

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

May 8, 2025 • 23min
#237 - Don't Learn to Code for the Money, But If You Do...
You want to learn to code because you want more money. Let's just be honest about it.First off - there are many other ways to make a desirable income without learning a difficult skill like coding.You can do sales.You could be a product manager.Maybe start an illegal gambling den?Have you considered selling large quantities of drugs perhaps?If you do decide to create software for money, just realize you may never crack six figures, you're likely to be laid off at least once and you have to keep up with technology which changes fast AF.Is anyone still here?Here's the great news - if you do enjoy coding and are willing to do things that make you uncomfortable, you can have dramatic financial upside.I have a process I've been following to maximize my earning potential as a developer and stay employed which I want to share with you.Send 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

May 5, 2025 • 26min
#236 - Developer Internships: The Good, The Bad, and The “Wait, They Threw Out My Code?”
Dean Fox, a mentee in the Parsity Inner Circle program, shares his real-world internship journey. He discusses the transition from solo coding to teamwork, navigating TypeScript, and using Git effectively. Dean highlights the challenges of adapting to a new codebase and emphasizes the importance of communication and asking questions. He candidly reflects on experiences, including dealing with scrapped code and the significance of personal growth in tech. Listeners gain valuable insights into the ups and downs of developer internships and the skills that emerge from them.

May 1, 2025 • 18min
#235: 2 Skills You Don't Need Anymore In the AI Era and 3 More You're Going to Need
The landscape of software development is rapidly changing due to AI. Traditional skills like basic coding are losing relevance, while new competencies such as debugging AI-generated code are becoming essential. Developers now face challenges in integrating advanced tools, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and adaptability. This is not just about keeping up; it's an opportunity for significant growth in a tech-driven world.

Apr 28, 2025 • 16min
#234 - Coding Isn’t Enough: 3 Weird Traits That Predict Success in Tech
What separates successful tech career changers from those who struggle?After switching careers into tech at 31 following years of addiction, and mentoring hundreds of aspiring developers, I've noticed some odd patterns and traits of those who make it vs those who don't.This episode is not meant to discourage you. I hope it gives you a practical idea of some skills you can develop and ultimately, whether you should consider this career path.I'd love to know your take as well - leave a comment or email me at brian@parsity.ioSend 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

Apr 24, 2025 • 39min
#233 - How Mindi Navigated ADHD, Bootcamp Burnout, and Landed a Dev Role
Mindi Weick, a former nonprofit and real estate professional turned software engineer, shares her inspiring journey. She candidly discusses the challenges of managing ADHD in the tech world and the reality of bootcamp burnout. Mindi highlights the unexpected benefits of public speaking on her career while advocating for body doubling as a focus tool. She offers insights on navigating job opportunities without technical interviews and shares her thoughts on AI tools, making this conversation a must-listen for career changers and neurodivergent individuals.

Apr 21, 2025 • 16min
#232 - The Harsh Truth About Coding, AI, Bootcamps, and Breaking in to Tech
Think you need a CS degree to get hired? That bootcamps are scams? That AI is making developers obsolete? In this episode, I share some very hot takes on what it really takes to break into tech — and why most of what you’ve been told is dead wrong. I talk about the rise and fall of bootcamps, the myth of guaranteed outcomes, why advice from FAANG engineers probably doesn’t apply to you, and why can hate JavaScript but you still must learn it.Send 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

Apr 17, 2025 • 14min
#231 - Roasting A Listener's Resume, LinkedIn and GitHub Profile
A listener's resume gets a hilarious yet insightful roast, uncovering common pitfalls that many junior developers face. Tips for optimizing resumes and LinkedIn profiles are shared, highlighting the importance of clear self-presentation. The discussion dives into how to enhance GitHub portfolios, revealing the downsides of the 'open to work' badge. Essential advice for making professional profiles shine in the competitive tech job market is also provided, ensuring aspiring techies stand out from the crowd.

Apr 14, 2025 • 30min
#230 - AI Will Replace Most Coding: What Chief Scientist Laly Bar-Ilan Says Developers Should Learn Next
Laly Bar-Ilan, Chief Scientist at Bit, has been pioneering AI and natural language processing for over 20 years. In this engaging discussion, she highlights how AI is set to revolutionize coding jobs, urging developers to embrace evolving skills like retrieval-augmented generation and prompt engineering. Laly emphasizes the importance of continuous learning as traditional coding methods become obsolete. She also explores the future of composable software and how AI can streamline development, making adaptability key in the shifting tech landscape.

Apr 10, 2025 • 18min
#229 - The 2025 Tech Job Market Sucks? Here's How You Beat It
The job market in 2025 feels broken—and you’re not imagining it. AI-generated spam is clogging recruiter inboxes, resumes are becoming less relevant, and LinkedIn is more influencer platform than job board. In this episode, I break down why things feel so hard right now (for everyone—not just developers), and give you a practical, modern strategy to stand out and actually get hired: ✅ What to do instead of blasting resumes ✅ How to play the LinkedIn game without becoming a cringe poster ✅ Old-school tactics that still work (and new tools I recommend) If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of bad advice from people who’ve never written code for a living—this one’s for you. Send 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

Apr 7, 2025 • 15min
#228 - The 3 Stages of Learning Javascript: What to Build && What to Learn
Learning JavaScript can be a bumpy ride, and you're not alone if it feels overwhelming. The discussion breaks down the journey into three stages, emphasizing a solid foundation as crucial for eventual success. Essential concepts like variables and control structures are tackled, with fun challenges like Fizz Buzz to test your skills. Creating interactivity through the DOM and APIs is highlighted, along with useful project ideas. Mastering JavaScript is portrayed as essential before diving into React, paving the way for smoother transitions into advanced coding.


