
Develop Yourself
To change careers and land your first job as a Software Engineer, you need more than just great software development skills - you need to develop yourself. Welcome to the podcast that helps you develop your skills, your habits, your network and more, all in hopes of becoming a thriving Software Engineer.
Latest episodes

Apr 28, 2025 • 16min
#234 - Coding Isn’t Enough: 3 Weird Traits That Predict Success in Tech
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)What separates successful tech career changers from those who struggle?After switching careers into tech at 31 following years of addiction, and mentoring hundreds of aspiring developers, I've noticed some odd patterns and traits of those who make it vs those who don't.This episode is not meant to discourage you. I hope it gives you a practical idea of some skills you can develop and ultimately, whether you should consider this career path.I'd love to know your take as well - leave a comment or email me at brian@parsity.ioShameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Apr 24, 2025 • 39min
#233 - How Mindi Navigated ADHD, Bootcamp Burnout, and Landed a Dev Role
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)We cover:Why even smart, driven people need help when learning to codeWhat ADHD looks like as a software engineer—and how she manages itHow burnout hit hard after landing the jobWhy public speaking became a surprising superpowerGetting hired without ever doing a technical interviewHer honest take on AI tools, TypeScript, LinkedIn vs. Twitter, and moreIf you’re an adult switching careers, neurodivergent, or just wondering if bootcamps still work—this conversation is for you.👉 Connect with Mindi:📬 Code Out Loud on Substack💼 Mindi on LinkedInShameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Apr 21, 2025 • 16min
#232 - The Harsh Truth About Coding, AI, Bootcamps, and Breaking in to Tech
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)Think you need a CS degree to get hired? That bootcamps are scams? That AI is making developers obsolete? In this episode, I share some very hot takes on what it really takes to break into tech — and why most of what you’ve been told is dead wrong. I talk about the rise and fall of bootcamps, the myth of guaranteed outcomes, why advice from FAANG engineers probably doesn’t apply to you, and why can hate JavaScript but you still must learn it.Shameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Apr 17, 2025 • 14min
#231 - Roasting A Listener's Resume, LinkedIn and GitHub Profile
A listener's resume gets a hilarious yet insightful roast, uncovering common pitfalls that many junior developers face. Tips for optimizing resumes and LinkedIn profiles are shared, highlighting the importance of clear self-presentation. The discussion dives into how to enhance GitHub portfolios, revealing the downsides of the 'open to work' badge. Essential advice for making professional profiles shine in the competitive tech job market is also provided, ensuring aspiring techies stand out from the crowd.

Apr 14, 2025 • 30min
#230 - AI Will Replace Most Coding: What Chief Scientist Laly Bar-Ilan Says Developers Should Learn Next
Laly Bar-Ilan, Chief Scientist at Bit, has been pioneering AI and natural language processing for over 20 years. In this engaging discussion, she highlights how AI is set to revolutionize coding jobs, urging developers to embrace evolving skills like retrieval-augmented generation and prompt engineering. Laly emphasizes the importance of continuous learning as traditional coding methods become obsolete. She also explores the future of composable software and how AI can streamline development, making adaptability key in the shifting tech landscape.

Apr 10, 2025 • 18min
#229 - The 2025 Tech Job Market Sucks? Here's How You Beat It
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢) The job market in 2025 feels broken—and you’re not imagining it. AI-generated spam is clogging recruiter inboxes, resumes are becoming less relevant, and LinkedIn is more influencer platform than job board. In this episode, I break down why things feel so hard right now (for everyone—not just developers), and give you a practical, modern strategy to stand out and actually get hired: ✅ What to do instead of blasting resumes ✅ How to play the LinkedIn game without becoming a cringe poster ✅ Old-school tactics that still work (and new tools I recommend) If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of bad advice from people who’ve never written code for a living—this one’s for you. Shameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Apr 7, 2025 • 15min
#228 - The 3 Stages of Learning Javascript: What to Build && What to Learn
Learning JavaScript can be a bumpy ride, and you're not alone if it feels overwhelming. The discussion breaks down the journey into three stages, emphasizing a solid foundation as crucial for eventual success. Essential concepts like variables and control structures are tackled, with fun challenges like Fizz Buzz to test your skills. Creating interactivity through the DOM and APIs is highlighted, along with useful project ideas. Mastering JavaScript is portrayed as essential before diving into React, paving the way for smoother transitions into advanced coding.

Apr 3, 2025 • 16min
#227 - How Busy Professionals Can Learn to Code (Without Losing Their Minds): A 3 Step Process
Feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule while wanting to learn coding? Discover three practical strategies to fit coding into your life! Learn how to maximize small moments for effective learning and master time management. Gain valuable insights about breaking projects into manageable tasks and the importance of mentorship. This guide helps you navigate your coding journey without losing your mind, offering clarity and direction for aspiring coders. Unlock the path to coding success even with a packed calendar!

Apr 1, 2025 • 15min
Special Episode: Answering Fan Mail
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)Have you ever sent a message into the void? That's exactly what's been happening to listeners who've tried to contact me through Buzzsprout's messaging system.From a father in Dayton balancing family responsibilities while trying to break into tech, to aspiring developers wondering if JavaScript is still worth learning in 2025, these messages touch on real struggles and practical concerns. I share personal insights about my own journey learning to code while supporting a family and offer actionable advice for making career transitions with limited time.Please keep the questions coming!Shameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Mar 31, 2025 • 29min
#226 - New Coders Can't Code?
Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)The rise of AI coding tools has fundamentally changed how people learn programming, creating a concerning trend: developers who can produce impressive-looking applications without understanding how they work.What makes a developer truly valuable? Contrary to popular belief, it's not the ability to rapidly generate new code. A revealing LinkedIn survey showed 73% of experienced developers spend most of their time reading existing code rather than writing it. The real value comes from engineering judgment – knowing which approach to take and understanding why certain solutions work better than others."The entire act of keystrokes is not what the value in software engineering is." Instead, it's about developing the mental models that let you reason through complex systems."If you don't know what this code is doing, then why is it in the codebase? And why is your name on it?"Shameless Plugs🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software. 💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like) 👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️
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