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A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

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Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#181

Post by Ryel »

embwbam wrote: post #104

Last year, I tried something new. One of my friends, a Mathematician, and the smartest guy I know, was working at the library. I told him he should get into programming, and hired him as my "Apprentice". I was mentoring him directly. He was working right next to me. He was learning a lot, I was enjoying the teaching, but I could also hand him boring stuff (CSS) and he would love to do it. I paid him peanuts ($12/hr)…

Great idea.

Are there any websites for finding people like you who are in a position to mentor?

I guess I'll start asking around because I'm in a position where I could really benefit from working on more projects but I'm not skilled enough to take on the responsibility myself.

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#182

Post by mbubb »

School-Cotton wrote: post #49
mbubb wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should have a github account if you are learning to program. In my experience interviewers expect it.

I work at a huge company named after a big river in South America. I don't know of anybody in my org that has a GitHub, and maybe like 1/10 of the resumes I see for interview candidates have one. Is this "expectation" a San Francisco thing?

No, NYC. But good point. Maybe it is a 'deformation professionelle' but I feel like it is common.

I have been interviewing in adtech, financial tech, educational tech and ecommerce companies, not ones named after SA rivers (Rio Plata, Orinoco, Putumayo?).

Some applications have boxes for github, linkedin accounts. Also I have been asked for it in interviews. In 2 cases I have seen programming tests where step one was 'clone this repo...' (one a fintech the other a big data audience tracking company).

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#183

Post by ilaksh »

Moving on to the next topic in a class before an individual masters a more fundamental one is a core structural problem with traditional classroom-based instruction. Individual, self-paced computer assisted instruction makes that go away by verifying that foundational skills and knowledge are gained before moving to the next level. This is not limited in any way to programming or any particular skill or knowledge area.

Having a mentor or tutor adds another level of enhancement. But don't undervalue the ability of a computer to objectively measure an individuals performance and tailor the learning material to their own pace.

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#184

Post by runbmd »

jbhatab wrote: post #175
embwbam wrote: post #104

Last year, I tried something new. One of my friends, a Mathematician, and the smartest guy I know, was working at the library. I told him he should get into programming, and hired him as my "Apprentice". I was mentoring him directly. He was working right next to me. He was learning a lot, I was enjoying the teaching, but I could also hand him boring stuff (CSS) and he would love to do it. I paid him peanuts ($12/hr)…

I taught myself to code up to a 65/hr job in 2 years and trained a friend to a 25/hr job in half a year. Very glad to see others doing the same, I can't wait until online education mixed with mentorship proves to be a viable education option.

What did you teach yourself in those 2 years, if you don't mind me asking?

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#185

Post by seanflyon »

zanny wrote: post #122
jdreaver wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would have loved an internship like that! I'm afraid that some would accuse you of oppressing your friend by exploiting his labor at the unlivable wage of $12/hr though :)

If $12 an hour is unlivable, are the Mcdonalds and Walmart employees working $7 an hour just zombies?

It also depends where you live. Every day I pass a Wendy's in Redwood City with a big sign advertising a $10.15 starting pay (which is still only $1.15 over CA minimum wage).

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#186

Post by fnatalie21 »

embwbam wrote: post #104

Last year, I tried something new. One of my friends, a Mathematician, and the smartest guy I know, was working at the library. I told him he should get into programming, and hired him as my "Apprentice". I was mentoring him directly. He was working right next to me. He was learning a lot, I was enjoying the teaching, but I could also hand him boring stuff (CSS) and he would love to do it. I paid him peanuts ($12/hr)…

I've heard that this is what Germany still does.

For every profession, there is an apprenticeship you can enter for it. You get paid (unlike an internship). Apprenticeships start after highschool or college.

I heard this years ago, so I can't remember the exact details, but maybe and German can speak up about it.

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#187

Post by j_s »

oAlbe wrote: post #180
embwbam wrote: post #104

Last year, I tried something new. One of my friends, a Mathematician, and the smartest guy I know, was working at the library. I told him he should get into programming, and hired him as my "Apprentice". I was mentoring him directly. He was working right next to me. He was learning a lot, I was enjoying the teaching, but I could also hand him boring stuff (CSS) and he would love to do it. I paid him peanuts ($12/hr)…

Reading this kind of "experiences" always make me wonder if there's something wrong with me. As it seems, I am the only person in the world that can't find a mentor willing to invest a tiny bit of his/her time for teaching. And I didn't even ever asked for "peanuts". It would be amazing to have the chance to learn from and improve my skill with an expert developer, and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me. Doi…

One way to read your comment is as a request for help, but there's no way to contact you directly from your profile here on Hacker News (in case you weren't aware, the email field is not public).

It's worth noting that some open source projects are noted for fostering a community that accomplishes what you describe... perhaps all that is lacking is the initiative to seek out such an opportunity!

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#189

Post by 88e282102ae2e5b »

embwbam wrote: post #104

Last year, I tried something new. One of my friends, a Mathematician, and the smartest guy I know, was working at the library. I told him he should get into programming, and hired him as my "Apprentice". I was mentoring him directly. He was working right next to me. He was learning a lot, I was enjoying the teaching, but I could also hand him boring stuff (CSS) and he would love to do it. I paid him peanuts ($12/hr)…

It worked for me (an apprentice).

Re: A Site That Teaches You to Code Well Enough to Get a Job

#190

Post by idle_processor »

j_s wrote: post #187
oAlbe wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reading this kind of "experiences" always make me wonder if there's something wrong with me. As it seems, I am the only person in the world that can't find a mentor willing to invest a tiny bit of his/her time for teaching. And I didn't even ever asked for "peanuts". It would be amazing to have the chance to learn from and improve my skill with an expert developer, and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me. Doi…

One way to read your comment is as a request for help, but there's no way to contact you directly from your profile here on Hacker News (in case you weren't aware, the email field is not public). It's worth noting that some open source projects are noted for fostering a community that accomplishes what you describe... perhaps all that is lacking is the initiative to seek out such an opportunity!

Can you please point me towards said open source projects?
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