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.
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.