I’d like to use Swift/iOS in the Front-End, Django & PostgreSQL in the backend. I have studied online courses and my goal is becoming a Full Stack Programmer within a Year (or less). To reach my goal any kind of mentoring would be super useful. Any ideas where can I find that mentor/how did you find one/how does that work?
Thanks a lot!
That's a great goal to have, and if you are dedicated to learning and a lot of trial and error I believe you can do it!
Most of the times I've found mentors have been when I've been collaborating on a project with somebody smarter than me, or sharing what I'm doing in public and people give me tips and advice.
Some people will give criticism, and some people are very opinionated…so if you're sharing anything in public you need to grow a thick skin toward criticism, but by sharing openly it lets other people who would mentor you, find you and give you the information they know.
If iOS (Swift), Django (Python), and PostgreSQL are the stack you want to work with I could recommend doing any of these:
Good luck on your journey toward full-stack!
Honestly, you're not very likely to find one online. Locally you might be much better off, depending a bit on if you live in a large city. I'd honestly just try Facebook first. Ask friends and family. I wouldn't mention any payment, at least at first - most people who want money for things like that won't be the best mentors you could get. Finally, consider if there are any groups for developers around you. Women in development, women in Python, Swift developer groups - stuff like that. Not only might that be a help in finding a mentor, but they might actually be better than a mentor in many ways, especially in sharing experiences, since many is often better than one.
Good luck!
Anniina Korkiakangas I like the drive! I want to tweak one thing about what you stated though: It's good to have a stack/technologies in mind and it's fine to start out with the exact ones you said... However, please do not "marry the stack." A construction worker would never say "I'm looking for a job where I can use crescent wrenches, a Sawzall, and a shovel." Likewise, you shouldn't limit yourself either to TOOLS.
What I mean by this is that, if you become proficient with all of those techs, you may find a job where you use your Postgre and Django skills, but where they don't want Swift/iOS.. Or you may find a Swift/iOS job that doesn't require Django or PostgreSQL or uses React Native instead... If you become good with the stack you stated, you shouldn't limit your professional opportunities to the stack because good companies will know that someone who is smart in x y z stack will also be smart in a b c stack after he/she learns it.
Shit, you may even find a C++ or Objective-C (deeper than Swift but still Mac) job where you met a really nice person who likes you and thinks you'd be a good fit if you're willing to learn C++ or Objective-C. You never know.
So, again, it's great to have a specific stack in mind and go ahead and learn it, but just don't let it limit you if you cannot find an exact job match, apply for others anyway and network.
As far as mentors go, IN REAL LIFE is the way to go if you can. Find local Postre, iOS/Swift, Python, Django, etc meetups... That's a lot of keywords to look for on meetup.com so give it a shot. Also, try Facebook groups and if you can't find any, make your searches mor general "web developer meetup" etc...
Mark
It's nice to see your motivation!
Offline would be good if you can, of course. If not with someone you know, maybe you can at least ask some questions at a local coding meetup?
There is a website codementor.io that may be useful, but from what I've seen it's really expensive.
Here might be a good place too. Maybe wouldn't actually be a bad idea for Hashnode to facilitate that somehow (similar to what italki does for language partners).