This document summarizes how to become a developer, including learning programming languages like JavaScript and Python. It discusses how the tech industry is growing and there will be 1.4 million computer science jobs by 2020. It recommends building a portfolio through side projects on sites like GitHub and getting referrals for jobs since 80% of openings are never advertised. Finally, it describes Thinkful's coding bootcamp program that provides mentorship to help students learn coding skills and get jobs.

1. Become a Developer — Getting Started
February 2017
http://bit.ly/tf-dev-starter

2. About me
• Jasjit Singh
• Self-taught developer
• Worked in finance & tech
• Co-Founder Hotspot
• Thinkful General Manager

3. About us
Thinkful prepares students for web development &
data science jobs with 1-on-1 mentorship programs

4. What’s your goal?
• Just curious about a career change
• Somewhat considering career change
• Seriously considering a career change

5. Agenda for tonight
• What is the market landscape for dev jobs?
• What programming language should I learn?
• What are the best ways to learn to code?
• What are the first jobs / trajectories?
• How do I break into the field?

6. What is “tech”?
Tech isn’t just one industry anymore — it’s the new
business model. Every company is becoming a tech
company.

7. “Software is eating the world”

8. E.g. Goldman Sachs
• Lloyd Blankfein, CEO
• “Goldman Sachs is a
Technology Firm”
• 9,000 out of 33,000
employees are on tech
team

9. Other examples
• Entertainment => Netflix
• Hotels => AirBnB
• Logistics => Uber

10. The good news
By 2020, there will be 1.4M computer science jobs and only
400,000 C.S. grads with the skills to apply for those jobs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics

11. How to pick a first language?
• Objective
• Popularity
• Accessibility
• Job prospects
• Longevity

12. Our picks
Javascript for front-end & full-stack — Python for
back-end or data science

13. Critical caveat…
Don’t jump around. Learn one technology deeply to
understand the concepts. It will be surprisingly easy
to pick up more languages later.

14. How should I learn?
Coding is a skill that can be objectively verified
through portfolios and technical interviews. This levels
the playing fields making it possible for many paths
to learning.

15. Anyone can learn how to code
A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence is not just
something that you are born with. People who believe this have
higher levels of success. Neural connections grow and
become stronger the more you struggle with learning and
correct your mistakes.
Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University

16. Learning the skills
• Build stuff + Google
• Free online resources (e.g. CodeAcademy)
• Flexible coding bootcamps (e.g Thinkful)
• Full-time coding bootcamps (e.g. GA)
• Full degree programs (Georgia Tech)

17. First jobs
• Frontend developer
• Backend developer
• Full-stack developer
• QA developer

18. Salary ranges
Salaries vary substantially depending on location. In
Atlanta, developers start at $60K-$70K per year

19. Coding plus Roles
• Coding + Product = Product Manager
• Coding + Marketing = Growth Hacker
• Coding + Community = Developer Evangelist
• Coding + Sales = Sales Engineer
• Coding + Data = Data Scientist

20. The good news about breaking in
Demand for developers continues to grow and supply
isn’t growing fast enough. Employers are hiring based
on actual skills, not just credentials.

21. Next steps after learning the skills
• Learn the skills
• Build a portfolio of high quality work
• Develop a relevant network
• Prep for technical interviews

22. Portfolios level the playing field
A great portfolio showcases your skills and can get
you an interview. Passing the technical interview gets
you the job.

23. Personal website

24. Github
Github can tell employers more about your abilities than a
resume. For developers, your Github is your resume.

25. How to build your portfolio
• Build a personal website
• Get a Github account
• Do side-projects that excite you
• Try and look for contract work
• Have professionals guide & review your work

26. Getting the interview
We recommend a job-search process that includes
carefully identifying opportunities, networking asking
for feedback, and eventually getting referrals

27. Why?
• 80% of job openings are never advertised
• 120 average applicants per job posted
• 20% get an interview
*https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/26/why-every-job-seeker-should-have-a-personal-
website-and-what-it-should-include/#578fbf6f119e

28. Conclusion
Cold applications are a tough approach — there are
more people applying to fewer opportunities
*https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/26/why-every-job-seeker-should-have-a-personal-
website-and-what-it-should-include/#578fbf6f119e

29. Networking the right way
• Figure out what you want (size, industry, role, etc)
• Reach out to someone that works at company
• Ask them about their work, genuine interest, build a
relationship
• Eventually (1-2 months in), ask for referral

30. Example email

31. The job search funnel

32. Thinkful students find jobs through referrals

33. The technical interview
• Phone screen
• Take home tech challenge
• In-person interviews

34. Resources
• Prep sites (e.g. Interview Cake)
• Books (e.g. Cracking the Coding Interview)
• Mock interviews with technical friends

35. More about Thinkful
• Anyone who’s committed can learn to code
• 1-on-1 mentorship is the best way to learn
• Flexibility matters — learn anywhere, anytime
• We only make money when you get a job

36. Our Program
You’ll learn concepts, practice with drills, and build capstone
projects for your own portfolio — all guided by a personal mentor

37. Our Mentors
Mentors have, on average, 10+ years of experience

38. Our Results
Job Titles after GraduationMonths until Employed

39. Special Prep Course Offer
• Three-week program, includes six mentor sessions
• Covers HTML/CSS, Javascript, jQuery, Responsive Design
• Option to continue into web development bootcamp
• Prep course costs $500 (can apply to cost of full bootcamp)
• Talk to me (or email me) about special offer

40. October 2015
Questions?
jas@thinkful.com
schedule a call through thinkful.com