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John Weland
42,478 PointsLooking for some encouragement.
Forgive me for being off-kilter here as I know generally the forum is to be used for learning. I suppose I am hoping to find some words of encouragement, guidance, or a means to keep moving forward with Android development.
I’ve now taken every Android course offered here on Treehouse as well and all but one of the Java courses. I feel I have learned enough that when following along with a course I can shake my head in agreeance and what is being taught ‘makes sense’ in the moment. However I think maybe it is lost on me. When left to my own devices I am unsure what to do. I think this is a lot to do with my work, they know I am very junior in Android development but I am also the only Android developer and they are assigning me tasks like creating an entire SIP app, or to create a video chat app using RTP (think skype) that interfaces with GStreamer. Both of which are immensely grand-scale apps, with a butt-ton of emphasis on the backend.
The backend of apps and NDK compiling are all things only lightly touched on in my time here with Treehouse. Keep in mind the other part of the problem is my only gasping the concepts of Android development and Java development in a low enough lever that I understand what the Treehouse instructors are saying, but not enough to do them on my own.
I’ve completed everything in either track (nearly) so I don’t know how or where to go to get myself from this very basic level of understanding to something more. The level of things being thrown my direction are still very beyond me and trying to study those concepts leaves me feeling like I am missing some sort of intermediate level learning something between where I am and what is being thrown at me.
Also the meetings 3+ times a week where I’ve got to lower my head and inform the VP that I have (yet again) made little to no progress on these apps he wants done yesterday.
As I said just a rant, maybe looking for some encouragement.
John Weland
42,478 PointsI haven't as I am trying to respect the chain of command. I have mentioned it to my boss however and he's given me the "We know you're junior, it is all good". The VP... I'm not sure if it is the cultural differences (hes from South Africa) or just personality type but he is intimidating. Scare the crap out of me actually, I loath out meetings three times a week because I'm always certain he is going to go full Donald on me "You're fired".
John Weland
42,478 PointsUpdate:: They have made funding available to go out and buy an application developer (specifically Android, though iOS requirements are just around the corner). No word on when they will actually get someone so for now I keep plugging away.
jobbol
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 16,610 PointsDear god, does that mean you're getting replaced?
John Weland
42,478 PointsNot quite. I was dubbed the SME (subject matter expert) because my limited experience was more than anyone else here. My first task was to build a demo for a SIP phone app using any means I could (from scratch or open libraries) I managed to piece together an app. The inner working still elude me but it functions and when demo'd turned a lot of heads. Alot more that the VP anticipated.
So apparently I'm still the 'Android guy' but they allocated funding for at least one more full time developer they are hoping to get a new SME someone I can work alongside and learn from. While I'd love to be the lead, I know I am not there yet. So hopefully we get a damned good experienced dev with a heart of a teacher (nothing worse than a person with an ego and no patience for those that haven't reached their level).
I've made it extremely clear I want to stay on the project, I just can't do it alone. Of course I still have to crank on this thing until they find someone.
jobbol
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 16,610 Pointsjobbol
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 16,610 PointsSo you're a junior and they're giving you these over-the-top projects on a subject you haven't learned yet. Have you talked to your VP about where your experience stands? It just sounds like all you need is more time.