Project #1 (Javascript) | Project #2 (Python) | Project #3 (Javascript)
I got my first junior dev job after two months of coding. TWO MONTHS. Yeah I don't really believe it either. My secret: follow project tutorials, and build your own thing on top of it. Seriously - it's super easy, but it will fast-track the hell out of your learning and give you an awesome Github profile in the meantime.
I'm creating something called 2:20 Tutorials. Let me tell you this - my talent is programming, not video-making. But these videos have helped people already and I know they can help you too.
2:20 Tutorials are entire project tutorials in 2 minute and 20 second videos. You'll have to pause and play throughout the video, unless you can type at a speed of approximately 450wpm (I did the math). But the point is - you opt IN to knowledge. You'll be given just enough information to complete the project, but if you need more, you can check out the GitHub repo (every line is commented boyos!) and I write an article for every project. So you don't have to sit through a 40 minute tutorial when you already know about 70% of the information and end up skipping through half the video. (That's not just me, right?)
These tutorials are the most useful for you if you're at that stage when you understand basics, know syntax, and have enough knowledge to laugh at programming memes. But you're stuck between that and actually being able to build projects. I know when I was starting out, people would always tell me 'if you wanna learn you gotta build your own thing' and I was like 'build WHAT? What do I build? What CAN I build? What do I even know? What is the self?'
If you follow these tutorials, you'll already have some pretty unique interesting projects to show off on your GitHub. That's right - no to-do apps and restaurant management systems. But to really benefit from them, you need to build your own thing on top of it. This could be anything - code optimization, a sexier UI, more user input, deployment... the list goes on. And if you're stuck for ideas I'll give you more in the article anyway.
This is the best way to learn, it's the best way to get your GitHub looking FYRE (not the festival, I think Fyre just sounds cooler than Fire), and it'll give you some pretty awesome projects to talk about in interviews. Now you'll actually have answers to those 'tell me about a time...' questions!
This turned into an advertising post and that's not what I want this to be. I've just started with these videos. But for realsies - follow a tutorial, build a project, and BUILD YOUR OWN THING ON TOP OF IT. IT WILL WORK. It's so freaking simple!
Alright. This is the end of the post. It's my first post and I don't really know how to end these things.
Peace out homies.
Top comments (15)
Hey Cat, would you consider doing one of your awesome 2:20 videos using Slingcode? Love the hex code guessing game!
Hey Chris! Slingcode looks awesome. The HEX Code guessing game is up there now - code is
pennae gamin bodying senoritaWe have to be connected at the same time for the transfer to work, but that's super cool you implemented it so fast!
I think it worked, did it work?
Oh, yes, got it now, thank you! Awesome!
Great first post! I read this in my own voice (haha!). Only downside is I hate video tutorials, but I LOVE how you've decided to make sure they're just 2:20. Awesome idea and a great contribution to the dev community!
Thank you so much Nikki! If you read it in your own voice we’re obviously super similar and should be friends. Also, every video will have an article here on DEV and a GitHub repo to go along with it if you’re interested in following along
Awesome! I'm working on Guess the Hex right now!
Let me know what you think!
Super impressed by this crazy short timeline! I just started learning with a mentor and one of the 1st things he said was we are going to have you start building stuff ASAP. I was like well I do if I know enough he said you don’t need to know as much as you think, you can google what you don’t fully understand or know. That’s part of being a dev, it’s a skill in itself to be able to learn as you go. Congrats on the job, I hope that’s me soon!
That is the best way to learn new things from my experience, keep it up!
Hi Cat, I just came across this post and have bookmarked for when I'm further in my learning (total newbie here). In the beginning of the post you said you got your first dev job after 2 months of coding. Wow! When did you start learning to code? How long did it take you to learn AND understand what you were doing?
Cool stuff! Thanks for sharing 😊
This is simply brilliant!!
Excellent content, McGee! Very impressive. Congratulations and thank you a lot!