2020 Update: I’m at Microsoft.
Hey, everyone, welcome to my blog. Here details my entire coding journey since December 2015 (2nd to final college semester) when I finally decided to undertake this momentous task. There have been many ups and downs. I’ve had so many moments when I felt like giving up, like what am I actually trying to achieve really? But then I look back at my older posts and realize that I’ve truly come a long way. This blog is my therapy. That’s why it can be so whiny at times. Learning to code is SO hard. It’s still hard 3+ years later. I still feel like I don’t know what i’m doing, like the learning will never end, like i’ll never really “arrive”. Mostly, what keeps me going are the little goals I set for myself. Really if it weren’t for these, I really don’t know where I’d be. I began learning how to code because I wanted to be a “hacker”. After a Google search, I discovered that I needed to learn programming and then somewhere along the way I got it into my head that “hey, I could get paid for this”. Those darn “get a programming job in 3 months”, “tech shortage”, etc articles, got it into my head that a Codecademy course and a tic tac toe game would make me employable. I was pretty naive and I still don’t know what I’m doing. I just don’t know what else to do. Welcome.
Feel free to give me feedback at codescolorful@gmail.com
______________________________________________
Dec 2015, about me:
Okay, so I am creating this page because I would like to document my progress online for learning computer programming. I am in my senior year of college and am very interested in become a developer. I am not at all a Computer Science major however I do believe that with hard work I can learn and hopefully make a name for myself in the computer industry. Currently my coding experience is with the Python course on codeacadmy and I have only reached 55%. My goal is to be programming in python before my final semester of college and to also have my own projects. Peace!
ColorfulCode's Journey 
Seek out young startups and show them you can build value in other ways that’ll make you stick out. emphasize your greatest abilities. Do an unpaid internship and work hard as shit until they have to give you that jr. developer position.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I have been doing. Startups especially want experienced people.
LikeLike
Hi, saw your videos on you tube. Send me an email…I might be able to help. I work in IT for a major bank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello BlueInk17, thanks for reaching out i’m definitely interested. You didn’t list your email. Mines is codescolorful@gmail.com. Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
Hello,
There is an organization called Outreachy (https://www.outreachy.org/) that helps minorities in Tech get internship.
Hope that helps 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks I heard about this a while ago. I’ll check it out thanks.
LikeLike
Hey, I saw your video on youtube about your experience with the Microsoft Leap program. I applied on a whim based on talking to someone who was accepted and now works at Microsoft because i was told the first step is just applying and see what happens. I feel like you and I are kindred spirits lol. I’m a few years older then you and I’m no longer interested in staying in my field and thus I’ve been programming for about 1.5 years now (SQL, Python, C++, and currently Java 8) and I feel like I’m not any closer to landing a role. I’m actually turning down interviews because I realized i need to learn the Data Structures and be able to use them well if i have a chance to make it through the whiteboard assessments. With that said, I’ve subscribed to your youtube channel because i had the same thought in my head to show people i can solve coding challenges problems real time. I hope we can be a resource to each other. Can we connect on LinkedIn and Github? I’ve included my Github information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you could relate. You should definitely start a blog or channel about your algorithm journey. It helps you to see where you’ve come and will help others learn and relate. I’ve just followed you on github.
LikeLike
Hey i posted my first video. I can use some tips since you’ve been posting for a while. Do you know any screen-cast that go longer than 15 minutes? I had to rush since that is all is had. I would produce a better video if i wasn’t pressed for time. But anyway, here is the link. I appreciate your feedback:
LikeLike
The video says unavailable. Do you mean editing software? I use shotcut but inly because I run a linux distro.
LikeLike
My video was too long so i had to do it again. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjJ-_gtXHiQ&t=6s
I meant a screen recorder. I got a free one but i can only record for 15 minutes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s great. Only issue is some parts are hard to read because the text is too small. I want to start using a screen recorder next year.
LikeLike
Hey I stumbled your post looking for the stack of plates problem from cracking the coding interview. Your blog is great and what you have talked about in your job search is spot on. We have to talk more I would like to pick your brain more.
LikeLike
Thanks a lot. What would you like to know?
LikeLike
Hey we are following each other on Github. I posted my TicTacToe Game that isan assignment in a Python bootcamp I’m taking. Please check it out. It’s in my “Python-Bootcamp-Challenges-Solutions” repository.
LikeLike
Okay absolutely.
LikeLike
It looks good for a 2 player 👌🏾 You can go further and allow the user to choose to play against an AI. Using the mini max algorithm makes it almost impossible to beat. I see you’ve used functions. I did the same but I was recommended to use classes when I re-build one for better use of space. Nice work.
LikeLike
Ok thank you. I’m working on a blackjack game which is heavy OOP. So, check back this weekend and I should have it posted.I’m switching from Java to Python for my Data Structures and Algorithms practice. Do you have any resources you swear by?
LikeLike
Yes! Interactivepython.com has an awesome algo course. After learning all the core algorithms I recommend codewars 8kyu, 7kyu, 6kyu (10 each level). Then do easy level leetcode explore(20). It’s pricey but interviewcake was also amazing. Try the 5 free questions yourself before paying. Also cracking the coding interview (all questions to the graphs chapter). Good luck!
LikeLike