Thanks for this Kevin! Your story resonates with me. I was at a small startup in NYC for nearly 4 years and am now looking for new opportunities after them nearly shutting down. Starting there straight outta bootcamp I didn't even get to code at the beginning, I was doing more product/team management stuff (felt weird). I finally got to code and learn more eventually, but I'm now realizing I have a lot of skill gaps and much to learn from from you and others. I look forward to more newsletters!
It's always crazy to look back and realize all the compounded growth in a short amount of time.
Coming from afar (Chile) and starting a career in tech in the US proved to be hard at first, but it paid off so much! Reading your post just made me reflect on what my path has been and to compare my self from 7 years ago to where I am now. I just can say in these crazy times for tech I'm grateful for that path I have been able to walk.
No advice, but I’m in a very similar position to you. I graduated from a bootcamp last March and started working in June at a relatively new subsidiary with just two other devs (now down to one dev).
Some of the pro’s is that it’s similar to the bootcamp in that I’m having to get exposed to every facet of development quickly. Within the first two months I was in charge of a major project. Similarly we don’t have standup, are just now starting to implement tests, and don’t have good documentation.
I’ve probably typed more lines of code and touched on more languages/coding concepts than the average <1 year junior dev, but I often wonder if it’ll make me a weaker developer in the long-term.
That’s why I’m grateful for seniors like yourself that make educational content available and easy to understand, it definitely helps with my own imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy.
Thank you for starting this newsletter! I look forward to hearing what you have to share.
Thanks for giving it a read Josiah! I definitely had my fair share of imposter syndrome but the more I took on and delivered, the more my confidence grew. I hope it can do the same for you!
Thank you for your inspiring story! Got laid off a few months back, but now I see it as a chance to reflect and improve, which let me find the job a have right now. Look forward to your newsletter, love from Taiwan!
I'm sorry to hear that Kevin! In retrospect getting laid off really was one of the best things that has happened to me in my career and I'm sure if you work hard it'll be the same for you. Best of luck! :)
I've been through layoffs before - more than one. It always hurt at the time but I always seemed to end up in a better place.
I hated the feeling of relying on others to pay my bills so I changed it. I went out on my own and built my own future. I now run 2 companies and I am currently building my 3rd, a software startup (even though I don't come from a software development background). The key for me was how I framed it and looked at the situation - I reframed it to 'it happened for me' and that changed things for me, for the better.
Better days are coming! I do believe if you are a software developer/engineer then even more so. Software development/engineering skills are vital!
Hi Kevin! Thanks for the article. I was looking for someone talking on the development topics and learning from. LinkedIn recommended one of your posts. Here I am reading this article. Till next Friday then ☺️
Thanks for this Kevin! Your story resonates with me. I was at a small startup in NYC for nearly 4 years and am now looking for new opportunities after them nearly shutting down. Starting there straight outta bootcamp I didn't even get to code at the beginning, I was doing more product/team management stuff (felt weird). I finally got to code and learn more eventually, but I'm now realizing I have a lot of skill gaps and much to learn from from you and others. I look forward to more newsletters!
Thanks for reading Jared! Best of luck finding a new role, work hard and I'm sure it'll work out for the best! :)
I was laid off from my first job as well.
Welcome to Substack
Thanks Hemant!
> By leveraging others’ experiences you can not only avoid their previous pitfalls but also expedite your learning and therefore your rate of growth
💯
Great post Kevin looking forward to future ones!
Thanks Ryan really appreciate the support :)
I was not familiar with your writing before, and I love the honest style :)
Welcome to Substack! Looking forward to reading next Friday :)
Thank you Anton I really appreciate you reading the newsletter :)
It's always crazy to look back and realize all the compounded growth in a short amount of time.
Coming from afar (Chile) and starting a career in tech in the US proved to be hard at first, but it paid off so much! Reading your post just made me reflect on what my path has been and to compare my self from 7 years ago to where I am now. I just can say in these crazy times for tech I'm grateful for that path I have been able to walk.
Thanks for your post Kevin!
I feel very grateful as well Camilo. Thanks for giving it a read!
No advice, but I’m in a very similar position to you. I graduated from a bootcamp last March and started working in June at a relatively new subsidiary with just two other devs (now down to one dev).
Some of the pro’s is that it’s similar to the bootcamp in that I’m having to get exposed to every facet of development quickly. Within the first two months I was in charge of a major project. Similarly we don’t have standup, are just now starting to implement tests, and don’t have good documentation.
I’ve probably typed more lines of code and touched on more languages/coding concepts than the average <1 year junior dev, but I often wonder if it’ll make me a weaker developer in the long-term.
That’s why I’m grateful for seniors like yourself that make educational content available and easy to understand, it definitely helps with my own imposter syndrome and feelings of inadequacy.
Thank you for starting this newsletter! I look forward to hearing what you have to share.
Thanks for giving it a read Josiah! I definitely had my fair share of imposter syndrome but the more I took on and delivered, the more my confidence grew. I hope it can do the same for you!
Helping others help build ourselves
That's the goal!
Mentorship + learning together with others. 2 such important things. If you have both, the growth is just exponentially faster! Great story
Exactly and thanks so much Gregor!
Love the story, Kevin.
Looking forward to the lessons each Friday!
Thanks Jordan! I'm looking forward to reading your content as well :)
nice story
Thanks!
Thank you for your inspiring story! Got laid off a few months back, but now I see it as a chance to reflect and improve, which let me find the job a have right now. Look forward to your newsletter, love from Taiwan!
I'm sorry to hear that Kevin! In retrospect getting laid off really was one of the best things that has happened to me in my career and I'm sure if you work hard it'll be the same for you. Best of luck! :)
Nice thought Kevin feeling energetic
Thank you Sanket!
Actually I am also struggling to get the job so is there any way we can connect Kevin. I would happy to get the advice from you.
Love to here from you. Will eagerly wait for your contents every Friday.
I've been through layoffs before - more than one. It always hurt at the time but I always seemed to end up in a better place.
I hated the feeling of relying on others to pay my bills so I changed it. I went out on my own and built my own future. I now run 2 companies and I am currently building my 3rd, a software startup (even though I don't come from a software development background). The key for me was how I framed it and looked at the situation - I reframed it to 'it happened for me' and that changed things for me, for the better.
Better days are coming! I do believe if you are a software developer/engineer then even more so. Software development/engineering skills are vital!
Hi Kevin! Thanks for the article. I was looking for someone talking on the development topics and learning from. LinkedIn recommended one of your posts. Here I am reading this article. Till next Friday then ☺️