Hello Jason, Thank you for this fantastic video; it really shows that you're a seasoned professional, and your advice is spot-on. I'd like to add a point that I believe is crucial: with the advent of AI (and I'm not a super evangelist), we will need fewer developers writing code but more passionate individuals. There will inevitably be less work, but higher-quality work will be expected. The solution I see, if I were 18 years old and without experience, would be to create my own product and nurture it over the next 3-4 years. There are two possibilities: 1. It succeeds, and I no longer need a job. 2. It doesn't work out, and I have an incredible experience to showcase if I'm looking for a job, OR I start over. Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Jason. The consistency you mentioned at the end is ,IMO, key since it most individuals get discouraged after 6+ months of work without any leads.
I am listening, and it sounds like you read my mind and just gave me the right advice. You know what I mean - the small push that every first coder needs? I love your videos! Keep walking/coding!
Thanks for the valuable advice and I'm sure it hits home for a lot of people trying to navigate the tech space. However, you've provided a great framework here that I think can be applied to other careers across levels of experience. I'm definitely looking forward to sharing this video with UX designers & design engineers that I'm working with.
Loved the motivation, Channel's like these much needed. Happy to have found this channel. Keep doing all this stuff. Not only the motivational stuff. The meaning of the whole channel means a lot like "4 devs build the same app" thing. Awesome stuff Jason bro! 💥
You saying "I think you can be present without being annoying." at 7:18 was really good to hear. I've been learning for awhile (I watched your Gatsby course on FE Masters to do my portfolio!) and I've always been scared of posting on Twitter etc. It's either I want to post something "valuable" and not just like a 100daysofCode thing, which was big when I started. Maybe this year is the year lol
Thank you for an excellent behind the scenes look @learnwithjason! Even mid-level and senior-level engineers struggle with standing out, so the points you mentioned definitely resonate across the spectrum.
Hey Jason! Loved your recent video - it's super helpful for those new to the industry. I landed my first job through an instructor who recommended me for a video editing internship at a SAAS company. This opportunity led to a Junior Developer position. Quick question: what advice do you have for someone juggling outside responsibilities and struggling to maintain a portfolio or Github, especially when work projects are confidential?
that's a tough situation that I don't have direct experience in, so take anything I'm about to say here with a grain of salt when a project can't be shared, there are often small techniques or realizations that aren't proprietary that *can* be shared. for example, if you're solving a problem and discover a way to loop over data that you find easier to understand than what you were doing before, you can share that technique in a generic way as a short blog, video, social post, etc. - this can be timeboxed so you're only spending a few minutes per post (ideally) to avoid taking up too much of your free time alternatively, local networks can be just as effective in many cases. if you're in a city where there are programmer meetups, you don't necessarily need to be "always on" via social media. you can show up to a programming meetup once a month with your peers and build decently strong relationships that way (this is how I started, and I was in Missoula, MT at the time). those relationships can become referrals that lay the foundation for future growth
@@learnwithjason I appreciate the advice. I never really though about sharing what I know through blogs or social posts instead of feeling like needing to have a fully fledged out project somewhere. Thanks, I appreciate you.
I think there is a lot of good advice in this video but I also think it falls into a common trap of recommending what would capture your attention specifically. What I mean by this is that you are very active on social media and putting out content publicly and that is also the advice giving to people looking to get into the industry. A lot of people on RUclips and social media will give the same advice and share anecdotes of have it got them a job in the past. The vast majority of devs aren't active on social media and sharing their work, most probably don't even code outside of their jobs but are still employed. Of course you don't hear from these devs.
this is a good point to raise, and I agree that there are lots of ways to approach this including having zero social media presence at the root of all approaches, though, I think the keys are: 1. keep learning 2. share knowledge freely 3. build relationships 4. stay consistent the specifics matter much less, I think. what I talk about in this video is how I built my career, as well as how many of the devs I know that have risen to prominence in the industry. I know plenty of successful devs who don't have social media at all, but they still put a ton of work into building their professional community so they have a network to draw upon when they're ready to make a move, and their credibility in that community is based on their willingness to support others, share knowledge, etc.
After 20 years, this career just isnt worth competing for. Cash out that retirement and start a small business. Its so much better than bejng stuck in front of a computer again and dealing with scrum masters.
Hi Jason, I've been contemplating about going back to school for a CS degree. I already have a BS in a non STEM related field. Is it worth it to go back to school for the piece of paper or continue building projects and learning new skills?
I'm biased here because I don't have a degree of any kind. I've noticed that degrees are no longer a requirement to get a job, but they do add signal, especially early when there's not much work history to show. however, it depends on your goals and background. I've learned from underrepresented folks that official credentials like degrees have been necessary for peers to take them seriously, which is an unfortunate reality but worth considering
I finally could get a job after I got rejected for 327 times.
This channel is a hidden gem. So glad I found it. Keep up the high quality videos!
Hello Jason,
Thank you for this fantastic video; it really shows that you're a seasoned professional, and your advice is spot-on. I'd like to add a point that I believe is crucial: with the advent of AI (and I'm not a super evangelist), we will need fewer developers writing code but more passionate individuals. There will inevitably be less work, but higher-quality work will be expected.
The solution I see, if I were 18 years old and without experience, would be to create my own product and nurture it over the next 3-4 years. There are two possibilities: 1. It succeeds, and I no longer need a job. 2. It doesn't work out, and I have an incredible experience to showcase if I'm looking for a job, OR I start over.
Looking forward to it!
thanks! I have a video coming out with my thoughts on AI taking jobs soon where I talk about this a bit 👀
Great tips, Jason. I always point towards Austin Kleon's Show Your Work and Swyx's Learn in Public.
Thanks, Jason. The consistency you mentioned at the end is ,IMO, key since it most individuals get discouraged after 6+ months of work without any leads.
I am listening, and it sounds like you read my mind and just gave me the right advice. You know what I mean - the small push that every first coder needs? I love your videos! Keep walking/coding!
Thanks for the valuable advice and I'm sure it hits home for a lot of people trying to navigate the tech space. However, you've provided a great framework here that I think can be applied to other careers across levels of experience. I'm definitely looking forward to sharing this video with UX designers & design engineers that I'm working with.
Loved the motivation, Channel's like these much needed. Happy to have found this channel. Keep doing all this stuff. Not only the motivational stuff. The meaning of the whole channel means a lot like "4 devs build the same app" thing. Awesome stuff Jason bro! 💥
thanks so much!
@@learnwithjason After watching the content. I gotta say, I would love to meet you for atleast once! 🤙
You saying "I think you can be present without being annoying." at 7:18 was really good to hear. I've been learning for awhile (I watched your Gatsby course on FE Masters to do my portfolio!) and I've always been scared of posting on Twitter etc. It's either I want to post something "valuable" and not just like a 100daysofCode thing, which was big when I started. Maybe this year is the year lol
You are a beacon of wisdom and positivity Jason
Thank you for an excellent behind the scenes look @learnwithjason! Even mid-level and senior-level engineers struggle with standing out, so the points you mentioned definitely resonate across the spectrum.
Needed to hear this today, been looking and working for a while. thank you.
Hey Jason! Loved your recent video - it's super helpful for those new to the industry. I landed my first job through an instructor who recommended me for a video editing internship at a SAAS company. This opportunity led to a Junior Developer position. Quick question: what advice do you have for someone juggling outside responsibilities and struggling to maintain a portfolio or Github, especially when work projects are confidential?
that's a tough situation that I don't have direct experience in, so take anything I'm about to say here with a grain of salt
when a project can't be shared, there are often small techniques or realizations that aren't proprietary that *can* be shared. for example, if you're solving a problem and discover a way to loop over data that you find easier to understand than what you were doing before, you can share that technique in a generic way as a short blog, video, social post, etc. - this can be timeboxed so you're only spending a few minutes per post (ideally) to avoid taking up too much of your free time
alternatively, local networks can be just as effective in many cases. if you're in a city where there are programmer meetups, you don't necessarily need to be "always on" via social media. you can show up to a programming meetup once a month with your peers and build decently strong relationships that way (this is how I started, and I was in Missoula, MT at the time). those relationships can become referrals that lay the foundation for future growth
@@learnwithjason I appreciate the advice. I never really though about sharing what I know through blogs or social posts instead of feeling like needing to have a fully fledged out project somewhere. Thanks, I appreciate you.
Hope you can do a video about how AI will automate dev jobs and what to do about this!
I have waited 3 months for my first job and my second has never come yet one year plus !
some of the best advice i've heard recently
thank you!
This is great advice! Thanks for sharing!
I think there is a lot of good advice in this video but I also think it falls into a common trap of recommending what would capture your attention specifically.
What I mean by this is that you are very active on social media and putting out content publicly and that is also the advice giving to people looking to get into the industry. A lot of people on RUclips and social media will give the same advice and share anecdotes of have it got them a job in the past.
The vast majority of devs aren't active on social media and sharing their work, most probably don't even code outside of their jobs but are still employed. Of course you don't hear from these devs.
this is a good point to raise, and I agree that there are lots of ways to approach this including having zero social media presence
at the root of all approaches, though, I think the keys are:
1. keep learning
2. share knowledge freely
3. build relationships
4. stay consistent
the specifics matter much less, I think. what I talk about in this video is how I built my career, as well as how many of the devs I know that have risen to prominence in the industry. I know plenty of successful devs who don't have social media at all, but they still put a ton of work into building their professional community so they have a network to draw upon when they're ready to make a move, and their credibility in that community is based on their willingness to support others, share knowledge, etc.
Learning and being challenged is a pro of the job, not a con 🤣
For sure 💯
great content and inspiration!
thank you!
After 20 years, this career just isnt worth competing for. Cash out that retirement and start a small business. Its so much better than bejng stuck in front of a computer again and dealing with scrum masters.
Thanks Jason.
Hi Jason, I've been contemplating about going back to school for a CS degree. I already have a BS in a non STEM related field. Is it worth it to go back to school for the piece of paper or continue building projects and learning new skills?
I'm biased here because I don't have a degree of any kind. I've noticed that degrees are no longer a requirement to get a job, but they do add signal, especially early when there's not much work history to show. however, it depends on your goals and background. I've learned from underrepresented folks that official credentials like degrees have been necessary for peers to take them seriously, which is an unfortunate reality but worth considering
To the point!
As always 👍
Thanks Jason
Getting a job is now a job
Great talk, but do people really get hired nowadays?!😄😐🎄🎅
First