Original Email
I was searching to find alternatives to the classic “find your first shitty job as a newbie/junior web developer ” and find your podcast episode on codenewbie.
I have been studying web development for about one year. I have just finished a web dev BootCamp, and I am ready to fill the line of hopeless new coders that want to find the ‘dream job.‘
Your words resonate with me.
I worked mainly in the retail sector as an area manager during my career.
I feel really silly because I am 44, and honestly, I don’t find it attractive to work for a company. Particularly now that I realize I am just a sheep in the sea of sheep looking for their first job.
I live in Spain, and here it is the same situation as in the USA. There are hundreds of applications for every job application, and I couldn’t even go to an interview.
Apart from 2 first-time interviews with the talent acquisition speaking about my background, companies get rid of my CV by default. I could not even sit for a tech interview and try.
I don’t want to be part of this.
I am evaluating the possibility of:
1- deviate a bit from the overused and over-saturated REACT market. There is just too much competition.
2- even though I don’t feel prepared, I want to be ready to go into freelancing. It’s a bit intimidating, but more attractive to me at the same time. It reflects more who I am.
Reply
Hey, Pietro. Glad you enjoyed the podcast and that it resonated with you! All these problems you’re describing sound very familiar. People are lured in by the promise of great jobs with great pay. Only when they have developed a good set of skills do they realize those jobs aren’t at the entry level. It’s great that you’re realizing this before you get so frustrated you quit. Your willingness to try something different will serve you well.
Wanted to address the two ideas you’re entertaining.
Most tech stacks are saturated with candidates at the entry level. You could build a great career on React if you just leap-frog that level altogether. The same could be said for most stacks though. I wouldn’t discount React just because you’re having trouble finding work right now. Everyone at your level, regardless of stack, is having similar difficulty. If you reconsider and still want to switch, that’s perfectly reasonable.
Yes! I identify with this, and I think it could help you get traction as a developer. You should definitely give it a shot.
Notes
No-show