Ever wonder what it's like to break into the tech world without a fancy college degree? Marcus shares his journey from barely graduating high school to becoming a self-taught developer. Forget the typical route —Marcus shares how he went from dreaming about mechanical engineering to hitting up a coding bootcamp and scoring interviews with a killer resume. He dishes out real talk on what it takes to be job-ready versus just interview-ready and shares why knowing your tech stuff inside out is key. Plus, Marcus and Jonaed get into the nitty-gritty of DIY projects, leveling up your skills, and dodging the pitfalls of bouncing between jobs. So, if you're curious about cracking the code to a career in tech, tune in for some straight-up wisdom and hindsight advice from these two pros.
Timestamps:
- (0:00) Introduction to the episode and today's guest, Marcus Young
- (1:30) Marcus Young's background and struggles with job applications
- (4:11) The reality of boot camp promises versus job market realities
- (7:24) Marcus' experience with Hack Reactor boot camp
- (9:41) The importance of self-learning beyond boot camp
- (12:22) Addressing the lack of a college degree during interviews
- (15:03) Sponsor: Get Your Dream Career Course
- (15:56) Learning and upskilling techniques
- (19:51) Importance of personal projects in tech
- (25:51) Financial implications of job transitions
- (36:56) Closing remarks and gratitude
- (37:19) Sponsor: Support NoDegree on Patreon
Key points discussed:
- The job market in 2023 and 2024 is challenging, with limited job opportunities and companies not investing as much.
- Having a good resume is crucial in getting interviews and standing out in a competitive job market.
- Being job-ready and interview-ready are two different things, and it's important to have a foundational knowledge of the technologies you work with.
- Projects and self-learning outside of formal education can be valuable in gaining practical skills and deepening understanding. Building your own projects is a valuable way to learn and grow as a developer.
- Upskilling and expanding your knowledge in different technologies can make you more competent and resourceful.
- Job hopping can have its pros and cons, and it's important to weigh the stability and long-term prospects of each opportunity.
- The job interview process can be challenging, and it's important to be prepared and adaptable.
- Reflecting on past mistakes and learning from them is crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for overall well-being and success.
Support/Contact Marcus:
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusyoung777/
Books and resources mentioned in this podcast:
- Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpca
Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed
Connect with us on social media!
- Instagram: @nodegreecareers
- TikTok: @nodegree
Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast.
Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.
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