down why AI isn’t replacing developers but it is making it harder to learn.

You’ll learn the right time to start using AI as a beginner, how to avoid outsourcing the struggle that builds real skill, and the “teach-back” method that can boost your learning retention by up to 90%.

Referenced study: https://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/evaluating-impact-ai-labor-market-current-state-affairs

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Original article: https://medium.com/@wlockett/you-have-no-idea-how-screwed-openai-actually-is-8358dccfca1c

Your AI engineer starter project: https://parsity.io/ai-with-rag

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Grab the templates for posting to LinkedIn here: https://www.parsity.io/learning-in-public

I’ve grown from 0 to nearly 40K followers on LinkedIn with barely any viral posts, and along the way I learned how the platform really works.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact strategy junior developers are using right now to get recruiters to notice them and get hired faster.

So if you’ve hit “Easy Apply” until your fingers hurt and still don't have any interviews, this is for you!

I’ll show you the simple LinkedIn system that can get you hired without begging strangers for referrals or posting daily “grindset” nonsense.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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👉 Your adult time audit worksheet 👈

I get it.

There is no time.

You have kids, maybe adult dependents or a really good show you're binging in between our slow descent into a dystopian reality.

I don't believe in fluff.

Let's cover a practical guide on learning to code as a busy adult and some of the easy (and not so easy) steps you're going to need to take.

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Let's weigh college, bootcamps, and the self-taught route with blunt pros and cons, then map each path to market realities, hiring filters, and long-term growth.

The goal is to help you choose a route that gets you hired faster without stalling your career later.

• how degrees are used as filters and where they matter
• why top-tier schools win on internships and networks
• the gap between CS theory and practical stacks
• when bootcamps accelerate outcomes and where they fall short
• self-taught pitfalls and how to add structure and accountability
• coastal vs mid-market hiring differences and pay signals
• skills startups test versus what larger firms test
• the minimum effective dose for a hireable portfolio
• why fundamentals compound value in years three to five
• how AI raises the premium on first principles

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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I just quit my job as a senior AI developer, and while helping hire my replacement, I realized how few people actually know how AI apps work.

In this episode, I walk through Retrieval-Augmented Generation step by step—the same system I built at work—and show you the real skills developers need right now.

👉Grab a hands-on project with a video you can follow along with here 👈

Hold your spot in the January cohort and become the go-to person in your organization for integrating AI into your web applications. Hold spot here

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI

Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity- Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.

AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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Just give up?

Everyone says no one’s hiring junior developers anymore — but is that actually true?

In this episode, I sit down with recruiter David Roberts to uncover what’s really happening in the job market, why most applicants are getting filtered out, and what you can do differently to land your first role.

We break down the biggest myths about entry-level tech jobs, how recruiters actually think, and the skills that make you stand out in 2025.

Don't learn to code, learn to build complex software and get hired: https://parsity.io

Already know how to code? Get help landing your first role: https://crushing.digital/

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Every headline says AI is eating developer jobs. But spend a week in production and you’ll see the opposite: brittle code, flaky tests, and tools that look fast until you actually ship something.

In this episode, I break down why the “AI replaces engineers” story sells so well—to investors, to execs, and to lazy headlines—but falls apart in the real world. We’ll talk through a Cornell + METR study showing seasoned devs got 19% slower using AI (even though they thought they were faster), and why that tracks with what I’ve seen on real teams.

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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I thought Ben was a troll when he slid into my DMs after a LinkedIn argument. Turns out, he’s building some of the most practical AI systems I’ve seen. In this episode, we talk about how that disagreement turned into a friendship—and why Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) might be the skill every developer needs in 2026.

Connect with Ben here

Check out Lobi Software here

Finally - if you want to go deeper with RAG, I have a tutorial I made just for you: https://parsity.io/ai-with-rag

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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Ever had your AI pair programmer stop helping and start breaking everything? I did—and this time, the data proves it wasn’t just me.

Claude fell off.

TypeScript that wouldn’t compile, migrations stuck in loops, refactors that went completely sideways. Turns out Anthropic’s own postmortem revealed three separate bugs causing degraded output—context routing issues, output corruption, and TLA-X blah blah blah error.

Let's dive in.

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After 11 years helping hundreds of career changers switch into software development, I've found the hardest part isn't teaching technical skills but rewiring brains from misleading online advice that hurts new developers.

Much of this advice is well-intentioned, but some is designed purely for clicks and engagement.

• "Don't chase titles!"
• "Don't build CRUD apps!"
• "Coding bootcamps are a scam!"

Take all advice (including mine) with a grain of salt.

Your path is unique, and a personalized approach to career development is more effective than generic advice.

Question everything, take what makes sense, and leave what doesn't.

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Let's tackle three of the most common struggles career changers face:

  1. Breaking into tech from another field

  2. Networking without feeling fake

  3. Staying motivated when the job search drags on.

If you’re wondering how to make the leap, keep connections warm, or simply not burn out—this one’s for you.

Got a question of your own? 👉 Drop it here👈

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

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Have you ever wondered why some developers keep getting promoted while others stay stuck at the same level despite their technical skills?

The answer might surprise you.

Through practical, actionable steps, I break down exactly how developers at any level can strategically increase their influence and advance their careers.

You'll learn how to gain credibility before speaking up, frame concerns as questions rather than criticisms, and pair problem identification with solution proposals.

For junior developers and career changers, I offer specific guidance on leveraging your unique perspective and starting with low-risk moments of leadership.

The truth is that being universally liked feels safe, but being honest and solution-oriented makes you invaluable. Your career won't skyrocket by becoming infinitely better at your tech stack—it will accelerate when you thoughtfully challenge the status quo and offer solutions to problems others see but are afraid to address.

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Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers.

You’ll learn:

  • Why great data makes or breaks your app
  • How to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something new
  • Picking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it)
  • Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picks
  • Adding AI functionality to make your project stand out
  • Building a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a pro

Here's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browse

And—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship.

👉 Apply here 👈

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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The tech job market is sending seriously mixed signals in 2025. While social media overflows with doom and gloom about hiring freezes and impossible entry barriers, actual data tells a surprisingly different story.

Job openings are trending upward, with big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Apple actively expanding their engineering teams.

What's really happening is a massive shift in what companies need from their developers. "AI engineering" positions have exploded, increasing 5-6x since 2023 alone. But here's the critical insight most are missing: these roles don't primarily require deep machine learning expertise or data science backgrounds.

This represents a golden opportunity for software developers willing to expand their skills in the right direction.

Let's explore.

Here's the link to the original article: https://substack.com/inbox/post/172584839?utm_source=unread-posts-digest-email&inbox=true&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true

Apply for Parsity's AI Developer Program: https://www.parsity.io/ai-developer

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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Remember when coding bootcamps promised you could learn to code and land a job in just three months?

That golden era of easy entry into tech has fundamentally changed, yet the marketing hasn't caught up with reality.

In this eye-opening conversation, ex-Google engineer Zubin and host Brian cut through the hype to deliver a reality check about what it actually takes to transition into software development in 2025.

What separates those who succeed from those who don't?

It's rarely about raw talent or technical aptitude. Instead, it's about creating systems that allow for consistent practice despite life's inevitable challenges.

"I've seen computer science grads fail and French fry cooks succeed"

Let's dig into why.

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AI is changing coding faster than anyone expected.

Two years ago, autocomplete felt wild—now people with zero dev experience are shipping apps over a weekend.

The question isn’t “is AI replacing developers?” It’s “how do you actually use it without wrecking your codebase?”

In this episode, I’ll break down when to use AI (and when not to), why Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is the real game-changer, and how you can stay valuable as a new developer in a world full of hype.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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It’s Labor Day weekend and, honestly? I’m burned out.

Maybe this isn’t the best business move, but I’d rather keep it real with you than fake the whole “everything is great in tech” narrative.

I’ve been plenty vocal about why AI isn’t about to replace us all tomorrow, much to the dismay of to all the AI bros out there.

But here’s the other side: being a developer is nothing like those “day in the life” TikToks where someone shows up to the office around 10AM, gets a fancy coffee, fixes a UI bug and then gets a 400K salary with stock options.

So here it is—my three worst parts of being a software developer.

... and why I still enjoy what I do.

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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What happens when you give an AI agent full control over a small business?

I mean, what could go wrong?

Things started off rough and then got down right creepy near the end of this experiment.

You can read the original article here: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-1

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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What does it actually mean to be an “AI Engineer”?

Honestly—not much. The title is overloaded and vague.

But what is meaningful right now is knowing how to build real projects with AI that go beyond toy chatbots and portfolio fluff.

In this episode, I walk you through the exact project I’ve been building at two different AI startups: a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) app. You’ll learn how to:

  • Scrape and store content in a vector database
  • Use embeddings to turn your text into something a model can understand
  • Stream responses back to your frontend with Next.js + TypeScript
  • Reduce hallucinations and add structured, reliable outputs
  • Understand why this is the skillset employers are actually hiring for right now

👉 Check out the repo and code from this episode here: https://www.parsity.io/ai-with-rag

If you’ve been wondering how to actually learn AI engineering skills that matter in 2025, this is the place to start.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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In this episode of Develop Yourself, I sit down with Gabe Rucker, CEO of Founding Titans, to discuss everything from entrepreneurship and building startups to the practical side of networking and getting money from thin air.

We also dive into how Parsity students gained valuable, hands-on experience through an internship with Founding Titans, working alongside a real AI startup team.

Topics we cover include:

  • Gabe’s journey from coder to founder—and what he’s learned along the way
  • How to raise capital, attract the right investors, and avoid common startup pitfalls
  • Validating your ideas and building a minimum viable product (MVP) that people actually want
  • Why networking is critical—for both startups and job seekers
  • The role of AI in software development today—and its limitations
  • Behind-the-scenes: how our internship with Parsity students worked in a live startup environment

Connect with Gabe Rucker on LinkedIn:

→ Gabriel Rucker (CEO, Founding Titans)

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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When I first tried to learn JavaScript, I hated it so much I told myself I’d just be an HTML and CSS developer and never touch it again.

Of course, my first job threw me straight into Angular, C#, SQL, and a mountain of JavaScript I wasn’t ready for.

In this episode, I share what made JavaScript so brutal for me (and for almost every student I’ve worked with), the mistakes that keep people stuck, and the science-backed strategies that actually helped me go from totally lost to confident.

If you’ve been banging your head against for loops, callbacks, or just “getting it,” this one’s for you.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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When your only tool is a hammer - everything looks like a nail.

2 of these database I'm sure you've heard and 2 might be completely new to you.

Let's go past MongoDB and SQL to learn what tool is best for what job and what's the database choice for AI in 2025.

If you're interested in learning SQL, check out this episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/69BHCbRAl6rHT9LlNhFWUy

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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Every year, Stack Overflow surveys nearly a 100,000 developers to learn what technologies, languages and tools are trending.

The answers here might surprise you, especially when it comes to AI tools.

You can check out the survey here: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2025/developers/

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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Maybe I'm just coping.

Maybe.

I’ve been pretty vocal about the over-hype of AI coding tools and I always get the same responses from AI bros:

“YoU gOtta PrOmpt bEtteR!”

“This iz a skillz issue dawg”“I’m using [x] and it works perfectly”

“I’m a super duper senior architect and I’ve replaced my entire team with AI agents. You’re coping.”

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t doubt myself.

Maybe they’re right, maybe I’m just not using these tools correctly.

Let’s take a look at some big fax and small fax to understand where the truth ends and the hype begins.

Sources:

TrueUp Software Engineering Job Trends (June 2025)

Business Insider: Google engineers just 10% more productive with AI (June 2025)

Computerworld: Minimal productivity gains from AI chatbots

TechRepublic: IBM Study on AI ROI (2025)

https://metr.org/blog/2025-07-10-early-2025-ai-experienced-os-dev-study/

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

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If I lost everything today—no job, no network, no portfolio—and had to start over in 2025 as a software developer, I wouldn’t be looking for a 3-month miracle.

I’d be planning for 12 months.

That’s how long it really takes now.

We cover:

  • what tech stack you should learn
  • networking as a developer using BFS
  • a capstone project that is actually impressive
  • an interviewing strategy
  • 3 books I'd read as a new developer

At Parsity, we cover all this and much more. Apply here.

Send us a text

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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Five years ago, during an interview for a senior dev role, I had a panic attack. It was one of my worst interview experiences. It also taught me a lot about what I was doing wrong.

In this episode, I'll break down the process that took me from under-paid developer to passing interviews and 4x'ing my salary.

Here's your worksheet to help you create a solid story for an interview: worksheet
If you know you suck at interviews - I'll be working with a few people to help them crush their next interview and increase their salaries.

Apply here: Fill out application 👈

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🧑‍💻 Join Parsity- Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn(ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

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Harish, former lead engineer at MongoDB and current co-founder of Flaire, takes us on a journey through his unusual career path—one that didn’t involve grinding LeetCode or chasing FAANG.

Instead, he got deep into cybersecurity, built large-scale systems, and eventually started his own company that’s redefining how small businesses use software.

We talk about:

  • What it’s actually like to work on database internals and secure infrastructure
  • Why most engineers shouldn’t become founders—and why he did anyway
  • How to use AI for real business workflows (not just ChatGPT hacks)
  • The rise of “cybersecurity as product” and how ops teams still run on spreadsheets and WhatsApp
  • Why learning to code isn’t just about DSA and bootcamps—it’s about solving real problems

“A lot of tools are built for enterprises, but most businesses are duct-taping together spreadsheets. We built for them.”
“You need to understand how your workflows actually function before throwing AI at them.”
“Don’t overbuild. Build just enough to learn something, then improve.”

If you’re newer to tech and want to understand what actual engineering careers can look like—this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible.

Connect with Harish here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharish/

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Are junior devs cooked?

How can I scaffold a solid MERN stack app?

What's the best way to stick with a tutorial?

We got some great questions this episode and my answers might surprise you.

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Learning JS is tough.

And you're probably making some of the same mistakes I did in the past.

In this episode you'll get a path and a small project to make to teach you the minimum effective dose of JavaScript necessary to move forward in your learning journey.

Here's the challenge I mentioned which includes some short videos: Your Form Challenge

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A junior developer who got hired at a startup used AI non-stop to keep up.

It worked for weeks until he crashed and burned.

He'd built a house of cards that he couldn't keep up. The AI tools went in doom loops or just added more sloppy code that his team wouldn't accept.

Turns out they hired a prompt engineer instead of a coder.

We're in uncharted territory my friends.

You can't just NOT use AI but when should you start? How much is too much?

Let's explore a path to learning code with AI that won't make you another prompt engineer.

PS - If you're already a software developer, I'm working with a few people to crush their next interview. Apply here.

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3 traps to avoid in your career, that I nearly fell for:

  1. The Framework Developer Trap

  2. The Developer in a Hoodie Trap (might be the most surprising revelation for many aspiring programmers)

  3. The Hype-Driven Development Trap

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Matt Watson, who scaled VIN Solutions to a $150 million exit, shares his journey from coding to building products that make a real impact in the business world.

We talk about:

  • Why most developers fail at launching products
  • What it means to be a product-minded engineer
  • How AI is exposing weak developers
  • The importance of sales, customer empathy, and learning in public

“Your code isn’t the product. Solving real problems is.”

“If I have to write requirements down to the detail… I might as well just give it to AI.”

Want to develop the product engineer's mindset? Grab Matt's book here : http://productdriven.com/book

Matt's newsletter for product driven engineers: https://newsletter.productdriven.com/

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This episode introduces a weekend project that will give you authentic experience working with existing code—a crucial skill that most tutorials and coding platforms simply don't teach.

Using Kyle Simpson's YouPeriod GitHub repository, you'll learn to navigate a codebase written by someone else, which is exactly what you'll do in your first development job. This particular project is perfect for beginners because it uses fundamental web technologies (HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript) rather than complex frameworks like React or TypeScript.

Here's the Github repo: https://github.com/getify/youperiod.app

This weekend project will teach you more about real development work than weeks of guided exercises.

If you're completely new to JavaScript, check out our Dev30 program at dev30.xyz, where you can learn the fundamentals and beyond.

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Have you ever wondered what data scientists and engineers actually do all day? Forget what you've seen in movies – it's not all neural networks and fancy algorithms.

Ryan Varley, Engineering Fellow at Magnite and experienced data leader, pulls back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of data science and engineering.

The real work often involves what he colorfully describes as "really complex plumbing" – making processes more efficient, reliable, and scalable in ways that directly impact business outcomes.

Whether you're considering a career pivot into data, trying to understand how these roles fit within your organization, or simply curious about the mechanics behind today's AI revolution, this episode provides an accessible window into a complex and increasingly crucial field.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn .

Read Ryan's Newsletter for engineering leaders facing the hardest problem in scaling their impact: https://newsletter.ryanvarley.com/

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Interviewing is arguably the highest paying skill you can have as a developer.

I don't think this is fair but it is reality.

I've taken part in well over 100 interviews both as an interviewee and interviewer. I've worked with dozens of developers to ace their interviews and increase their salaries by tens of thousands of dollars.

This is not for developers looking to get into Big Tech. This episode is for the 99%.

We're going to cover the 4 most common stages of the tech interview from recruiter filtering to technical interview to "tell me about yourself" and finally the offer stage.

Here's the unit testing course I mentioned in the episode that you seriously need to check out if you don't know how to write a test: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/js_pro_unit_testing

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These principles don't just create pretty code—they reduce bugs, simplify updates, and prevent real-world problems like the $10,000 mistake I made early in my career.

Yeah, that was not a fun one.

Check out https://www.dofactory.com/javascript/design-patterns/adapter if you want to learn more patterns.

PS - I write unfiltered advice for early career developers here: 👉 Real Talk JS

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In this Office Hours Q&A, I got some pretty interesting questions:

  • Should you lie on your resume to trick the ATS and get more interviews?
  • If you’re building websites with tools like Squarespace, does it count as real experience—or are you cheating yourself?
  • Is a master’s degree in computer science worth it if you already have some tech skills?

I also share thoughts on how to get experience that actually helps you land a dev job and why every learner should have a side project that they control.

Whether you’re self-taught, in school, or just figuring things out, this one’s packed with advice you won’t hear in most coding bootcamp brochures.

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The software development market didn't die, it's just unrecognizable.

Let's go over 8 harsh pieces of advice that will help you as a career changer to make a successful switch into a career as a software developer.

PS. If you're a front-end developer looking to expand your skills, grab the Node Express Starter Kit here.

Have a question for the Friday Q&A show? Submit it through the form in the show notes, and I'll shout you out or keep you anonymous.

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Whatever you do, don’t learn to code.

The market is over-saturated.
AI took your job.
There is no hope.

But then you meet someone like Jacob, a young dad who was delivering food a year ago and just landed his first dev job without submitting a single application.

Is his story typical? No. But then few stories are.

At Parsity.io, we've seen CS grads take up to a year to get hired. We've seen people go from zero to hired in 6 months or less.

There is no formula.

What works for one person might work for you and it might not.

Not a great marketing tactic eh? It's just the truth.

Jacob shares how he landed a role with ZERO applications and juggling a tight schedule as a new father while learning to build complex software.

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Got a question you want answered on the show?

Drop it here: Ask Your Question

On today's show:

"I’m currently a mid-level product manager thinking of switching to software engineering. Is that too ambitious?"

“Where do I get good at interview practice? Leetcode seems unrealistic. Is there something more practical?”

“Should I go all in on C# or .NET instead? Or maybe get a CS degree from WGU?”

“As an early career dev, should I be building side projects with AI tools like Cursor—or is that risky before I know how to code well?”

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Learning data structures and algorithms (DSA) isn't JUST a smart interview skill, it will boost your confidence as a software engineer, give you a deeper understanding of computer science fundamentals and they can even be fun once you know how to use them.

If you're self teaching or just starting out with code, they can be intimidating.
They don't have to be.

I break down a pretty comprehensive guide here for learning DSA as well as a video on Binary Search Trees (BST)

DSA Study Guide My popular guide to DSA
Video on Binary Search Trees (Source Code included in the comments)

PS. Zubin and I are building stuff for Parsity. What should we build next? Take 15 seconds and tell us here: Quick Survey

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Check out this beginner project to use AI with HTML and JS 👇

Grab the project here

I'm no AI hater but I am getting so tired of the dialogue online I read from people who claim that AI is making developers 2, 3 or 10x more productive.

Google's CEO recently came out with a sobering statistic:

AI has made their engineers 10% more productive. (source)

10%.

This is still massive but no where near the gains we were promised or what our managers are expecting.

Let's explore this myth of productivity and what you, as a developer, can and cannot do with AI.

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Have you ever felt like the weakest link on your development team? You're not alone.

The moment you land your first developer job, you're likely to face the crushing weight of comparison. Your teammates seem to know everything while your mind fills with doubts about your abilities. Seven years ago, this pressure nearly drove me out of the industry despite earning more money than ever before.

The stress was paralyzing - I faced panic attacks each morning and received direct feedback about my inadequate skills.

I developed a powerful three-step system that transformed my approach to professional growth that I want to share with you.

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What do engineering leaders really think about bootcamp grads?

Why are so many developers so stressed?

Is it even worth learning to code in 2025?

Michael Greenspan pulls back the curtain on the realities of engineering leadership, interviewing and the state of the industry, drawing from his extensive experience as both a software engineer and engineering manager before becoming a coach for burnt-out tech professionals.

"Moving into management is a job change," Michael emphasizes, describing how this transition often comes with minimal guidance and significant imposter syndrome. Both Michael and host Brian share their personal experiences of feeling lost when first stepping into leadership positions.

Find Michael at TheCompleteEngineer.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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I spent a few years as an engineering manager, and my buddy Zubin, a former Google engineer, is currently hiring developers at his company. Between the two of us, we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the totally avoidable when it comes to technical interviews.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what really happens during interviews. What are hiring managers actually looking for? What are the most common mistakes that cost people the job? And how can you stand out even if you’re early in your journey?

Interviews are high stakes, high pressure, and if done right, high reward. We cover:

  • Why trust matters more than being perfect
  • How AI has changed the interview process
  • What to do when you don’t know the answer
  • How likability can make or break your chances
  • The worst way to prep, and what to do instead

As always - hope it's helpful!

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Ever feel like you missed your chance to break into tech? That 30 marks some invisible deadline for career reinvention? I've been there—and I'm here to tell you it's absolutely false.

My journey from addiction to software engineering began in my thirties, while juggling two kids and a full-time job.

The truth about learning to code after 30 isn't sugar-coated: you're playing a different game than the 22-year-olds who've been coding since middle school. You'll have responsibilities they don't—families, mortgages and perhaps aging parents. But you also bring powerful advantages they lack: real-world experience, emotional intelligence, and discipline that comes from weathering life's storms.

Where most career-changers fail isn't in their ability to learn, but in time management. You don't need eight hours daily—you need two focused hours and a reason strong enough to keep showing up.

Don't let news cycles about AI or layoffs dictate your future. The tech industry desperately needs more adults in the room with diverse perspectives and life experiences. Whether you choose Parsity.io or another path, take that calculated risk on yourself.

Because what's harder: the temporary challenge of learning something new, or staying stuck in a life you don't want?

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What happens when software engineers rely too heavily on AI-assisted coding tools? Brian and Zubin (an ex-Google engineer) dive deep into what they call "The 70% Problem" – the phenomenon where AI coding tools excel at initial scaffolding but falter when tackling the crucial final 30% of engineering work.

Drawing from Addy Osmani's insightful article, these experienced developers share their firsthand experiences with tools like Cursor, ChatGPT, and GitHub Copilot. They explore how AI-assisted coding creates a dangerous illusion of competence while potentially masking fundamental knowledge gaps. As Zubin aptly puts it, giving powerful AI coding tools to inexperienced developers is like "giving a Formula One car to someone who's only driven on city streets."

Visit parsity.io to learn how Brian and Zubin are training the next generation of engineers to excel in this new paradigm.

Addy Osmani's Article

VS Code Cheat Sheet

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What happens when a music educator with performance anxiety decides to become a software developer?

Anne discovered coding through The Odin Project and immediately recognized a familiar pattern-based thinking from her music background. "I fell in love with the process of coding, the community of developers," she explains.

Despite being an introvert with social anxiety, she forced herself to attend meetups and hackathons—each experience confirming she was on the right path.

Her job search defied conventional wisdom. No endless LinkedIn networking or algorithm grinding. Instead, a casual conversation with a friend led to her current role as a front-end developer.

Want to follow in Anne's footsteps? Check out our Dev 30 program for structured JavaScript learning and community support. Visit dev30.xyz to save your spot and begin your own coding journey.

You can connect with Anne here: Anne's LinkedIn

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AI didn’t kill bootcamps — shallow learning did.

So what skills actually matter now that building a CRUD app is a commodity?

And can you learn them without working at a company or getting a CS degree?

In this episode, I’ll break down why the bootcamp model no longer works, what’s replacing it, and how to develop the old school engineering mindset that will set you apart in the AI era — even if you’re self-taught.

If you’re serious about becoming a software engineer and want mentorship that’s not just YouTube and vibe coding, check out Parsity.io or hit the link in the show notes to chat.

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Yasemin, a senior front-end developer with a decade of experience, shares insights on career progression in front-end development and how the transition from junior to senior is more about mindset than technical skills.

She discusses her journey from being task-focused to product-minded while offering practical advice for developers at all stages.

• The junior-to-senior transition
• Front-end interviews
• Deep JavaScript fundamentals and whether they're worth learning

Check out Yasemin's podcast "Commit to Growth" and look for her articles on Medium where she shares more technical insights and career advice.

Yasemin's LinkedIn

Commit to Growth Podcast

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Chris, a mentee at Parsity was feeling a bit down and asked me straight up what I think about the future of coding careers.

I had to really think about it.

With headlines screaming about AI taking our jobs and markets being oversaturated, it's enough to make anyone question their path.

But what if the doom and gloom narrative isn't matching reality? In this candid episode, I tackle the question head-on: is learning to code still worth it?

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A rant on the myth of developer productivity with AI and my experience in vibe coding hell with a team of senior engineers.

  • Why Vibe Coding is great for prototyping and terrible for real software

  • Why we still need junior developers

  • Why you should be wary of loud expert beginners online

  • What skills you ACTUALLY need as a software engineer in the AI era

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You want to learn to code because you want more money. Let's just be honest about it.

First off - there are many other ways to make a desirable income without learning a difficult skill like coding.

You can do sales.

You could be a product manager.

Maybe start an illegal gambling den?

Have you considered selling large quantities of drugs perhaps?

If you do decide to create software for money, just realize you may never crack six figures, you're likely to be laid off at least once and you have to keep up with technology which changes fast AF.

Is anyone still here?

Here's the great news - if you do enjoy coding and are willing to do things that make you uncomfortable, you can have dramatic financial upside.

I have a process I've been following to maximize my earning potential as a developer and stay employed which I want to share with you.

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What’s it really like to go from coding alone to working on a real dev team?

Dean Fox shares his raw experience navigating TypeScript, Git, team dynamics, and scrapped code during his first internship through Parsity's Inner Circle program.

👤 Connect with Dean: Dean Fox on LinkedIn

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The developer landscape is shifting. Fast.

AI isn’t replacing developers—it’s replacing the kind of developer that only knows how to write boilerplate and follow tutorials.

There are some practical skills you're going to want to pick up in the AI era and a few I'm kinda sad to say are becoming less relevant by the day.

I mentioned my unit testing project in this episode - it's still worth checking out IMO.

Grab it here: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/js_pro_unit_testing

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What separates successful tech career changers from those who struggle?

After switching careers into tech at 31 following years of addiction, and mentoring hundreds of aspiring developers, I've noticed some odd patterns and traits of those who make it vs those who don't.

This episode is not meant to discourage you. I hope it gives you a practical idea of some skills you can develop and ultimately, whether you should consider this career path.

I'd love to know your take as well - leave a comment or email me at brian@parsity.io

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We cover:

  • Why even smart, driven people need help when learning to code
  • What ADHD looks like as a software engineer—and how she manages it
  • How burnout hit hard after landing the job
  • Why public speaking became a surprising superpower
  • Getting hired without ever doing a technical interview
  • Her honest take on AI tools, TypeScript, LinkedIn vs. Twitter, and more

If you’re an adult switching careers, neurodivergent, or just wondering if bootcamps still work—this conversation is for you.

👉 Connect with Mindi:

📬 Code Out Loud on Substack

💼 Mindi on LinkedIn

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Think you need a CS degree to get hired? That bootcamps are scams? That AI is making developers obsolete?

In this episode, I share some very hot takes on what it really takes to break into tech — and why most of what you’ve been told is dead wrong.

I talk about the rise and fall of bootcamps, the myth of guaranteed outcomes, why advice from FAANG engineers probably doesn’t apply to you, and why can hate JavaScript but you still must learn it.

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A listener, Andrew, was kind enough to send me his resume, LinkedIn and GitHub profile for me to roast.

Overall - he did a good job BUT there are some issues I would fix that I've seen in many of the hundreds of resumes I've seen over the years as an engineering manager or while helping to hire other developers at companies where I worked.

You can watch here: https://youtu.be/k0_6grxbhXc

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Laly Bar-Ilan has been working in AI and natural language processing for over two decades—long before it was trendy. She’s now the Chief Scientist at Bit, where she’s helping build composable, AI-first developer tools that might just replace most of the coding we do today.

In this episode, we talk about what staying ahead actually looks like for developers in an AI-driven world. Laly shares what skills are becoming obsolete, what new ones are emerging (RAG, agents, prompt engineering), and why “vibe coding” alone won’t cut it.

If you’re wondering how to future-proof your dev career—or whether learning to code still matters—this conversation will give you both clarity and direction.

Connect with Laly here: Laly's Linkedin

Check out Bit to build composable software in the cloud here.

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The job market in 2025 feels broken—and you’re not imagining it. AI-generated spam is clogging recruiter inboxes, resumes are becoming less relevant, and LinkedIn is more influencer platform than job board.

In this episode, I break down why things feel so hard right now (for everyone—not just developers), and give you a practical, modern strategy to stand out and actually get hired:

✅ What to do instead of blasting resumes

✅ How to play the LinkedIn game without becoming a cringe poster

✅ Old-school tactics that still work (and new tools I recommend)

If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of bad advice from people who’ve never written code for a living—this one’s for you.

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No one said it would be easy.

If you're having trouble learning JS, you're not alone.

I nearly quit coding when I had to learn JS.

I even considered trying to become an email developer (yes, this was a thing). Fast forward 10 years later and I've made a career with JS and even teach it to others.

I want you to have a much better experience.

We will explore the 3 stages of learning JS to take you from 0 to ready to learn ReactJS with practical, actionable steps and the projects and resources you can use to learn.

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Ever feel like learning to code is impossible with your packed schedule?

You're not alone.

Ten years ago, I was juggling parenting two kids, working full-time with a brutal Bay Area commute, and driving Lyft on the side just to make ends meet. Finding time seemed impossible—until I discovered three game-changing strategies that transformed my journey.

No fluff - just practical stuff you can start doing now.

PS.

Here's a really solid web dev roadmap I found on Reddit that you might find useful. Link

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Have you ever sent a message into the void? That's exactly what's been happening to listeners who've tried to contact me through Buzzsprout's messaging system.

From a father in Dayton balancing family responsibilities while trying to break into tech, to aspiring developers wondering if JavaScript is still worth learning in 2025, these messages touch on real struggles and practical concerns.

I share personal insights about my own journey learning to code while supporting a family and offer actionable advice for making career transitions with limited time.

Please keep the questions coming!

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The rise of AI coding tools has fundamentally changed how people learn programming, creating a concerning trend: developers who can produce impressive-looking applications without understanding how they work.

What makes a developer truly valuable? Contrary to popular belief, it's not the ability to rapidly generate new code. A revealing LinkedIn survey showed 73% of experienced developers spend most of their time reading existing code rather than writing it. The real value comes from engineering judgment – knowing which approach to take and understanding why certain solutions work better than others.

"The entire act of keystrokes is not what the value in software engineering is."

Instead, it's about developing the mental models that let you reason through complex systems.

"If you don't know what this code is doing, then why is it in the codebase? And why is your name on it?"

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Thinking about joining a coding bootcamp to land a job in three months?

Let’s get real.

I’ve been coding professionally for over a decade, and while a bootcamp kick-started my career, it didn’t teach me everything I needed to stay hired.

In this episode, I’ll share four critical skills that most bootcamps overlook—but that you’ll absolutely need if you’re serious about making coding your career.

We’ll cover why bootcamps fall short, what skills really get you hired, and how to ensure you’re not just another bootcamp grad struggling to land a job.

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Jeremy spoke with a couple mentees at Parsity which led to a conversation where I learned about his unusual (and long) journey into software.

If you're a career changer and you're dealing with impostor syndrome or tutorial hell and need some practical advice on breaking into tech, you're going to get a lot out of this episode.

Connect with Jeremy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrobinparker/

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With the rise of AI and Python’s dominance, is JavaScript still worth learning?

In this episode, I break down why JavaScript remains the best starting language for new developers, how it sets you up for success in web development, and even why it’s still relevant for AI.

Plus, I introduce a new AI developer course for those looking to leverage AI in real-world projects.

Sign up here

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I started off 2025 knowing jack sh*t about LLMs besides how to ask Chat-GPT questions.

Since then, I've built a multi-agent app for work, learned some linear algebra to understand how LLMs work at a basic level and started using a new tech stack for working with these LLMS.

In this episode, I lay out the technologies you need to learn to keep up with AI as a full stack JavaScript developer and a project to up skill yourself.

Resources mentioned:

3Blue1Brown's Linear Algebra series

LLM Engineer's Handbook

Building a Large Language Model (from scratch)

I'll be working with 20 developers in a 30 day style cohort to up-skill with AI.

Apply here: https://www.parsity.io/ai-developer 👈

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Cursor is an AI-powered text editor for coders. Let me be honest - if I was a junior developer, I'd feel a little nervous looking at what it's capable of doing.

But I'm not. So I'm not.

Let's explore why Cursor is an amazing tool that will cause a ton of headaches when used improperly and what you can do as a junior developer to to create a technical moat to be "AI-proof."

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I've been using AWS Q Developer for a few months now but it turns out I've barely scratched the surface.

Srini, Director of Generative AI Applications and Developer Experiences at Amazon Web Services, who leads the team behind Q, agreed to be interviewed by me.

We discuss:

• How AWS Q Developer helps software engineers with coding, testing, and debugging

• How Amazon used AI to save 4,500 years of development time

• Why AI won’t replace developers—but developers using AI will dominate

• The future of AI in software development and how beginners can stay ahead

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

AWS Q Developer: aws.amazon.com/q/developer

AWS Machine Learning University (MLU) Courses: amazon.science

AWS Skill Builder (Free & Paid AI Training): aws.amazon.com/training/learn-about/machine-learning/

AWS Generative AI Innovation Center ($100M investment): aws.amazon.com/generative-ai/innovation-center/

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You’re learning about JavaScript arrays all wrong.

For loops, zero-indexing, blah blah blah.

But WHY? What makes arrays so damn important?

Let's break down why arrays and objects are the backbone of the internet and a couple common problems that JS beginners should work towards solving.

A video on using APIs with JavaScript: https://youtu.be/4naH4qczQCg

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Don't worry - this won't become a fitness podcast... or I dunno, maybe it will.

Seriously, I know how much exercise has changed my life and directly contributed to my ability to debug code, stay sane during stressful periods and make me feel a bit more confident.

Next episode we'll be back to tech focused content but I sincerely hope you find this show useful.

Grab Your simple fitness guide 👈

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There are enough stories out there about how to be a 10x developer, whatever the hell that means.

I want to share with you the 3 worst developers I ever worked with and what made them so awful.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Except for the first one…

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Henry Ngo is a tech recruiter who wants to see you win the game of job hunting.

We chat about:

• The Importance of a compelling hero section in resumes
• Utilizing technology and AI in the recruitment process
• Tips for effective communication during interviews
• Addressing myths about the competition in job applications

You can connect with Henry on LinkedIn

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I might be in the minority on this one but I cannot stand these types of interviews.

IF you must participate, you might as well give it your best shot.

Let's go over 3 ways I've personally seen mentees at Parsity crush the take home assignment so you can do the same.

Here's a short unit testing course that yours for free: Grab it here. 👈

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I used to roll my eyes when someone talked about "prompt engineering."

Then Dr. Toth showed me what's possible in a video where he created facial recognition software in under 9 minutes.

Toth is the CEO of an AI Medical Tech company with decades of coding experience. He's a smart cookie.

He schooled me on how to use new coding tools like Cursor, writing better prompts and what he sees in the future for software developers.

Here's his Cursor file for you to steal: https://github.com/Theta-Tech-AI/llm-public-utils/blob/production/system_prompts/cursor.md

You can read his articles here: https://substack.com/@thetatechrob or find him on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robtoth/

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Let's cut to the chase.

Here's the video for building a side project: Watch on YT

Grab the cheat sheet for side projects here.

Here's the waitlist for the AI Mentorship Program: Apply here

See ya!

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Can you believe I never asked Zubin about his interview at Google?

I failed the Google interview a couple times (so far) but Zubin crushed it.

And he did it without studying hundreds of LeetCode problems, using an approach which no one really talks about.

I hope you find this episode useful whether you're trying to nail the big tech interview or get a job at the local startup.

Here's the article mentioned in the episode 👇

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/coding-interview-prep-for-big-tech/

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Your most powerful skill as a software developer isn't how many languages you know or what technology you've used.

You're real power is in how fast you can learn.

Tech changes quick. You got to keep up.

I break down a method I've used to learn that you might not like. It's effective as hell.

Here are the tools I mention in this episode:

Loom.com

Excalidraw.com

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Want to get hired faster? Start thinking like a salesperson.

Developers often struggle with the job search—not because they lack skills, but because they don’t know how to sell themselves. Meanwhile, ex-salespeople seem to land jobs faster, even with less experience. What’s their secret?

In this episode, Jeremy Smith shares how his background in sales gave him an unfair advantage when breaking into tech (without a CS degree or even a high school diploma). From handling rejection like a pro to networking the right way, we break down five key lessons that can help you stop spinning your wheels and finally land a dev job.

Why rejection is just part of the process—and how to get over it

The “numbers game” of job hunting (most devs quit too soon)

Why networking beats cold applications every time

How to position yourself as a top candidate—even if you’re self-taught

Why urgency & persistence will get you hired faster than perfect code

You can connect with Jeremy here:

Instagram

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A student at Parsity recently bombed a tech interview—and it wasn’t just their fault.

The hiring process in tech is broken, with endless interview rounds, AI filtering out candidates, and companies that don’t even know what they’re looking for.

In this episode, we break down why tech interviews are so flawed, what really happens behind the scenes, and how you can play the game to win.

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Zuckerberg went on JRE and told the world that AI will replace mid-level engineers soon.

Are we talking about the same mid-level engineers here?

AI fear mongering gets lots of engagement but how real is this threat?

Zubin and I talk about what mid-level engineers do, why NO ONE is safe and what developers still do better than AI.

Here are the resources Zubin mentioned in this pod:

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/why-career-changers-have-an-advantage/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfh6j_7pBO4&list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj&index=17&t=8s

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Learning to code didn’t change my life.

Getting sober and exercising did however.

10 years ago I was lost in addiction and headed on a path to jail or death. I think there are some lessons from my failure that may help you on your own journey.

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Alex Lau has nearly 2 decades in software and even wrote a book to help developers avoid the pitfalls that nearly derailed his career.

What I like about Alex is that he keeps it real. We answered questions from you in this episode with no BS.

  • Mass applying vs networking vs building in public
  • How to negotiate your salary and what hiring managers don't tell you
  • What to do about that nagging voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough

You can connect with Alex here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexlau/

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Think developers spend all day writing code? Think again.

A recent study from Software.com reveals that developers actively code for just 52 minutes per day—about 4 hours and 21 minutes per week.

So what the hell do software developers actually do?

In this episode, I break down 2 actual assignments I've been given at both a small startup and a large company to illustrate the reality of work as a software developer.

It's not all coffee breaks and big bags but I think it's interesting work. Maybe you will too.

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In this episode of the Develop Yourself podcast, we walk you through my 5-step process for solving coding problems. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a problem, unsure of where to start, this episode is for you. I’ll show you how to break down problems, test your assumptions, and leverage patterns to find solutions that work.

I also show you exactly how I use this process to tackle problems in real time. If you’re curious to see it in action, check out the video in the show notes where I demonstrate the entire process step-by-step.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/1u3AyP5L--c

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How cooked are we now that OpenAI is getting closer to AGI (artificial general intelligence)?

It feels like AI is inching closer towards making software developers obsolete but how much of this fear is real and how much is complete hype?

The answer shouldn't surprise you if you write code for a living...

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In this episode, Vanessa and Wilfredo share their inspiring journeys of breaking into tech as self-taught developers.

Learn how they avoided tutorial hell, built standout portfolios, and reinvented themselves online to land their first jobs in software engineering.

Packed with practical advice on overcoming imposter syndrome, choosing the right learning path, and navigating the job hunt, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a self-taught route into tech.

Connect with Wilfredo
Connect with Vanessa

Apply to join Parsity 😎

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Before you read "Cracking the Coding Interview" or "Clean Code", I want to offer a few books that you should read at every stage of your developer career from not-yet-hired to engineering manager.

Me, sponsored? No.

I just like sharing what's worked for me in the hopes it can work for you.

If you have some good recommendations I didn't mention please let me and the rest of us know in the comments!

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We're going to go through a very hands-on, practical process for learning enough JS to be dangerous.

From the tools and services you will need as well as challenges to complete and small projects to make, you will have a clear idea of what to do and build to go from zero to noob.

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Humans are notoriously bad at predictions, but I’m going to make some anyway.

Based on what I’ve seen this year and what’s happening in the current market, I believe there are a few key things you’re going to need to know to stay ahead in your career.

Some of these predictions I’m making are bets I’m taking myself, and I figured I should share them with you here.

In this episode, I’m diving into what’s on the horizon for tech in 2025, and how you can leverage these trends to future-proof your skills and take your career to the next level.

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The coding bootcamp model is need of a serious face-lift.

Aggressive marketing has created unrealistic expectations for career changers. Interviews are more difficult and developers are increasingly expected to do more.

It feels like things are changing faster and faster.

It's not all doom and gloom.

Career change has always been difficult. That shouldn't discourage you, you just need a different approach.

Zubin, an ex-lawyer turned software engineer at Google shares what's changed, what's stayed the same and the future of coding bootcamps.

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I have been working as a software developer for over a decade.

These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I’d give anyone starting out, including maybe not just starting at all!

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A few students at Parsity.io have interviews coming up. I gave them the same advice I'll share with you in this episode.

The weird thing about technical interviews is they might not be so technical at all.

While you're grinding LeetCode or CodeWars or if you're just learning to code - you need to be prepared for the non-technical interview. It's way more common than you think.

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Nearly a decade ago I started my first day as a developer.

The night before the first day, I was barely able to sleep.

Would I be found out as a fake developer and fired immediately?

Would they give me a task I couldn’t figure out?

How long before they realized they made an error in their hiring process?

Well, I never got “found out” and I took on more than a few tasks I couldn’t figure out… yet.

If you're learning to code or recently got hired - I lay out a plan to help you tackle your first day as a real deal developer, stand out and maybe even impress your teammates.

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ReactJS is the most popular JavaScript library. Love it or hate it, it's a safe bet to learn.

Let's walk through how much JS you need to know before ReactJS, how to create your first component and what to do next.

PS. I mentioned a video about working with APIs. You can watch it here.

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The amount of information about how to get into software is overwhelming. Often times, the loudest voices have the least knowledge or experience.

Who do you trust?
What do you study?
What should you build?
How do you prove to someone they can trust you?

Let's break down a step by step guide you can use land your first job as a software developer.

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A few months ago, during my first week at a new job, the CEO caught me red-handed using ChatGPT.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

I told him the truth:

“Trying to match this UI design to the design spec—I use ChatGPT all the time for stuff like this. I’m not the best at styling.”

His response? “Oh, cool. I had no idea you could do that.”

In this episode, I’ll share the full story and break down how to use AI tools like ChatGPT strategically—without risking your reputation or blindly copying code.

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In this episode, I share the best tools, courses, and resources to help you level up your skills and accelerate your path to becoming a software developer.

From Codecademy to Scrimba, system design tips and books that have made a huge impact on me, here's what I think is truly worth your hard-earned money.

I have personally used and recommend each of the resources I share with you here. No one paid me a dime to say this stuff.

Whether you’re just starting out or advancing your career, there’s something here for every developer.

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I chat with Michael, a self-taught developer, about his journey learning Ruby on Rails through project-based learning.

We discuss Rails’ philosophy, early projects, overcoming challenges, and the importance of community and structure for self-taught developers.

Michael shares resources and advice for aspiring developers navigating their learning path and why Odin Project has worked so well for him.

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After speaking with over 600 of you out there, I got a pretty good idea of what you're likely struggling with.

I hope you enjoy these cheat sheets to help fix your janky resume, create a cool side project and maybe even get over that impostor-y feeling in your head.

Impostor Syndrome Killer
Side Project Cheat Sheet
Fix Your Resume

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Brooke Sweedar is a recent coding bootcamp grad currently on the job hunt.

She gets real about what it actually takes to make a coding bootcamp work for you (especially if you're a busy professional), her meteoric rise on LinkedIn, how she's standing out in a crowded market and the reality of career change.

Plus some hawttttt takes.

You can connect with here here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-sweedar/

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When you went to school, you were rewarded for completing assignments on time and memorizing facts.

This same approach will NOT work for becoming an employable software engineer.

In fact, it will have the opposite effect.

On your learning-to-code journey, there are many mistakes you will make. You're going to mess up, produce sh*tty code and fail a ton of interviews. These are unavoidable and necessary to your growth as a developer.

Some pitfalls, however, should absolutely be avoided. I've spoken with literally hundreds of you out there and learned what's holding you back. Here are the 3 (and a half) biggest mistakes career changers make when they're learning to code and how to avoid them.

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"Maybe Javascript just isn't for me..."

Let's talk mental models and Javascript.

A good mental model is a way to "latch" onto a foreign concept by relating it to something you understand.

I speak with Kylo Robinson, an accomplished Javascript developer who nearly quit learning to code when he came across JS.

Since then, he's created a truly unique way to visualize Javascript concepts with mental models to cover everything from scope, closures, variables, functions and other major JS concepts.

Check out his incredible learning platform The Great Sync 🧞

You can connect with Kylo here:

Instagram

Youtube

LinkedIn

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Data structures and algorithms aren't just for interviews. Whether you know it or not, you are standing on the shoulders of giants when you write code.

DSA doesn't have to be intimidating.

Let's explore some real world examples of common structures and algos and some ways to learn them.

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There is no magical technology stack which will make getting that first job easy. There are certainly technology choices I would avoid and others I would make sure to learn.

If becoming a software developer was as easy as learning the "right" technology then most people wouldn't pay tens of thousands learning computer science or for mentorship.

I outline the exact tech stack I would be learning right now in order to be more hire-able in 2025..

Here's the SQL episode I make reference to in the episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819601/episodes/15860008-176-a-hands-on-guide-to-learning-sql

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Learning in public isn't about likes.

It's not about becoming an influencer.

Learning in public is a practical way to validate yourself as a developer, learn the art of writing and become discoverable in a sea of cookie-cutter bootcamp grads.

We will go over why you want to learn in public, how to do it and a way to meet other developers without being weird.

Grab my learning in public templates here

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In this episode, I chat with Harley Ferguson, the seven-foot-tall South African CEO of Origen Software.

We dig into strategies for going viral, crafting engaging posts, and how Harley’s unique perspective has helped him build an audience of over 60,000 followers.

Whether you're looking to become LinkedIn famous or just stand out in the developer market - you'll walk away with actionable steps to begin learning in public the right way.

Harley is an amazing human and an excellent writer. You can connect with him here:

101 Tips for Becoming a Better Developer
Harley's LinkedIn

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Let's go over some super practical tips to improve your JavaScript code and look a little less junior.

Got suggestions for an upcoming show or a guest I should reach out to? Email me at brian@parsity.io!

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In this episode, I’m joined by Rahul Pandey, a former tech lead at Meta and co-founder of JoinTaro, a platform for ambitious software developers.

Rahul shares his transparent insights on working in big tech, including the reality of big salaries in FAANG companies and what it’s really like behind the scenes.

You can connect with Rahul on LinkedIn.

BONUS ALERT 👇

Don't miss out on this course I made for JoinTaro about breaking into tech as an outsider which is FREE for a limited time: https://www.jointaro.com/course/break-into-tech-and-become-a-software-engineer/

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*"AI is coming for your tech job!"

"There's no hope for coders in 2024!"

"Learn to code?! Ha, that was so 2015."*

Do these click bait titles sound familiar?

I've gone down the YouTube rabbit hole of doom and gloom videos about the tech job market and AI. The reality is much less interesting which is why you won't see much of it on platforms where extreme opinions get the most eye balls.

Excuse me while I go on a rant about layoffs, AI and getting hired in 2024 with some facts to back me up. You can check out a real time look at the tech job market here: https://www.trueup.io/job-trend

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There is a valuable skill that will set you apart from most developers.

It will go from a nice to have to a requirement if you want to move into leadership:

Public speaking.

If you’re like me, maybe you think you can just hide in your code hole and never speak.

I tried this method for a few years and it sorta worked.

I didn’t get fired.

I also couldn’t get promoted or make much of an impact.

In this epsiode, Geoffrey Huck shares how he went from being terrified of speaking with strangers to coaching CEOs and tech leaders on how to communicate.

He breaks down how you can accelerate your own career by learning the art of public speaking with tips you can put to use today.

He even has a gift for you if you want to learn more:

Check out his 3 step guide to speaking with confidence.

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One started a multi-million dollar business. 💰

Another wrote a popular library for unit testing that you've probably heard of. 🧠

The last one called me out on my b.s. 😅

I stole a little piece of each of these developers to accelerate my own career.

I've been very lucky.

I live in the epicenter of the tech universe in the San Francisco Bay Area. Every nerdy developer with a dollar and a dream ends up here somehow.

You don’t have to get lucky though.

I want to share the lessons I learned from each of these characters that saved me from mediocrity and might help you as well.

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Dr. Junaid Akhtar is content architect at Educative and an expert in the science of education and specifically, learning to code.

In this episode we discuss:

  • what most people get wrong about learning to code and learning in general
  • the best way to stay motivated
  • why 10,000 hours to master a subject is BS
  • project-based learning and why developers do best with this strategy

Dr. Junaid is the kind of person more new coders should be listening to. His advice is based on years of experience as both an educator and a software engineer. He gets it.

Here's where you can connect with him:

  • Dr. Junaid Akhtar's LinkedIn

I personally use Educative and you can check out their pathway towards software developer here -> Educative Learn-to-Code Content

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Professional software developers overwhelmingly use SQL but few coding bootcamps teach it.

Learning some basic SQL doesn't need to be overwhelming or complicated.

Listen to the episode and follow along with this post to get some hands-on practice with SQL.

Click here to grab your guide.

Sign up for early access to our upcoming Python and Data Engineering program.

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Without a clear path from junior developer to senior, most developers fall into the coding trap:

  • You double down on your current programming language to become an "expert"
  • You add more tools to your tool belt like a new, more impressive programming language (Rust anyone?)
  • You obsess over code quality and writing error free code
  • You wonder why you haven't been promoted yet

Plot twist: I am you.

I made all these mistakes and have since gone on to be a senior at multiple companies even though I've rarely been the best coder on any team.

As an engineering manager, I had the privilege of promoting developers to senior and the awkward duty to share with developers why there were NOT getting promoted.

Let's break down how you can shorten your path to senior developer, step by step.

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Before you watch another 100 hour YouTube tutorial, try these 4 side projects which are small enough to do over a weekend and will teach you a hell of a lot about writing JavaScript.

In this episode we will explore the concepts you will learn with these projects, how to get started and where to find information to fill in the gaps in your knowledge.

Here's the API I mentioned in the show: JSON Placeholder
Here's the Form Challenge

If you complete the Form Challenge please tag me on IG or LinkedIn. Feel free to submit it to my email if you want feedback: brian@parsity.io

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Dicky Kitchen is a self-taught developer who made the leap into tech in his 40s—without a degree, bootcamp, or formal schooling.

Dicky is in his first 90 days as a professional developer after a career as a phyiscal therapy assistant.

We dive into Dicky’s journey from physical therapy to coding, how he found success learning online, and the sacrifices it took to build a new career from scratch.

If you’re over 30, switching careers, or just curious about how to break into tech, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.

Links mentioned in episode:

•Watch our junior developer mock interview on YouTube

•Connect with Dicky on LinkedIn

•Follow Dicky on Instagram

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Don't hate mail me just yet.

“Free” work as a developer can feel like a controversial topic, but it could be the key to jump-starting your career.

I’ll walk you through strategies for gaining credibility, building a portfolio, and turning your free work into a launchpad for your development career.

You will learn how to:

-Discover valuable projects, not junk work
- Position yourself as a developer while still learning
-Leverage open-source and freelance work for career growth

And don’t worry, this isn’t about working for free forever—just smartly leveraging it as a stepping stone.

Check out my buddy William Ray who has some really good advice about freelancing as a developer.

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I know the smartest and best looking developers are listening to this podcast.

As a thank you, here's a mini-tutorial to learn some backend software development as a Javascript developer.

Video: https://youtu.be/9mU6Mnq9ZXY
Code: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/js_pros_backend_starter.git​

Please share this and tag me if you do!

One last thing 👇

Join me and Aaron Cordova, a recent guest on the podcast to talk about how you can actually break into tech as an outsider. Register here.

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In the last decade, I got sober, learned to code, and lost 50 pounds.

At the end of the day, the key to all of these transformations came down to habits.

In this episode, I break down how small, consistent changes can lead to big life transformations—whether you want to improve your coding skills, land a job, or just build better habits in life.

Let's learn the science behind habit formation and practical tips to help you create habits that last.

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The field of software development tends to attract neuro-divergent people, and because of the emphasis on problem-solving, long stretches of focus, and task management, developers with ADHD often face unique challenges.

Henry Lam, an ADHD coach for professionals who shares practical strategies for

  • managing time
  • boosting motivation
  • minimizing distractions

This advice can be applied for anyone learning to code and especially to neuro-divergent developers.

Whether you’re struggling with procrastination, hyper-focus, or juggling multiple projects, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you stay on track and reach your full potential.

You can connect with Henry at ​https://www.adhdcoachingnearme.com/

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Wondering where to take your first step in the tech world?

Should you aim for a fast-paced startup, a steady mid-sized company, or a giant like Google?

In this episode I share my personal journey through all three—from a stressful startup experience to working at Fortune 100 companies.

Learn the pros and cons of each environment, and get actionable advice on how to navigate your career, make smart choices, and avoid common mistakes along the way.

Lastly - this is the last week to get a major discount to Parsity. Apply here.

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In this interview, Dagna Bieda, an accomplished software engineer and author of "Brain Refactor", shares how she struggled with communication as a developer and how she had to "refactor" her own mindset to reach the next level in her career as well as:

  • Common pitfalls that most software engineers make in their career
  • Why "mindset" is more than a fluffy buzzword
  • Marketing yourself as a developer
  • Psychedelics?!

This convo took a turn I never expected 😅.

📖 Get her book here
💼 Connect with Dagna on LinkedIn
🧠 ​Finally, here's a link to the article we mention during the show.

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Let me be clear: junior developers are necessary.

They are also risky to hire.

Let's explore the economics of hiring juniors, how to de-risk yourself and what the hell "junior" really means.

Also - here's my email if you want any targeted advice: brian@parsity.io

Include your Github and LinkedIn and I'll give you my 3 cents!

PS. We have 2 spots left for the last cohort of the year. Join me at Parsity.io if you want to become a software developer in 2025.

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Aaron went from rapper to New York City Transit worker to working at some of the largest names in tech including Coinbase, Docker and Meta (Facebook).

This story isn't really about tech or money, but that's a piece of it.

The real story is about refusing to settle, rising above your circumstances and creating options in life when you feel like you don't have any.

Aaron has nothing to sell you.

He reached out to me because he wants to share his story in the hopes it will help others who may be struggling or feel stuck.

If you're not inspired by Aaron's journey, there's a chance you're a robot.

You can connect with Aaron on LinkedIn here

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The problem with the tech advice you get on LinkedIn, X and TikTok is that it doesn't reflect reality.

The loudest voices dominate the space and create an echo chamber.

Luckily, Stack Overflow surveys tens of thousands of developers every year to find out:

  • what professional developers REALLY think about AI taking their jobs
  • the technology everyone is using
  • the tools we use daily to write code

Let's explore some of the most interesting take aways from this year's survey.

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Parsity grad Nils decided to change careers at 44 from professor of music to software engineer.

His story may not seem typical but in many ways it follows the same pattern that has worked for other career changers:

  • He worked on real world projects in exchange for credibility.
  • He was open to hybrid opportunities.
  • He went outside LinkedIn and leveraged his personal network.

His life changed.

Pretty cool story.

Nils breaks down how he did it in this episode with some practical takeaways for listeners.

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15 years ago I made money by trading various substances for cash.

I was hooked on drugs, alcohol and living like a loser.

It took 3 near death experiences, 2 children, 1 intervention and too many sleepless nights to count before I changed my ways.

The transition from criminal addict to nerdy software engineer was tough and there are lesson from my former life which have helped me navigate a career in tech.

Let's explore 3 lessons that can apply to your (legal) career 😅

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I used to hate admitting my mistakes when I was a more junior developer.

Over the years, I've made some embarrassing blunders. I've thought I was going to be fired a dozen times.

You can not avoid making mistakes as a software developer. It's part of the learning process.

There are a few common problems most developers will encounter that have nothing to do with coding. How you handle them will determine how fast your career grows and if it's heading in the right direction.

I sit down with author and software engineering leader, Alex Lau to discuss our biggest mistakes so far and what we've learned from them.

Don't judge us... too much.

Alex has written an amazing field guide for software developers to avoid the most common career mistakes. Check it out here.Alex's book Keep Calm and Code On

Alex's LinkedIn.

This is the book I wish I had when I first started writing code professionally.

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Should I even be telling you this?

I mean I own a coding bootcamp.

The reality is that you don't need a degree OR a coding bootcamp to be a hire-able developer but there's a reason why the majority of software engineers have some formal education.

Let's go over a plan for you to learn the basics of web development on your own and whether or not a coding bootcamp makes sense for you or not.

If a coding bootcamp is for you - join me at Parsity.io 😎 and get a massive discount if you enroll by next week. **I'm working 1 on 1 with the first 5 people to prep for the program!

Here's the vide on APIs I was talking about in the episode. Watch here.**

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Pessimists are often right.

Optimists are often successful.

When you're doing something new like learning to code, you don't have any "proof" that you will be good at it. Your brain wants to find patterns to protect you from an uncertain future.

You scroll IG, YouTube or LinkedIn and are inundated with horror stories which affect your confidence. You begin to doubt that you can actually make it.

Before you adopt someone else's narrative. Create your own proof.

Let's go over 2 practical ways to cultivate optimism, one of the most important traits any new developer can have.

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Learning to code isn't enough.

10 years ago, being able to write some HTML, CSS, Jquery and JavaScript could land you a job.

Honestly, you can still make money just knowing these basics. But, if you want career where you work on interesting problems and are highly compensated, there are 3 skills you're going to need which we'll explore and learn practical ways to acquire them.

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William Ray is a YouTuber, coder, and recent bootcamp graduate.

We discuss how he went from a background in behavioral health to freelancing in the tech industry, overcoming addiction, the challenges of the job market, and the importance of time management.

William shares his experience of learning Java and Vue, the significance of building a network, and his innovative approach to finding freelance work.

Connect with Will here 👈

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What happens AFTER the "I'm hired" post on LinkedIn?

Once the "congratulations" comments and initial excitement wears off, reality sets in.

"Did they make a mistake when they hired me?"
"Can I do this?"
"Will I be fired?"

You are now a software developer in charge of writing code for applications that users rely on.

Let's explore some practical things you can do to succeed on your first software developer job or your next one.

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Megan Dias is a top 1% career coach on UpWork. She's also the career services coordinator at Parsity.

She did not hold back on this episode where we discuss:

  • the reality of the tech job market and what's changed since the pandemic
  • why you probably shouldn't use the "Open to Work" banner
  • when to show off your GitHub profile and when NOT to
  • learning in public do's and absolutely do not's

We sincerely hope you find this helpful whether you're learning to code or on the job market as a coder.

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It's been a hell of a 2024 so far.

I bought a business (Parsity.io), got laid off, interviewed a ton and then got hired.

Check my LinkedIn if you don't believe me.

Let's explore 3 lessons from this layoff that I think you can apply to your job search as a software engineer no matter what stage you are currently at.

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Jack Harrington is the mastermind behind the YouTube channel Blue Collar Coder where he does deep dives on React, JavaScript and front end concepts.

He shares his impressive 40-year journey in coding that began at age 13 and has remained close to the front end and excelled in software with only a high school diploma!

From working at Nike and Walmart Labs to becoming a prominent tech content creator, Jack opens up about balancing his YouTube channel, a high-level tech role, and personal life.

Jack offers invaluable career tips, opens up about dealing with dyslexia, and advice for junior developers looking to thrive in the tech industry.

Check out his YouTube channel if you're learning JS, React or NextJS, it's a no brainer: https://www.youtube.com/@jherr

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Let's tackle the widespread fear that AI will replace software developers. Get a high level overview of how AI and large language models like ChatGPT work and why they produce such mid code.

We go over why junior developers should limit their AI usage or risk becoming exceptionally mediocre developers as well as a better way to use AI as a junior dev.

There is one occupation more at risk than developers of being automated: content creators! We explore how AI is creeping into the content space while everyone is freaking out about developers being replaced 🙄.

Here's an AI project using OpenAI API I've shared before that might be useful if you know some JS already: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/ai_starter_kit

Don't know JS!? Join Dev30.xyz bucko.

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Special guest Bhupinder Singh, an engineering leader and author of 'Interview Champion', shares his decades of experience in tech, from starting coding at 12 to working with Fortune 100 companies.

Learn how Bhupinder collected offers like Infinity Stones from top tech companies after getting obsessed with interviewing like a champion.

He discusses his new book, the nuances of tech interviews, and offers practical advice for job seekers, especially coding bootcamp graduates.

Bhupinder delves into his personal interview experiences, mindset strategies, and the importance of preparation and self-reflection. We get his hot takes on 9-5 vs entrepreneurship, JS vs TS and LinkedIn vs X for networking.

Bhupinders' special offer for podcast listeners ​dyn.si/brian​

Bhupinder's LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhupindersinghglobal/​

His site: ​DynamicSingh.com

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Learning JS is tough because you're trying to learn it the same way you learned in school. The ONLY way you can be a hire-able developer is to write code, NOT memorization.

Let's go over a practical, hands-on approach to learning and take these resources below to get your hands dirty.

Lastly, join us at Dev30.xyz to learn with some pros and the steps needed to actually make programming a daily habit.

JavaScript Basics Interactive Lessons

The Form Challenge with JavaScript

Javascript.info

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Learning to code is tough but it's not enough.

Too many developers end up as glorified typists or code-bots. As a code-bot you will write code, given a clear set of instructions, that might even work.

You will fix easy bugs, update the colors of buttons and might even write some simple features.

The danger of being a code-bot is that they are plentiful and expendable.

If you want meaningful work that energizes you and gets you paid handsomely then here are 3 mental shifts you need to make as a software developer.

Let's explore how to go from code-bot to software engineer in a practical way

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Your VS Code Shortcuts here including a video.

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I chat with Carly, a former Parsity student who learned to code, didn't quit her job and instead decided to become a freelance web developer.

I love stories like hers.

Carly talks about the reality of joining a coding bootcamp program, finding time to code with a full time job, her externship experience with Parsity and advice for early career coders.

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My son just turned 18 and graduated high school.

I started my career in coding at 30 and I often wonder where I'd be if I started earlier. Terrible habit.

If I had full control over my kids' lives - this is how I'd structure their careers as software engineers so they would be much further along in the game than I am at my age.

None of them want to be coders however so maybe this advice will help you.

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Let me tell you about the WORST interview I've ever had when I made it on site at Google back in 2019. My worst fear came true in this interview with the single worst interviewer I've ever had. It also exposed some serious knowledge gaps that led me to finally learn how to conquer tech interviews, increase my confidence and my boost my salary.

This is NOT a lesson on how to beat Google's interview process. We go over the interviews that 99% of developers will encounter after graduating a bootcamp and a way to beat them.

Here's a document I've been using and sharing with mentees for a while now that should help you prepare for the behavioral interview.

Check it out here!

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Sometimes, developers and content creators use too many personal stories to make big claims. This creates an echo chamber online, making you believe things that might not be true.

Here’s what the real world looks like for most developers:

  • Most developers don’t work for big tech.
  • You’re more likely to fix old code than build new features.
  • Even the best developers fail interviews.
  • Your next interview probably won’t include a whiteboard.
  • JavaScript is the most popular language, even if some say "real developers" don't use it.

To get a true picture of the developer world, check out Stack Overflow’s yearly survey.
It shows what’s really happening with 90,000 developers sharing their experiences.

Listen in to learn what you should know to stay ahead in 2024.

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We dive into the world of over-employment with our special guest, the Secret Developer. 🤫

Discover how he transitioned from a non-traditional background into tech, managed to secure multiple contract roles and successfully juggles his responsibilities across various jobs.

The Secret Developer breaks down his interview experience, finding jobs outside LinkedIn and how his life has changed since learning to code.

Whether you're an aspiring developer or navigating the tech industry, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, networking, and career growth.

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There is an overwhelming amount of information available for aspiring software developers, let's explore a structured strategy called reverse engineering to simplify the path towards landing a job.

We will look at the ONLY project you need to build on your way towards becoming a software developer as well as an opinionated list of technologies you should learn.

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Learning to code is hard.

Getting a job as a developer requires an entirely different approach.

David Roberts is a software developer and recruiter with decades of experience. He explains the game of getting hired from a recruiters perspective, how you can make it easier to be "discovered" on LinkedIn and thoughts on job guarantees.

You can connect with David at Crushing Digital to check out his social media, courses and free trainings.

Chapters:

13:16 Developers' Approach to Job Applications

15:16 Discussion on Internships and Free Work

19:01 Strategy for Building a Strong LinkedIn Profile

23:46 The Importance of Standing Out and Showing Evidence of Skills

26:31 Recruitment Process and Selling Yourself

29:46 Technology Trends and Learning Recommendations

35:01 Parsity's Ethical Job Guarantee

41:46 Interview Preparation and Practice

49:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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I've started too many failed businesses to count.

First there was the diary app. Then there was the 3 years I worked on a startup for real estate transactions. The real-time CSS tool. A learning management system. The SAAS app for actors to upload their auditions.

I finally found some success with a small business I created which made me around 20k last year.

If you're a software engineer interested in starting your own business I'm going to lay out some practical, no-nonsense advice for you to start and what I'd do differently if I was beginning today.

As a coder, you have a top tier skill that can help others makes boat loads of money by implementing their ideas. Why not build your own?

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I've started too many failed businesses to count.

First there was the diary app. Then there was the 3 years I worked on a startup for real estate transactions. The real-time CSS tool. A learning management system. The SAAS app for actors to upload their auditions.

I finally found some success with a small business I created which made me around 20k last year.

If you're a software engineer interested in starting your own business I'm going to lay out some practical, no-nonsense advice for you to start and what I'd do differently if I was beginning today.

As a coder, you have a top tier skill that can help others makes boat loads of money by implementing their ideas. Why not build your own?

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Could there be a worse time to learn to code?

I was nearly 30, had been sober for less than 2 months and had a 1 year old and 8 year old at home.

I worked an office job which I just started and drove Lyft and Uber on the side.

There was no time. So I had to create time. In the process of learning how code, I learned the 2nd most important skill as a software developer (right after coding): the art of time management.

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In today’s episode, we chat with another Brian, a founder, mentor, and recurring guest at Parsity.
Brian shares his fascinating journey from being a self-taught developer to working as an engineering manager at IBMI asked Brian what he would do if he was a bootcamp grad in today's job market and he has some practical and actionable advice that has worked for him and others he has mentored.
Hope you find this helpful!

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4 little letters almost got me fired.

LGTM.

"Looks good to me"

As a software developer you'll be reading code much more than you will be writing it.

Part of your role will almost certainly include looking over your peers' code and giving them feedback. These are called PRs or peer reviews.

I sucked at PRs until our lead developer called me out! In this episode we will learn how to approach peer reviews as a developer and how they fit into the software development life cycle.

Here's a video going over how I like to do peer reviews 👉 PR 101

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For the last 10 years I've been writing code for a living and also worked at several bootcamp programs. I now own Parsity, a coding bootcamp. I also went to 2 bootcamps myself!

I know they can work wonders and change lives.

I've also seen a lot of people who failed to make the transition to software engineer.

That sucks.

Let's explore 3 reasons why I've seen people fail and more importantly, how you can avoid a similar fate.

Also - this is the last week for you to get a massive discount on tuition to Parsity. Join here

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I met a junior developer with 7 years experience.

His resume actually looked pretty good.

When we started the interview though… oof.

He struggled with a simple problem that required iterating over an array and merging some objects.

How was this possible?

Let's explore how to avoid a similar fate and how you can shorten your path to senior developer.

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Ryan Talbert, author of 101 Tips: TypeScript, React, and JavaScript has a hell of a developer origin story:

Part 1: Went to school for entrepreneurship
Part 2: Scammed by a shady developer who stole his life savings
Part 3: Learned to code from tutorials
Part 4: Becomes a software engineer and LinkedIn personality
Part 5: This interview 😎

Ryan breaks down a very unconventional path from administrative assistant to software engineer to author and thoughts on what early career coders can do to stand out, get hired as well as hot takes on TypeScript and the JavaScript landscape.

Also, if you're a Missouri resident, check out Ryan's app to claim your gas tax money: mogastaxback.com

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I’m going to break down the strategy that took me from an underpaid, mediocre developer to an engineering leader through a series of strategic job hops.

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React is the single most popular framework for the world's most popular programming language: JavaScript.

Yes, you must learn it.

In this episode we go over:

  • What is React, why you care and changes to know in 2024
  • How much JS is enough before you learn React?
  • Server side rendering vs client side rendering
  • What the heck is Next.JS and why you need to learn it
  • Resources you can use to learn NextJS and ReactJS

G​​ot an idea for the podcast? Share your suggestion here and we will shout you out if we answer it​ 😎

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As an engineering manager I've had the privilege of promoting engineers on my team and offering people their first role in tech. It's one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Besides all the meetings of course... that's the icing on the cake 😉.

Unfortunately, I've also had the not so fun task of promoting people OUT of the team 😬. I've also spoken to a few junior developers who finally landed their first role.... then got fired.

We will explore the top 2 reasons I've seen people get canned and what you can do to avoid this unfortunate scenario.

If you are a developer and already know how to code - check out this set of challenges and community I made for you: javascriptprosapp.com

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This week, I interviewed Vanessa Vun who switched careers at 35 and went from clinical lab scientist to software engineer. She doesn't have any hacks or shortcuts to landing her first role in a tough market, just practical advice that you're probably not reading online.

You can connect with her here: Vanessa's LinkedIn

G​​ot an idea for the podcast? Share your suggestion here and we will shout you out if we answer it​ 😎

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Could AI ever replace the entire software development industry? Should you still learn to code?

Lets tackle the misconceptions and fears head-on, demystifying the hype around AI tools like Devin AI, and shining a light on the importance of critical thinking.

In a world where sensational headlines blur the lines between fact and fiction, we walk you through the reality of AI's capabilities and its implications for developers. Lastly, a practical perspective on how AI can be used to amplify your learning IF you use it in the right way.

Here's the video that breaks down the Devin AI Demo debacle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNmgmwEtoWE

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Here's a scary realization: there is no 1 path to learn coding.

There are many and not every one will work for you.

Guest Ilya Dorman challenges conventional coding education and some of my opinions on how to learn to code.

We talk about how understanding your own learning process and aligning your personal and professional expectations can transform your approach to coding and lead to true confidence in your skills.

You can find Ilya here:
codeforhumans.dev
Ilya on LinkedIn

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Congratulations! You landed your first software engineering role.

Now an entirely new and much longer game begins.

I remember the feelings of joy when I got hired and then my anxiety kicked in:
"What will they expect me to know?"
"Will I get laughed out of the room?"
"Am I gonna get fired?!"
Let's explore what you can expect on your first day, week and month as a developer and how to use your n00b status to your advantage 😎.

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Stack Overflow interviewed 90,000 developers to understand the software developer landscape.

This survey is a goldmine for developers who are wondering what they should learn next and what current professionals are using to pick up new skills, write code and share their software.

You can check it out here: Stack Overflow 2023 Developer Survey

If you're ready to build complex software, then apply to work with us at Parsity.io

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You want to build an amazing side project but you don’t know where to start.

❌ TODO app?
❌ Clone of that other app that you use?
❌ Tutorial project?

When I’m not sure what I want to build, I do this:

  • Start with the data - what API can you use which may have some interesting information?
  • What features can you construct around the API? For example, a real time stock API could be used to trigger an alert to a user when it dips below a certain threshold
  • Figure out the minimal amount of features
  • What is the user flow? What happens when a user goes to your app? What is the feature they interact with and how is the data surfaced?
  • Pick a combination of new and familiar technologies
  • Get stuck, read the docs and build your way out of the hole you’ve dug 😅
  • Gain more practical knowledge than a 100 hour course could ever offer you

Check out the side project template here 👉 Your Side Project Template

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Everybody and their mother, including me, has been telling you to just learn in public.

Anna Miller is co-founder of Code Career Mastery and has a different take on creating a brand online, making genuine connections and shortening your path to HIRED.

Honestly, this was one of the most refreshing takes I've heard on building a personal brand online.

We discuss:
- why you don't HAVE to only talk about tech
- how to network for real
- a practical way to get referrals
- why LinkedIn is better than X

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn 👈

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In the last 2 years alone, I’ve read through at least 100 resumes for open positions at my current company for junior developers. In addition, I’ve done around 500 calls with developers from around the world and seen hundreds more resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

As an engineering manager, when I get sent a stack of resumes to look through, I will divide them into 3 categories:

🔴 NO!

🟠 Maybe…

🟢 Yes!

Your goal as a junior developer is to avoid the NO pile. Let's explore how.

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We hear a lot of success stories about bootcamp grads AFTER they’ve landed their first role. What about those who are in the middle of learning to code?
I sit down with Levy, a current student in a coding bootcamp who’s juggling work, life and learning how to build software.
Levy shares what he wishes he’d known before starting a coding bootcamp, why the self-taught path wasn’t the right fit for him even though he knows some programming languages and offers a bit of advice for those who are considering doing a bootcamp style program.

Follow Levy’s career transformation and connect with him on LinkedIn:
Levy’s LinkedIn

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Maybe I've fooled you.

To be transparent, I've screwed up a lot over the years as a developer.

I’ve blown up production a few times. I deleted the column without a back up. I pretended to understand and f*cked things up.

I learned a lot, got yelled at a few times and embarrassed too many times to count. Now I can share my takeaways with you.

You will not avoid screwing up. It's a pre-requisite to an interesting career.

I’m not saying to be careless, I’m just saying you will have to get used to the idea of failure if you want to grow.

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Learning data structures and algorithms (DSA) isn't JUST a smart interview skill, it will boost your confidence as a software engineer, give you a deeper understanding of computer science fundamentals and they can even be fun once you know how to use them.If you're self teaching or just starting out with code, they can be intimidating.
They don't have to be.
I break down a pretty comprehensive guide here for learning DSA as well as a video on Binary Search Trees (BST)

DSA Study Guide My popular guide to DSA
Video on Binary Search Trees (Source Code included in the comments)

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How much do you really need to know to start freelancing?

What should you charge?

How do you get your first client?

Matt Cascardi, my friend and former mentor breaks down how he went from psychology major to freelance developer using a boots on the ground strategy to get clients.

Matt got his clients the old school way and this a path that isn't explored enough in our social media-centric world.

You can find Matt at www.cascardi.media

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Interviews are weird. Software interviews are weirder.

This is your guide to go from the recruiter call through the the technical screen and how to negotiate without it being weird.

This isn't a theory. I've used all these tactics and so have my mentees.

Grab the guide here: Junior Developer Interview Cheat Sheet​

Also, join Parsity.io this week for a discount and before our prices raise 😉.

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Will AI replace coders?

Is it still worth learning to code?

I am optimistic about our future but things have changed. The future will belong to those who leverage AI in the right way.

Unfortunately, too many new coders are using AI in all the wrong ways. Avoid the most common pitfalls and use it to super charge your learning.

Check out this AI starter project if you want to explore the Open AI API behind Chat GPT.

https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/ai_starter_kit

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Knowing how to write unit tests will make you a better, more hire-able developer. Few bootcamps teach this for some reason and since I like you, I made a FREE Unit Testing guide you can grab here. Unit Testing Pro.

Having trouble? Shoot me an email at brian@parsity.io

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In this episode, Ryan shares his opinions and advice for up and coming developers including:

  • his journey from marketer to Parsity.io to full stack software engineer
  • his unusual (but not really) interview experience
  • keeping motivated while learning to code
  • side projects
  • hot takes on technology trends
  • why you should probably be a full stack software engineer in today's market

Ryan Passer's LinkedIn

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You ever get that feeling that maybe you're not good enough? I know I have.

Sometimes, it's not all in your head. At some point, when you're doing a new thing, you're going to feel like an impostor. That's because you are one.

And that's OK.

Let's explore why this feeling is so common among new developers, not-so-new developers and why you should be chasing this feeling of uncomfortable-ness.

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John Crickett is the code challenge king. He is author of the popular Code Challenge Newsletter and one of the few tech influencers on LinkedIn and X who really knows his stuff.

We sit down and talk about the best way to learn to code (building stuff ), why AI isn't so scary, his meteoric rise on social media and tactics you can steal to do the same.

​John Crickett's Coding Challenges

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Yeah I know, money isn't everything. But it's something right? I've been broke and not-so-broke. I prefer not being broke any day of the week.

I applied 3 tactics I copied from a much smarter developer who understood the game of money in tech. I share them in this short episode so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

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I spoke with Nathan Drake, a ​Parsity​ graduate and software engineer at Paylocity. He came into our program with some basic programming knowledge and was hired literally the day he graduated! This is not normal, but it's also not not normal 🤔.

Nathan went through tutorial hell, learning to code, giving up and re-learning a few times before he went to Parsity. What we offered (and what any good program will offer) is clarity in your learning path and experts who have been where you are and KNOW exactly what you need to reach the next step.

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About a year ago an event happened that gave me a very unique perspective on the web dev world: Kyle Simpson, world famous JS developer reposted me. My notifications blew tf up, and I got over 500 15-minute calls scheduled. I spent the next year talking to all of these people!

I got to help people improve their resumes, fix their LinkedIn profiles and interview approach or just offered an ear to vent.

The crazy thing is that after all these calls, I found that most of us are more alike than I could've imagined. We ultimately work on similar projects with similar tech stacks and face many of the same issues.

I'm done offering these calls... except I'm going to do a bit of an experiment here. If you are reading this and currently confused on your own path towards coding - grab a few minutes on my calendar by clicking here. Hope I don't regret this 😬.

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This week, I interviewed David Rogers, a teacher turned software engineer. He now mentors others and breaks down difficult JS concepts unlike many can.

Maybe you're thinking, "Wait, isn't he like, your competition?"

You'd be right. We both have businesses with the goal of teaching others to code and change careers.

I like when people keep it real and David did not disappoint.

We chat about:

  • David's not so great experience on the first job

  • Why mindset is more than a buzzword

  • The mistakes you should avoid when learning to code

  • Bobby (check out his IG 😉)

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The caterpillar learning method to the rescue.

I've switched tech stacks 3 times so far in my career. More like 5 if you count the contract jobs I've worked on.

That means I had to learn completely new languages and frameworks in a fairly short amount of time. I didn't have the luxury of sitting down for a 100 hour tutorial. The strategy I use to learn is the caterpillar method.

When a caterpillar moves, it contracts and expands its body segments in a sequential manner to propel itself forward. Be like that caterpillar when you're learning.

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Zubin Pratap didn't hold back in this episode. He breaks down how he went from lawyer to Software Engineer at Google to BlockChain developer to mentoring others making the transition into tech.

We speak about:
- mentorship
- learning to code
- the infamous Google interview and how he beat it
- the skills you need outside of coding to be hire-able
- money and mindset ;)Zubin shows career changers how he went from 37 year old lawyer to software engineer at Google.

Check out his socials below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zubinpratap/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@zubinpratap
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zubinpratap
Career Transition To Code Landing Page: https://www.matchfitmastery.com/

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Listen, becoming a software engineer is not a decision to make lightly. Along with the ability to work remotely and the potential to make multiple 6 figures comes with a lot of expectations and stress.

There's nothing quite like solving a bug at midnight or deploying code to the web for customers to enjoy. It can be really exciting and fulfilling - but it's certainly NOT for everyone.

Oh yeah - we've been doing some great updates to Parsity and we have more to come. One student landed a quick contract gig and we have a few recent grads working as consultants for a startup that's about to secure funding!

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In this episode I break down the only 3 things I think you should be adding to your toolbelt as a developer in 2024 and because I like you, here's an advanced project that uses AI, NodeJS and Express.
Your AI AStarter Project: This is an advanced project and assumes some knowledge of JS. If you're looking for something a little more beginner friendly, check out this project to learn how to use APIs with Javascript.

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Let's dive into a practical LinkedIn strategy to attract the right people through your posts:
Step 1: Be anti-cringe. Posting platitudes is an easy way to get ignored or not taken seriously. That's not only NOT helpful, but as humans, we have an uncanny ability to smell when people are not being genuine. Instead, post about what you're learning.Step 2: Don't be boring... at first. You wrote an interesting post but nobody read it. Here you thought you'd be judged by the masses and yet, you barely see any interaction. You must make your first sentence interesting.Step 3: Know who you're posting for. Take the emotion out of it. If you're on the job hunt, you're not fishing for likes so don't focus on that metric.Step 4: Don't freestyle it. I write pretty much all my posts for the week on Sunday. This way I'm not scrambling to channel my creativity before I start my work day or my kids start yelling at me to make them pancakes. My best advice is not to overthink it.

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Debugging may be one of the most underrated technical skills as a developer. It is one of the major differences between a junior and senior developer.
I'm going to share the story of a super stressful bug I had to fix years ago while working at a start up and the method I still use to track and fix critical issues in JS code.
It's dramatic. It's emotional. It's software!

If video is more your thing, you can watch me walk through some tips here.

BTW, it's getting really close to the deadline to apply for Jan 2024 cohorts. We will be introducing TypeScript and rolling out more open source and internship opportunities in the new year as well as a LinkedIn course I'm pretty juiced to create that will be free for grads and not-so-free for everyone else.

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Erik Andersen, the World's Happiest Engineer did not hold back when I asked him what he felt about coding bootcamps. 😅

Erik is an amazing and knowledgeable engineer. He’s not just an influencer online but he’s also a full time tech lead who runs a YouTube podcast dedicated to helping junior developers land their first job. You should check it out.

Listen to one of my favorite people on LinkedIn talk to us about:

  • Ways to stand out as a new developer
  • Why you should be using LinkedIn and how to not suck at it
  • How to get experience as a career changer when you have none
  • Hot 🥵 takes on bootcamps and the junior dev market

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So last week I wrote to Kyle Simpson, world famous JavaScript developer and author of the incredibly popular You Don't Know JS series.

I asked if he'd appear on the Develop Yourself Podcast and I was bracing for a rejection email.

Within about an hour, I saw a new email in my inbox. Here we go. "Well, maybe next time", I thought... He said "sure". 😮

I freaked out. I've read all his books and in fact, I credit them with making me a better, more confident developer. I also follow him on social media and have read his polarizing views and some of the hate he's received online.

I don't always agree with his takes but I respect the fact he truly "learns in public"

Right now, Kyle is on the job search and has been documenting his experience. The ups, downs and in-betweens.

Believe it or not, he even got turned down for a role because he did not pass their challenge... written in JavaScript.

Should that scare the rest of us? According to Kyle, NO, it should not.

In this interview we didn't really talk about code at all. Kyle shares his origin story, how he became a world-famous author, his surprising take on JS frameworks, advice for beginners learning to code and gets real about his job search.

You don't want to skip this one.

Here's some links to get more Kyle Simpson in your life and become a way better JS developer:

Kyle's Github

Front End Master's Course

Get Kyle's Spicy Takes on LinkedIn

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In this week's podcast you're going to learn the 3 types of interviews you WILL encounter as a developer on the job market and how to beat them 💪.

Interviewing may be the most high paying skill you can develop as a developer. It takes a different approach than creating software which is why most people kinda suck at it.

I should know, I sucked for years! Like pitifully so. Then I studied a ton around year 3 of being a software engineer and over the years, I've spent over 10k learning how to nail coding interviews.

Did it make me a better developer? Kinda. The real benefit was the increased confidence and ability to job hop more easily which led to ~50k in salary increases over 2 years. Not a bad investment.

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This week's podcast is a bit different...
I only know 2 things fairly well: 1. Coding and 2. Getting in shape

I've only shared my advice on #1 thus far and I feel guilty because I know that my "secret" to success as a developer and in life has been my exercise routine and diet. Shame on me.

Don't worry, this won't become a fitness influencer podcast and next week we'll be back to hard-hitting topics like front end system design and how to nail your interviews. I have some great guests we're scheduling as well 😉.

My exercise routine has been my secret weapon and I share how I lost 50 pounds and finally got a six pack after 35 as well as the science behind why working out will make you better at writing code.

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In this week's podcast, Brian explores how you should approach becoming a web developer in 2024.

What you should learn. How you should learn it. When to start applying for roles.

Plot twist: it's mostly the same as what you should have done in 2023 but there are a few trends I think you should be aware of that will make 2024 different.

Brian lays out the path in this episode, which should work for you even if you don't decide to join us at Parsity. It's an opinionated, practical guide and we hope you find it useful.

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Check out this week's podcast where I expose the not-so-secret TC39 committee and how much JavaScript you need to know before moving on to a framework like React or Angular or whatever.

It's an opinionated break down of what you should study and how to test your knowledge to build a solid foundation.

As a challenge that you will either find easy or incredibly difficult, check this out. I used to give this out to junior and not-so-junior developers as a test of their skills.

All the best,

Brian

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Some big changes are happening at Parsity and the podcast! Aaron and Peter will be pursuing other endeavors and Brian Jenney, who you've heard host a few guest episodes already, will be taking over. Brian is an engineering manager and JS developer.

If you'll miss Aaron, don't be too sad -- Aaron will be a recurring "guest" on the podcast, so you will still get to hear from him now and then.

Brian is really looking forward to building on the amazing foundation Aaron has created and will be unveiling some exciting curriculum updates very soon at Parsity, as well as more coding-related topics to the pod.

This week you'll also learn more about where Aaron and Peter are going in life right now.

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Join this week's returning guest host Brian Jenney as he tells you all about his experience being the worst software developer on a team. He goes into those uncomfortable feelings and inadequacies but also discusses why he is thankful for that opportunity. Not only did it end up being one of the best moments in his career, but it helped to shape it in the long run.

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dev30

Brian's LinkedIn

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

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In this episode, Peter discusses the value of vanilla JavaScript. In particular, we talk about the importance of learning the foundations of JavaScript when you're first starting out, the boost given to developers by updates to the JavaScript standard, and the appeal of vanilla JavaScript in a world of breaking dependencies.

Shameless PlugsParsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

View Details

Join Aaron and Peter for their catchup episode as they share success stories, failure stories, and stories in-between from their 10+ years of bootcamp experience.

Their big takeaway was from those "in-between" stories they share, where students are taking a turn for the worst, then turn it around and persevere to be successful. They've said it before and will say it again: If you don't quit, you will have success!

Peter shares his own story of being on the failing path, then evolving his work ethic and mindset to turn it around and not only graduate from bootcamps, but continue on to gain success in his own work.

They hope you can hear these stories, be encouraged, and identify yourself as someone who will do well -- Because you will!

Shameless Plugs

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

View Details

This week we are excited to have Brian Jenney back on the podcast, this time in the interview chair. Aaron wanted to dive more into Brian's story of being a self-taught coding student, to a LinkedIn influencer with 20k followers, and running his own programs, all while working as a senior engineering manager.

Pay special attention to Brian's advice and LinkedIn content, as it is the most practical, hands-on, and actionable guidance for engineers entering the field today. He has experience teaching, mentoring, and assisting with job hunts, so listen closely and we are sure you'll gain some great insight!

Check out Brian's LinkedIn!

Shameless Plugs

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

View Details

This week we have a special guest episode, hosted by Brian Jenney, Engineering Manager at Clorox.
Brian is an incredible teacher, passionate about software development, and has an incredible story to tell.
From having no idea what to do with his life and selling drugs to becoming an engineering manager and LinkedIn influencer with 19k followers, he has built his own courses and is currently helping Parsity develop some of the best curriculum we've ever had.
Listen and be encouraged!

Brian's LinkedIn

Shameless Plugs

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

View Details

Grant Hushek of Hampton joins the pod this week to talk about how he got his job, what it looks like to be the automations expert at a company, how to keep learning, and strategies for B2B sales.

Grant's story offers a ton of takeaways for those looking to get into technology! Thanks to Grant for coming on.

Links https://grantbot.co/

Shameless PlugsParsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

Shameless Plugs

🧠 ​Parsity​ - a coding school for career changers

​🚀 dev30​ - learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount to Parsity

​🤵🏽‍♂️ Brian's LinkedIn​

Your Ultimate JS Guide

Serious about joining Parsity - schedule a call with me ☎️

View Details

Join Aaron this week as he dives into the introduction of Git and Github, which is perfect for anyone new to coding and programming. Learn the context of Git and Github, as well as Aaron's recommended workflow for using them. This episode is an auditory way to learn the fundamentals and background of Git, Github, and Version Control. 

Shameless Plugs

slaptask

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Peter this week as he shares his experience using the React framework Remix.

With the React team officially recommending the use of React frameworks, familiarity with Remix or another option will be important in the future. In this episode, Peter shares his pros, cons, and things to look out for when using Remix. 

Shameless Plugsslaptask
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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Catch up with co-hosts Aaron and Peter as they chat about a few topics they are interested in when it comes to entering the tech world as a software engineer.
They build off last week's episode where Aaron mentioned the "underemployed", and how those individuals can learn new skills to be able to trade their time for money.
Plus, they talk about those "ah-ha" moments that click when you think about your career and how to climb the ladder. Hear about what those moments were for them in their job journeys.

Want to ask Peter and Aaron a question to hear answered on their next catch-up episode? Email Aaron@Parsity.io to submit your questions or feedback!

Shameless Plugs

slaptask

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron this week as he discusses how you can 10X, or leverage, your career as a software engineer.
Ever wonder how some people are doing more, have more freedom, and are making more money, all while working less? It's something few people speak about. Here, Aaron talks about his own career path and how he built it, and he also gives you the formula for how you can do the same.

Shameless Plugs

slaptask

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Peter in this episode as he details a pattern he's noticed at every engineering job he's had. It's a story about how the best engineers grow and keep going. 

Shameless Plugsslaptask
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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This week, join Aaron as he discusses radical accountability and how you can accomplish all of your goals by using an accountability partner.
Over the past six months, Aaron has done daily check-ins with his accountability partner; In this episode, he will talk about learning how to identify a strong partner, set commitments, and run check-ins together to not only support one another while learning to code but also in taking the next steps to become a software engineer. 

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Join Peter as he tackles an automation grab-bag including

  • How much code do you need to learn to automate tasks at your job?
  • The magic of Puppeteer.js
  • Examples of things you can do with basic scripting and Puppeteer
  • How to schedule things (cron jobs)
  • The role of no-code tools like Zapier
  • Automation agencies
  • His writing on LinkedIn

LinksPuppeteer tutorial
Liam Ottley

Shameless Plugsslaptask
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron and Peter in their monthly catchup as they discuss a variety of topics in this episode, including:

  • Creating systems for building an audience on LinkedIn (how Aaron when from 0 to 8k followers in a few months)
  • Peter’s plan to build a business around automation business practices with low-code AI solutions.
  • Where to start when it comes to building a side-gig

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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After you've had your first engineering job for a while, you may start wondering about how to take the next step in your career. The thing is, approaches for getting promoted often aren't obvious or discussed.

In this episode, we talk about the best strategy we've found for getting promoted. By taking advantage of a technique that most rarely practice, you can stand out and take on greater leadership at work.

LinksYou Are Your Own Best Hype Person

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron this week as he goes back to the basics and teaches you how to go from a code newbie to a software engineer within this next year. Whether you're a new college graduate or settled and looking for a career change, is a job as a software engineer still a viable path? And if so, what does that path look like?
Let Aaron explain what the next year of your life could look like with the end goal of being a working engineer, and gain advice on other episodes to listen to if you're feeling stuck.

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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If you're listening to this episode, you probably want to learn to code. But, you might be overwhelmed and wondering how to learn or where to start.

Thankfully, the best-articulated strategy we've come across for learning anything is dead simple: do the real thing.

In this episode, we talk through the core tenets of this idea as well as approaches for applying it when learning to code. We originally covered this topic in episode #20. 

Links
Do the Real Thing: https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2020/05/04/do-the-real-thing/
Pieter Levels: https://twitter.com/levelsio/

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron and Megan Dias, Parsity's Career Services Coach, as they talk about the current job state for engineers and her strategies for landing your new gig.
Megan turned getting laid off from work into a career of coaching others and has had a large success in doing so. Listen and learn from her wealth of knowledge about job searching-- If you are looking for a job, or will be soon, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Find Megan here:

Megan's LinkedIn

Get Megan's Help!

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Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron and Peter in their monthly catchup as they discuss a variety of topics in this episode, including:

  • AI and how it could affect your future in software
  • Building systems and how they have both used their engineering skills to automate other parts of their lives
  • Seasons of work: How to build leverage and balance work and rest

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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This week Aaron talks about how investing in your mindset is one of the best things you can do as you learn to code and get into the workforce as a software engineer.

He walks through the steps and practical strategies that have helped him adopt a better mindset, attitude, and overall thinking. Mastering the way you think can really boost your attitude and mental health, so let's learn the ways you can use the most powerful tool you have... your mindset!

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Today we're talking about the most valuable thing that learning to code has given me. It isn't a career, a well-paid job, or really anything tangible. It's a mindset.

Learning to code gives you the mindset of figuring things out and solving your own problems. In this episode, we talk about why coding gives this mindset, the qualities of the mindset, and how to develop this mindset in yourself.

This episode is a replay of episode #48.  

Links
How a Car Engine Works

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Building your own projects is the single best way to improve and reinforce your development skills. But, often, it's hard to know what to build or where to even start.

In this episode, we talk about how to generate ideas for side projects, and how to find the motivation to complete them. We'll talk about why projects are important, why not to do projects, and Peter's simple framework for finding ideas.

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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Join Aaron this week as he discusses React in detail. Learn the overview of what it is, the complete background of how it came about, and it's basic proponents. He dives deep into the technicality of React, so a base level of JS or CSS knowledge is helpful! 

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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In this month's catchup, Aaron and Peter discuss their thoughts on the tech market, delegation, and transparency behind coding school statistics. Plus, get updates on Peter's indie hacker project as well as Aaron's new company launch!

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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We often hear about varying levels of seniority in engineering. Seniority is often reflected in job titles such as associate, mid-level, and senior. But what does it mean to be "senior"?

In this episode, Peter takes you through three qualities of a senior engineer. If you can demonstrate these qualities, you'll be on the fast track to rising in your organization.

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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In this episode, listen to Aaron interview his first engineering boss, Emmy-award winner Brian Dainton. Brian is not only a successful entrepreneur, but a coach to other engineering leaders.
Hear his story about how he used a Hack Night to build a company worth millions, and let him inspire you with the career path options you have as a software engineer.

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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Most people who learn to code picture themselves working as a software engineer for a company. However, that doesn't always have to be the case.

In this episode, Peter takes you through four strategies for finding clients and examples pros and cons for each. If you can reliably find clients who hire you, then you can become a freelancer.

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Junior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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This week, Aaron will teach you just how to best prepare for a coding bootcamp.

Featuring 6 steps, he will break down how helpful it can be to:
1. Learn how to focus
2. Learn your first language
3. Learn to use debugger
4. Learn the basics
5. Build real things
6. Get your mindset right

Shameless Plugs

Junior to Senior

Parsity

dev30

Peter's YouTube channel

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In this month's catchup episode with Aaron and Peter, hear them chat about their most transformative learning experiences, as well as their updates on:

  • Peter's new indie hacker project and the process behind it
  • Aaron's 90 Days of Action toward goal achieving and what he's learned so far

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30
Peter's YouTube channel

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If you've been following along with Peter and Aaron's monthly update episodes, then you're probably aware that Peter left full-time software engineering last year to pursue freelance contracts and working on his own products.

In this episode, Peter reflects on one year of self-employment and shares his key takeaways for anyone interested in pursuing a similar arrangement. 

Shameless PlugsParsity
Peter's YouTube channel
dev30.xyz
How to Communicate as a Software Developer (original video)

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Will Sanders is the founder of “Recruiting from Scratch”, a talent firm that specialized in placing software engineers in “Series A” and “Series B” startups. In this episode, Will and Aaron talk about the shifting landscape of tech, the current economy, and how to quickly rebound from a layoff.

Shameless PlugsParsity
Peter's YouTube channel
dev30.xyz
How to Communicate as a Software Developer (original video)

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Communication is an underrated but essential skill for software engineers because most software development is done in a team environment. 

In this episode, Peter talks about the three types of communication that you'll encounter as a developer, and how to approach them so that you and your team will be more effective.

Shameless PlugsParsity
Peter's YouTube channel
dev30.xyz
How to Communicate as a Software Developer (original video)

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The #1 thing that is preventing you from learning to code is your inability to focus.

Join us in this episode of Develop Yourself as we walk through proven, practical strategies you can implement immediately to kill the distractions and actually make progress toward becoming a software engineer.

For free downloadable templates from this Podcast, visit: parsity.io/links/focus

For our free course, “How to Focus When Learning to Code”, visit: parsity.io/focus

Shameless Plugs 90 Days of Action: https://90daysofaction.com/
Parsity: https://parsity.io/
dev30: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In their monthly catch up, Aaron and Peter discuss:

  • Layoffs and our updated thoughts around bootcamp grads, the tech economy and job search.
  • How we each think uniquely about money, work and our careers (or lack of).
  • How we’re each doing in our 2023 goals of starting side hustles, etc.

Shameless Plugs90 Days of Action: https://90daysofaction.com/
Parsity: https://parsity.io/
dev30: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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Building your own projects is the best way to learn new technologies, and it also happens to be a great way to prove to employers that you have engineering skills. 

In this episode, Peter talks about four project ideas that will make strong portfolio pieces to help you get hired. 

Shameless PlugsOriginal VideoParsity
Peter's YouTube channel
dev30.xyz

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We mention often that the best coding bootcamp students embrace the process of learning to code over the results of their code. Now, we have a mental model and data to back up our advice. 

In this episode, Peter talks about YouTuber Mark Rober's experiment on how framing the learning process has a direct impact on the results of that learning. We'll discuss Mark's mental model for this framing - "The Super Mario Effect" - and what effect gamification can have on your skill acquisition. 

LinksMark's TED talk
Mark's channel

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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My people don’t keep their New Years resolutions. Instead, let’s set massive goals for 2023 that we actually achieve, and let’s achieve them together.

Scott Frazier is here to talk with us about “90 Days of Action” - a small community of achievers who are committed to helping one another take massive action toward their goals for 90 days from Jan 16 to April 16 in 2023.

We’ll talk about why most people fail to achieve their goals and instead suggest a system that actually works.

Finally, we’ll invite you to join us on our own journey. We created 90 Days of Action because WE (Scott and Aaron) have massive goals we want to achieve in January - we just figured we’d have a better chance at doing it if more people joined us.

Shameless Plugs

90 Days of Action

Parsity

dev30.xyz

Peter's YouTube channel

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We talk a lot about how to become a software engineer in terms of your skills. Today, we focus on navigating the process of actually securing a job.

In this episode, Peter talks about how to handle job offer negotiations. Some tactics and ideas are specific to all job hunting, and some are specific to engineering – we'll touch on both. We get into researching salaries, talking to recruiters, asking for what you want, and more.

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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In their monthly catch up, Aaron and Peter discuss:

  • The demise of Aaron’s business, devMint
  • The current state of the economy and bootcamp grads
  • Planning goals for 2023 and how to take action instead of always “learning”

Shameless Plugs90 Days of Action: https://90daysofaction.com/
Parsity: https://parsity.io/
dev30: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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What do all the recent tech layoffs mean for Coding Bootcamp Grads? In this episode, Aaron will dive in and give an analysis of how you should think about this recession and what you should do as a result.

Shameless Plugs90 Days of Action: https://90daysofaction.com/
Parsity: https://parsity.io/
dev30: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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If you listen to this podcast frequently, you may wonder who we are and how we became software engineers. 

In this episode one of your cohosts, Peter, talks about how he went from bootcamp grad to senior engineer within just a few years of beginning to code. 

This conversation originally aired as episode #12 on the podcast.

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Elben Shira is a seasoned Staff-level Software Engineer currently working at Airtable. In this episode he shares his experiences working with juniors as well as his perspectives around learning, bootcamps and more. 

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In this episode, we examine the question of whether or not coding bootcamps are "worth it."

In order to answer this question, we'll first have to examine what people mean by the word "worth", which is typically an inquiry about the state of the market. We'll also talk about ways to make sure you thrive in your bootcamp experience. 

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Hosts Aaron & Peter gather for their monthly catch-up episode where they talk about:

  • Hitting 10k monthly podcast downloads
  • Designing our work around our life
  • How hobbies and continuous learning make for a rich life

Shameless Plugs

Parsity: https://parsity.io/

dev30: https://dev30.xyz/

Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

Junior to Senior: https://www.udemy.com/course/junior-to-senior

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We’re always talking about how to become a Software Engineer, but what about other tech jobs, like product design? It is easier to become a designer?

To answer our questions, we talked with Paul Kim, who has a degree in Chemistry but eventually work his way toward product design at Dropbox.

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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In this episode, we examine two differing mindsets that one can take when learning to code. They're both valid, but they'll each influence your goals and how you spend your time in distinct ways.

Here we'll uncover the characteristics of each mindset and some examples of the implications that each could have on your coding journey. Reflecting on which approach resonates most with you will help you prepare for learning to code, or to shift strategies if you've already begun.

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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This week, we’re looking back at one of our most popular podcast episodes, “A Complete Guide to Learning JavaScript”.

Here’s what this episode covers:

  • Why Learn JavaScript
  • What is JavaScript's Role in Web Development?
  • The 7 parts of JavaScript
  • The JavaScript Environment (where to write it)
  • JS 1: Declaring Variables in JS
  • JS 2: Conditionals in JS
  • JS 3: JS Data Types
  • JS 4: Data Structures in JS
  • JS 5: Objects in JS
  • JS 6: Arrays in JS
  • JS 7: Loops in JS
  • JS 8: Functions in JS
  • JS 9: Putting it all Together

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior
Parsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Today we're talking about the most valuable thing that learning to code has given me. It isn't a career, a well-paid job, or really anything tangible. It's a mindset.

Learning to code gives you the mindset of figuring things out and solving your own problems. In this episode, we talk about why coding gives this mindset, the qualities of the mindset, and how to develop this mindset in yourself. 

Links
How a Car Engine Works

Shameless PlugsJunior to SeniorParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Hosts Aaron & Peter gather for their monthly catch-up episode where they talk about:

  • An update on Peter’s contracting work (he quit his job several months ago)
  • How they each set goals, plan their weeks and stay productive despite the ambiguity of their busy lives and jobs.

Shameless Plugs

Build Learn Web3 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dxiqn3XLMXsWWm6w0do5o?si=2f65b9f239c24f5b

Parsity: https://parsity.io/

dev30: https://dev30.xyz/

devMint: https://devmint.xyz/

Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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One of the most intimated parts of being a Software Engineer, at any level, is onboarding to a new team and having to learn a new codebase.

In this episode, Aaron walks through 5 steps to take to quickly onboard yourself and start contributing to any team.

Shameless Plugs
Junior to Senior (use code DVY100 to access the course for free)
Parsity dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Today, we discuss software engineer salaries. In particular, I talk about some of my engineering salaries, factors that influence your pay, and what reasonable ranges are based on experience level. 

I share all of these things with the hope of combatting the stigma around money discussions and helping you to have a bit more information on your side when it comes time to find or negotiate a job. Cheers!

Links
Payscale
Glassdoor
Levels.fyi

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior (use code DVY100 to access the course for free)Parsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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In this episode, we speak with Chris Ferdinandi. Chris helps people learn vanilla JavaScript at gomakethings.com, and believes there’s a simpler, more resilient way to make things for the web. His developer tips newsletter is read by thousands of developers each weekday.  

Chris and I talked about his journey, how to make a career transition to web development, how Chris found his niche in vanilla JS and ended up working for himself, and much more. Enjoy!

LinksGo Make Things
Resources from this episode
SPAs were a mistake
Chris' Twitter

Shameless PlugsJunior to Senior (use code DVY100 to access the course for free)Parsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Every few weeks, we (Aaron and Peter) do an episode where we catch up, talk about what we’re each doing and what we’re learning.

On this episode we talk through:

  • An update on Peter’s life as a self-employed contractor
  • Aaron’s side-gig, devMint (Web3/Crypto Code School)
  • How the economic downturn is affecting bootcamp grads and hiring
  • What it means to embrace process over results.

Enjoy!

Shameless PlugsParsity
dev30.xyz
devMint
Junior to Senior (use code DVY100 to access the course for free)
Peter's YouTube channel

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In this episode, we speak with Jake Gaba. Jake is a student at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, and the owner of Indifferent Broccoli, a video game server hosting and rental company that he bought while taking a year’s leave of absence from Stanford. 

In this episode, Jake and I talk about how he narrowed down his criteria for acquiring a business, the fateful Google search that led him to his first acquisition, his unique process for interviewing interns, what playing video games can teach us about business, and more. 

LinksIndifferent Broccoli
Will Kwan's YouTube Channel
Will's video on the sale of 7D2D Server Hosting

Shameless PlugsParsity
dev30.xyz
Peter's YouTube channel

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Nathan and Doug just graduated from a coding bootcamp, but instead of grinding it out to find their first Junior Software Engineer position, they started a Web3 software development agency where to build custom crypto/web3 apps for companies.

In this episode, we interview Nathan and Doug to hear their story and learn how you might be able to follow a similar path.

Shameless Plugs

Build Learn Web3 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dxiqn3XLMXsWWm6w0do5o?si=2f65b9f239c24f5b

Parsity: https://parsity.io/

dev30: https://dev30.xyz/

devMint: https://devmint.xyz/

Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode we speak with Maria Lamardo. After unexpectedly entering tech, Maria developed a specialty in accessibility engineering and also began speaking at conferences and organizing local communities. Maria eventually started speaking on global stages and also got her current job, which is completely focused on accessibility.

In this conversation, Maria and I talk about her story, how she developed a specialty, low hanging accessibility fruit that engineering teams can implement, the value of public speaking, and more.Enjoy!

Find Maria OnlineTwitter: https://twitter.com/MariaLamardo
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialamardo/

Shameless PlugsParsity: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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What makes some bootcamp students successful, and others flop? In this episode, we argue that successful students embrace “process over results”.

Specifically, we’ll walk through 4 areas that successful students focus on how they embrace that “process”. These areas are their:

  • Skills
  • Habits
  • Network
  • Minders

Parsity:

https://parsity.io/

Peter's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

View Details

After you've had your first engineering job for a while, you may start wondering about how to take the next step in your career. The thing is, approaches for getting promoted often aren't obvious or discussed.

In this episode, we talk about the best strategy I've found for getting promoted. By taking advantage of a technique that most rarely practice, you can stand out and take on greater leadership at work. 

LinksYou Are Your Own Best Hype Person

Shameless PlugsParsity: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In today’s episode we’re going to be talking with Andre Elmoznino Laufer who currently works as a Lead Software Engineer in Stockholm, Sweden. Andre was a student at the very first bootcamp Aaron launched in 2016 and since then has worked his way to where he is now but taking risks and being confident.

As you’ll hear, Andre is full of out the box advice on landing your first job after a bootcamp and advancing your career for years after. Enjoy!

Links  Andre's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreelmoznino/

**Shameless Plugs:

dev30 (starts July 25!): https://www.dev30.xyz/
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Peter's YouTube Channel:** https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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Building your own projects is the single best way to improve and reinforce your development skills. But, often, it's hard to know what to build or where to even start.

In this episode, we talk about how to generate ideas for side projects, and how to find the motivation to complete them. We'll talk about why projects are important, why not to do projects, and Peter's simple framework for finding ideas.

Referenced Episodes
The Best Strategy for Learning to Code

Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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3.5 years ago, Justin had never written on LinkedIn, but since then his 1-person business has done nearly $1.5M in revenue, with 98% margins, and he’s done this primarily based off his 230k+ LinkedIn followers.

What’s his secret? Creating LinkedIn content with systems he’s developed.

In this episode, Justin will walk us through how to build on LinkedIn and create a following with minimal time commitment and 0 prior writing experience, even as a beginner!

Justin’s LinkedIn Coursehttps://www.justinwelsh.me/a/2147505019/e9trWtpk

The Saturday Solopreneur https://www.justinwelsh.me/

Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode we speak with Lynne Tye. After pivoting away from a neuroscience PhD, Lynne held a variety of jobs before teaching herself to code and becoming a freelance developer. She eventually founded Key Values, which helps match engineers to engineering teams that share their values.

In this conversation, Lynne and I talk about how she learned to code and find freelance development work, how the pandemic affected Key Values, and the nature of running a lifestyle business.Enjoy!

LinksLynne's Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynnetye
Key Values: keyvalues.com
Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, we speak with Sara Oros, who JUST graduated from a coding bootcamp and is seeking advice.

We help troubleshoot her journey and talk through what the next several phases of his transition will look like.

Links

Sara's LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/sara-oros1018

Shameless Plugs:
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's JavaScript Program: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode we speak with Johnny Dallas. Johnny started coding in middle school, got a paid internship and eventually ended up dropping out of high school to be a software engineer full-time. The company Johnny worked for was eventually acquired. He became one of the youngest engineers at Amazon and recently left to start his own company. 

In our conversation, Johnny and I discussed the best ways to learn, strategies for pursuing jobs and mentors, and the needs behind his new startup. Enjoy!

LinksJohnny's thread about his journey: https://twitter.com/_johnnydallas_/status/1519011035478315008?cxt=HHwWgMCquaOfzpQqAAAA
Johnny's Twitter: https://twitter.com/_johnnydallas_
Johnny's startup Zeet: https://zeet.co/
Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, Aaron shares his own story of battling depression and how becoming a Software Engineer has helped his mental health and changed his life. Enjoy!

Links

Lost Connections Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/1632868318/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?
_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Shameless Plugs

Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, we speak with Namanh Kapur. Namanh is a Rice University CS graduate, a software engineer at Bolt – a fast-growing  fintech startup – and a YouTuber with over 30,000 subscribers. 

In this conversation, Namanh and I talk about growing up abroad, why and how Namanh started coding in middle school, strategies for applying for developer internships and jobs, and Namanh’s aspirations for his YouTube channel.

Enjoy!

LinksNamanh's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/namanhkapur
Namanh's Website: https://namanhkapur.comBolt: https://www.bolt.com/
Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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Each month, Develop Yourself's co-hosts (Aaron and Peter) will be checking in with each other, in part to talk through how they've each quit their Software Engineering jobs to pursue entrepreneurship, indie-hacking, self-employment, etc.

This episode is an update on what each of us is doing.

Shameless PlugsPeter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/

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In this episode, we speak with Stephen Wise. Stephen is a freelance web designer and Webflow developer and founder of WiseStudio.

In this conversation, Stephen and I talk about why Stephen chose to stop pursuing traditional education, how to learn new skills, and Stephen’s story behind applying for (and getting) a dream gig with a well-known YouTube creator.

Enjoy!

LinksStephen's Website: https://www.stephenwise.com/
Stephen's Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephen_wise_
Stephen's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCApawlrqXlZ2FXBOLnKxT5Q

Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, we speak with Michael Garcia, who is currently learning to code in hopes of landing his first job as a Software Engineer.

Michael graduated from a Fintech Bootcamp, but as he had no luck in the job search, he's recently switched his learning path to Fullstack Web Development.

In this episode, we help troubleshoot his journey and talk through what the next several phases of his transition will look like.

LinksMichael's LinkedIn Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheal-garcia-3345a11b6/

Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's JavaScript Program: https://dev30.xyz/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, we speak with Jake Dohm. Jake is a web developer and serves as Development Lead at Steadfast Design Firm. Jake also runs local meetups, works on open source projects and is actively involved with speaking at and organizing conferences. 

In this episode, Jake and I talk about how he got into web development at 14, his learning journey, how to become a code craftsman, the benefits of public speaking, the advantages of homeschooling, and more.

Enjoy!

LinksJake's Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeDohm
Jake's Personal Site: https://jakedohm.com/
Steadfast Design Firm: https://steadfastdesignfirm.com
Keystone JS: https://keystonejs.com

Shameless PlugsAaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum

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In this episode, Aaron walks through what it means to work on your "mind/mindset" as a budding Software Engineer. As we summarize, it ultimately comes down to your ability to change the way you think or respond to a difficult situation.

Then we'll talk about 3 methods you can adopt to work on your own mindset as a developer, daily.

LinksMorning Formula
Hero On a Mission
dev30

Shameless PlugsPeter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/

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In this episode, we speak with Pete Codes. Pete is the founder of the website NoCSDegree.com, which tells the stories of people who have broken into the tech industry without the traditional credentials.

Pete has several other projects he’s currently working on, including a paid community and several courses. In this conversation, Pete and I get into common characteristics he’s noticed among people who have successfully transitioned to tech, how he handles personal productivity with so many projects, and how Pete thinks about his vision for the future with the No CS Degree brand, among other topics.

Enjoy!

LinksNo CS Degree: https://www.nocsdegree.com/
Pete's Twitter: https://twitter.com/petecodes
Pete's courses: https://petecodes.gumroad.com
Pete's website: https://www.petecodes.io
Pete's community: https://highsignal.io

Shameless PlugsAaron's Free JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/

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Obviously, you've heard of  "crypto" and "web3", but can you define them?

Do you know what "blockchain" is?

Did you know that as a beginner, you can and should get involved in coding on web3 projects?

Today crypto expert Brian Schuster is going to break all of this down for us and explain how you can take action to get involved, right now.

Links
Brian's Twitter: https://twitter.com/_SchusterDev
Brian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuster/

Shameless Plugs
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's Free JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/
Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron/Brian's Web3 Code School: https://devmint.xyz/

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In this episode, we speak with Louie Bacaj. Louie joined Jet.com when it had fewer than 20 engineers, stayed through its acquisition by Walmart, and rose to become Director of Engineering for Walmart Pharmacy.

But despite the promotions, learning, and excellent pay, Louie recently made the decision to walk away from it all and bet on himself. In our conversation, Louie and I get into the engineering career ladder, being a partner to the business side of an organization, building an audience, and what he's up to now.

You're sure to learn a ton from this chat. Enjoy!

Links
Louie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/LBacaj
Louie's website: https://louiebacaj.com/

Shameless PlugsPeter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's Free JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/

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Each month, Develop Yourself's co-hosts (Aaron and Peter) will be checking in with each other, in part to talk through how they've each quit their Software Engineering jobs to pursue entrepreneurship, indie-hacking, self-employment, etc.

This episode is the backstory on how and when we quit and how we got the guts to pull the trigger.

Resources
The Tail End: https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html
Daniel Vassallo: https://twitter.com/dvassallo

Shameless PlugsPeter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's Free JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/

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If you're listening to this episode, you probably want to learn to code. But, you might be overwhelmed and wondering how to learn or where to start.

Thankfully, the best-articulated strategy I've come across for learning anything is dead simple: do the real thing.

In this episode, we talk through the core tenets of this idea as well as approaches for applying it when learning to code.

Links
Do the Real Thing: https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2020/05/04/do-the-real-thing/
Pieter Levels: https://twitter.com/levelsio/

Shameless PlugsPeter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/peterelbaum
Aaron's Code School: https://parsity.io/
Aaron's Free JavaScript Course: https://dev30.xyz/

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Because I'm juggling so much (and the podcast is growing!) we're taking a break to re-group to continue putting out the best stuff possible.

In the meantime, I'll be publishing a weekly newsletter every Monday, starting on Feb 7!

1 actionable tip for working toward becoming a Software Engineer or getting better as a Software Engineer.

Subscribe to it here: parsity.io/newsletter

You can also find me:

  • 30 day cohort-based JavaScript program (free, launches Feb 14): dev30.xyz
  • Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhayslip/
  • Online Code School: https://parsity.io/

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What do Software Engineers actually build, and how? Primarily, they build "web applications" (think, Twitter, Gmail, Coinbase, etc).

On this week's episode of Develop Yourself, we're going deep with a beginners step-by-step guide into how a web application is built.

We'll talk about the languages, tools and frameworks that it takes to build a web application, but more important, we'll give you the context necessary to learn your next skill that will eventually lead you to becoming a front-end, back-end or even full-stack developer.

dev30: dev30.xyz
Parsity (online code school): parsity.io

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Since learning to code by building custom Myspace pages as a kid, Wes Bos has gone on to build some of the world's most popular online courses for web development while hosting a top-ranking web dev podcast.

In this episode we get a peek into Wes' life, what motivates him, and how at the end of the day he just wants to figure out how to code more.

Check out Wes here:
https://wesbos.com/
https://syntax.fm/

Learn more about dev30 here:
https://dev30.xyz/

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As the new year is in full swing, many of you are undertaking learning how to code. For that reason, our latest episode of Develop Yourself is called "Advice for Beginners".

After 7 years of teaching people how to code from scratch, full time, I've come up with a repeating list of soap-box suggestions that are proven to save you some serious headaches.

dev30: dev30.xyz

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Today's podcast guest is a special one for me. Originally from Chile, Rony Rosenberg was a student in the very first class of the first coding bootcamp I started in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2015. More than 6 years later, Rony is an accomplished engineering leader and continues to fall in love with new technology.

Listen to hear his journey and to get a picture of what life could look like down the road for beginner developers.

dev30: dev30.xyz

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2022 is around the corner - do you have your goals mapped out? Is the year that you finally take the next step to becoming a Software Engineer?

For the last 10 years I've been actively setting goals and have read most every book I can get my hands on in regards to habits, processes, goals, life planning, you name it - I'm a nerd on this stuff in a borderline unhealthy way.

That being said, in today's episode of Develop Yourself I'm going to walk you through the exact process that I'm  going to go through myself between now and January 1st. If you want to ensure that 2022 is the best then give this one a listen.

Goal Templates: parsity.io/goals
dev30: dev30.xyz

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Landing a job as a Software Engineer doesn’t make you a Software Engineer. Building software makes you a Software Engineer. And for that, you don’t need anyone’s permission.

That being said, perhaps the best way to land a job as a Software Engineer is by building real software. That's right - stop working on pretend side projects and build something with goal of generating revenue.

On the latest episode of Develop Yourself we're talking about how "Indie Hacking" is perhaps the best way to attract companies as a new developer.

Listen along as we walk through the 6 steps to starting your own "Indie Hacker" project:

  1. Setting a goal
  2. Finding a partner
  3. Brainstorming ideas
  4. Creating your MVP
  5. Finding your first customers
  6. Building in public

To learn more visit indiehackers.com/start

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Harsh Patel is perhaps the most successful Coding Bootcamp CEO ever. He started MakerSquare which was acquired by Hack Reactor, which was acquired by Galvanize and he was made CEO of all of them.

Unlike some of the disreputable bootcamp news you hear from time to time, Harsh has always been driven by outcomes and even played a part in starting CIRR, the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting.

As you'll hear about in this episode of Develop Yourself, these days Harsh is working on a project to prepare Software Engineers for a transition to Web3 (crypto, etc.) at hackerdao.xyz.

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Landing your first job as a Software Engineer is one thing - but progressing to Senior level is a different challenge entirely.

On this episode of Developer Yourself, Peter Elbaum, who graduated from a Coding Bootcamp in 2016, will walk us through his journey to becoming a Senior Software Engineer and will detail what he believes make a "senior" vs. a "junior".

Additionally, we walk about the job search, "Indie Hacking" and ultimately why something are just more important than any of this.

Peter's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterElbaum

Peter's Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterelbaum

Parsity Website: https://parsity.io/

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Brian is a self-taught Software Engineer, Blockchain expert and current Engineering Manager at IBM, but currently he's passionate about helping career changers transition into tech.

Listen to this week's episode as Brian shares his own story and the advice he's been giving to the dozens of beginners he's mentored over the last several years.

You can find Brian and his podcast at https://schusterian.substack.com/

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Aaron went from a rapping in Staton Island where he worked laying train tracks to support his wife and kids, to working at companies like Facebook and Coinbase as a Senior Software Engineer.

Listen to Aaron's journey as he shares what is perhaps the best advice we've ever had on this podcast, as he shares the details on his mindset, his attitude and even the nitty gritty of his finances.

You can contact Aaron directly, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordovaaaron/

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To learn JavaScript through our JavaScript Prep Course, register here: parsity.io/prep

To review individual JavaScript concepts, find explanations at these timestamps in the podcast:

2:01 - Why Learn JavaScript
9:05 - What is JavaScript's Role in Web Development?
16:24 - The 7 parts of JavaScript
17:11 - The JavaScript Environment (where to write it)
19:46 - JS 1: Declaring Variables in JS
22:23 - JS 2: Conditionals in JS
25:22 - JS 3: JS Data Types
30:19 - JS 4: Data Structures in JS
31:29 - JS 5: Objects in JS
33:46 - JS 6: Arrays in JS
40:10 - JS 7: Loops in JS
44:52 - JS 8: Functions in JS
51:44 - JS 9: Putting it all Together

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Submitting 100 job applications won't get you anywhere closer to landing your first coding job as you'll likely get rejected from 99% of your cold applications. You need another way.

On this episode of the Develop Yourself podcast we're going to get deep and practical into the methodology we've used to help many career changers land their first Software Engineering jobs. So whether you're searching for a coding job or plan to in the future, this practical episode is for you.

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What does taking care of Conan O'Brien and working as a Software Engineer at Google have in common? Sarah Coker.

This week on the Develop Yourself Podcast we get to speak with Sarah who is a recruiter at Google and here to share job searching and interview advice for juniors developers as well as advice straight from the mouth of her former boss, Conan O'Brien.

Listen as we debunk several job-searching myths and encourage juniors that there are plenty of jobs at companies like Google.

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Pierre switched majors in college when he realized that the Computer Science program was more about math than programming. Over 10 years later after teaching himself to program and carving his own path, Pierre has established himself as a Software Engineering leader.

Listen to the latest episode of Develop Yourself as we talk through his career path, imposter syndrome and what it takes to sustain a career in Web Development.

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On this week's episode of Develop Yourself, we talk with Lisa Shissler Smith, Engineering Manager at Netflix!

Listen as we chat about her own journey, how she's advocating to ensure that everyone feel like they belong in tech, and the future of code school grads at companies like Netflix.

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The #1 thing that is preventing you from learning to code is your inability to focus.

Join us in this episode of Develop Yourself as we walk through proven, practical strategies you can implement immediately to kill the distractions and actually make progress toward becoming a software engineer.

For free downloadable templates from this Podcast, visit parsity.io/links/focus

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Casey went from CrossFit coach and having never written a line of code to being hired as a Full Stack Software Engineer at IBM, in just 6 months! Listen to this week's episode as we learn about Casey's journey and what is unique about Casey which enabled her to make this incredible transition in such a short amount of time.

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After months of doing coding tutorials online, Edward finally took a leap of faith and did a "coding bootcamp". 

If that wasn't radical enough, when it came to applying for jobs, Edward took the ultimate leap of faith: he applied for a Senior position (which he wasn't qualified for) in a technology he wasn't familiar with at his dream company (Untappd - a tech startup that's all about beer - another one of Edward's passions).

After several grueling rounds of interviews (and teaching himself a new programming language along the way), Edward landed his first Software Engineering job at Untappd.

Several years (and raises) later, Edward is still helping the beer community "drink socially" at Untapped. Listen to this week's episode to hear about how Edward navigated the unknown of landing his ideal job.

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Some people spend many months and thousands of dollars on a coding bootcamp, but ultimately fail to change careers and land a job as a software engineer. On this episode of the podcast we'll explore why some people fail, and more importantly, the 4 things you can focus on to be prepared and successful in your own journey to changing careers.

Links:
Parsity (Online Code School): parsity.io
Parsity Community: parsity.io/community
Prep Course: parsity.io/prep-course