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General Discussion

Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points
Posted by Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points

Which Plan Is best for me?/ Job advice, please

Hey, everyone. I just signed up for Treehouse awhile ago on the recommendation of a friend and have started the Front-End web development program. So far, I'm really impressed with the site and am planning on sticking with it, but I'm having trouble deciding on a plan.

The Tech Degree program seems nice, but the price is kind of steep for me. I'm sure it's a fair price, but it is a lot for me at this time. However, I don't want coding to just be a hobby and would like to turn it into a career. I currently am a freelance writer for a few different websites, but the work is too insecure. I only got into writing as a career after my plans of going to law school met with the harsh reality that I don't want to be a lawyer and the legal market in the U.S. is awful.

Ideally, I'd like to move onto programming full-time or at least find some freelance work, but I'm not even sure how I'd go about doing that once I finish the courses on TreeHouse. With writing work, I can always write a sample article, but somehow I doubt I can do that with coding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm kind of in rut career-wise and want to make a fresh start.

5 Answers

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points
Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

My suggestion would be to Learn WordPress, make 2-4 Custom Themes using underscores, Then Start bloging about what you have been doing tech wise, and apply to ad agencies for work. This is the fastest way to get into a job in programming. There is a TON of work, and depending on where you live the pay can be pretty good. The coding world moves pretty fast, and its hard to play catch up, but If you need a job, learn WordPress, and bootstrap, and display that you can build a solid custom theme/plugin and you should be able to find work.

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

I would start with HTML/CSS/JS, aka Front-end.

Or, you could start on the back-end side and learn Python or Ruby.

Back-end languages other then Python and Ruby (that Treehouse teaches):

  • Java
  • PHP
  • C#
  • Node.js (a JavaScript framework that allows you to work with JS in the back-end side)
Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points
Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points

Thanks for the advice guys. I've already started the front-end track, but will probably start Wordpress once front-end is done. I'm currently on the basic plan, but do you all believe the Techdegree plan is worth the investment or will I be able to learn enough to get started on the Basic plan?

I'd have to cut some expenses, but currently I could make the Techdegree plan work. I'm just not sure if I need it.

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

That sounds like a great start!! With WordPress you will also need to learn PHP, but Its a good starting point into programming. I've haven't done the Techdegree. I think if you have the means sure, if not there are plenty of things to make and grow on using the basic plan. At some point you will out grow it, but if you have some financial restraints, don't worry about it now.

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

Remember, Its all about what you want to do in programming. If your going to go with WordPress, You will at some point need to know PHP, but not at first. Have a fundamental understanding of programming principles first, and it will be much easier for you to land a job. Here is a list of the most in demand languages:

languages

jrs0801
jrs0801
259 Points
jrs0801
jrs0801
259 Points

PHP is a must. Just look at how many websites use PHP. That's not saying don't learn other backend languages, just that if you want the easiest route to get into the industry, then PHP is a must.

The tech degree isn't a must. Having a portfolio is however.

Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points
Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
1,470 Points

Thanks, everyone. My plan right now is to finish the front-end track, Wordpress, and then PHP. From there, I'll try and find some work in web design while learning other languages here. One day, I'd love to get into the video game industry, but, from what I've read, that's a difficult field to get into.

I do have one more question, does anyone have any advice for building a portfolio? I just don't know how to create a portfolio if no one will hire you because you don't have any experience in the field.

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

You can make a portfolio with simply HTML and CSS.

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

I agree with Alexander, You can also make a portfolio using WordPress, since that is one of the technologies you want to know. you should start writing a tech blog, this is one of the best ways for companies to see your progress. Also Create a github account and a codepen,