My last full coding progress check in happened three months ago. Things have only gotten better!
I’ve long detailed my interest in becoming a stronger developer. More than that, I want to make it a more possible career in the long-term! This year, I decided to actually do something about it. As a result, I can say that I’ve made some magnificent strides! I feel simultaneously like I’m further along and further behind than I expected.
Both professionally and with my personal goals, I’ve figured out that my best way of being taught is “learning by doing.” Classes with notes? Can’t focus. Long Youtube lectures? Not for me! No, my best way of learning derives from coding out projects or completing mini modules myself.
In my Success Journal, I set out to have a portfolio site, with four skins, available to view from my LinkedIn profile. Above all, on that portfolio site, I wanted to eventually have a display of all my work thus far. Consequently, I have documented my coding progress thus far! A lot has happened in three months, and I see a lot more happening in the months to come.
Coding Progress
The portfolio site
Firstly, I set out to have a portfolio site that looked pretty, and had four “skins.” To clarify, I wanted my portfolio to be visible in multiple different colors that a user could select. Initially, I had hoped to complete this goal by the summer of next year.
Funny how things can work out: my portfolio site is live, complete with four different viewing modes!
I’m so happy with the look of it. I found a basic Bootstrap template, then retooled it and added some Javascript to make it my own. Technically, I’ve made it my own four times over now! I launched my portfolio site about two months ago. The additional skins took a bit of extra time, but they went “live” last week! In short, I accomplished a goal nine months ahead of schedule. Right on schedule!
The portfolio projects
For the past year, I did a plethora of research to determine how many projects should live on a portfolio site. Realistically speaking, a recruiter will not view ALL projects on a site! As a result, a portfolio site for a developer should include 3 to 5 projects of their best result.
Consequently, I aimed to create four projects that would show off my front end developer skills. My portfolio site lists the four projects, and so far, I’ve completed two of them! My first project was a personality quiz, in which a user answers questions to determine which sitcom characters would be their best friend or best romantic partner. This project took time and a lot of energy, but it felt like a great way to honor my love for sitcoms!
That first project took me a few months, and was a victim to my motivation drought from earlier this year. However, that bounce back proved something special! I flipped back and forth between actual project work and developing my portfolio website.
Not long before I started work on my portfolio “skins” did I complete my second project. This second project took the form of a workout generator, in which a user could press a button to receive a randomly generated workout! This project took my Javascript learning to a whole new level.
In addition, somewhere in between finishing this project and starting the “skins” work on my portfolio site, I created a third project! It was really more of a retooling of this second project. This “third” project took the random workout generator and became a random goal generator. I realized that between my coding practice, viewing schedule, and exercise ambitions, I needed something to keep me on track! That third project determines what gets my energy after work that day.
As a result, I technically have three projects under my belt!
What Comes Next
This week, I’ve started work on what I think will be my most arduous project. This one will be equal parts search engine and goal tracker. I based my first project on my love of sitcoms. Similarly, the second project found inspiration in the form of another hobby I have: exercise! Likewise, the subject of this third project lies in another love of mine! Hopefully my next coding progress report will feature more to share here.
I anticipate my fourth project will be far less intense. Once I’ve completed all four projects, I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief and satisfactory completion. From there, I intend to find inspiration for more in-depth projects. Three of these projects work to show my progress as a front-end developer. However, I’m leaning towards a full-stack developer role in my future! I still have to see if I’m any good at it, but would love the opportunity to work on both the design AND the build process. They’re equally important, and I can do the job anywhere in the world.
My heart is full of contentment at my coding progress. I still feel like I know so little about coding in general. However, the joy of plugging away at something until it works is an unmatched feeling! My coding progress fills me with pride, and I intend to keep that feeling going.
Now, I’m off to complete some “research” for project number three. Don’t worry… being in on the joke comes later.
