#167 From drop-out to software architect with Jason Lengstorf
Apr 4, 2025
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In this chat, Jason Lengstorf, a former band website builder turned software architect, shares his unique journey from dropping out of college to working at IBM and co-founding CodeTV, a reality show for developers. He discusses the power of self-teaching through curiosity and how in-person events shape engineers. Jason highlights the importance of tacit knowledge, community, and the blend of technical and leadership skills in advancing one’s career, revealing a holistic approach to learning in the tech world.
Building practical projects that solve real-world problems is essential for developing relevant skills and impressing potential employers.
Automation in development can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency by streamlining processes and reducing manual tasks.
Prioritizing lifelong learning and community involvement fosters invaluable connections and opportunities that are vital for career growth in tech.
Deep dives
The Importance of Building Relevant Projects
Building relevant projects is emphasized as a crucial step for aspiring developers. Those who create applications that solve real problems for themselves develop practical skills and a portfolio demonstrating their ability to code effectively. For instance, developing a website or app that meets a personal need showcases not only programming skills but also problem-solving capabilities. This approach appeals to employers like IBM, who value candidates that can bridge the gap between technical knowledge and real-world outcomes.
The Role of Automation in Development
Automation is presented as a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and creativity in development projects. One example discusses how automating a game show control room setup allows the host to manage multiple screens and real-time interactions smoothly. By combining a database with state machine architecture, the developer can respond swiftly during live events. This illustrates that creating systems that streamline processes can significantly reduce manual tasks and enhance overall efficiency.
The Challenge of Agency Life and Career Growth
Agency life is explored as a demanding yet educational experience that can lead to burnout if not managed wisely. Juggling multiple roles such as client management, project coordination, and development can quickly overwhelm someone without effective delegation strategies. The speaker reflects on their realization that the skills acquired during agency work—time management, communication, and networking—are transferable to various roles in tech. This highlights the importance of learning how to delegate effectively when running an agency to maintain job satisfaction.
The Value of Networking and Community
Networking and community involvement are emphasized as vital components of a successful career in tech. Engaging with other developers fosters valuable connections and provides opportunities for knowledge exchange. Attending local meetups and conferences, even on a limited budget, can expose budding developers to insights and experiences that significantly shape their careers. The speaker emphasizes that building friendships in the industry can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations in the future.
Embracing Lifelong Learning and Curiosity
A strong message about the importance of lifelong learning emerges as a key to career fulfillment. Thriving in a tech career involves continuously seeking new challenges and expanding one's skillset. The speaker encourages embracing a mindset that values curiosity and exploration, noting that learning seemingly unrelated skills can offer unexpected benefits and perspectives. This approach not only enhances problem-solving abilities but also opens doors to new opportunities that enrich one's overall career.
The Journey of Finding Personal Fulfillment
The speaker shares their unique journey, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment over traditional career paths. Each role they took—from musician to agency owner to working for IBM—has provided valuable experiences that contribute to their current position in media and content creation. By prioritizing passions and seeking career paths aligned with their interests, the speaker has crafted a fulfilling professional life that allows for creativity and innovation. This reflects a broader message that success is subjective and should be defined by individual values and happiness.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Jason Lengstorf. He learned to code out of necessity building websites for local emo bands.
He dropped out of college but eventually worked as an engineer at IBM and has gone on to roles at many other companies doing everything from software architecture to management. He runs CodeTV, a Bravo-style reality TV channel for developers.
We talk about: - Jason's winding path into development from building websites for bands - Teaching yourself programming by chasing your curiosity - How in-person events gives you tacit knowledge that makes you a better engineer - How having a broad range of skills ultimately helps you build better projects
Support for this podcast comes from a grant from Wix Studio. Wix Studio provides developers tools to rapidly build websites with everything out-of-the-box, then extend, replace, and break boundaries with code. Learn more at https://wixstudio.com.
Support also comes from the 11,384 kind folks who support freeCodeCamp through a monthly donation. You can join these chill human beings and help our charity's mission by going to donate.freecodecamp.org
