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General Discussion

Gal Weissman
Gal Weissman
2,065 Points
Posted by Gal Weissman
Gal Weissman
2,065 Points

A few words about TTH's youtube ads

Hey.

I'm 29 years old and have been a working for tech & startup companies as a developer for the past 13 years, including one start-up company of my own. I'm a highschool dropout. I left school at age 14 because of, well... lots of of shit. Coding saved my life. It has been the only love of my life for the past decade and I truly believe in your statement that - 'Anybody can code'. I encouraged my friends to try it out and helped them along the way, even recommend this platform as a springboard. I believe that all you need to become a developer is a lot of passion and a laptop. That's it. Anyone. At any age.

Even said that, I hate your commercials. Simply hate them.

  • I did only watch the short-versions of these ads on youtube, so maybe if I'll see the full-length I'll get another experience, but... that's what most people see.

IMHO - The general context that reaches the spectator's' view is not that anybody can code, it represents a cheap way to sell programming as a easy-to-reach career with lots of money in it, with no effort. I'm quoting some of the statements in these ads:

  • "... learned in about 4 months and now I'm making enough money to pay my mortgage"
  • "... within 4 months I had my first app in the app store"
  • "... after studying with treehouse for six weeks I got a job as a front-end developer"

See. It took my years and years of hard work and working on VERY low salaries to get to where I am: Learning modular coding techniques, understanding the layers that combine tech companies and how code should be written in that level, learning to write code in team, thinking performance wise, user-friendly-wise, knowing my ground. Even though I'm already 13 years on the market, had a chance to lead 2 dev teams and build existing companies infrastructures from scratch, I still considering myself as a coder that has a lot more to learn.

In one of your ads you say - "... the demand for those who can code is unprecedented". Nope, it's not.

  • The demand for those who can code great is unprecedented.

And that is exactly my point. I am currently a FED team-leader is an Israeli start-up and had the chance to interview dozens of applicants so far. I've seen hundreds of CVs. Unfortunately, the industry is EXPLODED with people who think they can code, while they don't. I've seen it with my very own eyes.

I said earlier that all you need to become a developer is a lot of passion and a laptop. YOU DO. That's all you need. But to become a good developer you must spend years and years of "beating on your craft". This industry is great not because it can be easily learnt. It's not great because you don't need a degree to get it (and believe me, you don't). It's not great because all the information you need is available online. It's great because its core are people who dedicated their lives to their profession, that breath and live code their entire life.

Anyone can be a developer. Anyone. But to be a good one, a one that passes job interviews, a one that companies want - you have to prepare yourself for a lifetime of studying with a lot of passion, and yeah - a laptop.

Ads will be ads. Ads' purpose is to sell dreams, I know that better than you think. But please, I love teamtreehouse, it's great - please ! don't sell dreams using a lie. Teamtreehouse might be the very first thing many new developers will encounter it their professional lives, your duty is to prepare them in all aspects - even these mental ones.

With lots and lots of love, Gal

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points

Well put — and I definitely relate to what you are saying. But in fairness to Treehouse,, there are a lot of entry-level jobs around as well as the high-powered ones. In fact, at one place I worked a small number of senior developers were (to my horror) replaced with a larger number of entry-level ones. I know that's an extreme case, but jobs at all levels are out there. Now not everyone will start out being able to pay a mortgage, but there's a good chance you can get your foot in the door. It might also be that the opportunities here in America are a bit different than they are in Israel.

But you're certainly right that the great jobs go to great developers, and it's going to take a good bit of seasoning to become one. For anyone thinking on their first job as a self-taught developer they will be buying a car, a house, and a sailboat, then a "reality check" would certainly be in order.

Thanks again for an eloquent and focused post.

codeoverload
codeoverload
24,260 Points
codeoverload
codeoverload
24,260 Points

I know what you mean, but I think it's still better than advertising how coding takes many years of hard work to become good at, because some people might have first started coding because of these ads and then discovered how much fun it is. And those people don't really care if it takes more than for example "six weeks" to get a job as a front-end developer. They do it because it's something they enjoy doing and not to make lots of money.

3 Answers

Christopher Janke
Christopher Janke
11,054 Points
Christopher Janke
Christopher Janke
11,054 Points

I agree with this as well. I have been coding for a year now and wondering to myself why I am not "paying my mortgage with coding" yet. I have since dropped this belief and do it because it is genuinely enjoyable. The ins and outs of a program give me a deep satisfaction that is not explainable to others. That's why I am still here. My "Quick Coding" ambitions would have been a little more tempered had I not heard of developers who went from McDonalds to Full on Coder in 4 months. It is hard work and dedication, and I love every, single, key stroke.

Dave McFarland
STAFF
Dave McFarland
Treehouse Teacher
Dave McFarland
Dave McFarland
Treehouse Teacher

Great post Gal Weissman. Programming is a craft, and like any craft requires patience, perseverance and lots and lots of practice. I really like Christopher Janke's comment — programming "is genuinely enjoyable." It's a fun, creative and challenging craft that requires problem-solving complex issues and leads to tangible results: a web site, a mobile app, a game, a business. That's the best reason to pursue a career in programming (in my opinion): the fact that it's possible to make a living at it as well, and that the number of jobs in the field is growing is certainly a plus, but no one gets there without putting in the effort and dedicating themselves to continual improvement.

Gal Weissman
Gal Weissman
2,065 Points
Gal Weissman
Gal Weissman
2,065 Points

It's awesome that this is your opinion too. Though, it's too bad your ads broadcast the opposite message.

Bernadette Isaacson
Bernadette Isaacson
13,736 Points
Bernadette Isaacson
Bernadette Isaacson
13,736 Points

In general, I like Treehouse, but I do hate the ads. Although I'm sure that some have found employment in 6 weeks that isn't typical, so they should add the disclaimer that "Results are not typical" to be honest. That's just me--I value honesty. I've been looking for a job for quite some time now and am discouraged since most "entry-level" positions these days seem to require 2 years of experience!