I finally got my Front-End Cert, after wrestling with it for the past month or so. I really appreciate the project feedbacks I’ve gotten from this community. FCC is an amazing online resource, especially during Covid times.
I started FCC last summer, going through half of Responsive Web Design before I switched jobs (in a non-tech field) and life happened. When pandemic layoffs happened this summer, I restarted the program, and I got through the rest of Responsive Web Design and then JavaScript in about 1 1/2 months.
Front-End was really tough/intimidating for me, moving from Algorithms to building full Apps. It took me the same amount of time going through the tutorials as it was to complete the projects. I had to look up a lot of things, review other coding programs (Scrimba), and then come back to it. I feel a lot more comfortable with React now, though tricky things in vanilla JS (Asyncs, Promises, Event Listeners) still get to me. I actually love React more than vanilla JavaScript now.
I originally wanted to make full transition into Front-End/Full Stack Dev, but now I’m realizing that it is more of a long-term goal,and learning is infinite. I’m also not sure how I can compete with folks who did CS for undergrad. My background is in architecture and design, and I’m wondering if a career path in UX or Product Design would be a better/more feasible pivot for me. If so, is it worth my time to keep going and finish the rest of the modules, to get a Full-Stack cert?
I think that is the correct approach to learn programming. Google, stackoverflow and youtube become your new best friends.
If you want to get good at programming, or anything in life, it will take a lot more than just a few months of learning. It just takes time and practice to get good. I wouldn’t believe any posts that start with “Learn to code in 90 days”.
Sure you will learn to code basic things after a few months but you will still be a beginner. But that is normal. I have only been coding for about 4 months now and I can build basic stuff but I still have a long way to go. And that is totally fine with me.
I think you can compete with those who have cs degrees. If you really wanted to take some actual cs courses online there are a ton of great options for free.
If you really like designing then that could be a viable option as well.
At the end of the day, what area you choose to go into is totally up to you. If you want to do full stack then you just have to be patient and give it some more time. If you want to be a designer instead that is cool too.
@miku86 thank you! And @jwilkins.oboe thanks so much for your detailed and encouraging response. I am sure that you are right, and that developing mastery over a new skillset takes time. I just hope I pick the right path for myself!
After networking with some folks, I’ve decided to continue on FCC and just try to get through Full Stack. I’ve also been using Scrimba form additional study aid for learning tricky JavaScript concepts that aren’t covered here. My goal is to start applying to jobs early next year, after making some personal projects. It’s a big stretch, and I don’t know if I will make it. Wish me luck!
I’m curious how I should divide my time between completing FCC certs versus setting aside time to do my own personal projects. In your experience, should I see FCC projects as “practice exercises/inspiration for personal projects”, and not really “actual” projects for job searching?
I’ve decided to continue on FCC and just try to get through Full Stack.
Definitely. Having that full MERN stack makes you much more employable. The Python sections may not be as applicable to that, but they are still good to know.
I actually love React more than vanilla JavaScript now.
Yeah, me too. I always say that I hate frontend … unless it’s React.
I originally wanted to make full transition into Front-End/Full Stack Dev, but now I’m realizing that it is more of a long-term goal,and learning is infinite.
Learning is infinite in anything worth pursuing.
I’m also not sure how I can compete with folks who did CS for undergrad.
I did. I was a 49 year old man with a degree in music. Some places want only CS grads, many want a mix, a few want know CS grads. You don’t have to get every job, just one.
My background is in architecture and design, and I’m wondering if a career path in UX or Product Design would be a better/more feasible pivot for me.
Sure, if you see yourself enjoying that. You can be a developer with some basic design knowledge, or you can be a designer with some basic development knowledge. It should be about which you enjoy more.
If so, is it worth my time to keep going and finish the rest of the modules, to get a Full-Stack cert?
Only if you want to increase your chances of getting hired.
Most frontend workers are expected to know some backend basics nowadays, and vice versa. I always say that I really didn’t understand APIs until I build my own from the backend - everything started to make sense.
