Starting Hack Reactor 19 Week Bootcamp for learning Python and Javascript
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My thoughts before the first week of class starting on Feb. 6, 2023
After doing lots of research and due diligence, I enrolled in the Hack Reactor 19-week Boot Camp. I'll learn Python and JavaScript as computer languages, take those languages, and build and complete fullstack development projects and apps through frameworks (like Django and React). I'm very excited to pursue being a software engineer, working remotely anywhere in the world, and taking my skills and providing them as a valuable service to other businesses and my entrepreneurial creations. Today marks my first write-up of thoughts before my cohort start date of February 6. This blog aims to provide my thoughts leading up to the start of the Hack Reactor program and to mark the beginning of documenting my comprehensive journey as a software engineer.
My Research And Networking For The Program
I started my research by visiting several coding boot camp websites, beginning with Codeacademy, and quickly deciding no because I did not qualify for their financial options. Then I found Hack Reactor and was invited to their slack channel where a former alumni, Jason Wesson , hosts weekly Sunday meetups to talk shop, get career advice, and network with other alums, and current students, and none students alike. This meetup is solely on Jason's time and isn't affiliated with the Hack Reactor program. This is where I received a genuine perspective of the good, bad, great, and ugly of all things boot camps, life as a developer, coding, and networking. This has been one of my primary forms of research: the weekly calls where I would always end the meeting with a long list of resources to dig further into the industry and skill set. Jason Wesson is a former hack actor alumni who has since graduated from the program in 2021 and has had two Software Engineering (SWE) jobs. The first was for Code of America, and his current work at the time of writing is as a Software Engineer II at 2U,
I want to state that there are other options than coding boot camps. It all depends on your unique circumstance. One can succeed as a developer without going the boot camp route. I've completed nine other courses already before doing this. I do have the discipline to do things on my own. Still, I enjoy working with others for the next five months to create projects together, and expanding my network, and get access to the career services of Hack Reactor. During my research, I came across a video of a panel of former Hack Reactor alumni, and one of them, in particular, was talking about how he ripped up his certificate from hack reactor because at the end of the day that is all it is. What you do with these skills is what truly matters, and the stories you tell yourself in your head and the habits you develop are more important and valuable than any paper you receive. Haha, all that said, besides spending months talking to alums of the program in an environment not affiliated with the program, the financing option I could do with Hack Reactor drew me into the program. I decided to do the income share agreement, so once I earn over $60,000 as a software engineer, I'll make reoccurring monthly payments. I've attached the payment table from my loan agreement to know the monthly payment amounts. This is very doable and affordable given that I plan on living in countries where the cost of living is much cheaper than other Western countries and the quality of life can be easily the same if not better for how far your money goes, hence why I have been living in Colombia for the past 18 months! ο»Ώ
I did apply for the Galvanize scholarship. Unfortunately, I did not get it, but please feel free to look at the video to get ideas for making your scholarship video. I highly recommend applying for the scholarship because Galvanize gives out several scholarships every new cohort, so individuals do not have to pay any tuition for the entire program. It is my understanding from alumni and individuals in the Galvanize community that there's not that big of a pool of applicants that apply every round, so your opportunity for winning a scholarship is relatively high, so I would recommend investing time and energy into your application in creating a video that you believe is worthy of winning a scholarship.
Courses And My Prep Material
Okay, now the fun stuff of naming sources. This is my research, my education, practicing, and sharpening my skills. Taking classes before the start of Hack Reactor is optional. Still, I wanted to spend my time back in November 2022 until the program start date of February 6 to start programming. So this is a list that I have to demonstrate of all the courses and educational material. I have done until this point; these courses were either suggested to me through Jason Wesson or my research, in addition to talking to alums. On another side note, thousands of courses and programs are out there. The main thing we can do is learn every day. More importantly, are you learning and going over the basic foundation of the skill every day, and even if it's just for a short duration of the day, are you building consistency and habit? This is more critical.
- HackReactor - Prep Course Immersive for the 12 Week Program
- Hack Reactor - Prep Course Bonus (Module 0: Beta and Module 0: Building Blocks Intro)
- Udacity - Intro to JavaScript
- Udemy - JavaScript: Understanding the Weird Parts
- Mimo - Web Development for JavaScript, SQL, and Python - A great way to practice coding on the go and especially when flying or on long bus rides in Colombiaπ¨π΄.
- Zero to Mastery Complete Web Developer Course 2023 -I highly recommend serious people who want to work outside a boot camp and have the support and high-level content, project, and community check out Zero to Mastery. More affable and able to go at your own pace.
- Zero to Mastery Complete Python Developer in 2023
- Zero to Mastery Learning to Meditate [Productivity & Focus] - I highly recommend this and the learning-to-learn course! These should be skills either learned or refreshed in your mind before starting a new skill and consuming lots of information, practice, and studying, such as coding.
- Zero to Mastery Learning to Learn [Efficient Learning]
Okay, I know I said my opinion on certification, but I wanted to provide these as documentation to prove that I have done these courses.
Current Work Setup
Here is my current setup as far as what I'm using for the computer. I have a MacBook Air M1 2020 on top of it with a portable side monitor from ThinkVision. This is an excellent setup for traveling and being remote and flexible to work from most desk setups. Then I have two wireless mice with two Apple earbuds and a wireless Apple wireless keyboard. I am taking the course remotely outside of the US, so I'll take it for five months in the small town of Santa Rosa de Cabal in Colombia. We're right now in the middle of moving homes, so what you see in the video uploaded to YouTube is the old house we lived in. Unfortunately, things in the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal can operate on "manana time." We can't get working wifi installed in our new home, so the first week of the Hack Reactor program will be from our old house with working Wifi until Wifi is installed in our new home. I hope to have it installed shortly! It can be expected that it takes weeks to get a scheduled appointment and for a service provider to assist when living in a small town in Colombia. There are plenty of positive tradeoffs, though. ο»Ώ
Weekly Updates And Learnings
The purpose of this documentation is to show what I've been learning, so I can look back. It reflects on how far I've come, as well as continue to increase my network, practice continuously speaking and writing about the industry, in addition to providing documentation for others to learn from, and know that there are no boundaries when it comes to a new skill where are you are living in another country. My documentation of my time and this course will be done in weekly updates on a YouTube video and a weekly blog post. I'll be sharing what I've been learning in the class projects I worked on and also quick lifestyle, updates on what I'm doing for my own mental health physical health, and attaching myself away from the computer as I do going forward and I am not glued to the computer 12 hours a day. I want a healthy balance when it comes to prioritizing my mental health, knowing there's a world outside of my laptop, and prioritizing the relationships in my life with my girlfriend, her family, my family, and others.
I look forward to showing you a little bit of the area of Colombia I am living in for the next six months. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions. I look forward to sharing my journey!
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