A career shift has taken me out of the center of technology, but now I am ready to ramp up and revisit this space. I’ve been writing about my careful steps into AI, but I want to go deeper and rekindle my skills in this space. Where do I begin? In addition to the tips I am sharing in this blog, there is no shame in taking a class or a camp if coding is no longer your day-to-day focus or role. You have to start somewhere, right? I also want to build some disciplines around coding languages I learned on the fly, like Python. I am sure there is something I can gain by seeing some structured guidance around this space. Let’s not ignore that some AI tools are available to help us smooth out the rough edges of troubleshooting code.
Start with a Refresher Course:
Enroll in online coding courses or tutorials offering comprehensive programming fundamentals coverage. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy provide a wide range of courses, allowing you to revisit core concepts and familiarize yourself with new languages, frameworks, and tools.
Revisit Past Projects:
Dig into your archives and revisit the past coding projects you worked on. Analyze your code, identify areas for improvement, and consider refactoring or adding new features. This hands-on approach will remind you of previous techniques and provide a sense of accomplishment as you witness your growth.
Solve Coding Challenges:
Online coding challenge platforms such as LeetCode, HackerRank, and Project Euler offer a plethora of coding problems to solve. Engaging with these challenges exercises your problem-solving skills and helps you reinforce key programming concepts practically.
Contribute to Open Source Projects:
Not just during Hacktoberfest. Contributing to open-source projects is an excellent way to gain real-world coding experience while collaborating with a community of developers. Explore popular open-source repositories on platforms like GitHub and find issues or features to work on. Not only will you enhance your coding skills, but you’ll also learn from experienced developers and build a portfolio.
Attend Coding Meetups and Hackathons:
In-person meet-ups are back, but plenty of folks are also meeting online. Immerse yourself in the coding community by attending local meetups, workshops, and hackathons. These events offer networking opportunities, learning from experts, and engaging in collaborative coding projects. Participating in coding competitions within the hackathon environment can reignite your passion for coding and challenge you to think creatively.
Build Personal Projects:
Choose a personal project that aligns with your interests and goals. It could be a web application, a mobile app, or even a small utility tool. Building a project from scratch lets you apply your coding skills practically, learn new technologies, and gain hands-on experience.
Follow Coding Blogs and Newsletters:
Stay updated with the latest trends, best practices, and advancements in programming by following coding blogs and subscribing to newsletters.
Engage in Pair Programming:
Pair programming involves collaborating with another developer to solve coding problems together. This approach encourages knowledge sharing, provides fresh perspectives, and enhances your problem-solving abilities. Join coding communities or forums where you can find coding buddies or mentors for pair programming sessions.
Experiment with New Technologies:
Explore new programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools that have emerged since your last coding endeavor. Experimenting with different technologies expands your skill set and keeps you adaptable in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Join Online Coding Platforms and Courses:
Participate in online coding platforms and interactive courses that foster a supportive learning environment. Websites like CodePen, FreeCodeCamp, and edX offer coding challenges, projects, and interactive tutorials, allowing you to practice coding, receive feedback, and collaborate with fellow learners.
Returning to coding after a hiatus may feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can quickly revitalize your skills and reignite your passion for programming. I am excited about this journey as I see the skills I thought I had forgotten become better and stronger.
