
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

Mar 31, 2025 • 28min
#226 - New Coders Can't Code?
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?"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)

5 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 18min
#225 - The 3-Month Coding Bootcamp Myth: 4 Things You Actually Need to Get Hired
Thinking about joining a coding bootcamp to land a job in three months? Let’s get real. I’ve been coding professionally for over a decade, and while a bootcamp kick-started my career, it didn’t teach me everything I needed to stay hired. In this episode, I’ll share four critical skills that most bootcamps overlook—but that you’ll absolutely need if you’re serious about making coding your career.We’ll cover why bootcamps fall short, what skills really get you hired, and how to ensure you’re not just another bootcamp grad struggling to land a job. 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)

5 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 37min
#224 - How Jeremy Went From Tutorial Hell to Front End Developer at Apple
Jeremy spoke with a couple mentees at Parsity which led to a conversation where I learned about his unusual (and long) journey into software.If you're a career changer and you're dealing with impostor syndrome or tutorial hell and need some practical advice on breaking into tech, you're going to get a lot out of this episode.Connect with Jeremy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrobinparker/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)

Mar 20, 2025 • 20min
#224 - Should You Still Learn JavaScript in 2025?
With the rise of AI and Python’s dominance, is JavaScript still worth learning?In this episode, I break down why JavaScript remains the best starting language for new developers, how it sets you up for success in web development, and even why it’s still relevant for AI. Plus, I introduce a new AI developer course for those looking to leverage AI in real-world projects.Sign up hereSend 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)

Mar 17, 2025 • 20min
#223 - AI for JavaScript Developers: What You Actually Need to Know
Dive into the world of AI and discover essential skills for full stack JavaScript developers. Learn how linear algebra is crucial for working with large language models. Explore the significance of vector databases and their role in Retrieval Augmented Generation. Get tips on practical tools like Pinecone and hear about a collaborative project designed to boost your AI skills in just 30 days. It's all about bridging the digital divide and enhancing your developer toolbox for a future shaped by AI!

Mar 13, 2025 • 15min
Has Cursor Cooked Junior Developers for Good?
The podcast dives into the impact of AI tools like the Cursor text editor on junior developers. It discusses how these innovations can boost or undermine confidence and the importance of mastering core skills. Listeners learn about the evolving job landscape, where foundational knowledge in areas like system design is crucial. Continuous learning and tackling complex projects are emphasized as key strategies for growth from junior to senior roles in tech.

Mar 10, 2025 • 31min
#221 - How AWS Used AI to Save 4,500 Years of Work – with AWS’s Director of Generative AI Applications
I've been using AWS Q Developer for a few months now but it turns out I've barely scratched the surface.Srini, Director of Generative AI Applications and Developer Experiences at Amazon Web Services, who leads the team behind Q, agreed to be interviewed by me.We discuss:• How AWS Q Developer helps software engineers with coding, testing, and debugging• How Amazon used AI to save 4,500 years of development time• Why AI won’t replace developers—but developers using AI will dominate• The future of AI in software development and how beginners can stay ahead🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:• AWS Q Developer: aws.amazon.com/q/developer• AWS Machine Learning University (MLU) Courses: amazon.science• AWS Skill Builder (Free & Paid AI Training): aws.amazon.com/training/learn-about/machine-learning/• AWS Generative AI Innovation Center ($100M investment): aws.amazon.com/generative-ai/innovation-center/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)

Mar 6, 2025 • 13min
#220 - Real-World JavaScript: Why Loops and Arrays Are the Backbone of the Internet
You’re learning about JavaScript arrays all wrong.For loops, zero-indexing, blah blah blah.But WHY? What makes arrays so damn important?Let's break down why arrays and objects are the backbone of the internet and a couple common problems that JS beginners should work towards solving.A video on using APIs with JavaScript: https://youtu.be/4naH4qczQCgSend 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)

Mar 3, 2025 • 28min
#219 - The 3-Step No-BS Guide to Getting in Shape After 30
Don't worry - this won't become a fitness podcast... or I dunno, maybe it will.Seriously, I know how much exercise has changed my life and directly contributed to my ability to debug code, stay sane during stressful periods and make me feel a bit more confident.Next episode we'll be back to tech focused content but I sincerely hope you find this show useful.Grab Your simple fitness guide 👈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)

Feb 27, 2025 • 17min
#218 - The 3 Worst Developers I Ever Worked With
There are enough stories out there about how to be a 10x developer, whatever the hell that means.I want to share with you the 3 worst developers I ever worked with and what made them so awful.The names have been changed to protect the innocent.Except for the first one…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)