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Nicholas Lee
12,474 PointsWhat the heck am I doing?
Looking for some advice.
I just sat down and tried working with bootstrap. What mess. Just seems like a bunch of bloat. I have friends at my university bootstrap. Do they even actually know how to make a nav bar? doubt it.
I'm also taking computer science courses at Amherst College. Currently working with python. Next semester I will be going doing another Comp/Sci course, "The object-oriented programming paradigm will be discussed in detail, including data abstraction, inheritance and polymorphism. Other topics will include linked lists and trees and the use of finite-state machines in algorithm design. " as well as taking a Data Structures and Algorithm.I
I have been working in this entire field (web development) for a solid 9 months and boy do I feel nauseated. Making websites seems overcomplicated for something so miniscule. The amount of time I am spending just trying to make a decent personal site on my own without using bootstrap- or coping one from here is sickening. Better time spend on research/practicing my Spanish.
I first took an intro class to web dev last January by recent a grad from my school. He's now teaching at a well established bootcamp. Got me familiar with everything and lead me to treehouse.
Should I continue tooling with websites? I do not want to be making websites for the rest of my life.
Or, should I continue my comp sci studies during my free time and pick back up "Algorithms Unlocked" in prepreation for next year?
I am more interested in working with data and/or making applications for the web. I am interested in solving social problems with technology. Making real life processes easier for under privileged populations. Giving voice and power to under privileged populations.
On top of that, I really need to find an internship for this summer or I'm really doomed. Something related to software engineering.
And graduate school is in the future. Computer Science I would image. My step-uncle is a Computer Science Professor at one of the top 3 Universities for computer science. God Lord.
How relevant is mastering all the technologies of the web at this point? html/css/php/javascript and node.js angular js mongdb etc? I have little interest in visual aspects.
And where is the line between web development and software?
What should I do?
1 Answer
Ron McCranie
7,837 PointsWow... That is a lot of information to discuss.
It sounds like you want to do back-end or server side development. Even if you expect that you would not pursue a career in the front-end side of things, it is still beneficial to understand the basics so that you might be better at communicating with colleagues who do that work, and what high level limitations there are with those technologies. It will also make you more valuable & versatile.
The great thing about modern software is that the line between web and traditional software development is gradually blurring to where in the next few years most technologies & languages should apply in both realms.
When I went to school for my degree in Web Design & Development, I originally wanted to write code. Then I graduated and needed a job so I applied to positions in both design & development. I ended up receiving a position as a UI Designer. Then that gradually lead me into the User Experience field. Now I know enough about code to dabble in side projects and communicate my ideas to developers but I spend my time designing the experience. This is not what I wanted to do originally but that's because I didn't even know it existed. Now I wouldn't want to do anything else!
I guess what I'm saying is... Keep an open mind because you don't know where you could end up. Always be learning and have a desire to always be gaining as much knowledge as you can.
Try to spend some time understanding how each part works together: servers, databases, networking, server side code, client side code, design, marketing, usability, etc.
Nicholas Lee
12,474 PointsNicholas Lee
12,474 PointsThank you.
"Try to spend some time understanding how each part works together: servers, databases, networking, server side code, client side code, design, marketing, usability, etc."
Good advice. I will continue doing this.