Unlocking Your First Coding Job: The Realities and Solutions

08/23/24 • 37 min

Episode Summary

In this episode, Trevor Page delves into the challenges aspiring software developers face when trying to land their first job. Drawing from his 15 years of programming experience and 12 years of teaching, Trevor offers a unique perspective on the realities of breaking into the tech industry. He discusses the common misconceptions new developers have, the difficulties of finding a job, and why having coding skills alone isn't enough to secure a position.

Trevor also introduces Coders Campus's new Guaranteed Internship Program, designed to provide real-world coding experience in a team environment while working on software projects for actual customers. This innovative program offers a profit-sharing model, allowing participants to earn money based on the success of the projects they work on. He shares insights into the structure of the internship, the roles participants will play, and the long-term benefits of gaining practical experience.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Reality of Getting a Coding Job: Understanding that having the skills does not mean you are guaranteed a job.
Common Pathways to Employment: Exploring traditional methods like open source contributions, volunteering, and unpaid internships, and why they might not be sufficient.
Introducing the Guaranteed Internship Program: A detailed overview of Coders Campus's new initiative to help aspiring developers gain real-world experience while working in a team and potentially earning income through profit-sharing.
The Importance of Real-World Experience: How hands-on coding in a collaborative environment can significantly improve job prospects.
Case Study - JP's Success: A real-life example of a Coders Campus student who secured a job after participating in the internship program.
Opportunities for Non-Bootcamp Participants: Trevor hints at a future program for those who already have coding skills but need certification and experience.

Call to Action: If you're ready to take your coding career to the next level and join a program that offers real-world experience, visit coderscampus.com/bootcamp to apply for the next cohort. For those interested in the upcoming certification program, email Trevor directly at [email protected].

Quotes:

"Just because you have the skills does not mean you are owed the job."
"If you and any other entry-level developer are applying to the same position, but you have real-world experience on your resume, guess who they're going to look at first?"

Links and Resources:

Coders Campus Bootcamp
Email Trevor: [email protected]

Episode Summary

Key Topics Discussed:

The Reality of Getting a Coding Job: Understanding that having the skills does not mean you are guaranteed a job.
Common Pathways to Employment: Exploring traditional methods like open source contributions, volunteering, and unpaid internships, and why they might not be sufficient.
Introducing the Guaranteed Internship Program: A detailed overview of Coders Campus's new initiative to help aspiring developers gain real-world experience while working in a team and potentially earning income through profit-sharing.
The Importance of Real-World Experience: How hands-on coding in a collaborative environment can significantly improve job prospects.
Case Study - JP's Success: A real-life example of a Coders Campus student who secured a job after participating in the internship program.
Opportunities for Non-Bootcamp Participants: Trevor hints at a future program for those who already have coding skills but need certification and experience.

Quotes:

"Just because you have the skills does not mean you are owed the job."
"If you and any other entry-level developer are applying to the same position, but you have real-world experience on your resume, guess who they're going to look at first?"

Links and Resources:

Coders Campus Bootcamp
Email Trevor: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Alex almost quit coding forever while in this Bootcamp

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