This is going to sound crazy but about a few years ago I sent you an email about learning Javascript. I think you were at Unsplash about to go to Khan Academy? Or was it the other way around haha.
I just want to say thank you for your kindness - the tips and advice you gave me definitely contributed to the career path I have today. I know that responding back to some random kid may not seem like a big deal, but I would not have been able to get here without the help and generosity of experts like yourself.
I did notice that there is not many platforms that support fullstack projects. A lot of it is simple bitesized function/method exercises (LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal, etc.) and don't encompass building applications from spec.
There is definitely some resistance here on HN about pricing, but I wouldn't worry about it. There are plenty of people who pay $$$ for courses (Udemy, CodeCademy, PluralSight) so the market is there. If each workout provides at least about 1-2 hours of content, then the price is in-line, if not a bargain, compared some Udemy courses around the same length.
For what it's worth, while I understand that your business model is based around finder fees, there is an extreme amount of value from building a solid platform that can handle interactive fullstack courses like what you have so far. There is serious acquisition or licensing/support potential (enterprise onboarding) if this platform grows the correct feature set.
If the self-taught candidate can pass an interview screen at the same level of a new grad, then how does hiring the former become more riskier than the latter?
Passing trivia interview screens is useless, can’t tell you anything useful. You have to dig recursively into technical details about past experience or projects, and for university new grads this would be their education work. What will the self-taught candidate do at this point?
> What will the self-taught candidate do at this point?
Generally self taught people will have built something. I'd generally consider that the definition of self taught and would not include people that have only done self directed learning.
That would be fine, but I think it’s weird that you’re trying to make the phrase “self-taught” stretch to include also building something. I think it’s far more common for people to believe taking a self-directed online course and getting a certificate entitles them to equal consideration for a job as someone who put in 4 years of a structured university program.
Maybe I'm out of touch with how it's used today, but self taught used to be someone that built things, W3schools was the closest thing to online courses years ago. If so I'd argue the modern usage is wrong though, a self taught mechanic is someone that tinkers with cars, a self taught electrician is someone there own cables, a self taught sysadmin typically fell into the role by doing stuff, a self taught investor has invested money. So I see know reason why a self taught developer shouldn't be someone that's built software.
When my 6 broke, I decided to switch carriers (from prepaid) to try out the new (at the time - earlier this year) XR. For the 1 week I owned it, there was something strange about it that I just can't describe. It wasn't buyers remorse, but it just felt wrong in my hands. I genuinely asked myself if spending 1k + 100/mo was worth it. Ended up returning the phone, returned back to my old carrier, and ended up going with a 6s making my purchase at 250 + 30/mo. No qualms.
I just want to say thank you for your kindness - the tips and advice you gave me definitely contributed to the career path I have today. I know that responding back to some random kid may not seem like a big deal, but I would not have been able to get here without the help and generosity of experts like yourself.