My  Journey to becoming a Software Developer:  DevCareer & Progate
Tags: devcareers, coding, progate, codenewbie
Published: 2020-07-31 10:45:21

Self Learning software development can be quite tasking. You need to be committed and set your goals right. You need to have a learning path otherwise you end up in tutorial's Hell.
If you are an aspiring software developer there is a place you need to visit regularly, It's TWITTER...Yes, Twitter.
There are a whole lot of opportunities there if you are just starting out as a developer. TechTwitter is a strong community on Twitter that are always ready to help an Aspiring Software Developer.
Well, I am not here to write about Tech twitter rather My writeup is based on one of my experience from the opportunity I had from one of Tech twitter sponsored program.
#HOW IT STARTED#
As usual, I was strolling through twitter street when I saw this.
{% twitter 1254392348894793728 %}

Free Data! Free Progate course!. I had a resolution within myself that I have to be in this program. If you live in Nigeria you will definitely understand how it feels to be given free data. I never knew much about Progate, I know it's a learning platform similar to Codecademy but I was willing to explore Progate.
Then there was a need for sponsorers for the program.

{% twitter 1255854829529976841 %}
It's no news, Tech Twitter is always ready for the cause. After going through the screening I was selected.
#SLACK CHANNEL: DEVcareers#
There are numerous channels we have  #Announcement, #Games, #Random, #AMA and others. It was fun and educative as well, Why won't it? when we have OkoyeCb- The Troublemaker as the Moderator. Not me! He likes to be address that way.
#PROGATE: Master White and Ken the Ninja#
Yeah! Learning on Progate is awesome. Coding was explained in a detailed, interactive and comprehensive way. Two cartoon characters were used to explain the interactive session. Where Master White is the Teacher and Ken the Ninja is the student. At the beginning of a new topic, Ken asks Master White questions which sometimes are similar to what I would have asked as well. As you finish a topic there is an advance in Level quite similar to a game. Kudos! to that.
#AMA session: Samson Goddy and Hoop Somuah#
The two different sessions was awesome. One of the advice I took from one of the lectures is to *"Always remember how you started, why you started and why you are at your current status"*- Samson
I have another one
*"Do not focus on learning technology stacks. Tech stacks come and go like politicians. Don't get too attached. Focus on being able to pick up similar tech stacks, understand their similarities and their differences. This requires focusing on a deep understanding of the concept "*-Hoop
#Monthly Tasks and Lesson Learnt:#
**First Month:** We were given an individual project.  I was asked to clone a web page. I finished the web page but it wasn't responsive.
Lesson: I had to learn responsiveness against the next project. I had to stop procrastination and meet up with the deadline. That was my first time of hosting on Netlify.
**Second Month:** We were asked to join a team which will be selected by the Team Leader so we have to prove to the team leader we are worth being in their Team. I actually got into a group
Lesson: I didn't really participate in the group project. Teamwork was new to me. I promise myself I must contribute to the next team task. 
**Third Month:** We were regrouped randomly into another team. I was in Team 2- "Wonder Women". I was active in this team we were asked to build an E-commerce site for a store. We had to divide the web pages among ourselves. I built the Login page.
Lesson: I learnt Pair programming, it was interesting trying this out using Live share. Team collaboration was tasking but we were able to decide eventually. I learnt how to use git for a team project.

This article is the final task. It was an experience I am sure to never forget. I can't wait to give back to the community. Shoutout to the Sponsorers, Moderators and Mentors of this Programme
  **(Samson Goddy, Hoop Somuah, Akintunde Sultan, Okoye Chidi and others)**.