Hello fellow programmers,

I’m a newcomer to the world of IT, specifically focusing on frontend development. I recently embarked on this journey in my 30s, and I find myself contemplating the importance of having a mentor to guide me through this exciting yet challenging field. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on whether having a mentor is crucial when entering IT as a self-taught developer.

While I understand the benefits of self-learning and online resources, I believe having a mentor could provide invaluable guidance, industry insights, and personal support. A mentor’s guidance can help navigate the vast landscape of frontend development, from learning best practices, mastering frameworks, to gaining a deeper understanding of the industry’s expectations.

Additionally, I have aspirations to work in the EU or US region in the future. If having a mentor is indeed beneficial, I would appreciate advice on where to find one, particularly someone experienced in the European or American job markets. Are there specific mentorship programs, online communities, or platforms where I can connect with potential mentors?

Any personal success stories are highly welcome

  • knivesandchives@lemmy.caEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Broadly speaking, yes, having a mentor is a good idea. However, finding a mentor, a good one, is pretty challenging.

    I feel like the pragmatic solution is just to try and find a good team. A good team will provide a learning environment for all of the best practices and technical skills.

    There are a few mentor sites, but honestly, I’ve had pretty hit or miss results with them. You’d likely have to do some trial and error before finding the right fit.