Self Taught Programmers... Listen Up.
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- As a Self-Taught Programmer, I often get asked for my advice when it comes to pursuing this route. In this video, I give you my top 5 biggest pieces of advice to help guide you along your coding journey.
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Timestamps:
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Intro: (0:00)
Self Taught isn't the "easier" option: (1:30)
Don't overthink it: (2:36)
Network (very important): (4:58)
Dive into the deep end: (6:36)
Self Taught may not be for you: (7:44) - Věda a technologie
I'm 56 and I'm a teaching myself HTML/CSS/JavaScript. It's hard, but I'm doing it and my skill is improving every day.
I'm going to be the oldest Jr. Front-end Developer in History
I love that dude! Best of luck bro.
Good luck, mate, its crazy how motivated u r!!!
props to you man, do what you like
#youinspireme!!! Thank you 🥰
I work in Silicon Valley and my boss is 60 some years old. He programs better than any of our younger engineers.
You are not old, go chase your dreams!
My biggest issue with self-taught is I often wake up and say
"What now?"
Same
just continue the project you creating and when stuck figure out, dont learn to code at beginning... figure out what you wanna create then learn to code
you laern to code by pushing yourself into project, not by learning basic stuff
@@furqonlanang9250 Done with basic stuff a while ago, just sometimes I feel lost by thinking of what to wirk on as a project, i have done a few simple projects nothing too fancy though.
@@jos2294 just keep figure out what you wanna build then.... and from there you start what skill do i need to build this then you learn to code,
most developer learn from the project they created
Luckily for us self-taught programmers most employers don’t care so much about degrees anymore.
Recently IBM, completely removed their requirement of any, saying: “we realized as long as our employees had the skills needed, we didn’t care how they got them.”
Yeah. It is a lot more commonly appreciated now than before. I'm privileged to be in a position where I don't need a degree to do what I love, and on top of that being able to support my family.
Yeah, I haven't even seen a company that requires a degree in my adult life. Well, a few seriously giant companies in the last 25 years, but you'd be insane to want to work at a huge company anyway.
@SEGASammyTheWhale not only do they want degrees but they want 5+ yrs of experience lol
@SuccessfullyTrolledOffline Not entirely true. Times have changed, minds are more open and welcoming these days. Sure, many do. But many don't. It's no longer most. It really depends on what field you're going into. Obviously if you want to be come a doctor, lawyer, etc, you're gonna need a degree, no escape from that. But programming still has plenty of wiggle room. Even jobs that "require" degrees can still interview you and potentially accept you in. Don't let all the "requirements" deter you. Just apply to as many as possible and see what sticks! You never know. But it'd be worse than not trying at all. A lot of employers just want someone who's committed, passionate, knows what they're talking about and is willing to learn and adapt quickly. That's all. One person actually ticked all their boxes once, including having a degree, but he was rejected because they said he was "overqualified" and that they were wanting someone who wasn't nearly as qualified so that they can "grow into the role" per say. Lol. You don't need a degree to make it big in IT. Just apply, re-work your resume as much as you need to and you'll be fine!
@@flashback4588 Not entirely true. Times have changed, minds are more open and welcoming these days. Sure, many do. But many don't. It's no longer most. It really depends on what field you're going into. Obviously if you want to be come a doctor, lawyer, etc, you're gonna need a degree, no escape from that. But programming still has plenty of wiggle room. Even jobs that "require" degrees can still interview you and potentially accept you in. Don't let all the "requirements" deter you. Just apply to as many as possible and see what sticks! You never know. But it'd be worse than not trying at all. A lot of employers just want someone who's committed, passionate, knows what they're talking about and is willing to learn and adapt quickly. That's all. One person actually ticked all their boxes once, including having a degree, but he was rejected because they said he was "overqualified" and that they were wanting someone who wasn't nearly as qualified so that they can "grow into the role" per say. Lol. You don't need a degree to make it big in IT. Just apply, re-work your resume as much as you need to and you'll be fine!
All this advice is gold. I've been self-teaching myself for maybe a decade, returning to the basics over and over, never getting into advanced topics, with a lot of frustration. A couple of weeks ago I landed my first programming job with a huge impostor syndrome. But what do you know, I've been able to complete all the tasks I've been assigned, learning a lot along the way. My advice would be: If you already have your bases covered with a course like CS50, Angela Yu's bootcamp or something like that, stop torturing yourself with theory you'll soon forget. You'll never gain mastery that way. Instead do many projects, learn how to google what you need right now and GET CONFORTABLE with NOT KNOWING and still DOING IT.
thanks.
Where do I start if I want to create an Android App?
Really needed this. Thank you!! :')
@@ttth225 google it, first thing you should learn to do
hey i really need help im basically in my third year of BSCS and im tired of dont know which field to choose in Computer science and what skills to develop. please help
For anyone looking to get into their first dev job: you will feel like a fraud when you first join the company - that is completely normal, to be overwhelemed by all the holes in your knowledge. It is better to see it rather as an opportunity to solidify your skillset.
I think this is true for a lot of first time jobs where you deal with a lot of abstract concepts
Barely beginning my programming into python, but duly noted good sir!
Me as a data journalist
Exactly. I think it's called the imposter syndrome, but I could be wrong. Had my share of it.
I’m about to start my first software development role proper. I have five years of programming scripts for businesses. I have been programming in total for 24 years at home as a hobby. I started by learning basic, then pascal, vba, Python, c++, sql, html, css and JavaScript.
The new role mostly involves programming software for business using Python. I anticipate having to learn some Python modules I’ve never used before. I learned object oriented in pascal and c++ about two years ago. At home for fun I’ve been programming games in pascal for 23 years and in c++ for a year, and using OOP since I learned it two years ago.
Even people who go to college like me don't learn much in college because colleges don't teach much coding and you're 90% self taught atleast that's what I've felt so far.
Yap.
Say it louder for the people in back. xD I went back to school for a pay raise and have like 10 or 9 classes left so I'm almost done with my degree. Coding was supposed to be a big part of the degree I'm getting but bare done any code. Sure we have projects but it's super basic. If I didn't look outside of school for some knowledge then I don't think I would be prepared for my promo.
@@Madskater321 it's only my second semester and after seeing the 4 years curriculum I can tell you there's literally no coding in college. So I'm also stuck here and there studying stuff on my own. Btw what would you suggest for me since you've already passed that phase.
@@Madskater321 any social platform where I can add you? And you can guide me abit here and there 😂 promise I won't disturb too much 😂😂
@Baggio Lo I swear to God you said the exact thing I'm doing right now. I just join online classes and put the tablet on the side and literally start working stuff on my own. The one thing I'm happy about is atleast I realise I shouldn't be relying on my college and that's why I'm looking here and there to learn.
The thing about being "self taught" is that you never stop learning and you get better over time.
I’m a 36 yr old welder and am trying to learn to be a self taught programmer: I want to transition careers. This makes me feel better about my decision! It’s never to late to take a new path
Yess I wish you the best !
How's the progress?
@@Shepherd.. so after maniacally jumping between front end and python, I’ve decided at least for now to solely focus on front end web dev. And my local community college offers an AAS in software Developement so I signed up. The course should take me about a year to get my degree since I’ve already hit a bunch of the reqs with my AS in welding. Surprised it still counts lol, but. I do real well w structure so I’m going that route. In my down time I’m learning how to build responsive email templates trying to pick up side work on Fivver and Upwork
@@sugaslate14I wish you all the best of luck man, keep working hard.
@@Shepherd.. thanks brotha 🤙
I'm an 18 year old Self Taught Full Stack Web Dev. I usually work with Angular and Express. Learnt everything myself. Currently have 3 contracts on Upwork. Anyone can code. All you need is commitment... Good vid!!!
I've been finding it really hard to get contracts on upwork.
Please do you have any tips?
@@richardoffiong9932 It all depends on where you live. He is ptobably Indian so he can do contratcs exponentially cheaper than you due to cost of living
@@GG-wp9zu oh... that makes a lot of sense
@@richardoffiong9932 Yep. Good luck living off of Upwork living in the US. You got people doing $50 projects lol
@@GG-wp9zu damn😅💔
That's pretty sad
The education system I'm going through is just a self taught system, all my coding experience is from self taught techniques
Same, cs in school seems like a joke to me.
What program are you currently going through?
@@ColinVarney A CS Degree, but instead of letting you specialize, they cram everything into your brain and don't let you master any specific one
The point is to understand fundamentals cs is not to master any one specific stack or technology but to under them on a fundamental level , In my cs degree I learn c++ , python , java ,c# at no point was it to master them but to show there uses this is the next that alot dont realise it's up to you as grow ass adult to take the initiative an master them in your own spare time with no hand holding. It's not the education system failing it's that people like hand holding or being told what to do and cant think for themselves
@@doenaldjonathan862 same here, even I have to take a CS degree, else its not easy to get a good job in my Country at least
The last tip actually has me cracking up because the only reason I'm here is that I struggle in college. The rigid curriculum and lack of varying educational tools make it incredibly difficult to catch up when you fall behind and continue learning when you don't understand something. It feels exhaustive and takes a chip at your self-worth because you think you're lazy and don't understand why this is so hard. Self-studying has allowed me to be the master of my own education. I can put in 8 hours one day and 2 hours the next. I can navigate a wide variety of educational resources and grasp abstract concepts with ease. You enjoy learning when your fuel is your motivation and not the pressure to keep up your GPA. I know Java and I'm quickly finishing C++ then I'll be moving on to Python (((:
Imo even when you drop out of college, having done some IT education in college is still preferred above being completely self-taught in job applications.
I've been on the self-taught route for nearly 10+ years now, I still don't feel like I know what I am doing, but I am still doing it.
you have been self learning for 10 years or you started self taught and have worked in the field now for that long?
Looking for a job? :)
I'm 34 years old, have a bachelors in economics and now decided to teach myself python by working through the book "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python". I don't know where I will end up if I stick with it, but your videos are certainly encouraging! Thanks a lot
That’s a great start!
i started my self-learning journey late last year at 36. I'm 37 now. a few people have already said I'm too old too code, which gives me more fire to prove them wrong. good luck, I'm there with you.
its probably easier makin than studying tbh
Tech Lead, Joshua Flake, and Traversy Media. Watch their channels if you haven't already.
Hey that's a great book, I loved it. I am 13 years old..
Im 43 years old, and i have been working as a self thaught programmer my entire life. Best tip i can give: if you go to a job interview, and you can show a few impressive hobby projects that you made in your free time, you will probably make a better impression than applicant x with degree y. You also learn a lot more by actually finishing projects than endlessly do tutorials.
I think for most the issue is actually getting started. Getting up to a level where you can actually start doing a project in the first place. I have a lot of ideas on what I want to make, but getting motivated enough to properly get started is a problem for me (since I also work fulltime and am often tired by the time I get home). Well, it's not just that, there's a few other things I have to juggle as well that make it impossible to just spend a few hours or a day on learning without feeling like I should be doing something else.
@@thenonexistinghero it wont happen without a large investment of time ...
@@knotsable Of course I'm well aware of that.
@@thenonexistinghero yea I have that problem too, motivation is interesting because it’s harder to get motivated if you have no idea where to start. I think I’m getting over the hump right now by first reading a book on the language (java) then following a tutorial slightly above my level and trying to understand the tutorial, then playing around with the code. I tried to do the tutorial before knowing any programming but was literally copy and pasting code and not understanding it, but after reading the book I understand way more. I haven’t made any big projects, only small apps but I feel like I’ve made progress because I can understand the tutorial way better at this point
I'm 49 and been self taught since I got my Vic 20 in Dec 1980. I'd never worked in a professional setting. That is a whole different world. Then I got a job as a coder for one year because I made Oathlords, but man, I hated it. I think i hated python and php most of all because I'm a C/C# guy. Now I just do Oathlords. I can do anything... and yet if I were a professional coder I would not want to work with me.
This video and story about your dad did encourge me so much, im 30 skipped my college, and went straight for welding career but right now im on my life turn, to change my career path. Going back to college and trying to self taught as much as i can, very apprecite this video. With love from Poland
Networking is definitely the hardest part for me. I love learning and studying and working on projects, but I often neglect meeting new people as much as I should.
I'm against the need of meeting new people. Why should it matter instead of the skillset?
@@tomclanys I mean it's not needed, just makes things a LOT easier.
@@tomclanys Skillset is only 50% of the job. Your network is the other 50%.
It's what people mistake as "luck". "Oh, he just got lucky that Usher found him." "It's for luck he was able to meet Dan Piña!" Etc, etc, etc. You are 6 acquaintances or less from anyone in the world, with North Sentinel Island as the exception. Networking closes the gap between you and the person you need.
We are all self-taught. You only learn programming by doing.
I agree. The programming projects in college pale in comparison to the real world - this is why so many "fresh out of school computer science degree" programmers try it for a while and say f* it!
The "soft skills" you need include: persistence, patience, tolerance (especially for clients/bosses), insane attention to detail, zero distractions, thinking outside the box (creativity), being a teacher (teaching helps!), ability to share, humility (admission of failures), be a personal translator (algorithms/code to English a 5 year old can understand), the ability to do mundane tasks ad nauseum without complaining (reporting, for example - boring and tedious as hell, but must be done), and so forth.
Not disagreeing with the sentiment, but in another way, none of us are self-taught. None of us sat down and explained to ourselves programming concepts that we didn't currently know. I think a better term is self-directed learner.
exactly, I just wanted to write the same. A diploma on a piece of paper doesn't make you a programmer
well i mean it's called a computer science degree for a reason, it's not a software engineering degree.
Oh our little Kenny is growing up! He got himself a sponsor! 😁
I’m movin up out here in the CZcams world 😂
Yeahhh, really happy for him
@@kennygunderman This is your sign to start putting on some muscle mass and become big Kenny 😁😁
@@LuckyPkerz I'm working on it bro 😭😭😭
Thanks for giving us some life reality checks ✅ for software developer
Great video! Respect to your dad. I recently became a dad and realized that the career I had been pursuing for decades was all about self-realization and not about providing for a family. Even for a self-proclaimed screen-hating technophobe like myself, I get so much enjoyment out of coding now. I am lucky I have a mentor. Best advice I could add to yours, if you're going to teach yourself, get a very patient mentor who knows you and likes you enough to put up with your messy fumbling (death by a thousand syntax errors).
Wowww. Thank you for this advice. I started my self-taught early this year but it seems like going nowhere. So I start over with a proper plan. I run into this video while searching for study materials and I'm so thankful for this advice. Feels like someone understands me and encouraging me to keep going. Thank you!
I think I've watched more hours of CZcams about coding than actually doing it, I really need to re-evaluate my life lol.
same, just do it i guess
I bought my first Python book in 2014, I still haven't started learning coding, aside from watching a bunch of videos on CZcams. Right now I have around 15 books on everything coding, and 7 courses on game development, I even built a 10k PC specifically for all of this, and still I have not read a single word on any of those books or taken time to watch any on my courses. Sad.
@@nagazaki2596 i feel you bro i really do
@@nagazaki2596 that's why discipline should come first, before any skills.
Same. Because i still couldnt afford to buy a laptop to try myself in coding
As a self taught I cannot stress enough how networking helps.
Any ideas on how to do network during the pandemic?
@@Rodelaporte social media?
Can you tell me about with whom we should look for networking.
Should I talk with other students in college / people like me / teachers / look for businessman / HR?
How did u start bro?
Networking can help anywhere, but it’s absolutely unnecessary as a programmer. I had 0 network and still got a job EASILY. First application, first interview landed a job. Networking for a programmer type personality can be a nightmare so telling this to people can scare them. Programming is all about proof of work, build up a portfolio and showcase it to potential employer, that’s all.
That was very wise advice. I'm definitely going to watch your interview of your father.
I'm 40, and I have had some difficulties learning how to program and make a career change to IT.
So awesome man. This video just helped me through so many fears, concerns and answered so many questions. This was gold for me and I'll definitely come back to reference moving forward. Got yourself a new supporter. Keep up the great work
I think for someone just starting out learning a low level language is going to be a real enthusiasm killer, learn Ruby or Python and have some fun, get stuck in and enjoy all that lovely syntactic sugar. Telling someone who hasn't coded before to learn C is practically gatekeeping!
@Kenny Gunderman wtf?!
I started with python, it does what it’s supposed to, just letting you concentrate on the problem. But I felt like i was just in a self driving car i wanted that feeling of being in control. So i went to C, and it was slightly more interesting, like I was now driving an automatic and I had a sense of control. Now I’ve gotten distracted by assembly, and I feel like if I could learn it, that I could be broke down in the middle of the desert, but able to put the whole thing back together. Or even rebuild it into an airplane.
I don’t look at programming as just a tool to solve problems, and I know that’s the wrong way to see it. I look at programming as a way to learn computers. I guess that’s why I’ll never get a job. Unless the world ends and no one can remember how to build an actual computer.
@@matts7975 you sound like so smart
@@jt0308 to be honest, you sound like a hypocrite. Low level language is actually more interesting to some, as opposed to something so abstract. Just like nuts and bolts are more interesting to some car guys, more than how comfortable the ride is.
@@matts7975 I agree, they probably are more interesting to some people. But I wonder why bootcamps teach JS/Ruby/Python and none teach C or Assembly? My original comment was about accessibility, and gate keeping - and **STARTING** by learning languages that are actually designed to be easy to learn like Ruby - it's abstract nature is useful to beginners not detrimental. And that's a generally accepted school of thought. If you want to keep learning low level langs, go for it, it is damn interesting - I wish I had time to.
I think what most self-taught programmers miss in the beginning, is having a clear curriculum and learning path. Or even if they make one, they easily deviate by, for example, hopping from one technology or programming language to another, before they can become an expert in one. Being an expert in a narrow field/niche is, I think, more important than being good in a lot of things, at least in the beginning of your career (
Depends on what your niche is because you still want to find a job. Good luck finding an open position with your deep understanding of Pascal. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with Pascal but very few jobs will ask for this particular skill.
I still kinda agree with what you said but you should make sure that your niche of choice is actually useful for your career. Pick a modern and popular field and then try to spend your time learning it.
but shouldn't a beginner study the fundamentals first? I mean, im beginning but i dont know if i prefer front-end or back-end so im taking a look at both. I also think studying algorithms and data structures is really important so im studying those too. Its also nice to practice git. How am I supposed to just study one thing when I dont even know what i prefer?
This is an absolutely crazy thing to say. I was hired specifically because I was very capable with many different technologies and not an expert in any one thing. Yes, large, soul-sucking corporations like someone who specializes often times, but the most exciting companies are the ones who look forward people who have the skill of quickly learning new skills and not being pigeon-holed into a single role. At the end of the day innovation and the ability to learn new skills is faaaar more valuable that expertise in one single thing. Expertise can always be attained eventually, what’s more important is keeping an open mindset and being able to maneuver early in the career to get the exciting, innovating roles with a lot of potential.
@@hil449 exactly, don’t listen to this dude. You are right. Except for don’t study data structures, I was never once asked about them in my career. Just make software that excites you, try out everything. That’s what I did and now I have an endless amount of opportunities and am able to land a job in pretty much any kind of field I want. If you want a sure-fire was to get bored in this career and hate your life and not be able to innovate then simply learn one thing. Or, if you wanna become an “artist” instead of a programmer and have the ability to do anything or everything with little to no overhead and innovate, learn everything that excites u. The most exciting opportunities and cool/chill companies look for people who are innovative and excited about learning new skill sets and can easily maneuver the fit any role.
I'd disagree that you'd have to be an expert in a single thing. Especially in technology that is moving so rapidly and new problems comes along. You don't need to be an expert to build software, unless you're an engineer for software that is in the hands of people's lives, that is. But for the vast majority of things, you'll be fine learning whatever you find fascinating.
I also disagree that there has to be curriculum and a learning path. It's subjective how people learn. Some are faster learners, more eager to try and learn from failing, others more careful in their approaches and thorough.
Aside for that, people usually develop their own way of learning; for example, I personally like to dig into implementation details to get an understanding of something, rather than a high level overview, whether it's languages, games or other technology in general. The deeper I can look, the more I can understand about it.
Thankyou so much Kenny for the second point..."don't overthink it"...just what I needed to hear
Congrats on the sponsor!
3:11 you just saved me ive been seeing youtube videos about "how should i start coding" for a month
and you just ended it right here with your secret "IT DOES NOT MATTER"
THANK YOU
Thanks for the advice. I'm that old guy (41) trying to go the self-taught route. It's a challenge because time is not abundant (day-job, side-hustle, adulting responsibilities), so it's taking a bit longer than I had hoped. But I'm starting to build some projects, so I'm making progress. One of the biggest challenges, however, is that I'll have to leave a career that I've built over the past 20 years to start as a junior dev somewhere. I'm a freelancer in the entertainment industry, so it's a totally different vibe and the contacts I've built up over the years aren't really relevant for dev work. But I remain positive. That video with your dad is a big motivation. Thanks.
^
THIS RIGHT HERE IS A SCAM! DO NOT BELIEVE THIS ACCOUNT!
Im literally the same age and I quit the job I had for 20years and started Front-End path. Now after 2 years I can do websites from start to end, CMS, also some backend, but cant land a job so far, I do not lose hope.
czcams.com/video/bMuWQnO6bYE/video.html
@RusseIIbrand go away
I think 41 is still young tbh
Great video. I just started my self taught route focusing on HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
I'm a self taught coder. Did random side projects at work, created a name for myself showing my skill, and just 2 weeks ago I was hired as a Data Scientist. Coding is life, but a major piece I found out, is there were simple steps I missed, or even basic concepts I never knew because when I was coding for random projects I never had to apply them. I may not code in C. I use python, and I love it so much. Don't worry to much about it. Just seek knowledge, network, and always understand someone is better than you are or will be better than you are.
can only learning python get you a job?
@@MrGinz4uuu I don't think so;
It seems most companies ask for atleast 3 types of language.
“Coding is life” lol!
From what I have seen in my experience it's all about the field you want. Most data scientist will know R or python. Which most of my projects are backend development.
Major companies may require more knowledge of other languages or at least a degree. I work in the private sector and they are not as picky. So if you plan to work outside the private sector, best way I've seen my friends get hired is building there portfolio. Whether is is a ton of certifications, or degrees. Your portfolio will help recruiters find you based on your skill set. Also apply for internships.
I would Also day find a mentor in that field. I have a mentor that helps me recognize where I am lacking and then guides me in the right direction.
I wish you all the best of luck with your coding career. It's a tough but rewarding career!
@@thechangewithin3028 How old are you?
When did you start it?
It makes me so damn happy to finally have found another self taught dev content creator. It can be done but it's hard as hell. I started teaching myself software at 11 years old so I got a head start but not everyone has that head start.
Great content man! I'm in my 30's now and starting to learn front end languages. It's completely different from my current job but it's what I want to do
Yeah!!! I am doing the same, I just don't have a job. I'm 13 haha. Keep up the good work and results will come
So glad I've stumbled upon your channel. As someone who majored in Philosophy, getting into the job market was really tough for me. I've started learning how to code a couple of months ago and I'm really content about this route and how my skills are improving day by day. Keep up the great work everyone, it's never too late nor impossible to achieve this.
Thank you so much for stating that it's important to just dive in and that one will never feel ready for the job! That's exactly how I'm feeling now and thought I was the only one dealing with such stuff.
For self-learners I think the hardest part is the mathematical theories required to make efficient code cuz there are a bit less resources on those and sometimes you really don’t know where to start.
Exactly
Thats y i dont start thinks like data analyst, data scientist or machine learning or python. Rather I would like to start my carrier by learning firstly as - java script, html & css which does not require math or statistics. Ill comfortably like to be as web developer, front end, back end or full stack developer😊. That's well fine enough for me. BCoz i hate math alote 😡
@@randomvideo4399 Programming is math. You'll get the hang of it
I love this kind of real world advice!! It ends up actually being motivating.
My advice to self taught programmers from someone who went to uni for it. Don’t jump in and focus on a particular tech stack or discipline like web dev. Start with the fundamentals, like OOD, data structure and algorithms, low level computing like assembly and c to really understand how programs work. Take an academic approach to it because these are the skills that will land you good jobs. Once you know how to read documentation, write/design great code, use libraries, then find some tech stacks and work on projects. Languages or tech stacks don’t land you jobs alone, it’s a wide range of projects and very solid academic fundamentals
Where can I learn all these skills. Any suggestions?
@@dieuveillemabounda3991 Many universities have free courses that are very similar/same as their actual curriculums. Stanford and MIT are popular for these.
I've just started with HTML/CSS and then will move onto JavaScript at the age of 51 along with 11 year old son who seems to be enjoying it so far . This is really sound advice you have given in your video and is much appreciated, thanks
I started my coding adventure in college, before college I didn’t know anything about programming, it helped me went to college and learn a lot about the essentials of programming, learn java and python, but at some point it wasn’t enough, I wanted to learn by myself so I drop out college on third year. By now it has been a great year, I have learn a lot, connect to wonderful people, and I love being self-taught, I take my risks at leave college but it’s the best decision I made. I keep moving forward ✌🏻. Great video Kenny 👌🏻
I'm doing both and trying to get the best of each kind of route. At first, it was quite overwhelming, but, almost closing in one year now, I got the hang of it. As I am self-employed, I needed a little bit of that academic structure to get me going so I could separate work time from study time.
Great video man! I feel like I am more of a "boot camp" sit down and be taught kind of guy but in essence I can manage self taught aspect if i need to branch out and focus on one particular thing if I need to. I graduated with a digital media degree and was full on "boot camp" style. So just refreshing to come back into my career ready to do what I truly love.
Honestly thank you for this video. I started learning Python a while back in my spare time when I worked at the hospital as a Phlebotomist. I never thought I'd be able to make the switch from medical field to coding field but this video made me think otherwise. I'm going to continue my Python studies and then move on to C++, Ruby, and Java. After seeing so many, "Why you shouldn't learn Python in 2021" videos it really strained my confidence, however, this video made me realize that effort goes a long way when you put your mind to the grindstone on something. Sincerely, thank you.
Totally agree that "This moment will never come". I remember changing the sphere (from embedded to frontend) a couple of years ago. I was learning a lot in my free time, but I had yet to work for 4 months on my previous job, and I was really anxious about going to interviews because I thought I was not ready at all. The plan was to take a few months off to focus on everything I needed for a new front-end job. But something clicked in my head and I thought that it would be good just to try going to a couple of interviews, that it could help me fight the anxiety, and I'll know for sure what I yet need to learn. After all, no one is gonna beat me up for that. As a result, I went to 4 interviews and got 3 job offers. So don't be afraid, that you might not know enough, it might not be true. Anyway, the interviewers will tell you exactly what you need to know for such positions and you'll be a lot stronger on the next one.
Thanks!
I went to college for my IT degree will be graduating in October this year. I wrote my first line of code in 2017, I was 17 but just forgot about it till the following year. When I got to college I learnt C++ for the first year, it was the language of choice by our college then went to Java with MySQL then Php. This then has made it easier for me to pick up on new languages such as python and now I'm learning flutter
Hey, how do you build compression in programming or is that a real thing?
czcams.com/video/bMuWQnO6bYE/video.html
First vid I’ve seen, I like this guy…chill af, well spoken
Subscribed because I think you gave a really good description of what it's like being a self-taught dev
If you really are lost how to start:
-pick python
-buy course on udemy ($15)
-learn
Here for the algorithm. Much love from Toronto. 💙
Amazing. Clean, fun to watch and SO educational. Great job! Thanks you so much!!!!
Dude, you are one of a kind! THANKS A LOT for this vid! I'm biologist, trying to learn the best of programming I can for my mastership, and my professional life as bioinformatic scientist, sometimes we just need a vid like this to regain some boost!
As an industrial designer who’s getting into programming this is a massive confidence booster
Thank you for sharing your experience and your insight. Greatly appreciate every content you put out to everyone.
I'm a student in college, and I started with python because of my curriculum, which I think now was a really good idea. Using python to start makes it so much easier to understand and develop my thought process while coding instead of stopping at little hiccups and things I hadn't thought of that lower level languages like C would have plenty of. Once my approach to coding had been refined, then it made picking up any other language super easy, because it was a matter of learning how to do things, rather than what to do. Just my personal experience though, take it with a grain of salt.
The end of this video when you talked about your dad was the inspiration i needed. Im 35, welder by trade. Really into crypto. And have been thinking about getting into programming. That mention of your pops was the light i needed to hear. So thank you.
Great tips and excellent video. Thanks Kenny for sharing!
I struggle with coming up with my own projects to work on.
Every idea I come up with instantly shoot down because it's not original or perfect etc.. I got to double down and ignore my own doubts.
You got me good with the lightning sound. I freaked out!
Brilliant ! There are always new things to learn in our profession, and knowing which set of learning methods works for you is important. Just go for it.
This bruh spits straight truth. I am switching to the self-taught route right now, which is extremely stressful - particularly because I overthink things and am a perfectionist. I was in the CS program at Boise State but kept running into the same walls for 7 years and realized something needed to change if I wanted to reach my goal of becoming a dev.
I'm considering a bootcamp because I liked the guided path that college had, and that a bootcamp would have as well. That said, bootcamps are expensive and my credit is terrible. So right now, I'm on the self-taught route. The problem I'm facing right now is not what languages I want to learn, but where to go for a good course or how to learn the material (which matters a lot). Then I have to figure out some projects to do so that way I can flaunt them at interviews. It's all just extremely stressful and if I'm honest, is triggering my depression and suicidal thoughts. Hasn't been easy.
"As programmers we tend to think of all the outcomes in a very logical pattern" This one hit home
Your content is real high quality! Keep going 💪🏽🔥
Good video and good advice. I myself am just about finishing collage and the last point definitively applies to me, had I not had the teachers and the obligation to learn I probably would never be where I am today. Some people just need that structure and push in order to learn, it's nothing to be ashamed of nor does it mean you will make for a worse developer than someone who is self-taught.
Great advice, really like also how you support young people (high school or very young adults) actually going ahead to college if they can swing it in some way financially.
Hey dude, love the new video! I was there for the stream the other day - it would be so dope if you kept doing those/doing them more often
I'm not yet studying computers but I am a self-taught learner, I'm working on teaching myself higher level maths and sciences as well as writing craft in order to work on a thesis down the road and some nonfiction books. You can teach yourself just about anything! Good job on being a self-taught learner!
Hi I’m trying to learn more about math and science from the base level up what resources do you use
thank you for this! I’m starting and it does stress me out but i have hope! Thanks man!
I needed to hear this. Thank you!!
The video does a very good job in explaining the reality of being self-taught. I would make one change on the last point: Struggling with programming and learning it, IT'S FINE AND NORMAL! If you struggle with putting the time in, persevering and DRIVING SATISFACTION from it, is the point when you should consider it might not be for you.
This channel is honestly so underrated!
Thank you for this - especially the part on networking. Gotta work on that myself.
thank you so much , i am actually learning front-end now , i am enrolled in Academy for front end but i fell back a little bit when it came to javascript and i am trying to learn it on my own and its bit hard and its heavy on my mental state right now with everything going on in my life and this advices actually helped to motivate me and calmed me down a bit , again thank you
21 and working on learning python. I'm not in school but I have a 6 year background in audio and some experience with Network infrastructure. The most helpful thing a friend of mine who's an actual coder told me was learn in context. Now i've been trying to figure out how i can apply python to audio engineering and it's been helping me start to understand it significantly more than doing it with no real goal.
I tried several areas, but all that wozld lead to data science and research. (So PHD level abstractuon skills are needed). Better do the ordinary tasks. Or maybe do a network expert. Programming is not everyone's talent.
Reaper ( the greatest host seq EVER ) is open source. Pretty sure you can code some rad stuff to be implemented SOMEHOW in the audio spectrum .
Making scripts, new audio software, etc.
Or just making little ( but super big helpful) apps like the reakter sample map builder. When I found that online it was like " where was this all my life ?" 😂
2 :52 am..morning in india ,can't sleep because hustling to get my first Dev job
So am i😅, keep grinding and may all your preparation meet with the best of luck!
1:50 Helsinki, Finland me too. Good Luck
Good luck :D
Are you self taught?
get it!
Amazing, and comforting to hear. Thank you
Very clear and concise, good advice overall. Also, nice delivery
I'm a Computer Science major in a college but so far I have learned more my self-teaching that I learned from college and peofessors
I'm 17, and been teaching myself to code on and off since I was 10... though I didn't get really serious about it until around 3 years ago. Now I am still teaching myself, and preparing to go to college and get a software engineering degree. I think the part about networking is very important, for me right now it is less about getting jobs, but more about finding people with similar interests to talk to, code with, and help eachother; discords are really a great place to do that kind of thing.
I'd recommend skipping college altogether if you're truly serious about programming. You really don't need a degree in this particular field as you can learn pretty much all you need to know right at home. And there's several things colleges teach that are useless in an actual job, such as data structures and the like. I highly recommend the boot camp on Udemy by Colt Steele. Usually boot camps are $12K+, but this is an online version and is only a fraction of the price. It's the most comprehensive online option I've ever seen to. And I got it at a discount for only 20 bucks, but now it's back to regular price at just 120 which is still a bargain compared to a $50K+ 4 year college degree that will only teach you basic concepts while you still have to self teach yourself 90% of the time anyways. All of us devs are self taught anyways. Most of programming is actually doing it, it's less about the textbooks and coursework. Waay less. All that can be learned and more, again on fantastic platforms such as Udemy. And you can do his course in less than a year/up to a year and that's all you need to become a Web Dev/Software Dev.
Check it out and read through it and see if it works for you. There's countless amazing courses for devs there. There's even entire Udemy courses that focus solely on a single language, such as Python. Look it all up on Udemy, Front End, Back End, Python, Javascript, C++, Web Developer, etc, etc, etc and see all the ones that look the best to you and maybe invest in them one day. They're all incredibly cheap and yet so insanely detailed and packed with comprehensive, easy to follow information and lessons. Feel free to read all the reviews too. They're all super highly rated and for good reason, but never hurts to hear what others have said about these courses too, of course.
But one real world example I can share is that one of my cousin's friends literally took an online course on Udemy, finished it in a month or two then started filling out his resume and applying and getting hired all within another 2-3 months and that was that. Now he's making 85K+ when he only made like 40-50K+ with his Geology degree he spent 4 years and 50-70K+ on. Lol.
@@Vandicoup since I commented I have actually used that web dev boot camp (which I owned for a few years but never finished) and have done some free lance development I am also a few days away from starting my cs degree...
Dude these are some really good advice, loved your content
Best advice I’ve heard since I’ve picked this up a year ago, thanks dude.
I'm a self taught dev and just ticked over to 20 years in the industry. I did 3 years with the company I started with, 7 years as a freelancer and have been having a blast for the past 10 years in my current job where I am now the technical director for the company. My advice would be slightly different. I think self taught is the way to go for one simple reason: aptitude. Different people are wired for different things and while I truly believe anyone can learn to read and write code, programming is really more about analytical thinking, solving problems in tight constraints, being willing to learn every single day. Not everyone is wired for this kind of work and while you can certainly find a job in the industry working on dull, repetitive projects, you'll be stuck at low and mid level positions your entire career. On the other hand if you get into programming and find you enjoy it more than your favorite video game, you love working your way through being stuck, you get genuinely excited at every little victory and can't wait to learn the next thing you probably have an excellent career ahead of you.
I'm 16 and self taught, can't remember when I started with a real language but I remember doing stuff with Scratch when I was around 9.
@Kenny Gunderman sounds like a scam to me
@@SealedKiller it is
@@hettt.patelll I know I'm just playing around xD
I remember when I was 8 and I started with unity and python. LOL. I just copy and pasted code from videos. Except for python, I did make some cool programs there.
boys... have a youth, do silly stuff first, don't act like grown ups with 16
This video is like pulling me from the edge of a cliff and get back to the route for pursuing my desired career path. Thanks bro.
Now I can tell people I taught myself this! Thanks, that's so much easier then giving you credit for putting the vid together.
Colleges do not teach that much. The only thing I could thanks colleges for or any other educational institute is outlining what you should study so you could have the best outcome. When you are self-taught you are facing the risk of which things you should study or focus on.
Thanks for this video. I'm a 39 year old ex motocross racer, ex lead guitar player, current helicopter mechanic. I figure if I can figure out all the info on those activities I might be capable of learning to program. I just started diving into JavaScript and it's a bit overwhelming so this video is very encouraging! To anyone getting started I wish you luck and success. Thanks again🍻
Isn't a helicopter mechanic making BANK though?
@@fistofram5526 They do depending on what you think is bank. A lot of people at our facility have been there 16+ years. That amount of time most people are in the $35-45 dollar per hour range. That is really good money, however, my buddy is a programmer with the same amount of time in making around $250K a year from home. No clocking in and out and gets to work on his property and see his kids a lot. That is my motivation. If I make the same check I'll be just as happy. Not being tied to a time clock is the most important thing to me.
Great video man! Thank you
Love this video! I actually started Java a couple days ago and I can’t get enough of it!
Learning to code at 30 after working in the trades for 12 years, this is super motivational thanks for the content man!
how’s it going? i’m in the exact same spot, 30 year old cnc mill programmer trying to learn to code lol
Loving the vids! Gives me confidence to keep going. Learning Python on boot camp. Then going to learn to JS.
34 years old. Giving myself 3 years to learn & get a software testing jr job to start 🤞🏻 motivation my 1 year old son 💪🏻
absoletkt awesome comment right here. All the best !
@@POLYMATHSORTA 🙏🙏🙏
As a software tester you can get a job even without further. There are bootcamps offering jobs aftwerward. Only pay attention that you should start at place, where there is manual and python testing.
year later, still a great video. thanks for the advice, I think it will help.
Appreciate you for keeping it real and staying positive I enjoyed the video!
I’m a mechanical engineer in the gas distribution industry in the UK and I’ve been working my way through CS50, once I’ve completed this I’m going to try the self taught route at first. I think the structure and timeframe to a boot camp could be beneficial to me though. Love seeing videos about self taught developers with no BS and just straight to the point 👍
Any updates a year later ?
@@experimentlol6644 he didn't make it, people like to tell what they are going to do and never do it
Yo legit... the lightning strike at 3:05 actually scared the shit outta me. Jumped outta my skin.
Haha my b, I thought I made it subtle
Thanks for the information, I really like it! 🙏
Man, I thank you so much for these types of videos. Really great advice, in a quality video. Awesome work Kenny!
I'm the literal definition of self taught but I still attend college just to get a job. But while in attending the college I just realized even if I knew literally everything about programming that I will be taught in the future there are just some small concepts that you can't really learn by yourself. It just helps a lot to have a mentor that has tens of years of experience in that field.
For me, as someone who is self-taught and in school pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science the degree is more about having tangible proof that you know what you're talking about/have something to show for all the work you put in. I already know most of what is being taught in these classes because I already have experience working on various projects in my free time. What the degree can give me is that those projects can't is definitive proof that I can take anywhere to any job no matter what.
@@thisguy6121 is it really required to have this proof (degree)? Because I read everywhere that you don’t need a degree and instead you should just make a portfolio.
@@user-mz1wy6de6i no, the degree isn't required. Anyone can get an internship and get professional experience in the field. The fact is though having that degree gives you leverage, it's more money in your bank account because you have this piece of paper saying you know what you're talking about. And when it comes time to give out promotions, more often than not that difference between a bachelor's, masters or no degree is what really decides who's getting that promotion.
@@thisguy6121 makes sense. Thanks for your response 👍🏼
As a self thought I would advice the others self thought beginners: Just look into the universities program and see what subjects they are studying. Buy the books by yourself, study as much as you can and go through couple of courses.
Best languages to start with as a beginner are C#, Java, Python.
Just for now avoid low level languages such as C and C++ .
Good luck!
would you say I should learn those languages in that order ?
@@user-ob5cw1pg9b he literally said avoid low level languages man.
@@chiefdvm1671 python is a low level language and he said thats the best one to start with lmao
@@Jake-ti2ol no it isn't. Python is a high level language
@@chiefdvm1671 im retarded
Thanks for this information about programming i really appreciate it !!!
I just joined WEB development & programming early this month. thanks for your advice and motivation