#147 From Stealing Cars to Self-Taught Software Engineer with Dorian Develops
Oct 25, 2024
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Dorian Develops, a software engineer and YouTube creator, shares his inspiring journey from a rough upbringing in Miami to a successful tech career. He discusses how he taught himself to code using free resources and networking, highlighting the impact of remote work on his family's nomadic lifestyle. Dorian opens up about his recovery from addiction, illustrating the challenges and transformations he's faced. He emphasizes the role of community and practical experiences in his learning path, making his story a powerful testament to resilience and determination.
Dorian Develops' journey from valet car parker to self-taught software engineer demonstrates that change is possible through self-determination and free resources.
The unwavering support of Dorian's wife was instrumental in helping him overcome personal challenges and stay focused on his coding goals.
Dorian battled imposter syndrome while transitioning into tech, highlighting the importance of self-belief and community support during such shifts.
His candid discussion of addiction illustrates how recognizing and confronting such issues is vital for personal and professional growth.
Dorian's insights on lifestyle creep emphasize the need for financial awareness and intentional spending as income increases to avoid financial stress.
Through networking and attending meetups, Dorian built essential relationships that significantly contributed to his success as a developer.
Deep dives
The Value of Free Learning Resources
Many aspiring coders mistakenly believe that paying for coding resources guarantees success. However, there are numerous quality free resources available, such as FreeCodeCamp, which can effectively aid in learning how to code. Dorian Develops emphasizes the importance of utilizing these accessible materials instead of succumbing to the notion that only paid courses offer worthwhile value. His personal journey highlights that with determination and smart use of available resources, financial barriers need not hinder one's coding education.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Dorian Develops' journey into coding was shaped significantly by his challenging upbringing as a child raised in a difficult environment. Dropping out of high school and facing numerous personal adversities, he sought to turn his life around while working as a valet in Las Vegas. Recognizing the need for change, he taught himself to code using free online resources. This determination led him to secure six-figure jobs as a web developer and start a successful YouTube channel, proving that personal challenges can be overcome through dedication.
The Power of Supportive Relationships
Central to Dorian's success was the unwavering support of his wife, who believed in his potential throughout his learning journey. He credits her encouragement as a key factor that helped him remain focused on his coding ambitions. Together, they navigated various life's challenges, including the responsibilities of parenting. Her support allowed him to dedicate ample time to learning, and their partnership exemplifies how crucial supportive relationships can be in achieving personal goals.
Navigating Early Career Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome
As he transitioned from learning to working as a software developer, Dorian battled imposter syndrome, often questioning his qualifications. He recalls feeling anxious about whether he belonged in the tech industry due to his unconventional background. Despite these doubts, he persevered and applied his previous experiences to navigate the complexities of professional work. This journey highlights the common struggle many face when transitioning into a new field, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and community support.
The Impact of Addictive Behaviors
Dorian openly discusses his struggles with addiction, particularly to substances like alcohol and marijuana. He recognizes how these habits clouded his judgment and affected his relationships and overall well-being. His decision to quit smoking and drinking marked a significant turning point in his life, inspiring him to share his journey with others. Through his candid discussions, he hopes to help listeners understand the importance of recognizing addiction and its potential impact on personal and professional growth.
Lifestyle Creep and Financial Awareness
Dorian explains lifestyle creep as the tendency to increase spending as income rises, often leading to financial stress. He illustrated his own experiences navigating higher income brackets while still making conscious choices about expenditures. Despite earlier frugality, he learned that financial awareness and intentional spending were essential for sustainable living. This conversation serves as a timely reminder to prioritize long-term financial goals over immediate desires.
Planning for the Future
Despite recognizing the importance of planning, Dorian acknowledges that overly detailed planning can lead to procrastination. Instead, he maintains a focus on set goals while remaining flexible in his approach to achieving them. This adaptability allowed him to navigate challenges in both his coding and YouTube endeavors successfully. Setting clear intentions while embracing an exploratory mindset helped him manage overwhelming tasks and realize his aspirations.
The Role of Community in Learning
Dorian highlights the significance of networking and community engagement throughout his learning journey. By attending meetups and connecting with other programmers, he gained invaluable insights and opportunities for collaboration. His willingness to engage with others in the tech community led to critical relationships that ultimately helped him land jobs and grow as a developer. This emphasis on community speaks to the importance of shared experiences and support systems in personal and professional development.
Experimenting with New Content Styles
As a content creator, Dorian has navigated the challenges of audience engagement while staying true to his values and goals. He reflects on the temptation to produce content that resonates with viewers, even when it strays from his original purpose. This struggle has led him to consider launching a second channel to share more personal and candid experiences without compromising the educational intention of his main channel. Ultimately, Dorian values authenticity and recognizes the fine balance between personal branding and meaningful content.
Finding Positive Ways to Cope
In the wake of quitting substances, Dorian has sought to replace old habits with healthier coping mechanisms. He has explored various strategies, such as ice baths and engaging in beneficial routines, to enhance his overall well-being. This newfound clarity has not only improved his focus as a developer but has contributed positively to his family life. By sharing his experiences, Dorian aims to inspire others to consider healthier alternatives in their own journey toward sobriety and self-improvement.
Adding Value Through Community and Personal Storytelling
Dorian aims to enrich the coding community through his personal stories and valuable insights. He acknowledges that many aspiring developers face the same barriers he once experienced, and his candidness serves to inspire others. By demonstrating that individuals from varied backgrounds can achieve success, he encourages viewers to remain resilient in their coding journey. This authenticity resonates deeply with audiences, reinforcing the power of shared experiences in fostering encouragement and motivation.
The Ongoing Journey of Self-Improvement
Dorian emphasizes the importance of ongoing self-improvement and growth, recognizing that the journey does not end with a single achievement. He encourages others to embrace personal challenges as opportunities to learn and evolve. This mindset shift became a driving force for Dorian, allowing him to push beyond the initial hurdles in his coding and personal life. Acknowledging that it's essential to keep striving for greatness, he inspires listeners to adopt a similar approach in their own pursuits.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Dorian Develops. He's a software engineer and prolific YouTube creator.
Dorian grew up in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. He's the child of a single mother that arrived as a refugee from Cuba. After a rough childhood and dropping out of high school in 9th grade, Dorian eventually made a living as a valet car parker in Las Vegas. It was here that he realized he needed to make changes for the sake of his family's future.
Dorian taught himself to code using freeCodeCamp and other free learning resources, and has since gotten several 6-figure jobs as a web developer.
We talk about:
- How Dorian survived his 20s by waiting tables and parking cars in Las Vegas
- How he taught himself to code using free learning resources and built his network through months of attending local developer meetups
- How he's worked as a remote developer so he and his kids can travel the world
- And how he's 1 year into his recovery from a lifetime of drug and alcohol addiction
Can you guess what song I'm playing in the intro?
Also, I want to thank the 10,993 kind people who support our charity each month, and who make this podcast possible. You can join them and support our mission at: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Links we talk about during our conversation:
- Vagabonding book by Rolf Potts: https://rolfpotts.com/books/vagabonding/
- A documentary on "Advantaged Play" in Blackjack that Quincy mentions. [Note: I don't gamble and I don't condone gambling. Still, this is still an excellent video that developers interested in information security should consider watching]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO6aPOkCt84
- A recent HTML tutorial by Dorian: https://youtu.be/sWYdumJckMw?si=nB8j5d9WQR5u5_Mb
- Dorian's video about his journey to sobriety: https://youtu.be/pGoeG5aY3S0?si=aanGEowSfWd-runm
- Dorian's video about his love of Brazillian Jujitsu but how it's left him with permanent injuries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHPG66H000
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