🌲 James Cox 🦔

I've been asked to share my experience transitioning from a non-technical background into tech. I've shared this before, but not from the perspective of landing my first job. I want to paint a real picture of the ups and downs if you're thinking of doing the same. 👇

It's my #Twitterversary! I have been on Twitter for 12 years, since 18 Jan 2011 (via @twi_age).

@FulhamFC twitter.com/lumbardiyt/sta… OOPS

5' MITRO! MITRO! MITRO! 🤍 1-0 🍊 | #FULBLK

It's my #Twitterversary! I have been on Twitter for 11 years, since 18 Jan 2011 (via @twi_age).

We are looking for a #react developer to join our Internal Tools team. If you are interested in leading a team, and mentoring developers apply at: webstaurantstore.com/careers/depart… My DMs are open with any questions that you might have.

@stephenjohnlimb TypeScript, higher level React concepts (creating true reusable components), custom React hooks/useContext, fully understanding BEM and specificity … that should get me started lol

@MemRook Yeh, make a pen and paper list and just cross a few off each day. What’s your next set of topics to learn and try out?

I’ll be the first to admit that I have let my personal coding/development commitment slip during the first couple months of my job. I’m publicly committing to adding a few more personal hours coding each week to start. I genuinely miss working on random things!

@stephenjohnlimb Thanks, I really enjoy hearing a seasoned vet’s experience/advice. I think a simple compromise might be start with an extra 30 mins a day/ or a couple hours a week doing some extra studying/coding etc.

@MemRook Yes the healthy balance, if you stress it can make picking up new things much harder. I know it’s easy for me to say it. But I still have just had to learn all about K8s. We never know enough, there’s always more! Sometimes it feels almost painful to keep learning.

@stephenjohnlimb I hear that a lot. But I also hear from a lot of devs that are miles ahead of me in their careers (my “mentors” you could say) that all echo a similar statement: you want to get to where they are, you gotta put in that time. I think I’ve got to find a healthy balance

@MemRook You have to go at your own pace. There are still things I need to learn and try out and I’ve been at it 30 years. It’s not a sprint it’s a marathon. Take your time and enjoy it. As long as you learn a bit more each week that’s fine. Best not to compare your self to others.

@CooperCodes I get not measuring yourself against others. Because I do believe we all bring unique value. That said. I don’t want to get left behind either. I’ve got to strike a balance between setting personal boundaries and achieving my personal dev goals

@RoccoSangellino ROCCO I want this

@MemRook James I owe you a zoom!!!! Let’s make this happen soon

@edanbenatar Possibly. But I just have this feeling that I’m not progressing as quickly or consistently as some of my counterparts. I’m just frustrated with myself mainly

@albertintech @iOntiverosJS Courses, relatively inexpensive equipment (I recently did one for a $30 laptop stand), books, or something random like once I designed people customized stickers lol

@iOntiverosJS @MemRook might have some ideas for you

I’m almost at 200 followers!!! I want to do a giveaway... Anyone have any experience in doing this and have any suggestions on how to do this and what some good gift ideas are? I’m all ears! 👂🏼

@stephenjohnlimb That’s true. But I am missing a piece of the puzzle somehow. I just feel like I’m not progressing as quickly as my counterparts.

@MemRook Well we only have so much intellectual energy and a new job takes up quite a bit of that.

@_UmairHafeez_ Oh man sorry to hear that Umair. Wishing you and your family good health and hoping everything is okay!

Dang!!! A kid from our daughter's class has been tested positive and we have to bring kids back 😔 May everyone be safe and the kids and everyone else affected recovers quickly 🙏

@CooperCodes That’s true. And why I haven’t really forced myself. But I feel like I should be further along than where I am. Which is why I am going to add a few more hours each week to start, to bone up my skills and progress in my role.

@shashiwhocodes I think I will aim for this Sunday. Given if I can find a few willing / available speakers (@photonoty_codes that means I’ll be pinging you again soon 🤦🏻‍♂️😆)

@MemRook I want to listen to this

I never did my “first 60 days of dev role” space!!!! 😬😳😱😲😭

I would still love to do this. I just let it totally slip through the cracks.

One of my coworkers shared this codepen today and I wanted to share with y’all because it’s freaking awesome! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 codepen.io/pehaa/pen/yLVe…

@shaundai Fine. Make it puppies and you have a deal (More of a dog person myself anyway)

@MemRook Debatable 😆

Your portfolio project doesn’t *need* to have cats in it