🌲 James Cox 🦔

Front-End Developer at @Webstaurant 🍽 💻🔪 coolest member of @codesharegrow #a11y 🦾 #BlackLivesMatter

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

I've been asked to share my experience transitioning from a non-technical background into tech.

I've shared this before, but not from the perspective of landing my first job.

I want to paint a real picture of the ups and downs if you're thinking of doing the same.

👇

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

It's my #Twitterversary! I have been on Twitter for 12 years, since 18 Jan 2011 (via @twi_age).

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@FulhamFC https://t.co/x0RZlcz2MB OOPS

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

It's my #Twitterversary! I have been on Twitter for 11 years, since 18 Jan 2011 (via @twi_age).

[Brian Hinton @briannhinton]

We are looking for a #react developer to join our Internal Tools team. If you are interested in leading a team, and mentoring developers apply at: https://t.co/arLO9jf2Jj My DMs are open with any questions that you might have.

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@stephenjohnlimb TypeScript, higher level React concepts (creating true reusable components), custom React hooks/useContext, fully understanding BEM and specificity … that should get me started lol

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

I’ll be the first to admit that I have let my personal coding/development commitment slip during the first couple months of my job.

I’m publicly committing to adding a few more personal hours coding each week to start.

I genuinely miss working on random things!

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@stephenjohnlimb Thanks, I really enjoy hearing a seasoned vet’s experience/advice. I think a simple compromise might be start with an extra 30 mins a day/ or a couple hours a week doing some extra studying/coding etc.

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@stephenjohnlimb I hear that a lot. But I also hear from a lot of devs that are miles ahead of me in their careers (my “mentors” you could say) that all echo a similar statement: you want to get to where they are, you gotta put in that time.

I think I’ve got to find a healthy balance

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@CooperCodes I get not measuring yourself against others. Because I do believe we all bring unique value. That said. I don’t want to get left behind either. I’ve got to strike a balance between setting personal boundaries and achieving my personal dev goals

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@RoccoSangellino ROCCO

I want this

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@edanbenatar Possibly. But I just have this feeling that I’m not progressing as quickly or consistently as some of my counterparts. I’m just frustrated with myself mainly

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@albertintech @iOntiverosJS Courses, relatively inexpensive equipment (I recently did one for a $30 laptop stand), books, or something random like once I designed people customized stickers lol

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@stephenjohnlimb That’s true. But I am missing a piece of the puzzle somehow. I just feel like I’m not progressing as quickly as my counterparts.

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@_UmairHafeez_ Oh man sorry to hear that Umair. Wishing you and your family good health and hoping everything is okay!

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@CooperCodes That’s true. And why I haven’t really forced myself.

But I feel like I should be further along than where I am. Which is why I am going to add a few more hours each week to start, to bone up my skills and progress in my role.

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@shashiwhocodes I think I will aim for this Sunday. Given if I can find a few willing / available speakers

(@photonoty_codes that means I’ll be pinging you again soon 🤦🏻‍♂️😆)

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

I never did my “first 60 days of dev role” space!!!! 😬😳😱😲😭

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

I would still love to do this. I just let it totally slip through the cracks.

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

One of my coworkers shared this codepen today and I wanted to share with y’all because it’s freaking awesome!

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

https://t.co/L5uEWqv9Ou

[🌲 James Cox 🦔 @MemRook]

@shaundai Fine. Make it puppies and you have a deal

(More of a dog person myself anyway)