Podcast Summary
The American Dream of Starting a Business is Alive: Many successful entrepreneurs didn't come from prestigious backgrounds or schools, and starting a business in America offers unique opportunities not found elsewhere.
Despite the challenges of the current situation, including job losses and the struggles of frontline workers, the American dream of starting a business is still alive and accessible. Jason Calacanis, the host of "This Week in Startups," emphasizes that many successful entrepreneurs did not come from prestigious backgrounds or schools, and starting a company in America is a unique freedom not found in many other parts of the world. The current situation has exposed the faults in the system, but the ability to start a business remains a beacon of opportunity. If you're considering taking this journey, join the community at thisweekinstartups.com/Slack for support and resources.
Start a business and learn a skill like coding: Invest in your skills by learning to code through free resources like FreeCodeCamp, and start a business to build a product or service.
No matter where you are in the world, you have the ability to start a company and build a product or service, but what's essential is having the necessary skills. Learning a skill, such as coding, is accessible and can be done through various means like Lambda School or FreeCodeCamp. Quincy Larson, the founder of FreeCodeCamp, shares his story of helping teachers and students through automation and eventually becoming a software engineer, inspiring others to learn and build. Despite the challenges of working from home during the pandemic, such as kids being present, it's important to remember that everyone is going through similar experiences, and it's crucial to keep learning and growing. FreeCodeCamp, which started in 2014, offers a free alternative to learn coding and join the tech industry. So, take the first step and invest in your skills to build your product or service.
FreeCodeCamp's Successful Online Learning Platform: FreeCodeCamp's flexible schedule and commitment to free education have gained significant traction, preparing learners for coding careers through continuous learning and strong community relationships, even during uncertain times.
FreeCodeCamp is a self-paced, interactive online learning community offering a comprehensive coding curriculum for individuals at no cost. Founded five years ago, it has gained significant traction due to its flexible schedule and commitment to providing free education. The curriculum, which takes approximately 3000 hours to complete, aims to prepare learners for a career in coding by simulating the continuous learning experience beyond obtaining a credential. FreeCodeCamp's success during the pandemic can be attributed to its ability to support and grow relationships with its community through open communication, particularly via email marketing. By offering personalized, relevant content, brands like Clavio can help businesses build strong relationships with their customers, even in uncertain times.
Managing unexpected growth in online communities: Choose the right platform for large communities and be prepared for unexpected growth, like upgrading to a more expensive plan or discovering a new tool like Discord, which can accommodate up to 80,000 members. FreeCodeCamp offers certifications for learning and ensures academic honesty through plagiarism detection and project verification.
Effective community management involves being prepared for unexpected growth and choosing the right platform for large communities. The speakers shared their experience of hitting an unexpected limit on the number of users in their Slack community, leading to an upgrade to a more expensive plan. They then discovered Discord, which can accommodate larger communities like their own, with up to 80,000 members in a single instance. This is crucial information for those looking to build or manage large communities. Additionally, they mentioned that anyone can join FreeCodeCamp and start learning without applying, and there are certifications available that can be earned by building and submitting projects for verification. The process includes plagiarism detection and testing of the submitted code. This not only adds value to the learning experience but also ensures academic honesty. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of being aware of platform limitations, choosing the right tool for the job, and providing opportunities for growth and recognition within a community.
FreeCodeCamp's Growth During the Pandemic: FreeCodeCamp, a nonprofit organization, experienced a surge in monthly unique visitors during the pandemic, growing from 6M to 10-11M. They rely on donations and have not received major cash donations but continue to help over 40K people get their first dev job.
FreeCodeCamp is a nonprofit organization that provides an accessible learning platform for individuals to become developers. They have seen a significant increase in monthly unique visitors, from six million before the coronavirus pandemic to ten or eleven million now. While they have a small team and rely on donations to support their servers and operations, they have not yet received large cash donations from major foundations or corporations. The organization's founders have considered monetizing the platform but are more focused on long-term growth and optimizing for the greater good. They welcome donations of any size and have suggested a tiered donation system with perks for larger donors. Despite their modest budget, they have helped over 40,000 people get their first developer job.
Exploring Free and Paid Coding Education Options: FreeCodeCamp and Lambda School provide valuable coding education, with thousands securing their first job after completing. While some criticize paid bootcamps, their commitment and dedication lead to successful outcomes for many. Fiverr offers businesses access to freelance talent, making project hiring flexible and cost-effective.
Free resources like FreeCodeCamp and paid programs like Lambda School are valuable options for individuals looking to learn coding skills. While six million people have visited FreeCodeCamp's website, over 40,000 have secured their first developer job after completing the program. Although some criticize the need for paid coding bootcamps, the commitment and dedication required can lead to successful outcomes for many learners. It's essential to acknowledge the diversity of educational resources available and their potential impact on individuals' careers. Additionally, platforms like Fiverr offer businesses on-demand access to freelance talent, making it easier to find the right person for a project based on budget and seller ratings.
Motivation and Discipline are Key to Learning New Skills like Coding: Motivation and discipline are essential for learning coding skills, even with challenges. Fiverr and FreeCodeCamp offer resources and opportunities. Motivation matters more than opportunity for progress.
Motivation and discipline are crucial for learning new skills, such as coding, despite any challenges or obstacles that may seem insurmountable. Fiverr offers a platform for accessing qualified talent and digital services, while FreeCodeCamp provides resources and a supportive community for those wanting to learn to code. Quincy Larson, the founder of FreeCodeCamp, emphasizes that anyone with sufficient motivation can become a developer, even those with seemingly insurmountable challenges like blindness. However, learning to code is only one component of getting a job, and having a good network and reputation are also vital. In summary, opportunity may not be the limiting factor for many, but rather, it's the lack of motivation and discipline that can hinder one's progress.
Commitment and learning can make you a programmer: With dedication, you can become a programmer despite lack of math or theory background, requiring around 2000 hours of learning, and overcome external doubts with a supportive network.
With dedication and a commitment to learning, anyone can become a programmer and build sophisticated applications, even if they don't have a strong background in math or computer science theory. It may take around 2000 hours of learning, which is roughly equivalent to giving up half of one's TV-watching time for 18 months. However, it's important to push back against those who may doubt your abilities based on your current circumstances or social conventions. Building a support network through local communities and meetups can help keep you motivated and focused on your goals. Don't let external factors deter you from pursuing this valuable skill.
From limiting beliefs to limitless potential: Believe in your abilities and surround yourself with supportive individuals and environments to reach your full potential. Limiting beliefs, whether self-imposed or instilled by others, can be detrimental.
The people and environments we surround ourselves with can either lift us up or hold us back. A poignant example was shared about a high school counselor who dismissed a student's dreams due to his academic record, leaving a lasting impact. Conversely, an individual with a military background, who had been a bomb disposal expert, proved that anyone, regardless of their background or past experiences, can learn to code and succeed. This is a crucial reminder that limiting beliefs, whether self-imposed or instilled by others, can be detrimental. It's essential to believe in our abilities and surround ourselves with supportive individuals and environments to help us reach our full potential. A remarkable example is the journey of a military veteran who went from bomb disposal to becoming a software engineer, defying expectations and proving that determination and hard work can lead to great success.
Exploring alternatives for employment and cost savings: Learning new skills like coding or using no-code services, and discovering companies offering better products at lower prices are viable options for employment and cost savings.
There's a lack of support for human ingenuity and the human spirit, and people are often discouraged from trying new paths to employment or saving money. However, there are alternatives that can make a difference. For instance, Quincy Larson, the founder of FreeCodeCamp.org, discusses the potential of learning to code or using no-code services as a clear path to getting a job. Meanwhile, in the world of consumer goods, companies like Warby Parker, Casper, and Dollar Shave Club have disrupted traditional industries by offering better products at lower prices. Similarly, Mint Mobile is revolutionizing the wireless industry by providing premium network coverage at a fraction of the cost, with no retail locations and a digital platform. By cutting out the middleman and focusing on the customer, these companies are saving consumers money and providing better value. So, whether it's learning a new skill or finding a better deal on a service, there are opportunities to overcome obstacles and thrive. To learn more about Mint Mobile and get started with a new wireless plan for just $15 a month, visit mintmobile.com/twist.
Deciding Between JavaScript and No-Code Tools: For quick tasks or simple projects, no-code tools are great. For deeper understanding and complex applications, learn JavaScript. Developers can save time with no-code tools, but learning JavaScript provides a strong foundation.
Both learning JavaScript and using no-code tools have their merits, and the decision between the two depends on individual goals and circumstances. For those looking for a quick way to automate tasks or create simple projects, no-code tools offer a great starting point. However, for those aiming for a deeper understanding of computer science fundamentals and the flexibility to build complex applications, learning a programming language like JavaScript is the way to go. The speaker emphasizes that JavaScript, being the language of the web, has been around for decades and continues to be a valuable skill in today's tech industry. While no-code tools can accomplish many tasks that were once the domain of developers, learning the fundamentals of programming provides a strong foundation for future growth. The speaker also highlights that developers, with their in-depth understanding of how things work, can save significant time by using no-code tools to pipe together different services, rather than building APIs from scratch. Ultimately, the decision between learning JavaScript and using no-code tools depends on an individual's goals, available resources, and learning style.
Start as a web developer to build a strong foundation for app development: Begin your tech career as a web developer to gain essential skills and adapt to the high demand for developers globally
When it comes to starting a career in tech, especially in app development, it's important to build a strong foundation first by learning the basics of web development. App development, whether it's for iOS or Android, relies on web technologies and APIs to function. Therefore, starting as a generalist and specializing later based on a company's needs is a more effective approach. Additionally, the demand for skilled developers is high worldwide, with countries like the US, India, China, Nigeria, and Brazil having a significant number of developers. However, some countries, such as Nigeria, have shown impressive intensity and motivation to learn and create in the tech industry. As we navigate the post-coronavirus world, the need for skilled tech workers will continue to grow, making it an exciting time to start a career in this field.
Remote work for developers is here to stay: The pandemic has proven that remote work can be productive, eliminating commutes and distractions, making it a trend for developers moving forward.
The post-coronavirus world is expected to see a continued trend towards remote work for developers, with asynchronous communication becoming more prevalent. The pandemic has served as a proof of concept that remote work can be productive, as it eliminates the commute and office distractions. Employers may no longer be able to argue against remote work based on the success of mass remote work during the pandemic. FreeCodeCamp, an organization offering free coding education, is one resource for those looking to get started in development, while Lambda may be a more high-touch option for those with more resources. An interesting historical precedent for remote identification and learning comes from the use of playing cards during wars to help identify enemies. This concept could potentially be applied to learning and identifying professionals in various fields, including developers.
Discussing Business Cards Inspired by Software Development History and Poker Cards: Exploring the creation of durable PVC business cards featuring software development pioneers, inspired by poker cards' resistance to marking and bending.
The discussion revolved around creating a set of business cards featuring important figures in software development history. These cards, made of durable PVC material, were intended to be more resistant to marking and bending than traditional paper cards. The idea was inspired by the durability and resistance to marking of poker cards. The creators also discussed the potential for creating similar cards for entrepreneurs. They also touched upon the topic of card cheating, specifically mentioning Phil Ivy's use of edge sorting to gain an advantage in gambling. The conversation ended with a reminder to appreciate the heroes working to combat the coronavirus pandemic and to show support to those in need.
