The Odin Project - Is it the best way to learn web development for you?

[@lukewood2662]

Awesome, bro. I just completed Foundations, and I'm grinding at 30+ hours/week, waiting anxiously for the Algorithms bit. You made me remember that the course said to not wait until the end to start applying. Thanks.

[@cedrick13bienvenue]

Thanks bro. What you mentioned about the 'fear of failure being a much greater motivator than the perception of success' really hits me deep down. I’ll do my best to follow in your footsteps and become as successful as you!

[@self_taught_dev]

@@cedrick13bienvenue keep me posted on how it’s going! It’s a tough grind but really worth it.

[@bigstv15]

Thank you, this was a very realistic outlook on what to expect overall

[@bonadoni762]

Hi! I came across this video while finding out the good ways to study about programming/web development independently and I am very grateful for this video! I have several questions, appreciate if you can answer these questions: 1) Did you learn while also working on a daily job at the same time? Or did you fully focus on learning for the whole 8 months without having a job? 2) How many hours did you spent in one day to learn on TOP? Did you set a daily target? 3) Is it true that this course does not provide video materials? A little bit of myself, I am someone who took a night class webdev bootcamp while also working a consultant job some couple of months ago, and I can say I failed quite miserably because my brain cannot focus on multiple things at the same time. I have just resigned from my job earlier on February and I currently want to re-learn things that I have missed during by bootcamps.

[@self_taught_dev]

Hello! So, I studied for the first 6 weeks while working full time, then the the rest of the time I was not working. I understand it is harder to do both...and it would take longer to do, but still do-able. I would spend about 5 hours a day, sometimes more, but usually I would start to get tired after 5 hours and need a change. There are some videos, but it is mostly reading and then coding. Reading is an important part of learning web dev for sure. Good luck on your journey! The Odin Project is very good. Tough, too! But doable with commitment.

[@bonadoni762]

@@self_taught_dev Glad to see I am not alone :D Did TOP provide us with a certificate?

[@self_taught_dev]

@@bonadoni762 no certificates, no - but you should have a load of projects to show what you can do.

[@Freddiechavira]

Thank you for this video. I just started foundations two weeks ago. I'm in the dabble category because I'm not in a rush for a job but i think I'll stick with it none the less.

[@self_taught_dev]

@@Freddiechavira yes I think discipline = freedom at this point.

[@ASMRcode]

Thankyou so much! This video answered a lot of the questions I had posted in another video of yours.

[@self_taught_dev]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Don_DeMarco]

I appreciate and respect the time and effort you took into making this video and keeping it real about the The Odin Project. I've been dabbling into learning to code and even as a beginner just learning how to print hello world, I know the path is intense but it's worth it and a good way to learn if this path is really cut out for me or not.

[@self_taught_dev]

I am glad it helped you! Yes it is a grind, and never stops being a grind...so you have to enjoy it :)

[@and6sdf]

I join a fb odin project study group. It’s was 200s ppl at 2yrs ago. I would like said less than 10 ppl stay. And no one actually get a job yet. Job market is very hard now

[@self_taught_dev]

Yes the attrition rate is very high as the curriculum is not easy at all!

[@victorokefie9614]

Okay honestly, i really love what you did, and I'm in the middle of choosing a path for myself but then Comapared to Javascript and Rails, Javascript have higher jobs offers but then ROR projects are the kind of projects i will love to build and those are the kind of ideas i have and also i have a degree in Physics Education and i am thinking once i complete TOP and have a better portfolio i can apply for a software engineer course as a master's degree but i don't if that is possible.

[@self_taught_dev]

@@victorokefie9614 why do you need to get a masters degree? The benefit of rails is it allow one to become a solopreneur. You can achieve by yourself what it usually takes a small team of developers to achieve for a small product.

[@Dostendite]

What an incredibly useful video, thank you! I'm on the ruby path too :)

[@Dostendite]

I'm also very glad you succeeded, you seem like such a likable & genuine person.

[@self_taught_dev]

@@Dostendite haha thank you!

[@imagineer1485]

Okay my plan is to design websites as I come from a graphic design and 3D sculpting background..i found it difficult in making a sustainable livelihood with those field.. however, I was persistent for a long time. I am simultaneously learning Figma UI/UX Zero to Mastery course. Can you recommend me a roadmap of what to learn that will establish me as an independent freelance designer..so that I get clients in my own business.. would appreciate..if anyone can guide me

[@self_taught_dev]

I think you will get more opportunities and career growth if you focus on product design and management. They factor in a lot more than just the visual components and enable you to work with web apps, rather than just websites.

[@Aezthet1C]

Learning odin rn, just finished fundamental but kinda hit the wall on how to advance use git and github like branching ect

[@self_taught_dev]

Yeh it's all new stuff and it will take rep after rep for it to become second nature. Just keep at it!

[@yashmishra6484]

I have completed foundation and started my first lesson of javascript path today. When do you think will be a good time to apply for an internship? I have completed foundation in 1 month ,do you think it is possible to complete rest of the course in next 3-4 months

[@self_taught_dev]

The general consensus I have seen is at the end of Rails or Node as it means you have built a number of projects and have a good handle on fullstack fundamentals. You could try earlier, too...but I think it might be hard to land.

[@Bradequate]

That's pretty impressive completing that in a month. Taken me 6 months. How many hours you putting in a daym

[@KasimbKhan]

I am really confused about this but i have to do something rather than nothing what will i really have to rewire my brain for this i took a course which i would comsider the best but i did not wanted to waste my parents money on the course so i returned it after a week and i was truly overwhelmed by the course curricula but now i have been pushed to a certain edgewhere i have to do it with or without my liking i used my time and didnt find anything that i really wanna do i like to build stuff just seeing that many other too but i will take this time and rewire it all the way either i will succeed or will not i am putting myself to test and even if i get a job would i be able to work remotely somewhere ?(i left the course because i dont wanted to watch videos anymore it was a great help and money and pressure choked me but this time ut will be all on me )

[@KasimbKhan]

i should only focus on the odin s project right

[@self_taught_dev]

There’s lots of ways to spend (waste) money on the internet. The Odin project is a rare, free, high quality resource. But it takes a lot of dedication and a strong work ethic to get through and complete. You won’t be able to force yourself to do it just for the sake of it. You will have to want to do it. Good luck!

[@KasimbKhan]

thats why i got a refund and i am putting it on myself sir give me your luck ! i have to just wreck my brain

[@KasimbKhan]

it is annoying for typing this but i just have to read the documentations right no other things in the odin project this is my last comment i am starting today!

[@self_taught_dev]

@@KasimbKhan take it day by day, don't rush it. It's a marathon not a race.

[@Ahmed_Asif]

Getting started 👉🏻 3:37

[@Olorin-wp9it]

Do you think these stats show that people that sign up quit before completing the project or people that complete the project but can't find a job?

[@self_taught_dev]

I think most quite before finishing. It's a big commitement.

[@lunarskyye2680]

Thanks for this mister, great advice. When you say it maky tale a year and a half, are you referring to learning the material on top of a full time job and kids? The time it takes me to learn it isnt the issue, im already employed in IT.

[@self_taught_dev]

Thank you. If you already know the basics of web dev it will save a chunk of time. I took 8 months from start to my first job studying pretty much full time. If you cannot study full time it will likely take longer. I think in that case a year to 18 months is pretty normal.

[@masecaleb]

What was your method of studying, I find it had that everything is online, did you print out any information in the lessons for when you review

[@self_taught_dev]

@@masecaleb nope just read stuff and then try the projects. The writing of the code is the best way to learn

[@RamireZZe]

hey, thanks for videos watched some of them 5 or so months ago when i first heard TOP. will finish this one after work. my question is, how does being self taught effect your salary? i am from a country (3rd world without name dropping) where they still expect cs or similar degree even for internship openings and i have a fear, even if somehow after finishing TOP i manage to get a job, my salary will be low because i have no degree in cs/ce/swe or anything like it. did you face this issue in canada?

[@self_taught_dev]

Great question! It is hard to say with certainty, but I think the answer is no, being self-taught has not affected my salary as a web dev in a significant way. What I get paid now with 1.5 years of experience is more than what mid level engineers were getting paid at my last company, Freshbooks. This is because I made myself valuable to my current company and it's better they pay me a good rate rather than lose me and have to find someone else. But, there is so much more to it than that...depends on the tech stack, the market, the availability of good developers etc. One of the reasons I chose ruby on rails is because it is a market in need of mid and seniors. But, I think to get into FAANG or some other companies, a degree might be required, and there you can earn big money...but I know people with degrees and I make a comparable amount, especially for my fairly low years of experience. You might need to be creative in looking for and networking with companies that are open minded. Good luck!

[@SmackProedit]

I had the same question and I think you've answered it very well. I started learning how to code last year in March and joined the Odin project by May. I think i wasn't mentally prepared for the journey ahead so i started looking for excuses for me to quit, just like @Ramirezze I started questioning my location(Kenya) and if it was worth it. But after listening and watching a lot of your videos I have been much more focused and composed on learning now am doing the rock paper scissors project and am sure I will complete the odin project if I continue listening to you. Thank you so much brother may God bless you.😊 @@self_taught_dev

[@bobthebuilder9416]

​@@self_taught_devSo you don't have a college degree or you do but it's not code related?

[@self_taught_dev]

@@bobthebuilder9416 I do have a Master's degree but it is not related at all to tech/dev.

[@brianward8425]

Do you mind sharing the link for your success story on Discord?

[@self_taught_dev]

I am not going to share the link here, but it's for a ruby on rails dev and about a year ago.

[@lostinthenarrativve]

Hey man, is the odin project good if my goal is freelancing ? I mean going my way and building a SaaS or building websites for small businesses.

[@self_taught_dev]

Yes I think so. The fundamentals are the same. The challenge is that TOP is just fundamentals, and you will probably need more than that to succeed in freelancing beyond basic sites and web apps. It might be good to get some experience in a company first for a few years, then switch. But that's just my view, of course.

[@Thiccolo]

As of right now I have 4-5 hours a day I can spare to studying, as great as it would be if I can finish this as soon as possible, I wonder how other people have chose to learn other topics on top of programming. I am trying to learn web app pen testing, do you think it is reasonable to attempt learning both programming and web hacking simultaneously? I was thinking of doing TOP every Monday - Wednesday - Friday, would it be wise to skip days between lessons?

[@self_taught_dev]

Why do you need to learn both? I'd choose one and stick with it. To me, you need to know how to make web apps in order to understand hacking...so I would focus on TOP only at first, and finish it before doing something else.

[@Thiccolo]

@@self_taught_dev It's a bit of a story, but before I discovered the Odin project, I was studying web app penetration testing and I purchased a certification course. I obtained one other penetration testing cert before that did not focus on web apps. I'm sure I can learn both effectively, but passing the certification exam is probably going to be harder. I don't want my money to go to waste and learning both of these skills are a goals of mine. I'm in my late 20s. Never went to college, but college students are able to balance multiple subjects at the same time. So what I'm thinking is I can at least learn these two things at once. In a year or two's time, of course, I'm not trying to rush anything. I just was looking for suggestions on studying multiple things at the same time.

[@mozateiwilliams8554]

What was your study schedule?

[@self_taught_dev]

@@mozateiwilliams8554 I stopped working in foundations when I got to JavaScript so I had a full schedule to dedicate to learning. I would spend about 4 to 5 hours a week day with some breaks and a couple hours on weekends.

[@tiffanyappel4083]

Do you have to have any kind of knowledge about IT before starting? I mean, I know how to use a computer, but ya... LOL.

[@self_taught_dev]

@@tiffanyappel4083 not really! Just really basic html …. Literally none though