

Develop Yourself
Brian Jenney
To change careers and land your first job as a Software Engineer, you need more than just great software development skills - you need to develop yourself. Welcome to the podcast that helps you develop your skills, your habits, your network and more, all in hopes of becoming a thriving Software Engineer.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 23, 2026 • 16min
The 6 Skills You Need to Become an AI Engineer
Resources mentioned 👇parsity.io/ai-with-ragThe Router Pattern – A Smarter WayI mentioned that I got a lot more requests for interviews. Here's the proof: Da Proof3 Ways We Work with Software Developers (and noobs) 👇AI Dev Program – parsity.io/ai-devApply for our full stack software engineering programLearn JavaScript in 30 days... the hard way

Mar 16, 2026 • 7min
AI destroys your coding skills. A warning for junior developers
I created a free project for developers who want to learn AI the hard way: https://parsity.io/ai-with-ragI don't envy new coders. AI is being jammed down your throat and at the same time, you're being told you must understand the code it generates.It's a confusing time.Using AI too early comes with a cost. More importantly, we'll look at some proven ways to make sure you are learning deeply and can work efficiently with your little code bot.You can read the study from Anthropic here: https://www.anthropic.com/research/AI-assistance-coding-skills

Mar 9, 2026 • 19min
#306 - How 58 Applications Turned Into 16 Interviews: (Beating the Tech Job Market Game)
A developer recounts how 58 targeted applications produced 16 interviews across nine companies. They discuss why most resumes get filtered out and what hiring managers actually look for. Behavioral STAR stories and choosing the right level get highlighted as early gates. The conversation covers DSA interview patterns, the importance of speed, and why focused applications beat blasting hundreds.

Mar 2, 2026 • 21min
How to Get Hired as a Software Engineer in 2026: LinkedIn, Resume, Strategy
In 2026, you can’t “avoid LinkedIn” and expect to get hired BUT you can't use it like 2023. In this episode, I break down the exact LinkedIn + resume strategy I’d use today to maximize recruiter inbound, increase your surface area for luck, and stop making the most common mistakes that quietly kill your chances.We cover:Why “Aspiring Junior Developer” and “Open to Work” often backfireHow to make your first visible experience look software-related (even if you’re career-switching)The keyword/tech-stack problem that makes you invisible in recruiter searchA simple formula to improve your resumeWhy “learn in public” is optional now—and what to do insteadThe fastest way to hit 500+ connections (without cringe networking)The 80/20 application approach: when to “Easy Apply” vs when to go aggressiveMessaging tactics that stand out in a world of AI-generated slopA realistic volume target (and what to change if you’re getting zero responses)If you want a practical plan to start getting interviews again—this is it.

Feb 23, 2026 • 24min
How AI Is Breaking Tech Interviews (and What Comes Next)
Brian sits down with Fardeen Khimani, a 21-year-old Georgia Tech ML student and co-founder of Rounds, to talk about why technical interviews are broken and why AI just made it worse. They cover why LeetCode is dying, why companies have no idea how to respond, and what skills actually matter now. Fardeen's take: if AI can pass an interview that maps to the real job, just hire the AI.Find Fardeen: linkedin.com/in/fardeenkhimani

Feb 16, 2026 • 18min
#303 - 8 Harsh Truths for Software Developers in the AI Era
AI didn’t kill software jobs.But it did throw a grenade into the hiring funnel.In this episode, I break down 8 harsh truths about getting hired as a developer in 2026 — and none of them are the feel-good LinkedIn advice you’re used to hearing.Why vibe coding isn’t a careerWhy no one cares about your certificateWhy your portfolio probably doesn’t matterWhy full stack is now the baselineWhy AI productivity claims are mostly nonsenseWhy waiting until you feel “ready” is killing your momentumWhy titles matter more than people admitAnd why hiring is broken — but not hopelessThis isn’t theory. I’m sharing what I’ve seen as a hiring manager, what I’ve seen in interviews, and what I’ve seen work for developers I’ve mentored.The market isn’t dead.But the rules have changed.If you want to land your first job — or level up in this AI-first world — you need to understand what actually matters now.If you’re serious about switching careers and becoming a software developer, go to parsity.io or schedule a chat using the link in the show notes.

Feb 13, 2026 • 14min
Bonus Episode: Coding Bootcamps, Online Education and the Future for Parsity
Disclaimer: this episode is my thoughts on coding bootcamps and online education and where Parsity is going in the future.If you're interested in either of the programs I mentioned in this you can check them out here:Parsity AI AcceleratorFull Stack Accelerator

Feb 9, 2026 • 13min
#302 - Why a CS Degree Might NOT Be the Best Way to Become a Developer
Should you get a computer science degree, enroll in a coding bootcamp, or teach yourself how to code?You’re probably not going to love the answer… but it depends.In this episode, I shares my unfiltered, experience-backed take after working with hundreds of aspiring developers and hiring developers myself.Let's breaks down what actually matters when trying to land your first software job — and where each path (college, bootcamp, or self-taught) helps or hurts.Why a college degree might help… but often not for the reason you thinkWhen bootcamps give you an edge — and where they fall shortThe uncomfortable truth about the “self-taught developer” mythHow hiring really works at startups vs big tech companiesWhy fundamentals and computer science matter more later in your careerHow AI is changing the skills new developers need to stay employableThe role of structure, accountability, and mentorship in actually getting hiredIf you’re trying to break into software development and feeling overwhelmed by all the options, this episode will help you choose a path based on your time, money, learning style, and career goals — not hype.If you are considering a coding bootcamp program, I encourage you to consider Parsity. Apply Here.

Feb 2, 2026 • 36min
#301 How We Would Break Into Tech If We Had to Start Over (2026 Blueprint)
What if I had to break into tech today… with no degree, no connections, and a completely unrelated job?In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and self-taught developer Jeremy “Smitty” to map out exactly how we’d do it if we were starting from zero in 2026.We walk step-by-step through a realistic path from beginner to hireable — not theory, not hype, but the practical moves that actually work in today’s market.We cover:How to choose what to learn (without wasting years)The fastest way to build real, job-ready skillsHow to escape tutorial hell for goodWhen you’re actually ready to apply for jobsHow to create experience before anyone hires youThe smart way to network when you don’t know anyone in techWhy AI isn’t the career killer people think it isThe mindset shift that separates people who make it from those who quitIf you’ve ever thought:“I want a tech career, but I don’t know where to start”or“I’m stuck in a job that has nothing to do with coding”This episode gives you a clear, actionable roadmap.You don’t need to be special.You don’t need a CS degree.You just need the right plan — and the consistency to follow it.Shameless Plugs:1. Become an AI engineer. In 45 days, you'll learn the specific skills and technologies to transition from full stack to AI. We use project-based-learning and the teach-back method to accelerate your learning. Apply here. If you're a CTO or engineering manager, this is the program your team needs BEFORE you drop 200K+ on an AI engineer. Reply "AI" to learn more about how we can make your roadmap a reality. 2. Become a hireable software engineer in 2026. Follow a proven system to go from 0 to HIRED with 1 on 1 mentorship and project-based-learning. Take the self-assessment test here to see if you're ready to join.

Jan 26, 2026 • 12min
#300 - Build a Product, Not a Portfolio
The hiring bar for junior developers has changed, and pretending it hasn’t will only slow your career. Let's break down a simple strategy to beat the “no experience” trap: Ship a small product you intend to sell, get one or two real users, and use those lessons to tell stronger stories in interviews. Instead of another tutorial portfolio, you’ll learn to show autonomy, reliability, and ownership—the exact traits teams are optimizing for in tighter markets.By the end, you’ll know how to replace vague “potential” with proof of autonomy: shipped features, hard-earned trade-offs, and stories that map directly to the realities of modern teams.Resources:Side project planner: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uJ5Bom0WmS410K5B2m5TkbZ7d1G9BdTaX4nKprYschI/editSide project video: https://youtu.be/2TWioJCIaxESend us a textShameless Plugs 🧑💻 Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI 🤔 Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software with AI integrations. AI Bootcamp - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to AI


