Seeking Advice | Hacker News Reader

Seeking Advice

3 pointsspindle_cell7 comments

Hey guys, I think you all are very intelligent people. I want your advice. I am a doctor, i have worked with python for data science and machine learning.

I’m trying to learn JavaScript right now so that I can work on some app ideas that i have in my head. Even if the apps are only just for me.

I’m following along a Udemy course and making good progress.

My question to you is; is this folly? People dedicate their lives to learning and mastering languages like JS or typescript or w.e. else.

I’m trying to pick it up as a hobby in order to work on passion projects.

Tell me to keep going or tell me to be realistic.

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Everyone should learnt CPR in spite only a few can do heart surgery.

[Perhaps you can find a better analogy.]

In each field you will find people that is smarter or more specialized than you, or even people that is smarter and more specialized than you.

Anyway, some knowledge can be useful as pert of your work or as a hobby. Try learning and making small projects. There are a lot of interesting things that are possible to do with some simple programs.

I recommend to also learn Excel (or the free versions), it's a very powerful tool.

I don't see any signs you shouldn't keep going.

Most pros have other programmers (usually coworkers) they can ask questions. If you could afford to pay a pro to answer your questions when you've been stuck for hours -- paying for less than 1 hour of the pros time for every 10 or more hours you spend working alone -- you could probably implement your ideas much faster than if you work entirely alone.

I feel like my allignment towards tech has been a big boon to my career. I am proficient in Excel but obviously could be better. I have been using python for data science and have published a lot, mainly because I feel like other doctors still find this stuff mystical.

You are right. I will probably end up buying resources or even someone's services to help me along the way.

Go on. Most web apps do not need the convoluted decorations that pros sell to users. However, try to join a community that can help and guide you and give you ideas when you are stuck.

Thank you man. Any recs for such a community?

Dev.to and freecodecamp, feel free to reach out :)

I don't do front end, so follow the advice of the sibling commenter.

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