<style> .reveal { font-size: 28px; } </style> # FAC29B <img src="https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BJr16cD9a.png" alt="image" width="500" height="auto" style="border-radius: 32px;"> ## The road ahead --- # 12 weeks ago, you embarked on a whirlwind journey, traversing the uncharted landscapes of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, wrestling with the intricacies of Node.js, and learning to dance with APIs. You've built bridges of code, scaled the mountains of git, and emerged victorious, wielding the tools of a full-stack web developer. --- But this is not the summit – it's the base camp for the next, even grander adventure. The road ahead stretches, vibrant with possibilities, beckoning you to hone your skills, explore uncharted territories like databases and DevOps, and weave your newfound magic into projects that inspire, captivate, and shape the digital world. --- So raise your keyboards, fellow travellers, for tomorrow, we begin to write the next chapter of our full-stack odyssey! Let the code flow, the innovation spark, and the road to junior developer glory unfold beneath our fearless feet! --- # Full-Stack Web Dev Next Steps for FAC29B Bootcamp Graduates --- # TLDR * Come on Mondays (17:00 to 19:00) * Come on Tuesdays if you can (10:00 to 13:00) * Power ahead with Execute Program * Return to your projects, make them lovely, add tests * Extend your stack - explore CSS frameworks (like Tailwind), libraries like React, frameworks like NextJS, BAAS like Supabase and Firebase, databases like Postgres/MySQL * Go to hackathons, meet developers * BUILD COOL STUFF --- # 1 Deepen Existing Skills --- # Front-End: * JavaScript: Master modern JS features like ES6+, functional programming, and asynchronous programming. Resources: MDN Web Docs, Eloquent JavaScript, You Don't Know JS series. * CSS: Dive deeper into advanced CSS techniques like preprocessors (SASS/LESS), animations, layout frameworks (Bootstrap/Tailwind), and responsive design. Resources: CSS Tricks, A Complete Guide to Flexbox, CSS Grid Layout. --- # Back-end * Node.js: Go beyond basic Express servers. Explore frameworks like NestJS, learn advanced server concepts like middleware, error handling, and authentication. Resources: Node.js docs, The Node.js Podcast, Mastering Node.js. * Databases: Learn a relational database like MySQL/PostgreSQL or a NoSQL database like MongoDB. Understand data modeling, CRUD operations, and querying. Resources: SQLBolt, MongoDB University, Head First SQL. --- # 2. Expand your skill set --- # Elevate Your Front-End: Beyond the Basics: * Master modern frameworks: Take your JavaScript skills to the next level with popular frameworks like React and Next.js. React's component-based architecture and Next.js' server-side rendering capabilities can help you build performant and dynamic web applications. * Explore alternatives: Keep your options open! Consider emerging frameworks like Astro, which offers server-side rendering and static site generation for a potentially faster and simpler development experience. * Deepen your understanding: Dive deeper into advanced front-end concepts like state management, routing, and performance optimization. --- # Back-End Beyond the Server: Dive into BaaS * Instead of wrestling with server setup and maintenance, consider venturing into the exciting realm of Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions! These platforms take care of the infrastructure heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on building awesome applications. Here are some BaaS options to explore: ---  * Supabase: Imagine a BaaS powerhouse that seamlessly integrates authentication, real-time databases, storage, and serverless functions. Supabase offers a familiar Postgrest database interface and pre-built UI components, making development a breeze. ---  * Firebase: This Google-backed BaaS giant boasts robust authentication, real-time databases, cloud storage, and hosting. Firebase's extensive features and scalability make it ideal for building complex web and mobile applications. --- # 3. Consolidate and Showcase --- * Portfolio: Build a personal website showcasing your skills and projects. Use static site generators like Gatsby or Next.js for a dynamic and impressive portfolio. Resources: Gatsby docs, Next.js docs, Frontend Masters Portfolio course. * Open Source Contributions: Find beginner-friendly open-source projects on GitHub and contribute code, fix bugs, or improve documentation. * Freelance Work: Look for freelance projects on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to gain practical experience and build your portfolio. --- # Additional Resources: * Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer various specialized courses on full-stack development topics. * Tech Blogs and Communities: Follow tech blogs like freeCodeCamp, DEV Community, and Hacker News. Join online communities like Stack Overflow and Reddit to connect with other developers and learn from their experiences. * Hackathons: Participate in hackathons to test your skills under pressure and build cool projects in a short time. --- # Hackathons Hackathons are a fantastic way for your recent bootcamp graduates to put their newfound skills to the test, collaborate with other developers, and build impressive projects in a short timeframe. Here are some upcoming hackathons in the London, UK area: --- ## East London Legal Hackathon (February 9-11) This hackathon focuses on using technology to solve legal challenges. It's a great opportunity for developers interested in applying their skills to the legal field. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-london-legal-hackathon-tickets-645351001217 --- ## London UCL FHIRWorks 2024 (February 10-11) This hackathon is for healthcare and life sciences enthusiasts, focusing on developing innovative solutions using the FHIR healthcare data standard. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-fhirworks-2024-a-fhir-enabled-hackathon-with-gosh-roche-tickets-798761907367 --- ## London Activities Week: Technology for Change Lecture and Hackathon (February 12-17): This hackathon challenges participants to develop solutions for social and environmental issues using technology. It's a great opportunity for developers who want to make a positive impact. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/activities-week-technology-for-change-lecture-and-hackathon-tickets-810358232287 --- ## London International Women's Day Power Hack: Improving Inclusion (March 8): This hackathon celebrates International Women's Day by focusing on developing solutions to promote gender equality and inclusion. It's a great opportunity for developers who are passionate about diversity and inclusion. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-power-hack-improving-inclusion-tickets-761128314277 ---