How do you come up with portfolio project ideas? How do you build portfolio projects? What are some examples of portfolio projects? Eric and Matt answer these questions and more in this weeks episodes. This week we discuss our experiences with trying to build portfolio projects. Coming up with project ideas can be difficult, especially for those that are just starting to learn. By the end of this episode, you'll learn how to come up with your own project ideas.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of starting the Self-Taught Devs Podcast, and reflect on their experiences, growth, and challenges over the first 20 episodes. Getting started with content creation can be challenging and intimidating. Matt and Eric go into depth about how they got started, and give advice for anyone looking to do the same.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of learning their first programming language, JavaScript. Learning your first programming language can be difficult at first. It requires a different skills than many of us are used to. Matt and Eric talk about their learning process, struggles, preferred learning techniques, and how they eventually learned JavaScript.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

In this episode, Matt and Eric discuss their journey of learning CSS. How they started, how they improved over time, and the tools, processes, and resources they utilized. They also discuss their favorite tools today, experience with things like Bootstrap and Tailwind, and what you should focus on as you develop your skills.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

DeVontae Moore had an untraditional transition into tech and it took longer than expected. DeVontae is very active on Linkedin and he gives helpful unconventional advice to junior devs. He also has a newsletter where he gives coding tips and practical advice on how to be a better programmer. In this episode we discuss how he transitioned into tech, tips on getting your first job, how to protect yourself from the effects of a layoff, and much more.

DeVontaes links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devontaemoore-react-developer/

https://substack.com/profile/131224638-devontae-moore?utm_source=substack_profile

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

What have been some of your expectations for the field of tech? With the vast amounts of information of stories about how to transition into tech, how do you manage your expectations? Eric and Matt discuss their process for managing their expectations as they transition into tech. This includes goal setting, managing disappointment, how their expectations have changed since they started and much more.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

Are you Building In Public? Have you thought about building in public but don't know where to start?

In this episode, Matt and Eric have a conversation about their thoughts and process on creating content and posting videos of their projects and code. Topics include:

- The process of making content

- Utilizing LinkedIn effectively

- WHY you should be building in public

- Considerations when making your videos

- Tools and getting started

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

In this episode, Matt and Eric take some time to catch up about their recent experiences doing the Self Taught Dev thing. A break from our more structured episodes and interviews. Various topics covered including:

- Taking the pressure off in the path to a career change

- Finding experience through open source and volunteering

- AI and Prompt Engineering

- Being Open to Different Roles in Tech

- Getting better at talking to people

- Updates on our current projects

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

In this episode, Matt and Eric speak with Patrick Da Silva who is a DevOps Consultant at Polar Squad. Patrick talks about how he went from University, to CTO to DevOps. He also discusses his long original job search process and some things that you can do to get your first opportunity in tech. Learn from Patricks untraditional path and see how you can apply it to your own.

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev

Connect with Brian Patrick:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasilvapatrick/

Eric and Matt discuss motivation and how to deal with gaining and losing it. The process of transitioning to tech can be a long road and certainly difficult. How does one stay motivated? Is it a good idea to rely on motivation? What happens when we don’t have any motivation? These questions and more are answered in this episode. Submit your questions to [email protected].

Matt's Links: https://mehrlich-link-tree.netlify.app/

Eric's Links: https://linktr.ee/ericwinkdev