Welcome to our blog series where we highlight the incredible individuals who have benefited from the resources and opportunities provided by the Web Dev Path project. This month, we had the privilege of interviewing Klesta, one of our team members who successfully leveraged her experience with the project to secure her first job opportunity in the tech industry.

Klesta, a self-taught Front End Software Developer, possesses a unique blend of creative and technical skills. With a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and a diverse range of work experience in industries such as legal, hospitality, tech, and education, she embarked on a journey to explore a career that combined her passion for technology and creativity. Klesta actively participates in the tech community and is currently working in the field of cybersecurity. She also shares her knowledge and insights through her writings on platforms like Hashnode and her active presence on Twitter as @klesand.

In this interview, Klesta shares her background, motivations, and challenges she faced while working on the Web Dev Path project. She provides insights into how the project helped her prepare for her first job opportunity and how the skills she learned through the project played a crucial role in her interviews. Klesta also reflects on her experience working with a team of developers and the valuable lessons she learned from it.

Let's dive into the interview and discover Klesta's inspiring journey with the Web Dev Path project.

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Can you tell us about your background and what motivated you to start learning tech skills?

My background is in Human Resources. However, I decided to make a career change into something technical yet creative that I enjoyed doing. I explored various careers until I tried web development, and that's when I was hooked.

How did you come across the Web Dev Path project, and what made you decide to participate in it?

I joined many online tech communities, and I saw a post about Web Dev Path in one of these groups. I wanted to participate primarily because the project uses modern technology like React, which was the framework I was learning. Additionally, it was a fairly small project where I could get to know the community. I also wanted to practice git in a collaborative environment.

What were some of the challenges you faced while working on the Web Dev Path project, and how did you overcome them?

I think the biggest challenge was taking that first step. It was my first time collaborating with others, and I was pretty nervous. However, I realized that if I wanted to learn, I just had to take that step eventually - better sooner than later. My first contribution was updating the documentation.

The second challenge was reading through and understanding the codebase. I overcame this by reminding myself that everything new is difficult, and I started immersing myself in the codebase bit by bit. Rather than reading the whole codebase like a book, I focused on the code where I needed to make updates. I started reading through that file and the relevant components, trying to understand how they connect. I didn't understand everything at first, but I worked on making the necessary changes. Eventually, I understood more and more of the codebase over time.

Another challenge was learning when and how to ask for help. I decided to try to figure things out on my own before reaching out for help to the team in Slack, keeping in mind the deadline for that specific issue. I also learned about opening draft PRs, so the developers helping me could have a visual of what I was working on locally.

I went on to implement features and improve various sections of the website, such as the footer, the about us page, creating the contact form, and making the site a Progressive Web App (PWA). I wrote about it in detail here.

How did the Web Dev Path project help you prepare for your first job opportunity in tech?

The workflow at Web Dev Path was similar to the workflow in a real job. I practiced using git and GitHub, creating new branches, writing Pull Requests, opening them, participating in code reviews, solving code problems, discussing code through written communication using Slack, testing for responsiveness on different browsers, and even developing from a Figma design. All of these skills were valuable when I started my developer job. Additionally, participating in the Web Dev Path project gave me a glimpse into what it's like to work as a developer.

Can you tell us about your job search process and how the skills you learned through the Web Dev Path project helped you in your interviews?

I felt more confident applying for jobs, networking with other developers, and attending interviews because I already had the experience from the Web Dev Path project and had acquired relevant skills. When I read through job descriptions, I realized that I had already been doing that work. During interviews, I was able to answer questions about my developer experience, which was directly related to the job. Applying my skills to the project and gaining validation of my learnings each time I merged an approved Pull Request and saw the changes in production added excitement and confidence about the job. Prospective employers and other developers could see the work I did on GitHub.

What was your experience like working with a team of developers on the Web Dev Path project, and what did you learn from it?

It was a relaxed and positive environment. The team members were open, encouraging, and supportive. I learned about best practices and was encouraged to use git from the beginning. I also worked on my communication skills, such as how to ask questions so that others could understand my challenges and provide quick help. It was also the first time I received feedback on my code, which allowed me to improve and learn.

How do you think the Web Dev Path project can help other newcomers in tech who are looking to gain real-world experience and improve their skills?

Through Web Dev Path, developers can gain real-world experience and mentorship. Specifically, they can learn to collaborate with other developers and designers, improve their communication skills, and use tools like Figma and git version control in a real-world project while following industry best practices. It provides a safe space to learn and grow.

What advice would you give to other newcomers in tech who are just starting out and looking for guidance?

Starting a new career takes effort, time, and sacrifice. It's an investment in yourself, and it doesn't happen overnight. Building with others is harder than building alone, but it's also a lot more fun. I would advise early career developers to collaborate with others, in addition to improving their technical skills, because working as a developer is much more than just coding.

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Klesta's journey with the Web Dev Path project is a testament to the transformative power of open-source collaboration and learning. By leveraging the project's resources, she not only gained real-world experience but also paved her way into the tech industry. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring developers who are eager to kickstart their own careers.

If you've been inspired by Klesta's experience and are eager to learn more about the Web Dev Path project, we invite you to visit our Wikipedia page. There, you'll find comprehensive information about the project's objectives, technologies, and the impact it has made in the developer community.

To get involved and join the project, simply reach out to us by email at hello@webdevpath.co. We welcome tech professionals of all skill levels, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out on your coding journey. By joining the Web Dev Path project, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with a supportive team, gain real-world experience, and contribute to a project that embraces the latest technologies and best practices.