Three months ago, I found myself at a pivotal crossroads in my career as a software engineer. After spending the last two years honing my skills at a small but ambitious startup, I unexpectedly received a compelling job offer from one of the biggest and most renowned tech companies in the world. The role came…
In the world of web development, there‘s a common refrain you‘ll hear every so often: don‘t over-engineer your blog. The argument goes something like this: Blogs are mostly made up of static content. So you don‘t need a complicated JavaScript framework or fancy build tools to put together a perfectly functional blog. Shipping all that…
I‘ve worn many hats throughout my career—marketer, designer, entrepreneur, writer. But without a doubt, one of the most rewarding and exciting roles I‘ve taken on is that of a beginner programmer. You see, I never saw myself as a "math person" or particularly tech-savvy. So the idea of learning to code seemed completely out of…
As developers, we‘re in a field that requires constant growth. Technology moves fast and if we don‘t move with it, we get left behind. The most successful programmers are those who are constantly pushing themselves to learn new things, even when it‘s uncomfortable. They understand that discomfort is not something to avoid, but to seek…
As a full-stack developer and professional coder, putting your work out there means opening yourself up to a constant stream of feedback and criticism. While constructive criticism is essential for growth and improvement, not all criticism is created equal. Learning to distinguish between helpful feedback and unproductive noise is a crucial skill for maintaining motivation,…
As a full-stack developer with over a decade of experience, I have come to realize that learning to code has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. While the technical skills I have acquired have been invaluable, the lessons I have learned along the way have had a profound impact on my…
I‘ve been a professional full-stack software engineer for over a decade now. When I first started out, I was excited to learn everything I could about programming. I stayed up late tinkering on side projects, devoured books and online tutorials, and couldn‘t wait to start my career as a coder. Looking back, there are a…
Landing your first job as a developer is an exhilarating milestone. After dedicating countless hours to learning how to code, refining your skills, and applying to jobs, getting hired feels like an immense accomplishment. And it is! But in many ways, starting your first developer role is the beginning of a new learning journey. Over…
As an aspiring software developer, one of the most important milestones is building your first solo project from start to finish. It‘s an opportunity to apply everything you‘ve learned so far, stretch your skills, and create something tangible to showcase in your portfolio. Earlier this year, I finally took the plunge and built my first…
Early in our careers as developers, we all have those moments that make us cringe when we look back on them. Those times we fell flat on our faces because of some silly mistake or lack of knowledge. I‘ve certainly had my fair share of screw-ups. Times where I stared at an angry error message…