Introduction
In this special guest issue, tech industry expert Matt Lawrence is excited to present insights from Thomas Chant, a successful career changer who has significantly impacted the tech industry! With a background in education and web development, Thomas shares his journey and offers practical strategies for aspiring developers. This article explores key learning paths, the value of learning in public, effective networking, and using AI as a tool in the tech industry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, this guide provides valuable insights and actionable advice to help YOU navigate the challenges of the job market and secure your first tech position!
Topics covered in this article include:
Essential Learning Pathways for Aspiring Web Developers: Explore educational routes like traditional schools, coding bootcamps, and self-taught methods to gain web development skills.
Learning in Public: Share your learning journey openly to reinforce understanding and build a personal brand.
Networking: Build professional relationships to access job opportunities and industry insights.
Applying for Jobs: Tailor applications and demonstrate enthusiasm to potential employers.
Gaining Experience: Acquire practical skills through internships, freelance work, or personal projects.
Leveraging AI as a Tool in the Tech Industry: Use AI to enhance productivity and innovation in tech roles.
Article Concept Overview
Problem:
Navigating the job market can be especially challenging for aspiring web developers seeking their first job. These challenges include choosing the right educational path, overcoming imposter syndrome, and gaining real-world experience to secure their initial position in the tech industry.
Solution:
The article offers practical strategies from Thomas Chant, a successful career changer, to assist aspiring developers in overcoming job market challenges. It addresses key areas such as choosing the right learning pathways, the benefits of learning in public, effective networking, job application techniques, and utilizing AI as a tool in the tech industry.
About Thomas Chant
Thomas Chant is a passionate educator and web developer who teaches at Scrimba, a well-known online coding school. With a background in Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and over 18 years of teaching experience, he successfully transitioned into web development, combining his love for education and technology.
At Scrimba, Thomas has developed and taught several courses, including the Advanced JavaScript Course, where he guides students in mastering complex coding concepts. His journey from coding student to respected tutor at Scrimba showcases his dedication to making coding accessible and enjoyable for all learners.
Essential Learning Pathways for Aspiring Web Developers
When considering a career in web development, there are three primary paths: traditional schools, coding bootcamps, and self-taught routes. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Traditional Schools: These are formal educational institutions, such as universities and colleges, offering computer science degree programs or related fields. They provide a comprehensive education with a structured curriculum, often including theoretical and practical components. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming, typically requiring several years.
Coding Bootcamps: Intensive, short-term training programs that teach specific programming skills and technologies. They focus on practical, hands-on learning and aim to prepare students for entry-level positions in a relatively short period. The downside is that they can be costly and may not cover a broad range of topics as traditional degree programs.
Self-Taught Routes: This approach involves individuals learning web development independently, using online resources, books, and tutorials. It offers flexibility and allows learners to progress at their own pace, but requires self-discipline and motivation. The main disadvantage is the lack of formal accreditation and potential gaps in knowledge due to the unstructured nature of learning.
It is important to note that some companies require a degree from an accredited university. However, it is equally important to know that there are companies out there that do not require a degree from an accredited university. With that in mind, you have the flexibility to choose a learning path that best suits your preferences, needs, and, importantly, your budget!
Tom believes in hiring based on skills rather than degrees, as sometimes a person may not be capable of what their certificates claim! This is a good sign, as traditional schools are quite expensive. Although he is admittedly biased, he points out that an online coding school like Scrimba offers a focused coding education without the required elective classes found in universities and at a fraction of the cost of traditional schools.
Whichever learning path you choose, it's best to start with what the HTML All The Things Podcast hosts, Matt and Mike, call the pillars of web development:
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language used to create and structure content on the web. It provides the basic framework for web pages by defining elements such as headings, paragraphs, links, and images.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML. It controls the layout, colors, fonts, and overall visual appearance of web pages.
JavaScript: A versatile programming language used to create dynamic and interactive elements on web pages. It enables features such as form validation, animations, and real-time content updates.
After you learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you will need to learn a framework to become a hireable developer. A framework is a pre-built collection of code that provides a foundation for developing applications, allowing developers to focus on building specific features rather than starting from scratch. A good way to determine which framework is best for you is to check your local job market listings to see what they use. A good framework to learn is React, as many jobs require it.
Ultimately, the path you choose should align with your personal learning style, career goals, and financial situation. Whether you opt for a traditional degree, an intensive bootcamp, or a self-guided approach, the key is to remain committed and proactive in your learning.
Learning in Public
In today's challenging job market, Tom suggests finding ways to stand out from the crowd to increase your chances of success. One effective method is to learn in public. Learning in public can be as simple as posting what you are learning on social media, such as participating in 100 days of code, or as complex as becoming a content creator on YouTube, a podcast, a blog, or other means. By learning in public, you also improve your SEO, which helps hiring managers find you online and demonstrates your dedication to your career. This proactive step makes you a more appealing candidate and boosts your chances of getting hired!
Tom explains that a great way to learn a topic is to teach it. By turning your learning into content creation, you will benefit in many ways, such as:
Reinforcing what you learn: Strengthening your knowledge by revisiting and applying what you've studied helps solidify your understanding.
Understanding the topics better: You will gain a deeper and clearer comprehension of the subject matter, allowing you to grasp complex concepts more effectively.
Creating documentation for yourself and for others: Producing written records or guides that capture your learning process, which can serve as a reference for you and a resource for others.
Display and form a habit of discipline: Demonstrating consistent effort and commitment in your learning journey helps build a routine and showcases your dedication.
Providing others with examples of your work and skills: Sharing tangible evidence of your abilities and projects, which can illustrate your expertise and attract potential opportunities.
Learning in public has greatly boosted my transition to a tech career! By documenting and sharing my learning journey, I've reinforced my understanding of web development concepts and created valuable documentation for myself and others. This practice has highlighted my skills, leading to unexpected opportunities, like writing for freeCodeCamp, Scrimba, and HTML All The Things. Additionally, it has helped me network with professionals, unlocking collaborations such as Shashi Lo's apprenticeship program and other career-advancing prospects!
Networking
A great tip Tom gives to increase your chances of employment is to network with others. Networking can help you find a job and provide a safety net if you get laid off. Within my network, Brian Morrison famously secured a new job at Clerk during the same week he was laid off from PlanetScale! He achieved this by creating a strong online presence through public learning and building an extensive network.
Social media is a great place to start networking with others. You can attend and participate in X/Twitter spaces, LinkedIn Live, events on Discord channels, and even YouTube and Twitch Livestreams, to name a few. I built and continue to build up my network this way!
You can take networking a step further by putting yourself out there and attending live events, such as local meetups and conferences. I recently started using this strategy and have had great success with it! You will strengthen your relationships with people you meet online by meeting them in person, and you'll also have the chance to meet many new people you might not have met online. Networking can help you unlock career opportunities and build a strong support network.
Key Benefits of Networking for Career Advancement:
Build Professional Relationships: Establish connections with individuals in your industry to create a network of contacts who can offer support, advice, and opportunities.
Access Job Opportunities: Leverage your network to learn about job openings and potential career paths that may not be publicly advertised.
Gain Industry Insights: Engage with professionals to stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Enhance Online Presence: Use social media platforms to showcase your skills and experiences, making it easier for potential employers and collaborators to find you.
Participate in Events: Attend live events, such as meetups and conferences, to deepen existing relationships and meet new people who can contribute to your professional growth.
Create a Safety Net: Develop a robust network that can provide support and opportunities during times of career uncertainty or transition.
New York Code and Coffee Meetup event at The Yard in Brooklyn - From left to right: Steven Troy Gittens, Sam, Richard Choi, myself, and James Q. Quick.
Applying for jobs
Tom tells us that students of Scrimba frequently ask, “How can I determine when I am ready to apply for a job?"
Once you have a solid foundation in the fundamentals—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as a framework—you should start applying for jobs. Even if you do not meet all the job requirements, know that educational institutions, including Scrimba, encourage you to apply for jobs. Employers often value potential and a willingness to learn, and demonstrating enthusiasm and a proactive approach can sometimes outweigh the lack of specific qualifications, as employers are usually willing to train promising candidates.
Tom explains another roadblock keeping students from landing their first tech job: imposter syndrome! Imposter syndrome occurs when people feel unsure about themselves and think they aren't as good as others believe. They often worry about being seen as frauds, even though they have skills and achievements. During his special episode Podcast interview, Tom shares that he wishes he had transitioned into a tech career much sooner and explains how imposter syndrome contributed to his hesitation! Be encouraged to know that even seasoned industry professionals deal with imposter syndrome in some form. The good ones continually remind us that there's always more to learn and ways to improve, especially in the fast-evolving tech landscape!
When applying for jobs, Tom advises tailoring your resume and cover letters for each job you apply for. Of course, your primary resume shouldn’t need much revision; he means customizing it to suit the needs of the companies better. How do you accomplish this? Research the companies you apply to. Check out their website, LinkedIn, and other social media to learn as much about them as possible before applying.
While researching companies on social media, Tom advises networking with employees at the companies you want to work for. You can best achieve this by taking an interest in their needs, conversing with them about the technologies they use, and even offering your advice on alternative technologies or even creating apps or content that can fulfill their needs. This will portray initiative and capture their attention!
Creating content for companies you aspire to work with can lead to opportunities. This strategy demonstrates your passion and showcases your skills directly to potential employers, making it a practical approach for anyone looking to break into the industry! I credit this approach with leading to my first paid writing gig. In addition to writing many articles sharing my experiences with Scrimba, I took it upon myself to learn how to use their Scrim technology. Then I wrote a technical article titled: How to create Scrimba screencasts and turn them into a Scrimba course. When a paid opportunity opened at Scrimba to write for their blog, I submitted this article and was accepted as a Scrimba author!
💡 Tip: Tom encourages you to keep learning web development, especially during challenging job market conditions. Just like in the stock market, where you buy when prices are low, consider this an opportunity to invest in your coding education while hiring slows down. This way, you’ll be prepared to seize the opportunity when hiring starts again!
Catch 22
Question: If tech jobs require work experience, how are you supposed to qualify for your first tech job?
Answer: Find alternative methods to gain real-world experience!
A common problem new developers face is landing their first tech job due to a lack of work experience. However, there are methods for gaining viable work experience before officially working in the tech industry.
Work as a freelancer
Early on in his career, Tom tells us that he made his first paid commission by building a website for a friend of a family member. Although he says, "It's not rock and roll," it counts as web development experience!
Following that train of thought opens many doors to gaining real-world viable work experience. Consider making websites for family and friends, school clubs, church functions, and other local businesses for a low cost or for free. Not only will you gain experience to add to your resume/CV, but you will also gain a good reputation and grow your network.
Tom tells us of a Scrimba student success story. The student volunteered to create a website for a charity that needed one. The charity's financial officer was also a volunteer and helped the Scrimba student land a job at his regular nine-to-five job. That says a lot about the power of putting yourself out there and networking with people!
Partaking in open-source projects
Let me share the most valuable insight I've received concerning developers trying to land their first job. It comes from Shashi Lo, a Senior UX Engineer at Microsoft and the founder of the Gridiron Survivor project. Shashi explains that companies are hesitant to hire junior developers due to their lack of real-world team experience.
Key Areas Where Junior Developers Struggle:
Real-world Team Experience: Many developers need more practical experience working in a team setting, often not covered in educational programs. This absence can create difficulties when transitioning into a professional environment.
Portfolio Quality: Many developers present portfolios that do not include industry-standard projects, which can limit their ability to demonstrate their skills and competencies to potential employers effectively
Adaptability: Many developers with prior experience in collaborative environments find it easier to adapt to team dynamics and workflows, which are crucial in most tech roles.
Industry Standards: Often, developers' projects and portfolios do not meet the expectations set by employers, which can impede their job prospects and career advancement.
The Gridiron Survivor project is open-source and provides junior developers with real-world team experience. This particular project is part of Shashi's apprenticeship program, which consists of select developers of his choosing. At the time of writing this article, I am proud to say I am part of this program, and I can explain to you what experience we gain and what hiring managers look for in junior developer candidates.
Open-source project experience includes:
Working in Sprints: A sprint is a set period during which specific work must be completed and made ready for review. In agile development, sprints typically last two to four weeks. Team members plan tasks to be accomplished, collaborate on completing those tasks, and often review their work in a retrospective meeting at the end of each sprint.
Being assigned to and completing tickets: In project management, particularly in software development, a "ticket" refers to a task or issue that needs to be addressed. Tickets can be assigned to developers or team members, detailing the work that needs to be done, including bugs to fix, features to add, or improvements to make. Completing tickets involves fulfilling the requirements outlined in the ticket and ensuring the work meets project standards.
Taking part in weekly standups: A weekly standup is a short meeting where team members gather to share updates on their work, discuss any blockers, and outline their goals for the upcoming week. This practice promotes communication, accountability, and quick problem-solving within the team.
Participating in one-on-one meetings: One-on-one meetings are scheduled discussions between two individuals, often a team member and a team leader or mentor. They provide an opportunity for personal feedback, mentoring, and discussing individual progress or challenges in a more private setting.
Learning to work within a team: This involves developing skills necessary for effective collaboration, such as communication, conflict resolution, and compromise. Working within a team requires understanding diverse viewpoints, leveraging each member’s strengths, and collectively contributing to the project's success. It fosters a supportive environment where team goals are prioritized over individual ambitions.
Even though getting your first tech job can be tricky because of experience requirements, there are plenty of ways for you to get around this! Volunteering to work at a low cost or for free, joining apprenticeship programs, and contributing to open-source projects are just a few of many opportunities that can help you create a solid portfolio, gain some good team experience, and make connections that could lead to job opportunities!
AI: Tech Doom or Tech Boom?
So, the question on everybody's mind is, how exactly will AI impact the tech industry? Will it take away jobs? Is it even worth pursuing a tech job now?
While predicting AI's future influence is challenging, Tom maintains a positive outlook, viewing AI as a valuable tool when used correctly, despite its significant limitations.
AI is rapidly changing the tech industry, creating opportunities and challenges. It can boost productivity and create jobs, but it can also disrupt traditional roles and increase competition. This section examines AI's potential and limitations, offering a balanced view of its future technological impact.
What AI excels at:
- AI excels at simple tasks, such as creating small pieces of code and having the ability to break down each line of code and explain it. In the hands of a well-versed developer, this is a handy tool that can expedite work.
AI has the potential to help programmers complete their work more efficiently. Tom explains that a small company without a large budget, which would normally be unable to afford a custom app, can now hire an AI-empowered developer to handle the task. This could potentially create more jobs for developers while providing up-and-coming companies with an affordable means of obtaining custom apps.
Tom has plenty of experience with AI, and he taught a free Scrimba interactive course on building AI apps using tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and GPT-4, which includes projects such as a movie pitch generator, a GPT-4 chatbot, and a fine-tuned bot trained on custom datasets.
Where AI lacks:
- AI cannot create complex code, especially when designing uniquely new projects. It also does not always provide correct information, and the code it gives may be faulty.
Recently, Tom used AI assistance to create Scrimba’s JavaScriptmas 24 challenges, and he shared with us the pros and cons of this approach. The pros include helping to generate 24 challenge ideas. However, the cons include buggy code provided by AI when attempting to build a unique Grinch game.
Tom elaborates on AI limitations when it struggles to create new, unique code. He explains that code for a Pac-Man or Pong-style game that is well documented online is easy for AI to analyze and then help you code it from scratch. However, when AI does not have previously written documentation, it has difficulty generating the code you may be looking for, such as in Tom’s unique Grinch game. This demonstrates the importance of the continual need for human creativity and expertise to create truly new and unique software solutions, as AI depends a lot on existing data and documentation.
Matt also tells us of his comical experience using AI to build a form. The AI successfully built the form, but Matt realized it was not secure! When he inquired from AI if the provided code was a secure form, it responded, "No. Would you like a code for a secure form?" Therefore, AI's first choice was to design and provide an insecure form, most likely because it was the quickest and easiest form to build.
I have my own experience working with AI, and I documented the “good, the bad, and the buggy” in an article series titled “Mastering React with AI Pair Programming: Building a Star Wars Ahsoka Website.” This series covers my journey learning React with Hashnode's AI through pair programming. It features step-by-step guides on dynamic rendering, integrating media, organizing code, and building interactive UI components.
Tech Doom or Tech Boom?
According to Tom, Matt, and me, as well as many tech industry professionals, the overall consensus seems to be a separation of developers who use AI as a tool and developers who use AI as a crutch: developers who properly utilize AI will excel, while in contrast, developers who improperly use it will struggle.
While AI presents exciting opportunities for enhancing productivity and creating new job prospects, particularly in smaller businesses and freelance work, it also poses challenges. The reliance on AI could lead to reduced team sizes in larger corporations, increasing competition for available positions. Ultimately, the balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and maintaining the indispensable human touch in creativity and problem-solving will determine whether AI becomes a tech doom or boom.
What is JavaScriptmas?
As mentioned in the previous section, Tom took part in creating 24 coding challenges for Scrimba’s annual JavaScriptmas event. So, what is JavaScriptmas? JavaScriptmas is a festive event organized by Scrimba from December 1st to 24th, where participants tackle daily challenges, “primarily“ JavaScript, to enhance their coding skills. This event is inclusive for all skill levels, as winners are chosen through a raffle system. Participants can submit their solutions for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a MacBook Air, merchandise from Scrimba and MDN, and lifetime access to Scrimba Pro! So come join in the JavaScriptmas celebration now and elevate your coding skills to new heights! Not only will you learn and grow, but you also have a chance to win incredible prizes that you won’t want to miss!
Since its inception in 2020, I have actively participated in and authored coverage articles for JavaScriptmas. My blog was showcased during Scrimba's inaugural JavaScriptmas Livestream event, where I was honored with the title of Community Hero! During the festive holiday season, I enjoy highlighting the work of others in the community section of my JavaScriptmas articles! I explore X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and the Scrimba Discord channel for exceptional submissions from fellow participants to feature. I wish you a Merry JavaScriptmas and a Happy New Year!
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My other related articles
Bridging the Skills Gap: Empowering Junior Developers Through Apprenticeship Programs
From Skillset to Networking: Tactics for Standing Out in a Challenging Job Market
How to Transition from JR Dev to an In-Demand Developer: Your Path to Getting Hired
How Learning in Public and Networking Can Advance Your Career
Empowering Web Developers with Spartan Strength: AI as Your Ultimate Pair Programmer
Conclusion
Aspiring web developers face significant challenges when entering the job market, from selecting the appropriate educational path to overcoming imposter syndrome and gaining practical experience. However, these hurdles can be effectively navigated by implementing the strategies shared by Thomas Chant!
The journey begins with choosing the right educational pathway, whether through traditional schools, coding bootcamps, or self-taught methods, each offering unique advantages for acquiring web development skills. Embracing the practice of learning in public can further enhance this journey by reinforcing understanding, building a personal brand, and fostering connections with others in the field.
Networking is crucial for accessing job opportunities and gaining industry insights. Building professional relationships, both online and in person, can open doors to new career prospects. When it comes to applying for jobs, tailoring applications, overcoming imposter syndrome, and demonstrating genuine enthusiasm are key strategies for standing out to potential employers.
Gaining practical experience through internships, freelance work, or personal projects is essential for building a strong portfolio and showcasing your skills. Additionally, leveraging AI as a tool in the tech industry can boost productivity and innovation, although it's important to recognize its limitations.
By thoughtfully applying Tom's comprehensive strategies, you will gain the tools needed to navigate the job market confidently. His approach provides valuable insights and skills, positioning you to seize opportunities that can launch you into a successful career in the dynamic tech industry. Embrace these strategies to unlock your potential and stand out in a competitive environment!
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