How I'd Learn Web Development (If I Could Start Over)

Summary

The video script tells the story of someone who transitioned from a monotonous job to a web developer in six months without a degree. They share a step-by-step guide to learning web development, starting with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then React, and using tools like Git and GitHub. The speaker emphasizes hands-on learning through projects and recommends targeting smaller companies for job applications to increase chances of employment in the tech industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with HTML and CSS as the building blocks of web development. HTML structures the content, while CSS styles it.
• 💡 Learn HTML and CSS together using a crash course, three tutorial projects, and a solo project to solidify your understanding.
• 💻 Move on to learning JavaScript, which adds interactivity to websites. Expect JavaScript to be more challenging than HTML and CSS.
• 🔄 Use the same learning strategy for JavaScript: crash course, tutorial projects, and a solo project.
• ⚡ Learn React after JavaScript. React helps manage HTML, CSS, and JavaScript more effectively, and is widely used in the industry.
• 📂 Familiarize yourself with Git and GitHub for version control and collaboration, essential for working on projects with other developers.
• 🚀 Focus on mastering the fundamentals (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Git) before diving into new technologies like Next.js or TypeScript.
• 🎯 Avoid applying for jobs at massive companies like Google right away. Instead, focus on smaller local companies that hire junior developers.
• 📋 Print your resume and hand it in person to local tech companies, which can give you an edge in getting noticed over applying online.
• ✅ The strategy laid out will help you land a job faster by focusing on learning efficiently, targeting local opportunities, and leveraging personal interactions.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to transition into coding?

The speaker was motivated to start learning coding after feeling tired of working a dead-end job, lifting pallets all day. They were seeking a career change and wanted a more fulfilling and higher-paying job.

How long did it take the speaker to land their first job as a web developer?

It took the speaker only 6 months from writing their first line of code to landing their first job as a web developer.

What learning strategy does the speaker recommend for beginners to learn new technologies?

The speaker recommends a three-step learning strategy: 1) Watch a crash course, 2) Code along with three tutorial projects, and 3) Build a solo project. This strategy helps beginners quickly grasp the technology and apply it in real-world scenarios.

What is the speaker's advice for learning HTML and CSS?

The speaker suggests learning HTML and CSS together since they are highly interdependent. HTML is like the skeleton of a webpage, while CSS controls the appearance and layout. The speaker recommends following their learning strategy of watching a crash course, doing tutorial projects, and building a solo project.

Why is JavaScript considered more challenging to learn than HTML and CSS?

JavaScript is considered more difficult because it adds interactivity and functionality to websites, making it more complex. It's described as the brain or nerves of a website, handling tasks like user logins, payments, and displaying real-world data.

What does React help developers achieve, according to the speaker?

React helps developers combine HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a way that makes web applications more maintainable and scalable. It’s a highly demanded library because it is widely used by large companies to build web applications.

What tools does the speaker recommend learning after mastering web development fundamentals?

After mastering fundamentals like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and GitHub, the speaker recommends learning tools and frameworks like Next.js (built on React), TypeScript (built on JavaScript), Redux (built on React), and Tailwind (built on CSS) to keep up with modern technologies.

What job search strategy does the speaker recommend for landing a first coding job?

The speaker suggests applying to smaller or mid-sized local companies, as they are more likely to hire junior developers and have less competition. They recommend going to companies in person to hand in resumes, rather than relying solely on online applications.

Why does the speaker recommend avoiding applying to massive tech companies for a first job?

Massive tech companies like Meta, Google, or Amazon usually look for candidates with more experience and conduct tougher interviews. The speaker suggests starting with smaller companies for an easier entry into the field.

How does the speaker recommend keeping up with fast-paced changes in web development?

The speaker advises continuously learning new tools and technologies by watching crash courses and implementing them in projects. Since many new tools are built on top of existing fundamentals, they are easier to learn once the basics are mastered.