I have just read the post about Advice for people who changes career after their 30s. And I must I say it encouraged me to write my first post here at dev.to.
A Story
Let me introduce you a bit of a story. Of how a Graduated in Politic Sciences abandoned her CMO job to become a dev from zero (feel free to jump directly to the achievements).
As my bio depicts, I've been working since I was 21 in the Real Estate industry in Spain, and most of the time for a bank. At the end, in another company, I reached to be COO and later CMO. I must say I really enjoyed my work. But there was something that didn't fulfill me. Must admit that in the last year, I was really burnt out due to many reasons. During all that time, my colleagues, today friends, where my rock.
So this March this year I decided to give everything up, and really persue my dreams. A passion I had when I was so young (I am talking about 10 or 12 years old) and left behind when I reallized that Maths were not my cup of tea. Somehow I thought that I would never be a developer if I didn't get along with them. So I choose the opposite path, and life just took me where I mentioned before. Nothing really vocational, to be honest. Although I am always trying to the best in what I am doing. Doesn't matter what.
I am not only self-teaching myself. I am also taking an official degree here in Spain of Web Applications Development. I am aware that in this industry academic titles do not mean that much anymore. But I needed to feel condifent to ask for job in the industry.
So, the #100DaysofCode...finally
I have finished my first quarter at school (don't know how to call it), quite succesfully. So now, I have decided to teach myself to code in JavaScript, and improve my skills with web development. And THAT's how we arrive to the #100DaysOfCode challenge.
At this point, we probably all know what is it about. However it's quite self-explained, hehe. I started 15 days ago, and this is what I achieved so far (bear in mind that I started almost from 0):
- I am growing a humble portfolio at Codepen.io. You can check it here
- Got my First Certification at FreeCodeCamp.org for Responsive Web Development.
- Got my very first version of my personal website Nadine Thêry
- I discovered Dev.to and I am completely hooked.
- I grew my contact network and have new colleagues. Trying to help people with my yet small knowledge.
- I managed to make two simple JavaScript apps: The Light Bulb The Dice Game
- I attended the VueJS day celebrated in Alicante.
Wow, writing this list was very inspiring. It made me really put in perspective what I have really achieved in just 15 days. And it's a lot. However, these are some of the feelings and doubts I've been experiencing:
- The more I study, I discover things I don't know. And wonder if I will ever get to know them!
- When I see those stunning Codepens in the general dashboard I feel that I am far away from there. How much time will it take? Do I have it?
- The fear to finally arrive to a company and not being able to resolve a problem.
So, if you are in the same point I am right now. Feel free to share your feelings and your achievements so far. And Hold On!
Thank you for reading!
P/S: and sorry for misspellings, I am a Spanish native :D
Great article. You have motivated me to write more as well. Good to know there are others in the same boat as me. Keep it up!