The Truth About 'Learning to Code'

Learning to code ain't easy. In this video I break down why it's so hard and how it nearly broke me.

🏆 * Coaching Program *

[AndySterkowitz]

It's good to be back to posting videos. What topics do you want to hear from me in the future?

[AtomicKnights]

Persistence is actually one of the most important skills. I spent four years at a technical school. In the evening, after work. One time, one of my classrmates said : "If you skip one time, you'll never come back!"

[escs]

Honestly me enjoying it is what makes it easier for me. If you don’t enjoy it you’re gonna struggle to code during busy days. I make my projects unique and something I personally want to make and want to look at. I draw it out and want to see the end goal on the screen so that drives me.

[StealthAges]

I am am currently a software engineer and have been for the past 28 years. I wish all who are learning to code the best of luck. It's a great career and very rewarding. I love what I do so much that HR has to remind me to take some vacation time. A couple of tips I can offer is to never stop learning. This field changes so fast that you have to constantly read up on it. New languages come along, and some fade away. Another tip is to never give up on something you are building when you just can't seem to get it to work. I once had to create a driver class for imprint printers, and I probably rewrote it 20 times over the course of 3 years before I perfected it. Stay the course!

[RonDro]

I've been following Andy for quite awhile now because he's very down to earth and honest. This video mirrors my experience. For a couple of years I did tutorials after hours because I have a very demanding full-time job. Finally I decided to take the plunge and enroll in a part-time 6 month bootcamp at the University here. It was a full-stack coding bootcamp that started this past May. Well to sum in up in one word? BRUTAL! I was putting in 30 to 40 hours a week along with working a 40 hour a week full-time job. In just 6 months I coded 34 apps that was required as assignments that I was graded on. MANY times I questioned whether or not I was smart enough or if I was cut out for this. There were times I literally cried sitting in front of my computer not being able to resolve an issue with the code I had written. Andy mentions feeling as if he was in a warzone ... THAT IS A PERFECT DESCRIPTION! But, each month as I looked back on my progress I noticed that I was gaining traction in my knowledge in the languages that I was learning. Long story short I ended up with a 94 in the course and was approached by the University a week after graduation asking if I'd be interested in becoming a TA and Tutor for the Full-stack Development Program. I never would have guessed that would happen. So stick with it. It will not be easy. BTW, I'm 55 years old and I learned to code. DREAMS CAN COME TRUE! -- Ron

[izba]

After learning 2 more regular languages consistently for more than a year(English is my second and it took years), i figured out how my brain works and how it prefers to acquire information. Consistency is a key in everything. Smaller chunks everyday over a big studying session once a week. Don't be disappointed if you don't get some stuff right away, go forward, and then with more information you'll realize that something you couldn't understand a few days ago is now clear as day.
I'm interested in mobile app development. I don't have much choice because of health. I want to be able to work from home.

[jonathondreyer]

Feeling this right now learning Python. I can totally identify. One of the hardest things I've ever done besides learning another language (Spanish) as an adult. I'm trying to change careers to data science and finishing a Master's of Information Systems degree as we speak. I worked full time and did night classes for all of it except this semester. I knew learning Python was going to be intense, and I want to find a job in the field of data science, maybe just start off as a data analyst. The feeling of imposter syndrome is creeping in, just like you mentioned lol. I'm on my last semester of classes, and have reached burn out level. I've never been computer savvy at all, but I'm starting to enjoy it by doing my own projects and fitting some machine learning models with Sci-Kit Learn. It's motivating to hear someone else talk about it, and who made it through the gauntlet. Thanks!

[brandykay]

These are the same struggles I have. I have the same commute and it sucks up so much time in my evenings to find time to sit down and concentrate. I have interviewed at one place and every person was hesitant on my career switch which has been a huge mental obstacle as well. It's actually refreshing to hear someone else's struggle to make you feel more human. I appreciated this video a lot. Thank you for this!

[katec]

Such an honest, helpful video not just for software engineers but for other career changers too.

[techmentormaria]

I learned coding when I was 13 BUT every single time I picked up a new technology or framework I felt the same way again. Tech is evolving sooo quickly and it's really critical to love the challenge and embrace continuous learning. I think that's one of the things that I love most about working in tech - there's always something new to learn and discover.

I also think it's important to remember that it's okay to feel overwhelmed or uncertain when learning something new. It's a natural part of the process, and it's important to be patient with yourself and to give yourself time to absorb and practice the new information.

One thing that has helped me in my own journey is to set small, achievable goals for myself and to celebrate my progress along the way. Whether it's completing a tutorial or successfully implementing a new feature, it's important to take the time to appreciate your own accomplishments and to stay motivated.

DON'T GIVE UP

[MgelikaXevi]

thanks, useful insights!
One thing to keep in mind - in order to have consistency, average person should avoid going for some crazy stuff like "learn 10 hrs per day, every day" .
- First of all - it is extremely inefficient - since brains just can`t concentrate and work efficiently for so long, on such a difficult topic.
- Second - it is dangerous in terms of increasing your chances of burnout. If you are starting something unsustainable - no wonder that you gonna break at some point.
- Third - if you learn for too long, you start to pity yourself. Like " oh, i work so hard, mb i could afford a little break" - and then your consistency crumbles.

So, the best scenario is to set a minimum first - like "4 times a week, for 2 hrs" - and then stick to this schedule, or if you can afford it -go for 4 hrs per day, but make your schedule sustainable. Have a rest days, have your life going on, meet friends, train your body, go for a walks etc.
So that you won`t feel exhausted, since you are realistic, and realistic scenario makes you consistent.
Again - if you are learning for 4hrs per day, instead of 24/7 - you are less likely to get stuck because of tiredness, you are less likely to spend hours on debugging because your eyes don`t see something obvious etc -so you are more motivated, and sometimes you actually end your learning day on a good, "successful" note.

So, don`t go for a sprint, just make sure that you can`t lose, and you gonna win.

[TheJerzke]

First ever interview next monday. Been practising for 10+ hours a day because im stressing out. This helped out alot thank you!

[prpunk]

perfect timing for this video, I started a year ago, and I learned html, css and JS. I'm working through REACT right now, I did burned out and took a 2 month break, and going slow now, but steady!

[earlworth]

He's right. I used to watch his channel before I made the switch, coding on the train to work and after dinner every day. - now 3 years experience under my belt. It is possible- the most important thing I found is finding someone who is willing to spend the time to train you up and has the power to hire you onto their team. I got rejected from tons of interviews, but eventually someone liked my attitude and hired for me - you just need to that find that person

[paulkeating]

Great Video Andy! The trials and tribulations are not spoken about too much. This is a tough journey full of doubt, stress and perseverance

[wforbes]

Great video. Agree with it all. My 10 yr dev journey was similar but I struggled much longer. As soon as I started doing 5 things, it all turned around.
I struggled for 6 years never making more than $35k in tech, unemployed often, cynical, critical, negative... broke.
What did it for me: Make a 5 year plan, simplify my whole life, work on self-discipline, build hyperfocus work habits with no distractions, and remember nothing's perfect.
Immediately, 4 months later, I found a $55k job without searching for it, then hustled for annual 10-15% raises every year.
Now 4 yrs later, making $85k. Interviewing for $120k soon. Graduating with bachelor's in 6 months. All goals in 5 year plan done.
Simplify, discipline, hyperfocus, let go of negative, plan reasonable but challenging goals - then it all just works out.

They say you can learn to code and make six figures ... but not all of us have the habits/mindset that allow that to happen.
I rarely see it mentioned, but it acknowledging that fact changed my life.

[KennTollens]

You are 100% correct. The "Am I wasting my time" question is constant. I think this could take me an entire year of free time and in the end, have nothing, no job, and it wasn't that fun. Maybe I could find something instead that I know will get me somewhere.

[djszal]

I'm currently in a coding bootcamp and this is exactly what I needed to hear. It's only been 5 weeks out of 12 so far. I've felt nothing but exactly what you've described in this video. But it's been more of a Rollercoaster of highs and lows. Imposter syndrome has really crept in. But this video had me look back at my journey so far and realize that I actually know a lot more with what I've learned than my mind tries to trick me into believing. But I keep showing up and pushing through the discomfort. No idea what the future holds for me but I can only take it day by day. Thanks for this video

[triforcelink]

The very beginning when everything was unfamiliar, was the hardest for me. I could be following a book or a tutorial to the T, and sometimes things would still not make any sense and I’d just be sitting there in frustration. Using multiple sources to learn the same concept helped a lot.

[passportbro]

Im learning to code now, self taught, I have no fears about getting a job, I dont know why I just know I will. The only thing I'm worried about is putting everything together, so example, im only learning all the concepts initially, nothing else, no learning languages nothing, just focusing on the concepts, ive got 24 concepts to master. I've hired a senior developer to be my mentor, so he'll be there to to help me. Lets do this, my motivation is making 6 figures, no better motivation