Hey everyone! I'm a 19-year-old data engineer with about 8 months of experience. Lately, I've been feeling a bit stuck in my progress, even though I've learned a lot. I work with Go and Java at my job, and I dabble in Python and JavaScript on the side. Recently, I've started doing some web development for fun, but I'm worried that it's not really helping me grow in my career. I'm hoping to get some advice on what kind of projects I can tackle to enhance my skills and make my portfolio more impressive. I often use Sublime Text and I'm comfortable coding, but I'd appreciate any tips on specific projects you think would be beneficial. I'll also share my GitHub link for reference. Thanks in advance for your help!
4 Answers
Man, I wish I started my career at 19 like you! You're ahead of the game!
One great idea is to try replicating popular apps or tools made by big tech companies. This way, you’ll not only challenge yourself but also learn about how those applications work. Aim to complete 3 to 4 full projects, and they’ll really boost your portfolio for job applications! Remember, hands-on experience counts even if it's self-directed. Also, make sure to publish these projects on GitHub as open source; it’ll help you get valuable feedback and establish your credibility as a developer. Good luck!
It’s totally normal to feel this way, especially in the early stages of your career. You’re making progress, it just might not feel that way all the time. Here’s a suggestion: choose a real-world mini project that you would actually find useful, like a Python script for organizing files or a personal dashboard. Make sure to push all your work to GitHub—even the broken ones! Visibility is key. Reflect on what you learned by writing a blog post or a README after each project; it really helps solidify your growth!
Thanks! I actually made a file organizer for myself and the teacher who introduced me to coding. If you have time, I’d love for you to check it out on my GitHub. It feels great knowing someone I look up to is using it!
Will do after my shift ends! This sounds really tempting and interesting. I really appreciate your tips, have a nice day/night!