Self-Taught Devs

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their current projects and what technologies they are learning. They take a dive into behavioral lessons, working with Stripe and Unit Testing, and the recently released NextJS 13 App Router. Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/ Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

Matt and Eric discuss transitioning from solely building portfolio projects to gaining actual work experience. Recently Matt and Eric made the switch to focusing on the career and job search. There was only one issue, they didn't actually have any applicable work experience to add to their resume. In this episode they discuss their recent change in development projects, mind shifts, and adjust...

In this episode, Matt and Eric have a conversation with Luke Hovee. Luke got his first role in web development in 2016 and has held positions with numerous companies since then. We discuss the differences in interviews and expectations of juniors from when Luke started vs today. We also cover discovering and dealing with blindspots when you are in your first role. Rounding off the conversation wit...

In this episode, Matt and Eric have a conversation with Vitto Rivabella. Vitto is a Lead Dev Rel at Alchemy, he created Alchemy Learn and helps people break into web3. In this episode we discuss what web3 is, how Vitto originally got into web3, how it's utilized, and why you should be concerned about it. Vitto took a non traditional path into software and we discuss how he went from learning a...

In this episode, Matt and Eric have a conversation with Vanessa Vun. She provides a deep-dive on her career transition journey, from working in the medical field to landing her first job in tech. Vanessa details how she got started as a self-taught dev, her resources for learning, her activities in the community, and how she continually evaluated and pivoted in her plan for success. From humble be...

How do you come up with portfolio project ideas? How do you build portfolio projects? What are some examples of portfolio projects? Eric and Matt answer these questions and more in this weeks episodes. This week we discuss our experiences with trying to build portfolio projects. Coming up with project ideas can be difficult, especially for those that are just starting to learn. By the end of this...

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of starting the Self-Taught Devs Podcast, and reflect on their experiences, growth, and challenges over the first 20 episodes. Getting started with content creation can be challenging and intimidating. Matt and Eric go into depth about how they got started, and give advice for anyone looking to do the same. Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-lin...

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of learning their first programming language, JavaScript. Learning your first programming language can be difficult at first. It requires a different skills than many of us are used to. Matt and Eric talk about their learning process, struggles, preferred learning techniques, and how they eventually learned JavaScript. Matt's Links: https://...

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of learning CSS. How they started, how they improved over time, and the tools, processes, and resources they utilized. They also discuss their favorite tools today, experience with things like Bootstrap and Tailwind, and what you should focus on as you develop your skills. Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/ Eric's Link...

DeVontae Moore had an untraditional transition into tech and it took longer than expected. DeVontae is very active on Linkedin and he gives helpful unconventional advice to junior devs. He also has a newsletter where he gives coding tips and practical advice on how to be a better programmer. In this episode we discuss how he transitioned into tech, tips on getting your first job, how to protect yo...

What have been some of your expectations for the field of tech? With the vast amounts of information of stories about how to transition into tech, how do you manage your expectations? Eric and Matt discuss their process for managing their expectations as they transition into tech. This includes goal setting, managing disappointment, how their expectations have changed since they started and much m...

Are you Building In Public? Have you thought about building in public but don't know where to start? In this episode, Matt and Eric have a conversation about their thoughts and process on creating content and posting videos of their projects and code. Topics include: - The process of making content - Utilizing LinkedIn effectively - WHY you should be building in public - Considerations when ma...

In this episode, Matt and Eric take some time to catch up about their recent experiences doing the Self Taught Dev thing. A break from our more structured episodes and interviews. Various topics covered including: - Taking the pressure off in the path to a career change - Finding experience through open source and volunteering - AI and Prompt Engineering - Being Open to Different Roles in Tech - G...

In this episode, Matt and Eric speak with Patrick Da Silva who is a DevOps Consultant at Polar Squad. Patrick talks about how he went from University, to CTO to DevOps. He also discusses his long original job search process and some things that you can do to get your first opportunity in tech. Learn from Patricks untraditional path and see how you can apply it to your own. Matt's Links:  https...

Eric and Matt discuss motivation and how to deal with gaining and losing it. The process of transitioning to tech can be a long road and certainly difficult. How does one stay motivated? Is it a good idea to rely on motivation? What happens when we don’t have any motivation? These questions and more are answered in this episode. Submit your questions to selftaughtdevs@gmail.com. Matt's Links: ...

In this episode, Matt and Eric speak with their guest Louie Knolle, discussing his wild journey through numerous jobs like Wilderness Therapy, Orchard work, and Arborist and Tree Farm work before discovering some benefits of the coding profession on a road trip with friends. Louie talks about his learning experience, overcoming challenges when starting some professional-level work, and dealing wit...

In this episode, Eric and Matt speak with Brian Pulliam who combines 26 years in tech with over a decade of coaching experience to help folks in engineering and tech navigate their career paths. Topics covered include going from a solo-learner to working on a team, how to improve your resume and better show your achievements, interview strategies, networking, and more! Tons of valuable information...

Matt and Eric take questions from you, the audience. We asked you all on LinkedIn for questions you wanted answered and you responded. In this episode we discuss multiple topics such as our favorite and least favorite parts of our learning journey, the courses we took, and if we would change anything about our journey. Submit your questions to selftaughtdevs@gmail.com. Matt's Links: https://mehrli...

In this episode, Matt and Eric speak with their guest Alison Childers and discuss her incredible journey. Deciding to leave her job as a teacher and pursue software engineering, this self-taught developer has an amazing journey and discusses how she learned the skills, built in public, networked, and landed her awesome opportunities. A real success story! Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.n...

The job search! Many of us dread it and it can certainly be a challenge. Matt and Eric discuss their experiences so far with applying to jobs. They talk about how they're applying, time management, and networking to find work. Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/ Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

No matter what your path is, if you're trying to get into Software Engineering you're going to be self taught at some point! Matt and Eric speak with their guest Odell Purifoy about making the transition into tech, how he juggled the responsibilities of having a family, a full time job, and pursuing education. Tons of lessons about what can help make you successful both on the technical side, and...

Andrew Clarkson went from Hello World to employed software Engineer in 10 months. Andrew is a podcaster, mentor, Software Engineer and he hosts his own bi-weekly coffee chats that are completely free and open to the public. In this episode we discuss how he did it and how you can too. Andrew gives great insight into topics like learning code, building in public, networking, and applying for your f...

You've probably felt Imposter Syndrome when learning a new skill, starting a new job, or just randomly throughout your life. What is it? What can you do about it? In this episode, Matt and Eric have an open and honest discussion about Imposter Syndrome as they talk about their experiences with it, and provide some suggestions that may help you in recognizing and combating those feelings. Matt's Li...

Matt and Eric are joined by Kevin Miller. Kevin is a senior Software Engineer and the host of his own podcast Coder Convos he's also very active within the Developer community on LinkedIn. Kevin discusses many tips for getting your first job in tech and things that you can do today to give yourself a better chance. Getting your first developer role can be very difficult but it can become a lot eas...

Eric and Matt discuss the pros and cons of going the self-taught route for learning Software Engineering. Making the choice to get started on the learning journey is tough, and with options like Bootcamps, CS Degrees, or learning by yourself and finding your own resources, it's difficult to figure out the right option. Eric and Matt discuss their experiences and their opinions, and try to provide...