How to Program with Java Podcast

Summary

To reach out and connect with Alex, here's her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mamolo-2a1b57222/

In this episode, Trevor interviews Alex, who shares her journey from being a musician to transitioning into the tech industry. Alex talks about her background in music, playing drums in a band, and the challenges she faced in her musical career. She then discusses her experience working in data entry and her decision to pursue a career in technology. Alex explains how she discovered coding and her decision to join a coding bootcamp. She shares her struggles with understanding methods and functions and the support she received from her instructors. Alex emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of coding and how it has impacted her personal growth and progress. In this conversation, Alex discusses her experience in the coding bootcamp and the challenges she faced. She shares how she overcame those challenges and gained confidence in her coding abilities. The conversation also explores the difficulty curve in learning programming and the importance of perseverance. Alex talks about her job search process and the need for relentless follow-up. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Alex and seek advice on their own coding journey.

Takeaways

• Transitioning from a non-technical career to the tech industry is possible with the right support and guidance.
• Learning HTML and CSS is a great starting point for beginners in coding.
• Struggling with certain concepts is common in coding, and seeking help from instructors is crucial for overcoming challenges.
• Understanding the fundamentals of coding, such as methods and functions, is essential for building a strong foundation. Overcoming challenges in the bootcamp can lead to significant growth and improved coding skills.
• The difficulty curve in learning programming often means that the second half of the bootcamp is easier than the first half.
• Struggling on the job is different from struggling in the bootcamp, but both experiences can be valuable learning opportunities.
• Relentless follow-up in the job search process can significantly increase the chances of getting an interview.
• Revisiting assignments and focusing on mastering core skills can help improve coding abilities.
• Networking and interpersonal skills are just as important as coding skills in the job search process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:09 Interest in Technology and Music

05:31 Transition from Music to Data Entry

06:26 Exploring Tech Education Options

08:23 Choosing a Coding Bootcamp

09:52 Learning HTML and CSS

12:43 Struggles with Methods and Functions

15:35 Support and Guidance from Instructors

23:00 Importance of Understanding Fundamentals

24:25 Personal Growth and Progress

24:54 Overcoming Challenges in the Bootcamp

26:15 The Difficulty Curve in Learning Programming

27:44 Struggling on the Job vs. in the Bootcamp

29:38 The Excitement and Satisfaction of Coding

31:04 Job Search Process and Challenges

32:33 The Importance of Relentless Follow-up

34:01 Conversion Rate in Job Applications

36:55 Balancing Time Between Assignments and Job Search

38:23 Avoiding the Comfort Zone and Focusing on Networking

39:20 Revisiting Assignments to Improve Skills

40:46 Alex's Strong Understanding of Programming Terminology

42:35 Follow-up and Feedback in the Job Search Process

45:29 Proving Interest and Following Up After Rejection

47:22 Closing Remarks and Invitation to Connect

To reach out and connect with Tony:https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmonds-tony/

Takeaways
- Negotiate your salary and consider the market conditions in your area.
- Remote work opportunities are available, but starting with a hybrid role can provide valuable experience.
- Working in an office and collaborating with experienced developers can accelerate your learning and career growth.
- Having mentors and leveraging their expertise can help you progress quickly in your career.
- Bootcamp graduates can pivot to different roles within a company and apply their skills in various domains.
- Don't be discouraged by negative news and focus on your own journey and progress.
- When starting a new job, be resourceful, spend time learning on your own, and ask for help when needed.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:23 Becoming a Digital Nomad
03:42 Fascination with Latin America and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
06:33 Choosing the University Path
09:20 Transitioning to a Bootcamp
13:03 The Benefits and Limitations of University Education
20:05 The Job Search Process
23:43 The Importance of a Structured Job Search
28:03 Seeking Remote Job Opportunities
30:50 The Interview Process
31:48 Job Offer and Salary
33:15 Remote Work Opportunities
34:39 The Value of Working in an Office
35:03 Transitioning to Remote Work
37:24 The Importance of Mentors
38:18 Opportunities for Development within a Company
39:39 Pivoting to Different Roles
40:36 Enjoying the Data Role
41:32 The Reality of Getting a Job
42:31 The Influence of News and Media
44:30 Advice for Bootcamp Students
48:16 Tony's Advice for Himself
49:41 Tony's Final Project
53:52 Connecting with Tony on LinkedIn
54:22 Questions for Trevor

• Transitioning from one career to another requires thorough research and exploration of different options.
• Choosing a bootcamp with experienced instructors who have worked in the industry can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• Learning to code is a skill that can be compared to learning a trade, and it requires practice and hands-on experience.
• The struggle and frustration are part of the learning process, and it's important to learn how to respond to challenges in a calm and focused manner.
• Completing a bootcamp program can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the tech industry. Exercises and assignments are crucial for reinforcing learning and should be included throughout the bootcamp.
• More exercises should be included in the later stages of the bootcamp to solidify knowledge.
• Covering advanced topics in the bootcamp can be challenging, and there should be a balance between depth and length of videos.
• Preparation for the job search is essential, and networking is a valuable strategy for finding opportunities.
• Having a support system during the career transition can provide encouragement and guidance.
• Honesty and support are important in the bootcamp experience, both from instructors and fellow students.

• Curiosity and a willingness to learn are essential for success in the tech industry.
• Building a strong foundation in programming is crucial for future learning and development.
• Imposter syndrome is common among aspiring coders, but it should not deter them from pursuing their goals.
• Committing a significant amount of time and effort to coding can accelerate learning and progress in a bootcamp. Set realistic expectations and be prepared to work hard in the coding industry.
• Take initiative and don't rely solely on a bootcamp to secure a job.
• Follow up with employers and engage in conversations with real human beings.
• Continuously code and build projects to enhance skills and stand out from the crowd.
• Reach out to experienced coders for advice and support, and advocate for yourself throughout the coding journey.

This thought-provoking video delves deep into a highly controversial topic: Are coding jobs disappearing? As we stand on the brink of unprecedented technological advancements, what does the future hold for coders and software engineers? Are we facing a coding apocalypse or is it just a myth?

Join us as we expose the untold truths behind the glitz and glam of the coding industry. We uncover it all from the intricate world of coding boot camps to the journey of coding novices transforming into graduates.

This is not just about learning any specific language, it's about understanding the implications of these skills in a rapidly evolving job market.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Am I just wasting my time learning to code?" this episode is for you.

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation. It is a 9 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world.

You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp

In this episode we'll talk to Ethan, who is a recent graduate from the Coders Campus Bootcamp and managed to land a job within two months of starting the search.

Ethan and I talk about how, from a young age, he was guided away from learning technology because his teachers didn't feel he was cut out for the field.

In this interview we'll learn how wrong his teachers were and how Ethan was able to complete the coding bootcamp while also raising a small child with a pregnant wife and working a full-time job.

If you'd like to get in touch with Ethan, feel free to add him via LinkedIn here

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation.

It is a 6 to 9 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world. You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp

In this episode we'll talk to Dustin, who is a recent graduate from the Coders Campus Bootcamp and managed to land a job within two months of starting the search.

Dustin and I talk about his prior coding experience that he had before he joined our Bootcamp (spoiler: it wasn't much at all), and we talk about his experience as he went through the curriculum.

Ultimately we know how his story turned out, but in this special interview we'll learn about HOW he was able to accomplish the task of completing the Bootcamp and landing a job while also being a father of a 2 year old, a husband, a full-time employee and part-time college student.

We'll also learn about the important lessons that Dustin learned once he began his job search, and what mistakes he was making early on before he pivoted his approach, which then lead to the job that he was offered.

If you'd like to get in touch with Dustin, feel free to add him via LinkedIn here 

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation. It is a 6 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world.

You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp

In this episode we'll talk to Yasiin, who is a graduate from the Coders Campus Bootcamp.

We dive into his story about how he started his coding journey as a Restaurant Manager, and went through two Coding Bootcamp before landing his first job.

Yasiin shares a ton of great insights and tips for beginner coders who are hoping to get a job, so be sure to listen to the whole episode.

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation. It is a 6 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world.

You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp

In this episode we'll talk about IntStreams and why they're useful in Java.

IntStreams can be used to replace a common looping mechanism as well as provide a very helpful utility for gathering analytics on data in a non-verbose way.

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation. It is a 6 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world.

You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp

In this episode we'll talk about how to sort a stream of objects using the ".sorted()" function.

We'll also talk about the differences between using a stream to sort vs using something like Collections.sort(), which has been available since Java v1.2

Interested in starting your coding career?

I'm now accepting students into an immersive programming Bootcamp where I guarantee you a job offer upon graduation. It is a 6 month, part-time, online Bootcamp that teaches you everything you need to know to get a job as a Java developer in the real-world.

You can learn more via https://www.coderscampus.com/bootcamp