From 1.1 GPA Highschooler to 6-Figure Software Developer–Marcus Young | EP207
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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://bit.ly/JonaedIqbalND)

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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.