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Nick Yates
8,621 PointsI need some advice.
So I've been doing tree-house over course of the last 4-5 months. I've done the "Web Design" track. I tried JavaScript in Front end track but couldn't do it, I hated it. So I'm digging into java right now. But my dad recently passed, and Its been really hard to get myself motivated to sit through the videos, I think the hardest part is there are some concepts I'll watch and do but I can't really get a grasp on it, and I'm scared if I can't learn all the java 100% I won't be able to score a job. my motivation for tree house has gone down. I really want a job within the next 6-12 months. I'm not really that great at building a portfolio either. I've thought maybe doing all the Track's material with Java, and Android and maybe doing the tech degree, but I don't feel like tree house is doing anything for. like I'm learning the languages and learning how to code, but I don't feel like I'll ever get a job this way. Should I go back to school/college or continue doing this? I don't really know what my options are right now. I just want to get into the industry all ready and start learning and working. I hate sitting at a dead end minimum wage job I'm at now. I want to do something everyday that excites me, and makes me think. any suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you..
1 Answer
Jacob Mishkin
23,117 PointsIt sounds like you have some serious stressors at the moment. First and foremost get yourself in a good place. The coding will come, but you are dealing with some big time stuff. I would focus on you getting into a good place mentally. What concepts are you having difficulty with? Treehouse is great, but it should not be your only resource. If you need to understand theoretical computer science concepts I would suggest going to MIT's open courseware MIT . there you can sit in on classes and learn. In order to get a job you need a portfolio site plane and simple. You can code in whatever language you want but if you don't have that, and you don't know people who are hiring, you won't get a job. first I would build your own site, add a blog, write about some concepts you've earned already. This way people will go to your site and know that you know something. Second, build things that you want to build and add them to your site. While doing this learn how to work in a local environment. Build every day!!! even if it's just an hour, write everyday. I don't know how much you know already, but you should not give yourself a 6-12 month time frame. If you are just starting out, It might take longer than that. Focus on the concepts and and techniques one at a time. It's called leveling up. focus on leveling up, not time. There is nothing wrong with school. if cash is an issue, Community college is a totall option to learn theory and how to think like a programmer. Theses are things that Treehouse lacks. It doesn't teach you how to look at a problem and then solve it. Treehouse only teaches the tools to solve them. if you need help along the way remember you can always ask here, and we're here to help.
PS I was in the same boat. I studied for 3.5 years before I was hired as a programmer. Hang in there.
Nick Yates
8,621 PointsI'm already 19 and half, and I feel pathetic for not having anything solid to amount to yet.
Jacob Mishkin
23,117 PointsHonestly, you can't even drink legally yet, you have time on your side. I'm 35. It takes hard work, for me I woke up at 5 in the morning and studied for 3 years before I got my job. You have plenty of time, but you need to take your time understanding how to think like a programmer. How to break down a problem and use tools like Google to solve them. My advise is relax, know what the concepts you are learning are apply them and build your own site. It's going to be cool.
ivettelindsay
3,494 Pointsivettelindsay
3,494 PointsYou may want to check out "Think Like A Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving" by V. Anton Spraul It can help get you focused on problem-solving. I would suggest possibly checking out grief counseling concerning loss of a parent, it may help you over the hurdle of trying to have a clear mind to learn new concepts and techniques.