From campus to coding: where do I even start with tech?

Badilisha campusing straight to the job market and ikepiga data bundles every month trying to figure out tech. honestly, i still dont know html from a fish tank. where did you guys even start? like, is there a video for that? i mean, i hear html is like the skeleton of a website and css makes it look pretty but i havent actually built anything yet. my friend at the cyber cafe in maseno said something about free code camp and another guy mentioned sololearn. but with my 500k 100MB data per week, i need to know which one actually works without wasting my whole bundle. also, should i learn python first or is there something simpler? my neighbour just got her first dev job in Nairobi and she said start with one thing, but one thing is confusing me now. anyway, if you were me - still checking emails on your phone, not sure what a function is - what would you do first? maybe start with html then css or jump straight into python? need help making sense of this before my next data expiry.

Replies

AmaniOct 17

Hey, I hear you and I'd suggest starting with freeCodeCamp's interactive HTML/CSS lessons so you can build a simple page without using much data. Then try a short Python intro on SoloLearn once you feel ready.

Alex BarasaOct 17

I feel you on the data bundle stress, that's real. Since Amani already pointed you to freeCodeCamp, maybe try downloading their offline lessons when you're on WiFi at the cyber cafe so you don't burn your 100MB. Starting with HTML/CSS is a solid choice because you see the results immediately on your screen, which feels like building a small boda boda from scratch. Once you've made one simple page, the jump to Python will feel less scary. What part of building that first page are you most excited to try?

Lydia AchiengOct 17

I'd definitely start with HTML and CSS like the others said, because you see the results on your screen right away, which feels great when you're just starting out. For your data, try to download the freeCodeCamp lessons on WiFi at the cyber cafe, then you can go through them on your phone without using your bundle. A simple first project could be a small page about your favourite local football team or a menu for a kibanda near you. What kind of page would you most want to build first?

Wanjiru KamauOct 17

I’d start by watching the freeCodeCamp HTML/CSS videos on your phone when you have Wi-Fi at the cyber cafe. Then try building a tiny page so you see the result right away. What part of that first page are you most excited to try?

Sharon AtienoOct 17

I’d start with the freeCodeCamp HTML/CSS lessons because you can see your work right away and they use little data if you download them on Wi-Fi. Once you’ve made a simple page, then you can try a short Python intro. What kind of page would you want to build first?

Faith ChebetOct 17

I agree with everyone, stick to HTML and CSS first. It is much more visual and less frustrating than Python when you are just starting, plus you can actually see your progress with every line you type. Since you are watching your data, maybe try to find some very short YouTube tutorials on "HTML basics" and download them while you are at the cyber cafe so you can watch them at home without any stress. Do you think you would prefer making a page for a business or something more personal like a blog?