How Did I Start Coding and Should You?

I first began my coding journey in college. However, I was not a Computer Science student at all — I was actually a Digital Marketing major. I chose my major based on some creative interests and knowing it was the "safe bet" of a major in business. I can thank my friend and roommate for introducing me to HTML(Hyper Markup Text Language) and CSS(Cascading Style Sheets). It was enough of a foundation that I could understand what each scripting language was for and how to use them at a basic level, but I did not pursue the interest any further. Instead, I focused on my studies and finding a job.

It was not until my first job that I took the plunge into coding. I used HTML here and there for Tag Management with Google Analytics (how companies and people get information about site visitors), but then started to dive deeper into a few new languages and applications: how to create websites from scratch, use tools like Frameworks(React, Vue, Angular), API's(Application Programming Interface), integrate CMSs(Content Management Systems like Shopify or Ghost) and the fundamentals of User Experience and User Interface Design(UX/UI). How you learn best is tutorials and practice, so I started creating.

My first projects were portfolio sites using React, or small adjustments to the Company’s Shopify theme (with permission) to add functions and pages unavailable with the current theme. This then transformed to creating Python projects like a Twitter and Discord Bot, (the Twitter bot will soon surpass me in followers!). Then I challenged myself with this project, my portfolio site and blog!

I will blog about how I did some of these projects and processes in later blog posts.

"Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains."
-Bill Gates, Co-Chairman, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Co-Founder, Microsoft

I believe if you like problem solving, learning, design and computers, then coding is worth looking even a little bit into! Coding pays off, and it can be quite fun to see whatever you imagine come to fruition.

The Promising Look of the Tech Industry

According to theladders.com the in the top 10 industries to break into in 2021 are Data Science, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Design. It is not surprising that the job industry is turning to Tech and people who can program. Another hot topic lately is crypto and blockchain. Both of these are newer territories that depend on developers. Tech is not something that is going away, it's evolving, so if you think you may have an interest in it, start today with a couple free tutorials or small videos.

Where Can I Learn?

There are a lot of free and paid sources for learning coding skills. Whether you want to learn the user facing Front End, the database and brains of a Back End, or data mining and analysis with Data Science, there are courses and people willing to share their knowledge. I am in no way sponsored or endorsed by any of these suggested mediums.

Free:

YouTube Channels like Design Course, Dapp University, Network Chuck, Dev Ed, Tech with Tim, Kalle Hallden, others will come up with suggestions that are very good as well.
Codecademy *
Hack the Box Academy *
EdX - Harvard CS50x, Princeton's Intro to Algorithms, etc *
FreeCodeCamp
Google Certifications *

*- Payable options

Paid:

Creating A Twitter Bot with Tweepy

Josh Burgess

Hello, World! My Beginnings

Josh Burgess