S26:E3 - Learning to Code with a Full-Time Job (Beau Carnes)
Nov 15, 2023
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Beau Carnes, Director of Technology Education at freeCodeCamp, shares his career trajectory and experiences in television, education, and technology. Topics covered include balancing a full-time job while learning to code, the value of a CS degree, building a strong resume, and the benefits of finding local coding jobs. The chapter also explores the mission of Free Code Camp to make coding accessible to everyone.
Creating and sharing coding tutorials can enhance understanding and establish expertise.
Having a computer science degree can provide credibility and stand out in job applications, but there are alternative paths to breaking into the tech industry.
Deep dives
Learning to Code with a Full-Time Job
In this podcast episode, host Saran talks to Bo Carnes, Director of Technology Education at Free Code Camp, about learning to code while working full-time. Bo shares his own coding journey, starting from creating JavaScript tutorials and gradually expanding his knowledge. He discusses his transition from video production and teaching into software development, highlighting the challenges faced and the motivation to make a career change. Bo emphasizes the importance of having a specific plan and breaking down the learning process into small, manageable chunks. He also stresses the value of creating projects and sharing your work to showcase your skills. Throughout the episode, Bo provides insights and advice on effectively learning to code and successfully transitioning into the tech industry.
The Value of Teaching as a Learning Tool
Bo shares his experience of learning JavaScript by teaching it through YouTube tutorials. He explains how the process of creating videos on various JavaScript concepts helped him deepen his knowledge and understand topics he hadn't explored before. Bo encourages aspiring coders to find ways to teach others, whether through videos, blog posts, or in-person sessions, as it enhances their own understanding while establishing themselves as authorities in their chosen area. He emphasizes the importance of creating content, even with a small following, as it serves as a strong signal of competence to potential employers.
Pursuing a CS Degree for Career Advancement
Bo discusses his decision to pursue a computer science degree, highlighting the loan forgiveness program for teachers in low-income school districts as a motivating factor. He explains how the degree helped him establish credibility and stand out in job applications. Bo mentions that while having a degree can be beneficial, there are various other ways to break into tech, such as self-paced learning, boot camps, or free online resources like Free Code Camp. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing your skills through projects and networking with other developers in your target job market.
Learning Strategies and Community Involvement
Bo shares effective learning strategies for aspiring coders. He emphasizes the importance of tackling concepts in small chunks, actively practicing coding, and seeking assistance from online communities such as Free Code Camp's forum. Bo advises connecting with other learners and professionals through platforms like Twitter, joining initiatives like the 100 Days of Code challenge, and building a supportive network locally. He highlights the significance of community involvement, not only for learning but also for gaining exposure and creating opportunities.
In this week’s episode, Saron chats with Beau Carnes, Director of Technology Education at freeCodeCamp. Beau shares insights into his career trajectory, which began in television and digital media production. After gaining initial experience in this industry, he transitioned to work in education as a teacher. Beau speaks on his experiences within both these professions and speaks on his decision to venture into technology, establishing himself as a proficient software developer. During this conversation, Beau shares his reasoning for getting three degrees, finding the motivation to learn to code while balancing the demands of a full-time job, and sending out cold emails for his first job in tech.
Beau is a software developer and teacher. He manages the freeCodeCamp.org YouTube channel and creates many resources to help people learn software development.
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