

Develop Yourself
Brian Jenney
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 25, 2025 • 19min
Developer Career Change Hotline: Networking, Breaking In, and Not Giving Up
Let's tackle three of the most common struggles career changers face: 1. Breaking into tech from another field2. Networking without feeling fake3. Staying motivated when the job search drags on. If you’re wondering how to make the leap, keep connections warm, or simply not burn out—this one’s for you.Got a question of your own? 👉 Drop it here 👈Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Sep 22, 2025 • 20min
#274 - The Cost of Being Nice: Why Good Developers Don't Get Promoted
Have you ever wondered why some developers keep getting promoted while others stay stuck at the same level despite their technical skills? The answer might surprise you.Through practical, actionable steps, I break down exactly how developers at any level can strategically increase their influence and advance their careers. You'll learn how to gain credibility before speaking up, frame concerns as questions rather than criticisms, and pair problem identification with solution proposals. For junior developers and career changers, I offer specific guidance on leveraging your unique perspective and starting with low-risk moments of leadership.The truth is that being universally liked feels safe, but being honest and solution-oriented makes you invaluable. Your career won't skyrocket by becoming infinitely better at your tech stack—it will accelerate when you thoughtfully challenge the status quo and offer solutions to problems others see but are afraid to address.Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Sep 15, 2025 • 18min
#273 - When You Don’t Know What to Build—Build This
Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers.You’ll learn:Why great data makes or breaks your appHow to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something newPicking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it)Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picksAdding AI functionality to make your project stand outBuilding a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a proHere's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browseAnd—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship. 👉 Apply here 👈Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Sep 11, 2025 • 14min
#272 - The State of the 2025 Tech Job Market: Is AI Helping or Hurting Us?
The tech job market is sending seriously mixed signals in 2025. While social media overflows with doom and gloom about hiring freezes and impossible entry barriers, actual data tells a surprisingly different story. Job openings are trending upward, with big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Apple actively expanding their engineering teams.What's really happening is a massive shift in what companies need from their developers. "AI engineering" positions have exploded, increasing 5-6x since 2023 alone. But here's the critical insight most are missing: these roles don't primarily require deep machine learning expertise or data science backgrounds.This represents a golden opportunity for software developers willing to expand their skills in the right direction.Let's explore.Here's the link to the original article: https://substack.com/inbox/post/172584839?utm_source=unread-posts-digest-email&inbox=true&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=trueApply for Parsity's AI Developer Program: https://www.parsity.io/ai-developerSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Sep 8, 2025 • 37min
#271 - The Physics of Career Change: How Long It Actually Takes to Become a Software Developer
Remember when coding bootcamps promised you could learn to code and land a job in just three months? That golden era of easy entry into tech has fundamentally changed, yet the marketing hasn't caught up with reality.In this eye-opening conversation, ex-Google engineer Zubin and host Brian cut through the hype to deliver a reality check about what it actually takes to transition into software development in 2025.What separates those who succeed from those who don't? It's rarely about raw talent or technical aptitude. Instead, it's about creating systems that allow for consistent practice despite life's inevitable challenges."I've seen computer science grads fail and French fry cooks succeed"Let's dig into why.Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Sep 4, 2025 • 20min
#270 - Coding in the Age of AI: What No One’s Telling You
AI is transforming coding faster than we can keep up. Novice developers are now launching apps over weekends, but pitfalls await. Learning when to leverage AI without compromising code quality is crucial. The game-changing concept of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is unveiled, showing how it can enhance existing skills instead of threatening job security. Clear communication between developers and non-technical stakeholders is more important than ever in this AI-driven landscape.

Sep 1, 2025 • 13min
#269 - I'm Burnt Out! The 3 Worst Parts About Being a Software Developer (and why I still love it)
It’s Labor Day weekend and, honestly? I’m burned out.Maybe this isn’t the best business move, but I’d rather keep it real with you than fake the whole “everything is great in tech” narrative.I’ve been plenty vocal about why AI isn’t about to replace us all tomorrow, much to the dismay of to all the AI bros out there.But here’s the other side: being a developer is nothing like those “day in the life” TikToks where someone shows up to the office around 10AM, gets a fancy coffee, fixes a UI bug and then gets a 400K salary with stock options.So here it is—my three worst parts of being a software developer.... and why I still enjoy what I do.Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Aug 28, 2025 • 12min
#268 - An AI Agent Horror Story: What Happens When AI Runs a Business?
What happens when you give an AI agent full control over a small business?I mean, what could go wrong?Things started off rough and then got down right creepy near the end of this experiment.You can read the original article here: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-1Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Aug 25, 2025 • 25min
#267 - Step-by-Step: Build a Real AI Project with Next.js & RAG
Explore the intriguing world of AI engineering and discover what it truly means to build real projects. Learn how to develop a Retrieval Augmented Generation app using Next.js and TypeScript. The discussion covers techniques like web scraping, storing content in vector databases, and reducing AI hallucinations for reliable outputs. The host shares insights from their experience in AI startups, highlighting the skills that employers are currently seeking in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Aug 21, 2025 • 41min
#266 - Startups 101: Insider Secrets for Aspiring Developers
Gabe Rucker, CEO of Founding Titans and a seasoned entrepreneur, shares insights from his transition from coder to founder. He discusses essential strategies for raising capital and validating startup ideas. Gabe emphasizes the importance of networking for both startups and job seekers. He also highlights how Parsity students gained hands-on experience through internships, collaborating with real AI teams. The conversation further dives into the role of AI in development and the cyclical nature of tech innovation, urging a balanced approach to leveraging technology.