MERN - 150 Days Challenge
Tags: webdev, beginners, learning, discuss
Published: 2024-05-13 16:04:40

## About Me
- Ambitious Software Developer from non-traditional background (Bio-Medical Engineering)
- Journey officially and purposefully started on March 2023 with Savon Ammattiopisto (Local Vocational College in Finland)
- Self-learning and self-guiding through experiences :thinking:
- I believe I managed to understand and implement :
  - Fundamentals of programming, data-structures and object-oriented programming. Hence, Backend engineering is my favorite part!
  - Databases (relational) using SQL syntax was free-flowing. If possible, *I would replace English with SQL to communicate with people* :laughing:
  - Frontend engineering was smooth but relating components and their functionalities between `frontend <--> backend <--> databases` was a journey! :railway_track:

I wish to deduce my understanding of Software Development and start learning in public based on the advice from this wonderful post from [Pieces](@get_pieces) :flight_departure: 
{% embed https://dev.to/get_pieces/how-to-build-in-public-as-a-tech-professional-2epl %} 


I am open to suggestions and collaborations along this wonderful journey! :handshake:

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## :mechanical_arm: The Challenge
### The *What*
Currently I am learning **MERN** stack from [FullStackOpen](https://fullstackopen.com/en/about/), an Open University course from the University of Helsinki, Finland.
My progress so far : [FullStack-open-core](https://github.com/prak112/fullstack-open-core)
 
#### About the Course
- Course has 7 core parts and 7 extension parts for learning Full Stack Development. 
- Course is very detailed and gives adequate set of instructions, exercises and material to follow along without any confusion. (*sometimes the instructions are so elaborate, that it starts to be confusing!* :face_with_spiral_eyes:)

*Networking* :spider_web: I have heard about this course from a peer and thanks to him, I could plan out the curriculum for my Vocational college degree.:spider_web:

### The *Why* 
I get to learn the most popular tech-stack and start applying for jobs as soon as I have a static portfolio in both **MERN** and **Django** 	:statue_of_liberty:
More importantly, the course has a nice reward if completed as a whole package! Here is my core reason :
- To qualify for the "[Interview Promise](https://fullstackopen.com/en/part0/general_info#interview-promise)"
    - [Core course](https://fullstackopen.com/en/part0/general_info#parts-and-completion) - 7 parts
    - [Course exam](https://fullstackopen.com/en/part0/general_info#the-course-exam) - after completing parts 0-7
    - [Extended course](https://fullstackopen.com/en/part0/general_info#parts-and-completion) - 7 parts
    - Course project - [Full stack project (10 ECTS)](https://fullstackopen.com/en/part0/general_info#full-stack-project)

### The *How*
My self-study happens full-time, hence I am able to dedicate _6-8 hours/day_ for _5 days/week_. Based on what I know and what I have (*time*) so far I believe I can complete the entire course including the course project within 150 Days.
To make myself accountable, I will be posting (_1 post/week_) my progress and key takeaways from what I have learnt. 

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## Interested ? :cowboy_hat_face:
- If you are also new and a beginner from a non-traditional background, I would welcome you to join me in exploring **MERN** stack or any stack together.
- Learning together can always be confidence boosting and make the journey less lonelier :grin:
- Let me know in the comments below. We can connect via Discord :mailbox_with_mail:

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## Credits
- Cover Image : [Photo by Leeloo The First](https://www.pexels.com/photo/motivational-simple-inscription-against-doubts-5238645/)