DonTheDeveloper Podcast

Live coding has emerged as a compelling medium for developers to showcase their skills, engage with communities, and build personal brands. It's a digital stage where the immediacy of programming meets the unpredictability of live performance, creating a unique interactive experience for both the coder and the audience.

Embarking on a live coding journey is akin to setting sail on open waters; it's thrilling, challenging, and often uncharted territory for many developers. It demands a balance between the intimacy of coding in solitude and the public nature of streaming your process in real time. As such, the experience of live coding is multifaceted. On one hand, it fosters growth and camaraderie among developers who share a passion for technology. On the other, it can be fraught with the pressures of public scrutiny and the demand for constant engagement.

Live coding is not merely about writing code; it's also about storytelling and sharing one's development journey with an audience. This creates a space where developers can find support and feedback, potentially accelerating their learning process. Yet, the dependency on real-time feedback poses a risk to a developer's self-reliance and growth. Too much reliance on audience input can lead to superficial learning, where understanding is shallow, and problem-solving skills are underdeveloped.

Creating a positive online environment is crucial for a successful live coding stream. A toxic or disruptive audience can significantly detract from the experience, while a supportive and engaged community can enhance it. Curating an audience, therefore, becomes an art form in itself, requiring the streamer to establish rules and boundaries that encourage constructive interaction and deter negative behavior.

Beyond live coding, there are myriad avenues for personal branding within the tech industry. Content creation, in its various forms, offers developers the opportunity to share their expertise and insights. Whether it's through blogging, video tutorials, or podcasts, finding the right medium that resonates with an individual's style and preferences is key to building a strong personal brand.

As the developer's role continues to evolve in this digital era, the importance of content creation and personal branding cannot be overstated. Developers who share their journey authentically and engage with their audience effectively can carve out a unique space in the tech community. This not only helps in building a personal brand but also creates connections that can lead to professional growth and opportunities.

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When it comes to breaking into the tech industry, there’s a labyrinth of myths and misconceptions about what it really takes to be job-ready as a developer. In this eye-opening podcast episode, Derek, a seasoned web developer and educator known as Sheriff Derek, debunks these myths and offers a candid look at the essentials of tech education and the reality of coding bootcamps.

Derek begins by addressing the widening skills gap among aspiring developers. He’s seen first-hand the false expectations and underdeveloped skills of those entering the market. The allure of high-paying jobs post-bootcamp has overshadowed the passion and commitment required to truly excel in web development. He expresses concern that many are not prepared for the realities of the job market, which now demands more due to the influx of developers spurred by the pandemic.

In the next segment, the conversation shifts to the effectiveness of coding bootcamps in preparing candidates for the tech industry. Derek stresses the importance of foundational knowledge in HTML and CSS, arguing that a robust understanding of these technologies is critical given their universal application across the web. He highlights that there is a diversity of jobs within tech, suggesting that a broader preparation could prevent disillusionment and career stagnation for those not suited for traditional software engineer roles.

Derek then critiques the coding bootcamp model for often rushing into advanced coding concepts without a solid foundation in the basics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding foundational elements before moving on to more complex tools. This approach is not only essential for mastering web development but also for adapting to the evolving landscape of technologies and frameworks.

Further into the discussion, Derek talks about the challenges coding bootcamps and self-taught developers face in fostering the necessary curiosity and drive. He argues that beyond following a curriculum, developers must experiment hands-on and cultivate a genuine interest in technology to succeed. The tech industry offers vast opportunities for those who are willing to explore and innovate.

The episode also touches on the value of mentorship and immersive learning environments. Derek warns against superficially navigating through computer science programs without true engagement and learning. He compares traditional computer science degrees with coding bootcamps, noting the varied outcomes and opportunities each path presents.

Lastly, Derek examines the trend of developers gravitating towards frameworks that allow for rapid development, often at the expense of essential skills. He calls for empathy for beginners and underscores the importance of understanding the building blocks of web development. This understanding is key to true problem-solving and long-term success.

Sheriff Derek (guest):
Program - https://perpetual.education
Website -

This podcast focuses on explaining the fascinating ways that science and engineering...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

If you're a woman who's trying to become a developer and you've been told that it's going to be harder for you BECAUSE you're a woman, this episode is for you.

Zynkah (guest):
Twitch - https://twitch.tv/zynkah
Discord - https://discord.gg/pU2dv7JhRx
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zena-creps

This podcast focuses on explaining the fascinating ways that science and engineering...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I brought on the CEO of Rithm School to have a candid conversation about the entry-level dev market; the coding bootcamp industry; and how Rithm School has adapted to it. To be honest, the transparency was refreshing.

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

This is a heart-to-heart conversation with you about imposter syndrome - exposing all of my insecurities as a developer!

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I don't know if I'm having a content blocker or I'm burned out creating developer content, but I feel lost and overwhelmed with deciding what direction to take this channel in. I wanted to share that with you. Why? Not really sure yet.

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/donthedeveloper

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Colby, a previous student of General Assembly, reached out to me concerning an incident that happened at GA, which really concerns me. Even worse, it sounds like several potential negative reviews of that experience were legally silenced if the students wanted a full refund after the incident. Let's talk about it.

Colby Jax (guest):
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jax
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ColbyJaxCodes

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/H69QqZ8MVJ

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Do you like backend web development more than frontend? Have you been lied to about how entry-level backend developer jobs don't exist? I brought on Lane, a backend developer with a ton of experience in the industry, to break down why you're most likely not landing your first backend developer job. If you really are striving to land a backend position, this episode is for you.

Lane Wagner (guest):
Backend course - https://boot.dev
Podcast - https://www.backendbanter.fm
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@bootdotdev
Twitter - https://twitter.com/wagslane

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/H69QqZ8MVJ

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

Struggling to find your place in the oversaturated software development job market? You're not alone. I brought on Nevin, an aspiring front-end developer, who shares his journey of navigating the tricky paths of job hunting. I'm hoping the advice I shared with him can help you as well.

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/H69QqZ8MVJ

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper

I brought on 3 Springboard graduates to share their honest thoughts about the software engineering program. If you're considering Springboard in 2023 or even 2024, watch this first.

Eric Doering (guest):
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-doering-3989aa141
Portfolio - https://ericdoering-portfolio-swart.vercel.app

Danielle Aranda (guest):
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemaranda

Paul Loguinov (guest):
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pashaloguinov
Portfolio - https://www.pashaloguinov.com

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🤝 Join our junior friendly developer community:
https://discord.gg/H69QqZ8MVJ

❤️ If you find my content helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to additional perks. Every little contribution helps me continue to do this full-time.
https://www.patreon.com/donthedeveloper