In this episode, Leah Thompson shares her journey from being a math teacher to becoming a developer, her experiences with Laravel, and her transition into the tech community through Twitch streaming. She discusses the challenges she faced while learning Laravel, her experiences at Laracon, and her current project of building a multiplayer math quiz app. Leah emphasizes the supportive nature of the Laravel community and the resources she finds valuable for her learning. In this engaging conversation, Leah Thompson shares her journey from teaching to tech, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. The discussion covers various topics including the importance of community in tech, the role of certifications, and the struggles of email development. The hosts and Leah also explore unique keyboard features, the course business in tech education, and the significance of key mapping for productivity. Leah emphasizes the value of building in public and connecting with others in the tech community as essential for growth and success.

Leah's Socials:

• https://x.com/LeahTCodes
• https://www.twitch.tv/leahtcodes
• https://www.youtube.com/@leahtcodes
• https://github.com/leahthompson01

Takeaways

• Leah transitioned from teaching math to becoming a developer.
• She started learning web development through a free bootcamp called 100 Devs.
• Streaming on Twitch helped Leah solidify her learning and connect with others.
• Laravel simplifies many aspects of development compared to the MERN stack.
• Leah enjoys the Laravel community for its support and friendliness.
• She is currently working on a multiplayer math quiz app.
• Leah faced challenges with nested JSON structures in Laravel.
• She values resources like Laracasts and the official documentation for learning.
• Attending Laracon inspired Leah to engage more with the Laravel community.
• Leah's journey highlights the importance of community and continuous learning in tech. Solving tech problems can be a puzzle that challenges the mind.
• Unique keyboards can enhance the coding experience but may require adjustment.
• Key mapping is crucial for productivity in coding tasks.
• Gatekeeping in tech education can hinder access to knowledge.
• The course business can be lucrative, but often lacks substantial content.
• Certifications may not be necessary for all tech roles, especially in programming.
• Building a community in tech can provide support and encouragement during challenges.
• Email development presents unique challenges that can be frustrating for developers.
• Sharing your journey in tech can attract support and opportunities from others.
• It's important to find joy in coding and not get bogged down by difficult tasks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leah Thompson
02:18 From Math Teacher to Developer
05:08 The Journey of Streaming on Twitch
07:47 Transitioning from JavaScript to Laravel
09:35 Working at Rugged Software
10:37 Tools of the Trade: Text Editors
12:06 Learning Resources for Laravel
13:30 Experiences at Laracon
20:14 FOMO from Laracon AU
23:33 Exploring Travel Experiences
25:04 Diving into Personal Projects and YouTube
27:44 Building a Multiplayer Math Quiz App
33:50 Keyboard Preferences and Challenges
38:27 The Course Creation Conversation
41:02 Certifications and Career Paths in Tech
44:57 Navigating Certifications and Programming Paths
45:29 Experiences with WordPress and Beaver Builder
47:03 Coding Snacks and Productivity Tips
48:33 Transitioning into Tech: Building in Public
49:31 Engaging with Tech Communities
51:16 Learning Through Public Struggles
53:20 The Challenges of Email Development
55:22 Reflections on Career Choices and Future Aspirations