Develop Yourself

Learn about the caterpillar learning method that helps developers learn new languages and frameworks quickly. Focus on practical application and iterative learning to acquire practical skills.

Guest Zubin Pratap shares his journey from lawyer to software engineer at Google to blockchain developer and mentor. He discusses mentorship, learning to code, beating the Google interview, and the skills needed for hireability. The conversation also touches on money and mindset in the tech industry.

A podcast discusses the downsides of being a software engineer, highlighting the stress and expectations that come with the job. They explore the excitement of solving bugs and deploying code, but emphasize that it's not for everyone. They also mention updates to their coding program, student success stories, and shameless plugs for their resources.

In this episode I break down the only 3 things I think you should be adding to your toolbelt as a developer in 2024 and because I like you, here's an advanced project that uses AI, NodeJS and Express.Your AI AStarter Project: This is an advanced project and assumes some knowledge of JS. If you're looking for something a little more beginner friendly, check out this project to learn how to use APIs with Javascript.Shameless PlugsParsitydev30 (are you finally ready to learn JS in 2024?)Brian's LinkedInSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Let's dive into a practical LinkedIn strategy to attract the right people through your posts:Step 1: Be anti-cringe. Posting platitudes is an easy way to get ignored or not taken seriously. That's not only NOT helpful, but as humans, we have an uncanny ability to smell when people are not being genuine. Instead, post about what you're learning. Step 2: Don't be boring... at first. You wrote an interesting post but nobody read it. Here you thought you'd be judged by the masses and yet, you barely see any interaction. You must make your first sentence interesting.Step 3: Know who you're posting for. Take the emotion out of it. If you're on the job hunt, you're not fishing for likes so don't focus on that metric.Step 4: Don't freestyle it. I write pretty much all my posts for the week on Sunday. This way I'm not scrambling to channel my creativity before I start my work day or my kids start yelling at me to make them pancakes. My best advice is not to overthink it. Shameless PlugsParsitydev30 (learn JS in 2024 and get a massive discount)Brian's LinkedInLearning in Public TemplatesSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Debugging may be one of the most underrated technical skills as a developer. It is one of the major differences between a junior and senior developer. I'm going to share the story of a super stressful bug I had to fix years ago while working at a start up and the method I still use to track and fix critical issues in JS code.It's dramatic. It's emotional. It's software!If video is more your thing, you can watch me walk through some tips here.BTW, it's getting really close to the deadline to apply for Jan 2024 cohorts. We will be introducing TypeScript and rolling out more open source and internship opportunities in the new year as well as a LinkedIn course I'm pretty juiced to create that will be free for grads and not-so-free for everyone else.Shameless PlugsParsitydev30 (learn JS and get a massive discount on Parsity)Brian's LinkedInSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Erik Andersen, the World's Happiest Engineer did not hold back when I asked him what he felt about coding bootcamps. 😅Erik is an amazing and knowledgeable engineer. He’s not just an influencer online but he’s also a full time tech lead who runs a YouTube podcast dedicated to helping junior developers land their first job. You should check it out.Listen to one of my favorite people on LinkedIn talk to us about:Ways to stand out as a new developerWhy you should be using LinkedIn and how to not suck at itHow to get experience as a career changer when you have noneHot 🥵 takes on bootcamps and the junior dev marketNo-So Shameless Plugs 👇 😎Parsity (Jan 2024 cohort is filling up - don't slack on it)dev30 (learn JS in 2024, but like for real)Brian's LinkedInErik Andersen's LinkedIn 👈Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

So last week I wrote to Kyle Simpson, world famous JavaScript developer and author of the incredibly popular You Don't Know JS series.I asked if he'd appear on the Develop Yourself Podcast and I was bracing for a rejection email.Within about an hour, I saw a new email in my inbox. Here we go. "Well, maybe next time", I thought... He said "sure". 😮I freaked out. I've read all his books and in fact, I credit them with making me a better, more confident developer. I also follow him on social media and have read his polarizing views and some of the hate he's received online.I don't always agree with his takes but I respect the fact he truly "learns in public"Right now, Kyle is on the job search and has been documenting his experience. The ups, downs and in-betweens.Believe it or not, he even got turned down for a role because he did not pass their challenge... written in JavaScript.Should that scare the rest of us? According to Kyle, NO, it should not.In this interview we didn't really talk about code at all. Kyle shares his origin story, how he became a world-famous author, his surprising take on JS frameworks, advice for beginners learning to code and gets real about his job search.You don't want to skip this one.Here's some links to get more Kyle Simpson in your life and become a way better JS developer: Kyle's GithubFront End Master's CourseGet Kyle's Spicy Takes on LinkedInShameless PlugsParsity (Jan 2024 cohort is filling up - don't slack on it)dev30 (if you don't know JS this should be a no-brainer)Brian's LinkedIn or Brian's IG 😎Send us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

In this week's podcast you're going to learn the 3 types of interviews you WILL encounter as a developer on the job market and how to beat them 💪.Interviewing may be the most high paying skill you can develop as a developer. It takes a different approach than creating software which is why most people kinda suck at it. I should know, I sucked for years! Like pitifully so. Then I studied a ton around year 3 of being a software engineer and over the years, I've spent over 10k learning how to nail coding interviews. Did it make me a better developer? Kinda. The real benefit was the increased confidence and ability to job hop more easily which led to ~50k in salary increases over 2 years. Not a bad investment.Shameless PlugsParsitydev30Brian's LinkedInSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

This week's podcast is a bit different... I only know 2 things fairly well: 1. Coding and 2. Getting in shapeI've only shared my advice on #1 thus far and I feel guilty because I know that my "secret" to success as a developer and in life has been my exercise routine and diet. Shame on me. Don't worry, this won't become a fitness influencer podcast and next week we'll be back to hard-hitting topics like front end system design and how to nail your interviews. I have some great guests we're scheduling as well 😉.My exercise routine has been my secret weapon and I share how I lost 50 pounds and finally got a six pack after 35 as well as the science behind why working out will make you better at writing code.Shameless PlugsParsitydev30Brian's LinkedInSend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - For career changers who want to pivot into software. ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)