Develop Yourself

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.Send us a textShameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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.

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.

 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. Send us a textShameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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.

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!

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!Send us a textShameless Plugs Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.

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 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career. AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.