Backend Banter cover image

Backend Banter

Build skills, not degrees. ft. Madison Kanna | S02 E08

Mar 3, 2025
In this chat, Madison Kanna, a self-taught software developer and community builder, reveals her unique journey from dropping out of college to creating the thriving Code Book Club. She discusses how bypassing traditional education ignited her passion for coding and the importance of mentorship in tech. Madison highlights the challenges of self-learning, shares insights from her experiences building communities, and emphasizes the vital role of genuine connections in navigating today's tech landscape. Plus, get inspired by her book recommendations!
54:02

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Madison Kanna's journey illustrates how self-directed learning and practical experience can outweigh traditional education in tech careers.
  • The launch of the Code Book Club highlights the importance of community and peer accountability for continuous skill development among coders.

Deep dives

The Motivation Behind Coding

A desire to learn coding can stem from personal inspiration and real-world exposure, as evidenced by one individual’s visit to their sister’s coding workplace. Observing developers create a music application instilled a sense of excitement and curiosity in them. Prior to this experience, they had dropped out of college, feeling that traditional education was not providing practical skills necessary for the job market. This pivotal moment led to a commitment to self-directed learning in software development, marking the start of their coding journey.

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