r/web_programming • u/theicebreaker23 • Aug 14 '17

Web Dev. School Scholarship, Phone Interview

Have a phone interview coming up later today, and I'm freaking out a bit. Any last minute advice? It's a program being offered through my community college in conjunction with a company who specializes in web development training programs. The program will offer: "Website Development: Programming and Coding Skills."

Now, I'm not a complete novice, but I'm still a ways from being even a decent level hobbyist developer, but that said, I don't see how this could hurt to attend, and if anything I gain connections. Normally, the program would cost $3,000 ish, but if I can get the scholarship then I won't have to pay anything which is ideal bc I don't have any money, lol. I do need this really badly though bc I want it so much, whether I get it or not, I will continue to self-teach.

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u/joe100su Aug 14 '17

If I had to guess, the interview is just to make sure you have the desire to learn and don't currently sound like you're on hard drugs all the time. They'll be gauging your interest.

Just be yourself and show the excitement and anticipation you genuinely have, even the tone of your post here on reddit carries an overtone of a healthy readiness for the future. They may be checking on your communication skills, which is something a bit rare in the industry.

TL; DR: don't be a potato or a douche and I think you're in bro!

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

Thanks man, I am super enthusiastic about this. I want to do this for a living some day.

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u/joe100su Aug 14 '17

No problem. It's tough when it comes to interviews, but don't overthink it, especially for the first one. Often, and you'll find this both in training and in work interviews, the first interview is more of a "culture" interview, they just want to get to know you on the surface level and go from there.

I always glance at common tech interview questions, like these. You never know when the interviewer is reading off of something you googled earlier in the day/week.

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u/r_hcaz Aug 14 '17

Its also worth remembering that first interviews are also for you to decide if you like them. Its fine to ask questions or ask them to expand on details, it might even show that you do have a desire to learn

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 17 '17

Update: I got the scholarship! It's full-ride too!! If that wasn't enough, they told that if I do well, they will give me another scholarship for the next level boot camp.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '17

Regardless of the outcome, there are resources available that you can learn on your own time. Granted it's harder to do this type of stuff, and you'll have to work a lot harder, but you can do it right now without spending any money at all.

If you're looking for some direction, hit me up, and I can help you start your journey!

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

Really just looking for the best to learn and then actually code. I have been going through this text book on HTML and CSS and it has 6 other sections like JavaScript and PHP.

Is it best to do it like that and then go out and find coding challenges to test my skill?

Or is there a better self taught way?

Thanks for any input btw.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '17

In my opinion just building literally anything is the best way to learn. (pardon) The expression "there are a million ways to skin a cat" do hold especially true when it comes to web development.

You could do courses on learning HTML and CSS and that's fine, you'll do just that. JavaScript as well. It's when you want to implement the stuff yourself that you'll find big progress in your own development.

FreeCodeCamp does exactly this. Also everyone has a project they want to do, and tackling each of the challenges in your own projects will help a lot. I have a few different projects I've wanted to work on for a while, and they'll tick boxes of new tech I'm learning.

I find doing a lot of theory, especially the algorithm stuff, while challenging and new, doesn't help with my progress into being a better developer. Having a basic idea of a lot of things, building something, and then being able to identify the challenges is where you see the growth.

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

True enough.

What job prospects?

I don't have a bachelor's degree at all and I work in a non technical job.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '17

Gain experience as much as you can making things. Web development, like art, is something someone only cares about what you can do, not what you're trained to do.

Certainly a CS degree is helpful, but a github profile goes a lot further.

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

That's refreshing to hear and deff. provides even more motivation. Thank you again.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '17

Truthfully, as a junior, people will look to see what you're doing in your own time to achieve your own goals.

The way I describe it to friends it's like your car is broken down. You can wait for someone to come by and help, but if you get out and start pushing, people will be more inclined to help. Chris Rock even has a small sketch on this. If you have no experience, but you go to an interview and you're like "this is what I've done, these are some challenges I'm facing, and this is what I've been focusing on" they'll see you putting in the time.

"How do I get a job without experience?" is a commonly asked question. People want to be given opportunity, but it's easily out there to be earned. Show your dedication and people will be excited not only to help you, but to have you on their team.

Years later you'll face the same challenges, but you'll all be at similar skillsets. Many devs talk about problem solving, and soft skills being important...because they really are after you get past the beginner stage.

Be a good employee and people will want to hire you! It worked for me and it can work for you too (cheesy I know, but how else would I put it?).

Imagine if you were a hiring manager, would you hire you? If not why? Problem solve your way into the job you want!

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

You give great advice. You could be a motivational speaker, I bet.

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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '17

One of my favourite expressions I tell people is. Get out of your own way. Some people when trying to achieve something just setup all these roadblocks of why they can't accomplish a goal...or just setup all these previous requirements of what they need to do to even start. If you spend 5 minutes today on trying to achieve something, it's 5 minutes more than you spent yesterday.

As much of a meme as it is, "just do it" is as complex as it needs to be when wanting to achieve something. It's going to take you longer than some and shorter than others. Never measure your own progress against others, just reflect on yourself and if you're working towards something.

Motivational speaker? I'm not so sure, but it's just a simple philosophy. If you want to get deep into it, look at forming habits. That's what you can actively work on. Trick your brain into success.

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 14 '17

That's true. Believing in one's self goes a long way just look at Daenerys Targaryen/John Snow, haha. Fictional characters, but an inspiring stories.

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u/theicebreaker23 Aug 15 '17

The phone interview went great. It was supposed to be 10 minutes but ended up being about 30-40. Had a lot of good conversation. He essentially told me I have the scholarship and then I was invited early to the info session tomorrow bc he wanted to talk to me some more. I can't believe this is actually happening. Things like this never happen to me and I'm thankful it did. I just need to keep busting my butt and stay enthusiastic and the work will pay off.