How I Learned to Code and Got a Job in Four Months

Background

• Dropped out of college, in debt, working 60 hours a week, hated job, felt stuck.
• Worked multiple dead-end sales jobs, wanted more career mobility.
• No computer science degree or coding bootcamp.

Initial Steps

• Goal: Learn how to code and get a job.
• Began with FreeCodeCamp for web development.
• Learned basics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
• Chose JavaScript for building web apps.

Learning Process

Basics from FreeCodeCamp

• Variables, loops, objects, functions.
• Realized difference between coding (logic problems) vs. programming (building useful things).

Full-Time Learning

• Quit job, moved to Korea to minimize expenses, focused on learning.
• Found "Learning How to Learn" course by Barbara Oakley.
  • Main takeaways: Pomodoros, dedicated learning space
  • Joined a coworking space

Daily Schedule

• 08:00 AM: Wake up
• 08:30 AM: Train to coworking space
• 09:00 AM: Arrive, coffee, journaling
• 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Study session (Pomodoros)
• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch/Break
• 02:00 PM - 06:30 PM: Study session (Pomodoros)
• 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM: Gym (3x/week)
• 08:30 PM - 09:00 PM: Dinner with grandma, help her clean
• Schedule: 6 days a week, no exceptions

Front-End Projects

• Built projects using HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
• Struggled initially, found help through YouTube channel (Stephen) and watchandcode.com.
• Earned FreeCodeCamp Front End Developer certificate in one month.

Full Stack Development

• Built first full-stack project with Stephen's help (cloning Pinterest).
• Learned CRUD concepts (Create, Read, Update, Delete).
• Used project management tool Jira and version control GitHub.
• Focused on real-world skills: database design, build APIs, set up authentication, push to cloud server.
• Finished first full-stack web app in two months.

Job Hunting

• Defined desired job: remote, small to medium-sized company.
• Used websites: weworkremotely.com, remoteok.io.
• Contacted hiring managers directly, shared GitHub projects, offered to work for free.
• Responses: 22 applications, 6 responses, 4 interviews, 3 job offers.
• Chose best learning opportunity with good compensation. First salary: $50k/year, later $65k/year.
• Biggest perk: got to work remotely.

Lessons Learned

• Focused effort, persistence, problem-solving are key to learning code.
• Real-world projects and collaboration are crucial.
• Credentials don’t matter as much as skills and experience.

Final Thoughts

• Working in tech for over a decade, continual learning important.
• Open to applying principles to other areas like arts.
• Encourage viewers to subscribe for more content.