The freeCodeCamp Podcast

#195 He Turned Down a FAANG Dev Job to Keep Working Remotely with Patrick Hartley

Oct 31, 2025
Patrick Hartley, a self-taught developer with nearly a decade of experience, shares his journey from college dropout to founding engineer. He turned down a job with Amazon to prioritize his family's needs. The discussion covers self-teaching programming while raising kids, networking as an introvert, and the evolving landscape of remote work. Patrick emphasizes the importance of soft skills over pure technical prowess for job readiness and offers insights on finding the right job fit and managing productivity in meetings.
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ANECDOTE

Turned Down Amazon To Keep Family Support

  • Patrick was invited to an on-site interview at Amazon but decided to decline after discussing family needs with his wife.
  • He prioritized staying in Oklahoma City to support his son with autism and the family's caregiving structure.
ADVICE

Study Regularly And Use Mentors

  • Lock yourself in and study consistently after work using free resources like freeCodeCamp.
  • Build projects and seek mentorship to know when you're ready to apply for jobs.
ADVICE

Network Locally To Get Your Foot In

  • Attend local meetups and be part of developer communities to meet employers and recruiters.
  • Use those connections to get referrals and networking help, especially as a first-timer.
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