Why are algorithms so hard for me?

Tim Parsons
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read
“closeup photo of turned on computer monitor” by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Originally, as someone who was a soccer coach and then in marketing, web development was obviously the only direction for me to go :-) . A place with more opportunities to grow, learn and build things that, just maybe, will have a positive benefit to someone, somewhere around the world.

After going through a bootcamp, I didn’t feel like I was ready for the real world of web development. I built things, yes, but never felt comfortable and ready to help a company.

Fortunately, I managed to get a job at a startup, which was an amazing experience, but I was just there. They weren’t in a position to help me grow so I moved on to a place where I was working with Shopify day in and day out. Very cool and I love what you can build and seeing the different types of stores.

But, this still doesn’t feel right. I still don’t feel like I’m at a level I should be with my programming skills. Everywhere wants experience with React or Vue, but to do that you have to know JavaScript. I follow tutorials and build things but still never feel like I’ve found one that really explains the why? of everything. I like to know the reason this syntax is used, or this method rather than just seeing it added to the screen.

I’ve had interviews, usually involving some sort of algorithm question, and not got the position, so after speaking to someone on my local Slack group, he said I need to market myself better. Open-Source, Blog, Github. I have a Github that I try and keep updated regularly. I struggle finding the best way to get involved in Open Source. So, I decided I’m going to blog. I currently to #100daysofcode and post on Twitter, but I have decided I am going to use Medium to put myself out there more.

I will try and go through what I’m working on, whether it’s right or wrong. I will right my algorithms, answers or no answers, and try and explain my thought process and where I’m messing up or struggling. More than anything, it will keep me accountable to myself and hopefully help someone out there who maybe in a similar position.

I hope it goes well.

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