A Guide for Aspiring Software Developers
If you’re just starting out in the world of software development, you may be wondering where to begin. In this blog post, I will provide a suggested learning path for aspiring software developers, including courses and resources for learning the necessary skills and preparing for job interviews.
Programming Course
Complete Python Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery
I recommend starting with a course in Python, as it is a popular and versatile programming language used in a wide range of applications. The “Complete Python Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery” course on Udemy is a great option because it is newly updated and covers complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner. This course is suitable for beginners and is offered by the same company that teaches Data Structures and Algorithms on Udemy.
Complete Python Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery - Udemy
Data Structures and Algorithms + Coding Interview Questions
Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms
Once you have a solid foundation in Python, it’s time to start preparing for coding interviews. The “Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms” course on Udemy covers theoretical concepts and practical techniques for solving coding interview questions. Though the course uses JavaScript, the logic behind the code is what matters most.
Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms - Udemy
Practice Coding Interview Questions (In Parallel)
AlgoExpert
To become proficient in solving coding interview questions, it is essential to practice as much as possible. I recommend using AlgoExpert to practice coding interview questions. While it isn’t free, it’s reasonably priced and provides a curated list of questions. Start with the easy ones in each category before moving on to more difficult questions.
AlgoExpert - Coding Interview Practice
LeetCode
LeetCode is also a great resource for practicing coding interview questions. It offers a large number of free questions. However, the sheer number can be overwhelming, so AlgoExpert’s curated list might be more beginner-friendly.
LeetCode - Coding Interview Questions
Search for “Mock Coding Interview” on YouTube
Watching mock coding interviews on YouTube can help you understand what to expect during a real coding interview and build your confidence.
Mock Coding Interview - YouTube
Personal Full-Stack Project (In Parallel)
Working on a personal project can be an excellent way to learn the technologies needed to build a full-stack application, such as frontend frameworks, databases, cloud services, and DevOps tools. You don’t need to take full courses on every topic—focus on learning the specific tools required for your project.
Suggested Courses for Frontend Development
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The Complete Web Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery
Covers the basics of frontend development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. -
Complete Next.js Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery
Learn about modern frameworks like Next.js for building server-rendered React applications.
Job Search (When You’re Comfortable with Coding Questions)
Once you have a solid understanding of Python, data structures, algorithms, and frontend development, start looking for job opportunities. To prepare for job interviews, you’ll also need to learn about system design.
Learn System Design
As you work on your personal project, you will gain experience with system design concepts like cloud infrastructure, database selection, scalability, and load balancing.
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Rocking System Design
This course covers the basics of system design. Although I haven’t taken it personally, it looks like a good option based on the description and reviews.
Practice System Design
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SystemsExpert | Ace the Systems Design Interviews
Offers high-quality system design practice problems and solutions.
Search for “Mock System Design Interview” on YouTube
Watching mock system design interviews can give you a good idea of what to expect during real job interviews.
Mock System Design Interview - YouTube
Job Search Tools
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Career.io
Offers virtual mock interviews powered by AI, a resume builder, job search tools, and job tracking all in one place.
For Fun (Any Time)
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Silicon Valley TV Show | HBO
A humorous and insightful show about programmers trying to start their own company. -
Fun YouTube Channels about Tech:
What’s Next?
After mastering the basics, you can explore more advanced topics or specialize in areas like AI, machine learning, data science, DevOps, backend development, frontend development, blockchain, or cloud services. One highly valuable skill in today’s market is cloud computing, especially with AWS. Learning AWS Cloud can open up numerous opportunities in the tech field, as it’s widely used by companies around the world.
Learn a Statically Typed Language like Go (Golang)
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Go Programming Language
Go Programming Language | Udemy - Go is a statically typed language that is gaining popularity due to its simplicity and performance. This course will teach you the basics of Go and how to build applications with it. -
Web Development w/ Google’s Go (golang) Programming Language
Web Development w/ Google’s Go (golang) | Udemy - This course is more in-depth and will help you master the Go programming language. -
Up and Running with Concurrency in Go (Golang)
Up and Running with Concurrency in Go (Golang) | Udemy - This course will help you understand the concept of concurrency in Go, which is one of its most powerful features.
Learn AWS Cloud
If you’re interested in diving into cloud services, I recommend the following course:
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AWS Certified Developer - Associate (DVA-C01)
This course will teach you the fundamentals of AWS, including various cloud services, and prepare you for the AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam. Having an AWS certification can significantly boost your career prospects and give you a solid foundation for building and deploying cloud applications.
🤝 Need Career Guidance or Interview Prep Help?
Embarking on a software development career can be challenging, especially when preparing for coding interviews or navigating the job market. If you’re feeling stuck, need some career guidance, or want help with coding interview preparation, feel free to reach out to me!
Whether you need advice on the best learning path, assistance with specific coding problems, or tips for your upcoming interview, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to get you on the path to success in the tech world.
How to Get in Touch
- 📧 Email: ddjura87@gmail.com
- 💼 LinkedIn: Marko Durasic
Don’t hesitate to contact me—I’m happy to share my experience and offer support to help you achieve your goals in software development!
☕ Support My Work
If you find this guide and my other content helpful, please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to create more tutorials, guides, and open-source tools to help aspiring software developers like you.
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