The things you can do beyond finding a job.
So you’ve completed that coding course and you’ve built your first website or app.
You know you don’t know everything, but you feel confident enough about the basics and you’re ready for your next challenge.
So what should you do next?
Now if you started learning how to code because you wanted to change your career, then the obvious option would be to start thinking about applying for entry-level or junior developer positions.
As good as that sounds, finding a job as a new developer can be challenging, especially if you don't have a lot of experience or a large network in the industry.
Plus, even if you do find a job, it's important to continue building your skills and exploring different ways to apply them - we are ever-growing devs after all!
When I think about what I wanted to do after started learning how to code I knew it had to tick one of these three boxes:
- Help improve my coding skills
- Contribute towards building my portfolio
- Or make me some extra money
With that in mind, there are many options available for new coders beyond just finding a job, and in this article, I’ll explore some of those options and offer tips for getting started with each one.
Let’s take a look!
Open-Source Contributions 👐
If you've been learning to code for a while, you've probably heard the term "open source" before. But what does it actually mean?
Essentially, open source refers to software that is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This is in contrast to "closed source" software, which is owned by a company or individual and not available for others to access or modify.
There are many open-source projects out there some of which you may have used before such as React or Flutter.
Why is open-source important?
Well, for one thing, it encourages collaboration and innovation. When anyone can contribute to a project and make it better, the potential for improvement is much greater than if only a small group of people were working on it.
Plus, open-source software is often more transparent and secure, since anyone can review the code and report any issues they find.
So what does this have to do with you as a new coder?
Well, contributing to open-source projects can be a great way to improve your skills and build a portfolio.
By working on real-world projects with other developers, you can learn new techniques, gain experience with different tools and technologies, and showcase your work to potential employers.
How do you get started with open-source contributions?
One good place to look is GitHub, a popular platform for hosting and collaborating on open-source projects.
You can search for projects by language, topic, or popularity, and browse through issues and pull requests to see what needs to be done.
You can also join communities or organisations focused on open-source, such as the Free Software Foundation or Open Source Initiative, and connect with other developers who share your interests.
Of course, contributing to open source isn't always easy. You may need to learn how to use new tools or technologies, and you'll need to be comfortable working with other people and receiving feedback on your work.
But with a little perseverance and a willingness to learn, you can make a real impact on open-source projects and improve your skills as a developer.
You could also consider starting your own open-source project, that way you can build something whilst allowing others to contribute and benefit from getting feedback and collaboration, whilst creating something awesome.
It’s a win-win!
Build Mini SaaS Apps 📱
Staying on the topic of building things, if you're looking for a fun and challenging way to put your coding skills to the test, consider building a mini SaaS app. SaaS stands for "software as a service", and refers to software that is hosted on the web and available for users to access.
So what are the benefits of building a mini SaaS app?
For one thing, it's a great way to improve your coding skills. Building a full-fledged app can be overwhelming for a new coder, but building a mini SaaS app can be a great way to practice your skills in a more manageable way.
You'll learn about database design, web development, and server-side programming, all while building something that could potentially make you some money.
Speaking of money, building a mini SaaS app can also be a way to earn some passive income. If you're able to create something that solves a problem or meets a need in a particular niche, you could potentially charge users a monthly subscription fee to access your app or even a one-off payment. Of course, this isn't a guarantee, but it's worth considering as a possibility.
There is a massive community of people who are dedicated to building mini SasS apps known as Indie Hackers, you can join them and get involved in how to get your app out there.
But how do you get started with building a mini SaaS app?
Here are a few tips:
1) Find a niche
Think about a problem or need that you or someone you know has, and see if there's an opportunity to create a web-based solution for it. Maybe you know someone who runs a small business and could use a simple invoicing app, or maybe you've noticed that there's a lack of affordable project management tools for freelancers. Whatever it is, try to find a niche that isn't already saturated with similar apps.
2) Select a technology stack
Depending on what you want to build, you'll need to choose a set of tools and technologies to use. For example, if you're building a web app, you'll likely need to use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a backend language like Ruby, Python, or Node.js. There are also plenty of frameworks and libraries available that can make development easier, so do some research and find what works best for you.
3) Build, test, and iterate
Once you have an idea and a technology stack, start building! Don't worry if it's not perfect at first – building software is an iterative process, and you'll likely need to make changes and improvements as you go. Test your app thoroughly, get feedback from others, and keep refining it until you're happy with the end result.
Building a mini SaaS app can be a challenging but rewarding way to improve your coding skills and potentially make some money.
So if you're up for a challenge, why not give it a try?
Technical Writing ✍️
Technical writing is an often-overlooked avenue for new coders to explore, but it can be a great way to hone your skills and build up your portfolio.
So what exactly is technical writing?
Well, it's essentially the practice of explaining complex technical concepts in a way that is easy for others to understand.
Think of it this way, if coding is like building a house, then technical writing is like writing the instruction manual that comes with the house. It might not be as glamorous as the actual building, but it's just as important.
Why is technical writing important?
Well, for starters, it helps ensure that others can use and understand your code. But it's also a valuable skill in its own right, one that can open up new career paths and opportunities.
When it comes to getting started with tech writing, the key is to find a topic that interests you and start writing. You could write tutorials on a programming language, documentation for an open-source project, or even start a blog where you share your coding experiences.
One important thing to keep in mind is to write in a clear, concise manner. Don't assume that your readers have the same level of technical knowledge that you do. Use analogies, visuals, and examples to help explain complex concepts in a way that anyone can understand.
But I’m still new to coding how can I be a technical writer?
In short, technical writing is a valuable skill for any coder to have, and it's one that can help you improve your skills. You don’t need to know everything, but if there’s something you’ve learnt and now have an understanding about, then writing about it, even in a blog, can not only solidify your own knowledge but also help others who are learning understand as well.
Teach others 🧑🏫
Talking about helping others, there’s no better way to help others than to teach.
"Teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren
Teaching others to code is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a developer. Not only can it help you improve your own skills, but it also allows you to give back to the community and build a network of like-minded individuals.
Why teaching?
One of the benefits of teaching is that it can help you develop your communication skills. Explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy for others to understand is not an easy task, but it's one that can help you improve your own understanding of the topic.
Additionally, teaching can help you build your reputation and network within the coding community.
Getting started with teaching can be as simple as creating tutorials or instructional videos on a topic you know well. You could then share these tutorials online on YouTube or even on an online course platform such as Udemy.
If you prefer a more in-person approach, you could also look into volunteering at a local school or community centre to teach coding to kids or adults who are just starting out.
One thing to keep in mind when teaching is to be patient and understanding. Remember that not everyone learns at the same pace, and it's important to take the time to explain concepts in a way that works for each individual.
But with a little bit of patience and dedication, you can help others unlock the power of coding.
Put simply, teaching is a great way to give back to the community, build your network, and improve your own skills as a developer.
It’s never too soon to start sharing your knowledge!
Other options 🚀
You've learned how to code, and the world of possibilities is now wide open. While the previous options we've discussed are great for improving your skills and building your portfolio, there are other exciting avenues to explore as well.
Hackathons are a great way to test your coding abilities while working with other passionate individuals to create something innovative.
Building games can be a fun and creative outlet for showcasing your coding skills, and creating mobile apps can provide an opportunity to tackle real-world problems and potentially make a difference in people's lives.
Getting a job in software development is not the be-all and end-all of your coding journey. The possibilities are endless, and the choice is yours. Don't be afraid to explore different options and find what truly resonates with you.
Who knows, maybe your next project will be the next big thing in tech!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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