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<![endif]--> <table class="container" lang="container" dir="ltr" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top" style="width:100%;margin-top:6px"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="message-wrapper" style="line-height:1.31;color:#222;font-family:arial,sans-serif"> <!--[if mso]><table width="590" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top" style="width:590px;border-collapse:separate;"><tr><td valign="top"><![endif]--> <div style="max-width:590px">Hi Sam,</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px"><i>> I'm currently going through other basic tutorials(html, css etc) and was wondering what the next step would be after being comfortable with the basics.</i></div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px">I would strongly second what Graham said about getting as much practice as you can. If you don't have a specific project that you're focused on right now, there are plenty of exercises available online for you to work through. <a href="http://exercism.io">exercism.io</a> gets a lot of good reviews, some other examples include <a href="https://links2.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/AHeGerJSe1ejiQ5oU?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">project euler</a>, <a href="https://links6.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/EA2X1Mg361mIib8gH?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">SQLBolt</a>, <a href="https://links5.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/3uZPfphPKpLAite8l?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">rosalind</a>, and <a href="https://links8.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/tSwHjQp56F6R8P5NA?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">cryptopals</a>. (If you manage to complete up to challenge 6 in cryptopals, or even attempt 6 and get stuck part way through, then it would probably be worth us discussing the potential for an apprenticeship as plenty of senior developers can't do that exercise).</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px">I particularly like <a href="https://links7.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/pUQ1EAGyzrojkODgp?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">this post about learning</a> (and more specifically learning to program) about fluency vs. understanding and structure vs. imagination.</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px">However, in addition to building fluency, we also encourage apprentices to read books. For learning Ruby our standard text is <a href="https://links10.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/dJXYviaJX4QfuOIHq?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">The Well Grounded Rubyist</a> by David A. Black. Other books on our apprentice reading list include <a href="https://links8.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/6Eiu9QlZGg35El8Su?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">High Performance Browser Networking</a> by Ilya Grigorik (available online for free) and <a href="https://links6.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/9KFV67uLpuJDyATcr?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Designing Data Intensive Applications</a> by Martin Kleppmann. The former is ostensibly about performance and ends up being a sales pitch for HTTP2, but on the way there the author has to explain how the internet works. The latter is a book packed with a lot of knowledge and clear thinking about how to make good decisions with databases that I wish I'd had earlier in my career.</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px"><i>> It would also be nice to know what possible paths there are for becoming a fully fledged developer.</i></div><div style="max-width:590px"><i><br></i></div><div style="max-width:590px">Having advised (and subsequently hired a few) graduates from code schools, career changers, and coding meetup attendees, without knowing more about your circumstances I would wager that from a standing start this is a project that will take you between 6 and 24 months, depending on your life circumstances, your prior experience, and connections.</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px">Here are some things you can do to help make your first job as a developer happen:</div><ul style="max-width:590px"><li style="max-width:590px"><b>Start talking to people in the industry</b>. Go to the <a href="https://links10.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/6T4XqSs7Ut8I7Z3YZ?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">LRUG</a> meetups. One of the most common concerns about attending that new programmers raise with me is that the talks will be "at too high a level". They're not at too high a level for you (sorry everyone!) and even if they are, isn't that the point of you going? Try to stay for drinks afterwards if you feel comfortable doing so and maybe introduce yourself to some people that have also been to LRUG that evening. Maybe think about attending <a href="https://links7.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/3JyKp8CSOjQKj4lQn?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Brighton Ruby</a> too, Andy knows how to put on a good show. In addition to this, if you happen to be from a background that is underrepresented in tech then I super double plus turbo recommend you attend <a href="https://links1.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/ZlIh01s1kqTP4B4WQ?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false" style="">codebar</a>. It is the gold standard introduction to the industry. You will be in an office where developers work, with other people learning to code, and a handful of developers teaching you how to code, for free. If that doesn't make the prospect of becoming a developer more real for you, I don't know what will.</li><li style="max-width:590px"><b>If you can afford to do so, attend <a href="https://links4.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/TUOwHD5lOlnXQ8jXl?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Makers Academy</a></b>. I have no affiliation with Makers other than I know a lot of the students and occasionally have lunch with Evgeny who is one of the founders. After years of watching Makers launch cohort after cohort into the industry, I don't have any hesitation in recommending them to you (though I suspect out of all of these recommendations, this one will be the most controversial on this list). They will definitely make it more likely that you get a job as a developer more quickly than you would be able to do so on your own. They also at this stage have an extensive alumni network, and a lot of good connections with companies that are actively trying to hire people that are new to the industry. This is a really good set of advantages to have at the start of your developer career.</li><li style="max-width:590px"><b>Start the campaign for your first developer job early. </b>Let's say you have to make 100 applications for a developer job, 30 of which get a reply, 9 of which lead to an interview which result in one or two offers for a job. You still need to make those hundred applications to get those one or two offers. As you improve your skills, make more connections, and get more experience interviewing, your likelihood of getting an offer will increase. So the earlier you start writing CVs/cover letters, making lists of companies you'd like to work at, and reaching out to people hiring junior/apprentice roles, the better.</li></ul><div style="max-width:590px">You'll get a lot of other good replies on this list and this is just one set of opinions to weigh against all the others, but I hope there are one or two things there you find useful. If there's anything I've said here that you would like to discuss further then feel free to get in touch on or off list.</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px">Best of luck!</div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div class="mixmax_signature" style="max-width:590px"><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Najaf Ali - Founder at <a href="https://links4.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/6Ruohd7dHMfHeT1a4?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Happy Bear Software</a></font></div><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666">Phone: 07590 073 977</font></div><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666">Skype: alinajaf85</font></div><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666">Timezone: <a href="https://links7.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/g75wimnKBoVFEkEYG?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">London, UTC + 1</a></font></div><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666"><a href="https://links10.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/2bRAkTZhK9SbKJvE9?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://links8.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/CQJxZdkCqrufc1yud?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://links7.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/Bd5gegp8mSMQn5WVT?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">Medium</a> | <a href="https://links7.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/szeRW7CJlUBsueml6?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">GitHub</a><br></font></div><div style="max-width:590px"><br></div><div style="max-width:590px"><font color="#666666">I run a technical consultancy specialising in Ruby on Rails. Have a look at <a href="https://links4.mixmaxusercontent.com/rSxCBSBNkaSyYEvDv/l/BZtwTzqL1Oa0x1zOv?messageId=yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7&rn=gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI&re=icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI&sc=false">this one-page info sheet</a> for a summary of the services we provide. We're always happy to meet people building software, so if you think of anyone appropriate for us we would appreciate being put in touch :-)</font></div></div><div style="max-width:590px"> </div><div style="max-width:590px"> <p><br></p> <div class="gmail_extra"> <p><br></p> <div class="gmail_quote"> On Tue, Apr 10, 2018 7:48 PM, samuel brown <span dir="ltr"> <a href="mailto:samuelbrown201195@hotmail.co.uk" target="_blank">samuelbrown201195@hotmail.co.uk</a></span> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> <u></u> <div id="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size:12pt;color:#000000;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif" dir="ltr"> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Hi all</p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br> </p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">I have started getting into programming(initial through basic ruby tutorials and onto hartl's rails tutorial). I'm currently going through other basic tutorials(html, css etc) and was wondering what the next step would be after being comfortable with the basics.</p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br> </p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">It would also be nice to know what possible paths there are for becoming a fully fledged developer.</p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br> </p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Any comments would be much appreciated</p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br> </p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Regards</p> <p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Sam</p> </div> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div><div style="max-width:590px"> </div><img align="left" width="0" height="0" style="border:0;width:0px;height:0px" src="https://track.mixmax.com/api/track/v2/yAaWHPoia63A4r4b7/i02bj5SZyF2d0Z2bzJXYlJWewBXYoBUasFmI/icmcv5yZ1JHbuMHdzlGbARXYoNmI/gIwV3bydEIzJXZzVFI5JWdSBibvRmbvxkI?sc=false" alt=""> <!--[if mso]></td></tr></table><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>