Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Without a clear path from junior developer to senior, most developers fall into the coding trap:

• You double down on your current programming language to become an "expert"
• You add more tools to your tool belt like a new, more impressive programming language (Rust anyone?)
• You obsess over code quality and writing error free code
• You wonder why you haven't been promoted yet

Plot twist: I am you.

I made all these mistakes and have since gone on to be a senior at multiple companies even though I've rarely been the best coder on any team.

As an engineering manager, I had the privilege of promoting developers to senior and the awkward duty to share with developers why there were NOT getting promoted.

Let's break down how you can shorten your path to senior developer, step by step.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Before you watch another 100 hour YouTube tutorial, try these 4 side projects which are small enough to do over a weekend and will teach you a hell of a lot about writing JavaScript.

In this episode we will explore the concepts you will learn with these projects, how to get started and where to find information to fill in the gaps in your knowledge.

Here's the API I mentioned in the show: JSON Placeholder
Here's the Form Challenge

If you complete the Form Challenge please tag me on IG or LinkedIn. Feel free to submit it to my email if you want feedback: [email protected]

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Dicky Kitchen is a self-taught developer who made the leap into tech in his 40s—without a degree, bootcamp, or formal schooling.

Dicky is in his first 90 days as a professional developer after a career as a phyiscal therapy assistant. 

We dive into Dicky’s journey from physical therapy to coding, how he found success learning online, and the sacrifices it took to build a new career from scratch. 

If you’re over 30, switching careers, or just curious about how to break into tech, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.

Links mentioned in episode:

•Watch our junior developer mock interview on YouTube

•Connect with Dicky on LinkedIn

•Follow Dicky on Instagram

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Don't hate mail me just yet. 

“Free” work as a developer can feel like a controversial topic, but it could be the key to jump-starting your career. 

I’ll walk you through strategies for gaining credibility, building a portfolio, and turning your free work into a launchpad for your development career. 

You will learn how to:

 -Discover valuable projects, not junk work 
- Position yourself as a developer while still learning 
-Leverage open-source and freelance work for career growth 

And don’t worry, this isn’t about working for free forever—just smartly leveraging it as a stepping stone.

Check out my buddy William Ray who has some really good advice about freelancing as a developer.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

I know the smartest and best looking developers are listening to this podcast.

As a thank you, here's a mini-tutorial to learn some backend software development as a Javascript developer.

Video: https://youtu.be/9mU6Mnq9ZXY
Code: https://github.com/CodeCoachJS/js_pros_backend_starter.git​

Please share this and tag me if you do!

One last thing 👇

Join me and Aaron Cordova, a recent guest on the podcast to talk about how you can actually break into tech as an outsider. Register here.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

In the last decade, I got sober, learned to code, and lost 50 pounds. 

At the end of the day, the key to all of these transformations came down to habits. 

In this episode, I break down how small, consistent changes can lead to big life transformations—whether you want to improve your coding skills, land a job, or just build better habits in life. 

Let's learn the science behind habit formation and practical tips to help you create habits that last.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

The field of software development tends to attract neuro-divergent people, and because of the emphasis on problem-solving, long stretches of focus, and task management, developers with ADHD often face unique challenges. 

Henry Lam, an ADHD coach for professionals who shares practical strategies for 

• managing time
• boosting motivation
• minimizing distractions 

This advice can be applied for anyone learning to code and especially to neuro-divergent developers. 

Whether you’re struggling with procrastination, hyper-focus, or juggling multiple projects, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you stay on track and reach your full potential.

You can connect with Henry at ​https://www.adhdcoachingnearme.com/

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Wondering where to take your first step in the tech world?

Should you aim for a fast-paced startup, a steady mid-sized company, or a giant like Google?

In this episode I share my personal journey through all three—from a stressful startup experience to working at Fortune 100 companies.

Learn the pros and cons of each environment, and get actionable advice on how to navigate your career, make smart choices, and avoid common mistakes along the way.

Lastly - this is the last week to get a major discount to Parsity. Apply here.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

In this interview, Dagna Bieda, an accomplished software engineer and author of "Brain Refactor", shares how she struggled with communication as a developer and how she had to "refactor" her own mindset to reach the next level in her career as well as:

• Common pitfalls that most software engineers make in their career
• Why "mindset" is more than a fluffy buzzword
• Marketing yourself as a developer
• Psychedelics?!

This convo took a turn I never expected 😅.
​
📖 Get her book here
💼 Connect with Dagna on LinkedIn
🧠 ​Finally, here's a link to the article we mention during the show.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️

Send a text and I may answer it on next episode (I cannot reply from this service 😢)

Let me be clear: junior developers are necessary.

They are also risky to hire.

Let's explore the economics of hiring juniors, how to de-risk yourself and what the hell "junior" really means.

Also - here's my email if you want any targeted advice: [email protected]

Include your Github and LinkedIn and I'll give you my 3 cents!

PS. We have 2 spots left for the last cohort of the year. Join me at Parsity.io if you want to become a software developer in 2025.

Shameless Plugs

🧠 (NEW) Parsity's The Inner Circle Program - a highly customized roadmap to take you from 0 to hired. For career changers who want to pivot into software.

💼 Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Google, Brian-look-a-like)

👂🏻Easier Said Than Done Podcast

Already a developer? Check out 👉 Not Another Course

Serious about joining Parsity? Schedule a call with me ☎️