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How I Went From Selling Houses To Staff Engineer

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How I Went From Selling Houses To Staff Engineer
How I Went From Selling Houses To Staff Engineer

Learning to code so that you can land a job in tech can feel daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring stories from Codecademy’s community — to show how people like you (yes, you!) can embark on a learning journey and end up with a totally new career. We hope these stories serve as a reminder that there’s no single path to a more fulfilling work life.

Today’s story is from Shadow Smith, a 29-year-old Staff Engineer at Openly living in Westmoreland, TN. Read more stories from Codecademy learners here — and be sure to share your story here.

Why I chose to learn to code

“I fell prey to one of those get-rich-quick videos on YouTube that planted the idea of building a website to sell TVs to make residual income. But rather than using Wix or something like that, I wanted to be able to build it myself. I started with HTML and CSS. For half of my career, I didn’t even touch JavaScript at all. I got that endorphin rush whenever I first wrote a

tag, and then I wrote a style tag and changed the color to red. It tapped into one of my passions in life, which is creating something from nothing. It also tapped into another passion that I have, which is helping people with technology.”

How I made time to learn

“I was unemployed, so I had time.”

How I saved up enough money to switch careers

“I had some money saved up from my previous base salary from selling houses. It was at that time that I fell into this idea of creating a website to sell TVs to create residual income. And that’s when I found Codecademy. But I needed a job! I was running out of money. So I ended up trying to get a job installing security cameras for some small local company. Long story short, during the interview, they mentioned I’d need to crawl under houses. And when I said, ‘There are probably snakes under there,’ the interviewer determined this was not the job for me. But the owner of the company said something to me that I’ll never forget. She said, ‘Never lose your entrepreneurial spirit.’ And I said, ‘Don’t worry I won’t!’ and told her about my plan to create a website. And her response was, ‘Well, can you build us a website?’ And that’s where everything changed for me. That’s when the pressure was applied for me to understand what I was learning.”

How long it took me to land a job

“Seven years from when I started learning (with freelancing in between).”

How I got in the door

“I worked as a freelance marketing director and web developer making WordPress sites, and I was working for very little money back then — like $10 an hour. But I was hungry to continue my career. I became the IT person for a cattle feed company where I was responsible for building their website and doing their marketing. Then I moved on from there to a business credit company where, again, I redid the website, did the marketing, and wore all those hats. I was really just following problems I knew I could solve with code. Then the pandemic hit, and I left that job and came to Openly as a Senior Front-End Engineer. And after a year and a half, I was promoted to Staff Engineer.

As far as getting this job as a Senior Front-End Engineer, I went way beyond just submitting a resume. When I applied for Openly, I went to their website, jumped in the source code, and I saw what front-end framework they were using and what authentication provider they were using. I recreated their landing page with a login button that took you to my version of their authentication provider. When I reached out to them, I reached out to them on LinkedIn, I hit them up on Twitter, and I got to people’s inboxes and fired this thing at them. ‘You’re hiring for this role? Here’s a link where I recreated this entire part of your web application in one or two days.’ That was the thing that I think made me stand out.”

How I nailed the interview

“There were two critical elements to my interview process. The first was that I knew what my ‘why’ was. Why do I do this? Why do I care? And I communicated this at every opportunity, so they knew I was passionate. The other piece was, since I did all this up-front work and I made this whole piece of their app, that set it up so I somewhat controlled the interview process at that point. Typically, if the interviewers saw it, they’d bring up questions about it, which is way more relevant than some abstract situational interview question.

Another thing that was extremely valuable was that I’d started blogging before that point on technical concepts. So during my interview process, when they ask, ‘Do you have any questions for us?’ That’s the perfect opportunity to sell yourself. Definitely take that time to interview the company, too, but always ask: ‘With everything that we’ve discussed, what thing would prevent me from getting this job right now?’ It causes the interviewer to raise things that you may be strong at but didn’t get to cover during the interview. And then you can quickly overcome that objection. For me, that question was about testing. I told them, ‘Hey, we don’t have to dive into the weeds of that right now, but I have a 3,000-word blog on how to do test-driven development to build Vue components and document them in Storybook.'”

How I evaluated the offer

“That was a pretty quick process for me. I came from not tech-focused companies. The focus was always some other industry, and tech was just an enabler for what they were trying to do. But this company was tech-driven. Any company can say that, but for this company, technology is truly at the core. There’s also a big difference in pay and benefits, so it was 2x what I was making. I remember once I got the offer, I called my wife and we were freaking out about it. Having a remote tech-job that pays great and has great benefits was always the dream. I live in the middle of nowhere, so the only feasible tech opportunities had to be remote.”

How day one & beyond went

“It was great! I was the first front-end engineering hire at the company, so it was a lot of hands-on with our CTO. Showing me where all the skeletons are buried, what the architecture is like, and ramping us up to our first project.”

What I wish I knew before I started learning

“Focus on solving problems from the start. Tinker projects and side-hustles are a great way to learn. But one thing you should try to do is identify a problem in your life that could be solved with code. And it could be something super simple. Start small and iterate.”

Learn like Shadow

See the courses and languages that helped them most.

Not sure where to start? Check out our personality quiz! We’ll help you find the best programming language to learn based on your strengths and interests.

Want to share your Codecademy learner story? Drop us a line here. And don’t forget to join the discussions in our community.

Web Development Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

Web Development is the practice of developing websites and web apps that live on the internet. Whether you’re interested in front-end, back-end, or going full-stack, the content in our Web Development domain will help you get there.

Runners-Up From Our 9th Annual Student Editorial Contest

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Runners-Up From Our 9th Annual Student Editorial Contest

However, this English obsession is not without reason. According to a 2013 report, individuals who speak English fluently earn 34 percent more than those who cannot. English is essential in today’s globalized work force, but language acquisition should be accumulative, not subtractive. Research shows that high mother tongue proficiency makes learning a second language easier and results in better academic performance. Rather than hinder children’s ability to learn English later, it establishes a lifelong linguistic and cultural foundation for them.

As more people turn to English, it is our responsibility to keep our mother tongues alive and teach them to future generations. With them, we pass down our culture, traditions, and history, which increasing cultural homogenization threatens to rob them of. So embrace multilingualism, whether that means returning to a childhood language or learning your parents’ native tongue. If we don’t, who will?

Works Cited

“40% Don’t Access Education in a Language They Understand.” UNESCO, 19 Feb. 2016.

Azam, Mehtabul, et al. “The Returns to English-Language Skills in India.” Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 61, no. 2, Jan. 2013, pp. 335–67.

Ball, Jessica. “Children Learn Better in Their Mother Tongue.” Global Partnership for Education, 21 Feb. 2014.

Daniyal, Shoaib. “Why Is India Obsessed With English-Medium Education – When It Goes Against Scientific Consensus?” Scroll.In, 6 Aug. 2020.

Hardach, Sophie. “In Quarantine, Kids Pick up Parents’ Mother Tongues.” The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2020.

Janyala, Sreenivas. “State Song Made Compulsory in Andhra Schools.” The Indian Express, 31 October 2009.

“Linguistic Genocide.” Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, 28 Mar. 2022.

Mody, Anjali. “India’s Obsession with English Is Depriving Many Children of a Real Education.” Quartz India, Quartz, 3 Sept. 2015.

Müller, Anne, et al. “The Mother-Tongue Dilemma.” Education Today, no. 6, 2003, pp. 4–7. UNESDOC.

Nagarajan, Rema. “26% of schoolkids in English medium; nearly 60% in Delhi | India News.” Times of India, 3 July 2021.

“Madagascar: The Country”
By Soa Andriamananjara, age 15, Holton Arms School, Bethesda, Md.

To the average American, “Madagascar” is an amusing, animated film that tells the tale of four New York zoo animals who stumble onto the African island, Madagascar. For all the entertainment the film provides, “Madagascar” fails to bring awareness to its namesake island. “Madagascar” is a Western narrative that pushes the Malagasy jungle against the West’s cultural hub, New York City, emphasizing the idea that African countries lack civilization and modernity.

The movie’s depiction of the Malagasy people highlights this stereotype; the movie simply does not show any humans. The sole sign of humanity is a plane wreck in the middle of the island, which plays up the thought that only animals live there, even though Madagascar has a population of 22 million people.

The West thrives on its stereotypes of Madagascar. While the movie made $556 million, Madagascar has a foreign direct investment of $359 million. While the movie’s actors make millions of dollars, the Malagasy gross domestic product per capita is 596.35 USD. While Hollywood thrives, Madagascar is the fourth poorest country in the world. On top of Madagascar’s poor economy, climate change also impairs the country. Three years of drought and low rainfall exacerbate food insecurity and transform the lush island into a hot, brown dust bowl. Because of the famine, 3.5 million Malagasy people needed assistance from the World Food Programme. Just another hurdle to people already struggling.

Finding kindred spirits to succeed in learning and life

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Finding kindred spirits to succeed in learning and life

An interview with Dr. Dexter Purnell about the new Bachelor of Science in General Business from UNT.

Dr. Dexter Purnell is an entrepreneur and educator with significant experience in the entertainment industry as an artist manager, record producer, recording engineer, and sound engineer. He has worked with Grammy award-winning artists, as well as record labels such as Sony, Disturbing Tha Peace Records, Def Jam Records, Asylum Records, and more. 

At the University of North Texas, Dr. Purnell has found the support he needs to foster a learning environment where students and faculty from all walks of life have a path to success. Wanting to bring the same opportunities and mentorship to his students that he has had, Dr. Purnell is now expanding on his work at UNT in the new Bachelor of Science in General Business (B.S.G.B) program on Coursera. We spoke with Dr. Purnell to hear more about the kindred spirits he has found in his students, his faculty, and now Coursera.

What drew you to UNT? Why are you excited to be teaching there?

The environment at the University of North Texas is great! The organizational culture is amazing. I feel extremely supported here. The leadership really listens and values the input of faculty and staff members.

This is truly an amazing place when it comes to research and teaching. As an R1 institution, UNT is one of the top research universities in the country. There are only 146 other institutions like UNT in this regard and I wanted to enjoy this reputation along with my students.

And I love the students! I have students with all kinds of unique backgrounds—and having a unique background myself, I can really sympathize with them. I know that Coursera draws a wide variety of learners and that excites me.

You’re passionate about reaching a broad array of students with different backgrounds and learning paths. Tell us about your own learning and career journey that gave you this passion.

I began my higher education career as a student at Valparaiso University. I played football there before I left school to pursue my entertainment career. I then started a family and as I thought about what I wanted for my kids, I figured it would be difficult to tell them to get an education when I hadn’t done that myself. I wanted to set an example for my kids.

As I was finishing my bachelor’s degree, one of my instructors told me to consider being a professor someday. But thinking back on my time playing football at Valparaiso, I gave my professors grief and didn’t think I was meant to be anyone’s professor.

Upon finishing my undergraduate degree, I thought, “That was pretty easy. Why not knock out another degree? While I’m in the student mindset, I’ll go get another degree!” Then after completing my master’s degree, I kept hearing the voice in the back of my head saying, “You should try being a professor.” So, I became an adjunct professor! Soon I realized that I still had time to pursue my career in entertainment and here we are twelve years later.

With your successes in entertainment, why continue your career in academia? 

The reason I stay in academia is that I love getting the chance to inspire people. During one of my first jobs as an assistant professor, my department chairperson gave me a rock that had the word “inspire” written on it. To inspire means to breathe life. My job is to breathe life into people. I stay because I love to inspire.

Teaching on Coursera offers a whole new way to inspire people from all over the world. What excites you most about this BSGB program being on Coursera?

I am most excited about this BSGB degree being an opportunity for UNT and Coursera to help learners who may not have the time or flexibility to sit in a classroom. A degree from an R1 institution carries a lot of weight for my students, as does UNT’s accreditation from the AACSB—a globally recognized accreditation with the longest standing of its kind.

What kinds of learners do you think will be a good match for this program?

The ideal student is probably someone who has worked in the business world for a while, but perhaps they want to take the next step in their career. They might be happy where they are, but also feel like they could go even further if they learned some more skills or concepts. This degree is great for professionals who have had some business success and want to advance their career or their knowledge.

I’ve had students who have never taken a business or marketing class before. And when they start my class, they’re surprised to realize that marketing is everywhere (whether they can tell or not). When it comes to business management, some of my students have never formally learned any business management concepts. But if you’ve ever managed someone in any way, you probably understand more about management than you think you do.

Please note that the Bachelor of Science in General Business is intended for first-time college students who have earned less than 30 credit hours.

As someone with a great deal of real-world business experience, how important do you feel it is for students to learn real-world skills?

There are always opportunities to take what you’re learning and apply it to your life and to your career. It’s my job to make sure my students see the connections between what they’re learning and the real world. This is why I make real-world examples a key part of my courses.

Speaking of the real world, how does this new program support learners who are balancing real-world commitments as they pursue a degree?

This program gives you the flexibility and freedom to finish earning your degree at your own pace. And although it’s offered on Coursera, you’ll still be working with and learning from UNT professors who teach on the UNT campus. There’s no difference in coursework whether you’re on Coursera or on campus. To put it simply, this is a quality degree.

This has been such a wonderful conversation. Do you have any final advice for someone who is considering this new program?

Don’t be afraid! There can sometimes be a sense of fear or doubt when considering a degree. But as long as you can manage your time, you can succeed in this program. Will it be rigorous? Yes. But will it be doable? Yes. And you’ll be happy with the impact that your hard work can have on your life.

Learn more and apply

Color Love | Tulip Pink & Peach

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Color Love | Tulip Pink & Peach

Tulip Pink & peach Color Palette

Tulips are my favorite flower to place around my home in the spring. I prefer to choose those in warmer colors. The soft pink and peach tones scream longer days and warmer weather. I hope this color palette will help you bring this summer feeling to all your crafts. You can’t go wrong with this Pink & Peach Color Palette.

Tulip Pink & Peach Color Palette

Something in this color combination makes it perfect for wedding stationery and decoration. Paired with a white dress, it must look stunning. It may seem that pink combined with peach shades may be dull or even childish, but I think that this palette can give a modern and even sophisticated look if used correctly. Let me know if you agree!

As always, we have put together a mood board with some inspiration. It is in perfect Pinterest format, so feel free to pin it for later.

Tulip Pink & Peach Color Palette -The soft pink and peach tones scream longer days and warmer weather.

See our collection of other gorgeous color palettes by visiting our color palette section.

What do you think about this color palette? Where would you use it? There are really no limits here. We would love to hear your thoughts. Share them in the comments below.

Lastly, learn about the power of color in blog design in our blog post to see how important colors are in all the projects you create.

If you like warmer tones, make sure to check our WordPress Designs, where you will find pre-made templates like Aurora. It is a colorful design perfect for travel & lifestyle bloggers.

If you create something using today’s color palette don’t forget to share it with us!

World Wellbeing Week

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World Wellbeing Week

If you don’t make time to care for your wellness, your mind, body and soul will force you to make time for your illness. World Wellbeing Week (27 June – 1 July) is a reminder for everyone, regardless of age, background, or station in life, of the importance of wellbeing to our lives and livelihoods. We’ve put together a few tips to help you improve some of these wellbeing areas and the free Alison courses you can enrol in to help get you there.

The pursuit of wholeness and one’s “wellbeing” has over the last few years, become vital to our lives. We’ve learned how it contributes to our capacity to take on everyday tasks, be joyful, and adapt to the ebb and flow of life. Wellbeing is the art of developing comprehensive, holistic, and healthy habits that result in better physical and mental health. Our wellbeing is made up of different components like financial, physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Each one plays in informing who we are.

Financial

“A person either disciplines his finances or his finances disciplines him.” With economic downturns, threats of recessions, rising food, fuel costs and inflation, financial stability and economic welfare has never been more important. This refers to the state where an individual can meet all their current financial obligations, have confidence in their financial future and be able to enjoy life in the present.

Tips to become financially sound:

  • Don’t spend money before you have it
  • Live beneath your means
  • Draw up a budget and stick to it
  • Plan for your retirement
  • Know how much you have coming in and how much is going out
  • Decrease your debt
  • Be cautious with credit
  • Save

Money has one language: save me today; and it will save you tomorrow.

Physical

Your physical health is more the absence of disease in the body. Instead, it speaks to the overall lifestyle choices that include diet, sleep, exercise to ensure your body performs at its most optimum level and you can get through the day without fatigue and physical stress. You’re never too young, or old, to invest in and look after your body. Small everyday changes can get you on your way.

Tips to improve your physical health:

  • 10 000 steps, 30 minutes of physical activity or exercise – get your body moving
  • Hydrate. Drink lots of water
  • Get 6-8 hours of sleep every night
  • Adopt a healthy diet, limit alcohol intake

These boost your energy levels, improve your sleep, reduces lethargy, and gives you that extra spring in your step. You wake up feeling good and have a sense that you have everything you need to conquer the day ahead.

Mental

Our mental health affects everything we do (and don’t do), how we think, live, and feel. And state of wellbeing enables us to cope better with the daily challenges of life and helps us thrive in relationships, at work, home, play and make healthy choices. Mental wellbeing is something you can work on everything else we may face.

Tips to improve your state of mind:

  • Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your thought patterns and think about what you think about. Positive thinking can influence your feelings
  • Learn a new skill or take up a new course.
  • Make time for leisure and relaxation
  • Develop a nutritious and healthy diet and lifestyle
  • Sleep
  • Connect with friends and family
  • Reduce time spent on social media
  • Get help

Emotional

We experience a wide range of emotions – sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, fear, anxiety, joy. Sometimes all in a day. This is perfectly normal and says nothing else except that we are human. Our emotional health and wellness refer to one’s ability to handle their emotions, to have the self-awareness, understanding and the acceptance of your varying emotions. It’s influenced by a number of factors like stress, physical wellbeing, environmental factors and relationships. By cultivating our emotional wellbeing, we become equipped to face hardships, find happiness and thrive.

Tips to improve your emotional health:

  • Build a strong support system
  • Seek to create a balanced lifestyle
  • Manage stress
  • Be kind to yourself
  • Talk about your feelings and ask for help

Together, these four aspects contribute to a stronger and healthier version of yourself. Your wellness matters. It affects who we are, what we do, and is crucial for you to enjoy a high quality of life. When you invest in improving each of these areas, life becomes more than just surviving, but thriving and knowing you have what it takes to overcome every challenge and still enjoy it.

Your TEFL Guide to the World

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Your TEFL Guide to the World

To learn another language is to be at home anywhere. To teach English is to open  the doors to the world.  

The covid-19 pandemic, if anything, has taught us that life is short, and you can work from anywhere, doing just about anything. Globally, we saw a steep rise in remote working and people opting to pack it all up to live, work and travel on the go. One of the careers that saw a change is that of teaching – moving from the classroom to online. It’s never easier to build your career online and from anywhere in the world. The career of choice for many individuals looking to live the work, travel and get paid to do it is being a TEFL teacher or instructor. Read on for your TEFL guide to the world.

What is TEFL? 

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognised programme hosted in countries where English is not the primary language. The TEFL certificate and qualification allows native English-language speakers to teach English to students across all age groups and at every level in the specific country. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is the term used to cover teaching that includes both TEFL and TESL.

Benefits of TEFL 

There are many benefits to obtaining a TEFL certificate. The least of these being the opportunity and freedom to travel and explore other countries and getting paid to do it. Added to these benefits, TEFL holders can:  

  • be a more effective instructor to your students  
  • access to better job opportunities 
  • higher salary and pay scale  
  • flexibility  
  • teaching skills for challenging situations  
  • a broader skill set  
  • boosts confidence for teaching in the classroom and online. 

And even better…it’s valid forever. Which means if you decide in your later years to travel again, you won’t have to retake the course. 

TEFL Teacher Guide Qualifications

Standing in front of a class of learners, no matter their age, is not as easy as it seems. There’s skills, techniques, and methods you need to know to not just recite lesson plans from a book but ensure the message and knowledge is imparted to your students. An undergraduate teaching degree equips you with these skills. 

The good news is for most countries, you don’t need to have a four-year degree in order to teach a foreign language. Many countries across South America and Asia will hire you if you have accredited TEFL certification. The proper TEFL certification will give you the right training and qualifications you need to begin teaching. Alison offers a FREE Guide to Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to arm you to succeed in your journey.  

However, like in most cases where you’re applying for jobs alongside other candidates, you want to set yourself apart from the rest and stand out to the recruitment teams. You can take additional courses like The Crucial TEFL Guide to bolster your skills and give you the edge others may not have. 

TEFL Guide: 6 Ways to Win Over Your Class 

If you’re a TEFL teacher or looking to become one, you need support and resources to enhance your work for learners of every age group. 

  1. Engage your students. Create lesson plans and content that will interest your learners and will make them enjoy not just coming to class but enjoying the process of learning. 
  2. Have a plan and objective for your lessons. Know what you want to teach and find the right ways to do this. 
  3. Prepare pair and group work. This gives your learners opportunities to put into practice what they’ve learned. 
  4. Create a fun, activity-based learning environment. Use games and activities to make learning more interesting. 
  5. Don’t be afraid to be different. Bring your own style, personality, and creativity to the classroom and connect with your learners in a way that only you can.
  6. Develop your teaching skills and be confident. Study. Ask questions. Explore. 

Teaching English as a Foreign Language is a two-way learning street. The students leave the classroom able to speak one more language and you, the teacher, a world of priceless experiences. 

Career Options With A TEFL Qualification 

A TEFL qualification opens the doors to many more opportunities. There is global growth potential, and you won’t always have to stand in front of a classroom. As you gain experience as a teacher and expand your skill set with different courses, you can begin to explore teaching assistant positions, senior teaching positions and managerial posts. You can pursue being a Director of Studies at English Language Centres, be a course developer, venture into linguistics, teaching business English to corporations looking to go international, training other teachers and more. It’s not linear and your options are endless.

The countries to do this in, your choice. 

Getting Started 

Nobody forgets their favourite teacher. When you enrol for a few short, informative and skills rich courses like the ones available through Alison, you give yourself and career a great start. You leave each course having acquired essential knowledge and skills, you improve the skills you already have, and you learn how to communicate with others and in different environments. 

A few courses will take you from being a good teacher to a great one! If you’re ready to make the leap into teaching, traveling, and discovering new worlds, your next step is to get your TEFL certification from an internationally recognised institution. Enrol in courses to add to your resume and begin applying for your new job anywhere in the world.

The 10 Most Popular Programming Languages Of 2022 — & How To Learn Them

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The 10 Most Popular Programming Languages Of 2022 — & How To Learn Them
The 10 Most Popular Programming Languages of 2022 — & How To Learn Them

When you’re first starting your coding journey, deciding which programming language to learn is one of the first questions you’ll need to ask yourself. There are a lot of programming languages out there, and developers tend to have strong opinions about which languages they like (and dread) using.

Stack Overflow, the community platform where people ask and answer technical questions, surveyed more than 70,000 developers last month to determine the technologies they use most, and take the tech workforce’s pulse on relevant issues like productivity and salaries.

The survey results might inspire you to start learning something new — or at the very least, affirm your personal programming preferences.

Curious what the most popular programming languages of 2022 are? Here are the top 10 programming languages ranked by professional developers and code enthusiasts — and how to start learning them today.

  1. JavaScript: This versatile language frequently tops Stack Overflow’s dev survey, and for good reason. JavaScript is flexible, powerful, and crucial for making interactive web technology. If you’re new to JavaScript, start with our course Learn JavaScript, and then check out our full list of JavaScript courses and tutorials.
  2. HTML/CSS: The power couple of web development, HTML and CSS define the structure and style of web pages. Learn them both with Build a Website with HTML, CSS, and GitHub Pages, or start from the top with the course Learn HTML. To explore the breadth of what you can do with HTML/CSS, try one of our Practice and Portfolio Projects.
  3. SQL: If you’re interested in data science, SQL is the data management language used to query and manipulate data in a relational database. In our beginner-friendly skill path Data Science Foundations, you’ll learn how to use SQL to communicate with data and get hands-on experience working with datasets. You can also start with Learn SQL to get a basic understanding of the language and how data impacts our world today.
  4. Python: People tend to dig Python because its syntax is easy to understand and it can be used for everything from web development and machine learning to data science and financial analysis. Learn Python 3 is a solid introduction to Python programming. Or take your skills a step further with Get started with Machine Learning.
  5. TypeScript: Technically, TypeScript is a superset that builds on JavaScript, making it easier to find potential bugs and maintain your code. In our course Learn TypeScript, you’ll learn how to apply JavaScript syntax to TypeScript’s type system.
  6. Java: This old-school language is still used for Android app development, web development, game development, smart devices, and more. Learn Java’s fundamentals and build practice projects in our introductory Java course.
  7. Bash/Shell: Linux and macOS developers will need to know this command-line interface shell program. Check out Learn the Command Line first, then learn how to automate tasks with Learn Bash Scripting.
  8. C#: The high-level language developed by Microsoft is used for web, game, and mobile app development as well as enterprise software. Explore our C# courses to get a sense of the products you can build with C#, or start writing code right away with Learn C#.
  9. C++: Developers use C++ for large-scale software that relies on speed and efficient memory management — like robotics, IoT devices, and AR/VR. Jump in with our Learn C++ course.
  10. PHP: PHP works with HTML to make websites dynamic. In our course Learn PHP, you’ll put your skills to the test coding three different projects.

People who are learning how to code (as opposed to professional developers) had similar responses to the survey, with HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Python almost tied for first place:

  1. HTML/CSS
  2. JavaScript
  3. Python
  4. Java
  5. SQL
  6. C++
  7. C
  8. C#
  9. Bash/Shell
  10. PHP

How to choose the best programming language for you

Some other cool findings from the new survey? The most-loved programming language among developers is Rust, with 86% of respondents saying they love using the general-purpose programming language. (Keep an eye out for our new course, Rust for Programmers, which will launch this summer.) Rust and Python are the languages that developers want to work with, but aren’t already, according to the survey.

For more in-depth findings, check out the Stack Overflow Developer Survey here.

It’s fun to get an insider peek into what technologies people are using today, but remember: You can’t go wrong when you’re choosing a programming language to learn. There’s a good chance that you’ll encounter a handful of these languages as you progress as a developer and pick up new skills that transfer to other technologies. Plus, the tech landscape is always changing, so it’s in your best interest to stay flexible and keep learning.

JavaScript Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

JavaScript is a fun and flexible programming language. It’s one of the core technologies of web development and can be used on both the front-end and the back-end.

How To Tell If You’re “Proficient In Excel” — & How To Get Better

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How To Tell If You’re “Proficient In Excel” — & How To Get Better
How To Tell If You’re “Proficient In Excel” — & How To Get Better

Seeing “proficient in Microsoft Excel” listed on a job description can be confusing, even if you regularly use the Microsoft spreadsheet software. Considering the vast uses for Excel, how can you tell if you’re truly “proficient” enough to be considered for a role?

For starters, read the job description closely. If Excel proficiency is listed as a “required” technical skill, then it’s safe to assume it’s an Excel-heavy role with little room to fake it or learn on the job. But if the job description categorizes it as a “preferred” or “desired” skill, then you might be more qualified than you think.

“What it means to be ‘proficient’ is going to depend on what you need to use Excel for,” explains Ada Morse, Associate Curriculum Developer at Codecademy. For example, a Business Intelligence (B.I.) Analyst might rely on Excel to manage budgets and financial forecasts, while a project manager might use it to build an organized schedule or calendar.

The beauty of Excel is that it’s a powerful but flexible program with tons of potential use cases. “Like with a lot of programming languages, there’s thousands and thousands of functions in Excel for different things — and no one’s going to know them all,” Ada says.

Our course Learn Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis will teach you some key Excel functions, like how to import and manipulate data and create visualizations, so you can confidently claim proficiency. If you’re heading into a job interview or wondering if you have what it takes to apply to a position that involves Excel, here’s what you need to know.

What does “proficient in Excel” really mean?

Broadly speaking, being “proficient in Excel” means you understand the basic layout of the program and how certain mechanical aspects work, like formulas, functions, tables, and ranges, Ada says. Excel spreadsheets typically involve numeric data, so you should know how to complete basic computations, like calculating averages or finding the maximum and minimum values in a column, she adds.

If you’re working with a large data set, knowing how to use and control AutoFill is a great way to be more efficient, Ada suggests. Being able to filter a data set, so that you can see the data you’re actually interested in, is another way to prevent tedious scrolling, she says. And it’s a good idea to have a grasp on how to create a basic chart from your data, she says.

Similar to Microsoft Word, there are lots of opportunities to change colors and fonts within Excel spreadsheets. Knowing how to format a spreadsheet so that the content is clear and legible is certainly a good skill to have (it’s covered in our Learn Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis course), but don’t get caught up in aesthetics, because everyone has different stylistic preferences, Ada says. “People who use Excel a lot tend to get really opinionated about what the best way to use it is,” she says.

How to answer Excel interview questions

A common example of an Excel interview question that a recruiter or hiring manager might ask is: “What’s your favorite Excel formula or function?” For example, you might say you’re a fan of INDEX and MATCH or VLOOKUP, which are a few different tools that are used to find specific data cells in your spreadsheet. “Each of these has their own little finicky flaws that can get you into trouble if you don’t know how to use them properly,” Ada says.

Or an interviewer might ask you something like, “Do you know what a PivotTable is?” If you don’t know, a PivotTable is a tool in Excel that automatically restructures a table that allows you to quickly (and cleanly) summarize data with categories and subcategories.

While these might seem like oddly specific questions that are designed to trip you up, they’re really ways for recruiters to see what steps you would take to figure something out or solve a problem and how comfortable you are with the software, Ada says. “If someone doesn’t have a favorite Excel function, then probably they haven’t used it enough,” she says.

Ways to get better at using Excel

There are plenty of ways to brush up your Excel skills, like taking our course Learn Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis.

Another smart way to practice is by downloading a dataset to play around with. “Find the dataset  that’s interesting to you, open it up in Excel, and start exploring,” Ada says. “Be inquisitive and see what basic questions you can ask about the dataset.” When you run into something you don’t know how to do, use your friend Google (or the Codecademy Forums) to find a tutorial, she says.

The bottom line: Proving that you’re a problem-solver and capable of learning to fill your knowledge gaps is just as valuable as showcasing your technical chops. “Being able to find out how to do the thing that you need to do is really the base level of proficiency,” Ada says.

Don’t discount your work experience or competency with other programming languages that may overlap. For example, knowing how to Analyze Data with Python could easily transfer over to roles that utilize Excel. Check out our other career paths to explore the data science field, like Data Science Foundations and Data Scientist: Analytics Specialist.

Lastly, before you press submit on your job application, be sure to check out these tips for writing a standout cover letter for a data scientist position, and refresh your LinkedIn profile with advice from recruiters.

Data Analytics Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

Data analytics is the process of taking raw data and turning it into something meaningful we can understand. By finding trends and patterns, you can make predictions and uncover new information that helps inform decisions. There’s a great demand for Data Analysts in healthcare, marketing, retail, i…

Summer Reading Contest, Week 2: What Got Your Attention in The Times This Week?

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Summer Reading Contest, Week 2: What Got Your Attention in The Times This Week?

Welcome to Week Two of our 13th Annual Summer Reading Contest.

This contest is open to students 11-19 from anywhere in the world. To participate, submit a response by 9 a.m. Eastern on June 24 that answers the questions “What got your attention in The New York Times this week? Why?”

If you are 13 or older and live in the United States, or 16 or older from anywhere else in the world, post your response in the comment section. If you are a teacher, parent or guardian and your kids or students are 11-12 years old and live in the United States, or 11-15 and live in another country, see the bottom of this post for details on how to submit.

Responses must be 1,500 characters — about 250 words — or fewer.

What should you choose? Well, as you know from the rules we’ve posted, you can pick anything published on nytimes.com in 2022, including articles, essays, videos, photos, podcasts or infographics.

We hope you’ll click around nytimes.com and find your own great articles, features and multimedia. But we also know that not everyone who participates has a Times subscription. Because all links to Times content from the student features on our site are free, every week we’ll try to help by posting interesting pieces from a variety of sections.

Helping Very Hungry Caterpillars Become Butterflies — It’s Complicated

Why Strangers Are Good for Us

‘I Ache for Change’: Students on School Shootings After Uvalde

11 Small Ways You Can Help Mend the World

Civil Rights Activists Fought for America’s Democracy. They Should Be Honored as Veterans.

This Company Knows How to Increase Students’ Test Scores

My Father Makes Me So Angry. I Take Care of Him Anyway.

‘I Feel Proud, and I Feel Mad as Hell’: Gloria Steinem on Ms. Magazine and Feminism Today

After the Jan. 6 Hearings, Will Trump Face Criminal Charges?

Five Blunt Truths About the War in Ukraine

Need more details? The contest rules are all here, and you can read the work of last year’s winners here. A quick overview, though:

  • You can choose from anything published in the print paper or on nytimes.com in 2022, including videos, podcasts, graphics and photographs. (In your response, please include the URL or headline of the piece you pick.)

  • We’ll post this question each Friday from today through Aug. 12, and you’ll have until the next Friday morning to respond with your picks. Then we’ll close that post and open a new one with the same question.

  • We’ll choose at least one favorite answer to feature on our site each week. Please note that winners from this week will be announced on Wednesday, July 6, instead of Tuesday, because of the Independence Day holiday that week.

  • Feel free to participate each week, but we allow only one submission per person per week.

  • The contest is open to students ages 11 to 19 from anywhere in the world. If you are 13 or older and live in the United States, or 16 or older from anywhere else in the world, post your response in the comments section. If you are a teacher, parent or guardian of a student or child who is between the ages of 11 and 12 and live in the United States, or 11 and 15 and live in another country, then you must submit an entry on the student’s behalf using the form below. All entries from the comments section and the form below will be judged together.

Black, White and Somewhere in Between

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Black, White and Somewhere in Between

This essay, by Louisa Rosenberg-Chiriboga, age 15, from Francis Parker School in San Diego, is one of the Top 11 winners of The Learning Network’s Ninth Annual Student Editorial Contest, for which we received 16,664 entries.

We are publishing the work of all the winners and runners-up over the next week, and you can find them here as they post.

Black, White and Somewhere in Between

What are you?

I came face to face with the seemingly innocuous question for the first time in third grade when we were asked to check a box citing our race for a standardized test. I paused for a second, hovering over the “White,” “Hispanic/Latino” and “Other” boxes. I thought of my Jewish father, whose family I had spent many Friday night Shabbats with. I thought of my mother, whose Ecuadorean family and culture I had not yet had the opportunity to connect with. I considered my green eyes, brown hair and pale skin, which make people who pass by me view me as white. I chose the “Hispanic/Latino” box, yet I still found myself confused.

This is a universal question for mixed race students around the country. After all, it was not until 2000 that the United States Census Bureau began allowing people of mixed race status to check more than one box regarding their racial identity. But this doesn’t automatically mean that multiracial people — especially young multiracial students — grow up in an environment that understands them and helps them in the process of self-discovery.

These students are often taught in an educational setting that wants to box them neatly into one specific race. This creates a lot of pressure for students to “choose a side” and ultimately leaves them feeling like they do not belong anywhere. While something like being forced to check “Other” on an occasional survey or test may seem trivial, it is an indication of the larger erasure and invalidation of mixed race people’s identities.

According to The New York Times, the population of self-identifying multiracial people has increased 276 percent since the 2010 census, from nine million people to 33.8 million people, or more than 10 percent of the United States’ population. And as the population grows, so does the idea of being mixed race as its own identity.

Obviously, more mixed race people results in more mixed race students, which means that schools need to provide spaces for young, impressionable minds to feel acknowledged and to be able to explore and celebrate their multiple racial identities. Many schools have clubs for supporting students of a singular race (which mixed race students are still encouraged to participate in), however, there are not many organizations available for the unique multiracial experience. Faculty and administrators should work to familiarize themselves with specific mixed race struggles if we as a society want to understand and support this growing population.

We mixed race students are not going away, and like many other issues surrounding students, the education system needs to get in line.

Works Cited

Guzman, Andrea. “Can You Be ‘White Passing’ Even If You Aren’t Trying?” Mother Jones, Jan. 2022.

Hegstrom, Sofia. “All Mixed Up: Multiracial Students at C.V.H.S. Say They Don’t Fit in One Box.” The Upstream, 2 Feb. 2022.

Tavernise, Sabrina, Tariro Mzezewa and Giulia Heyward. “Behind the Surprising Jump in Multiracial Americans, Several Theories.” The New York Times, 13 Aug. 2021.

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