Hi, I'm Mykolas, a passionate developer from Vilnius, Lithuania. I mostly work with JavaScript and React ๐ฉโ๐ปโ๏ธ. Although I don't limit myself to any single technology, I'm just in general extremely interested in software development.
I wanted to share my journey so far in the world of software development and how I started working as a developer while still studying in high-school.
How the journey started
I've always been interested in anything and everything technical. Computers, logic puzzles and games are the things that drew me to programming from quite an early age.
When I was around 14 I started getting into the basics of coding and JavaScript. The resources I started learning from were engaging, fun and helpful. I started from code.org, later I moved on to a course on JavaScript on khanacademy.org.
The beginner courses were great, but after a while, they weren't challenging enough and I lost interest for a little bit. I had to find something more real and useful.
After coming back to coding after a short break and remembering how fun and rewarding it actually is I got the sudden urge to pursue software development as a career. A lot of work and learning was ahead of me ๐จโ๐๐ป.
Programming has always been a social activity for me. Me on the left with friends participating in a hackathon.
Starting to take it more seriously
Looking back, I see that I did a couple of things quite right to get ready for working as a software developer.
Online courses
I was around 15 when I received a membership for an online learning platform called lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) as a gift. The \$40 or so that were invested in my learning have brought amazing returns. ๐๐ฆ Probably the best investment in my life.
I learned the very fundamental basics of how web software was built. Got introduced to HTML, CSS, and dove deeper into JavaScript, which was quickly becoming my favorite programming tool.
Not only were the courses of higher quality, but the fact that money was spent on getting the courses motivated me to complete them. This is why I'd recommend buying your courses. There are tons of great and free resources, but you're more likely to finish courses if you've actually ๐ธ invested ๐ธ monetarily in them.
In terms of web development, I'd really like to recommend the courses of @wesbos. They are really fun and extremely informative. They were quite transformational in my career and programming journey. The courses related to JavaScript and that ecosystem have helped me especially. From small tips and tricks to project-based hands-on experience, those courses gave me a ton.
Online courses have always been a pretty big part of my learning process. Even today I try to allocate time to courses, they allow me to learn new things in a condensed and effective way. Improving, learning and picking up new skills is essential as a software developer.
Attending events
Meetups, hackathons and in general any development related events were and still are something that is crucial in my learning process and career development.
Meetups
Generally, very informal and friendly events where you not only learn stuff but more importantly where you can meet other people from the industry.
There are plenty of platforms to find meetups in your city, meetup.com is a great one. Events are often dedicated to a technology or a programming language, so choose the ones that interest you most.
Mostly JavaScript, React oriented meetups have helped me keep up to what's new out there, meeting new like-minded people was also great.
But most importantly most meetups have free snacks and drinks ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฅค.
There are no downsides to attending them, that's why you should.
Hackathons
Hackathons are awesome! ๐
They force you (in a very positive way) to sit down and build something from scratch. And building stuff is ultimately how you learn in software development.
It doesn't matter if you are an expert or a beginner in any technology. When there's excitement and accountability in a project you figure out a way to make it work ๐ฑโ๐ป. That's just human nature, we adapt, learn and adjust.
It might not be very comfortable in the begging, new people, new tasks, a strict deadline to get your work done as most hackathons take place during a single weekend. But coming out of your comfort zone is a great way to improve and learn.
Hackathons have taught me a lot of technical skills and I got to know some great friends through them. I also have even been fortunate enough to win a couple of them. Although the essence of the event is not to win, it's to create daring projects and to meet new people.
Me on the left, very sleep deprived, but ultimately happy after winning with an amazing team.
These various events, hackathons, and meetups have been so transformational in my life. If I would have been sitting at home, not participating in any social events, I would not have gotten the opportunities I got, I would not know the great people I got to know ๐๐ค๐ค๐ค.
Even my career got kickstarted after I attended a hackathon, as I got my first internship in a tech company after participating in a hackathon organized by the company.
Internship and work
I'm super thankful for the people who accepted me as an intern into their team. It was great to grow in a supportive environment. Having people believe in me when I barely knew anything about development meant everything to me as a young developer ๐ฃ๐ฃ.
There is no doubt in my mind that if the people around me weren't as supportive as they were I would've dropped this whole thing and never pursued it any further.
As an intern I wasn't making coffee or anything like that, I was doing the same things the other developers were doing. And I have to say that I have learned the most in terms of software development in the workplace.
I have been extremely fortunate in my programming journey to work and to learn from great people and professionals. Learning from more senior developers and mentors is something that is extremely useful for a younger programmer ๐จ๐ป ๐๐ป.
It's important to ask questions, share ideas, discuss code and different solutions. That's how you learn and improve, there is no better way than just doing, creating, and developing.
Having other people by your side that already went through the things you're going through in your programming journey is super helpful. These people can definitely assist you if you're feeling isolated or lost in this vast world.
I went from intern to junior developer, to mid developer in the same company, same supportive environment. And I've grown a ton in the many facets of a being a software developer.
Next steps in my journey
I can see I've improved a whole lot over these last couple of years, but I hope that I never stop growing my knowledge base. Even though I've already started my career in software development, my next step is getting a traditional degree in computer science ๐๐.
I feel that traditional academia will help me tremendously, not just in terms of knowledge but also in getting to know the world of technology more intimately and from a more theoretical level.
In the end, I hope the practical experience I've already gained and the more theory focused approach of traditional academia will help me create much better and more useful software.
Thanks for reading! If you found it interesting or useful be sure to share ๐.
The inspiration for this post was a blog post written by the amazing Lydia Hallie, @theavocoder.
Advice From A 19 Year Old Girl & Software Developer.
Originally published on my personal blog.
Top comments (11)
Reading this article almost felt like reading certain chapters of my life as a โyoungโ developer!
That was a great read! Iโve found a lot of similarities. Iโm also an intern and thereโs a high likelihood of getting my first โofficialโ dev job at the end of this summer. And these guys are also very supportive.
Thanks for the article! Best of luck! ๐ป
Glad to hear that! Best of luck to you too ;)
Wow, i have similar story. Started coding when i was 14. I have attended many meetups, unfortunately no hackathons. :(
I'm 18 now, got my first internship and job as a junior Frontend developer in amazing team full of inspiring people. The only thing is i'm not Lithuanian ๐
Good job, keep it up!
You too! :D
Oh gosh :D I'm also lithuanian, from Vilnius, who is 18 years old now, learning, gaining experience in internship in this city. I also started programming at ~13-14 years old because of those video games I was very interested in, but now, as I finished high school, I can name myself as pretty solid starting web developer.
Also sฤkmฤs tau ;)
Oh wow, it's always nice to spot fellow lithuanians wandering around the internet ๐ Tau irgi linkiu sฤkmฤs ๐
Regarding online learning, have a look at the FFA series (loper-os.org/?cat=49 ) and the author's approach throughout - quite something worth learning I'd say. And if you're stuck, come over on irc and talk to us as there is almost always someone online and able to answer questions - I have yet to see a faster response time anywhere else.
I am totally aware of these things and you brought up some great points.
I look at university as something more than just worthless courses though, we'll see but I value new connections, new people in my network, which school definitely brings.
I also want to learn how to work using the 'scientific method' :D and just generally don't want to be stuck in the mindset of a high-school student all my life.
Learning on my own will forever be something that I'll do but I feel that university will help me do, learn and achieve things I wouldn't otherwise.
Thanks for the great comment and good luck!
I feel so old now.. my son is now 11 yo! ;-)
congrats for your achievements and your passion. keep it up!
Starting so early and with such a good attitude will pay off!
Thanks! :)
Keep the good work Mykolas! Never stop!!