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#273 - When You Don’t Know What to Build—Build This
Manage episode 506403047 series 3399111
Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers.
You’ll learn:
- Why great data makes or breaks your app
- How to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something new
- Picking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it)
- Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picks
- Adding AI functionality to make your project stand out
- Building a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a pro
Here's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browse
And—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship.
👉 Apply here 👈
Shameless Plugs
Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI
Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here
Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.
AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.
Chapters
1. Welcome and Scholarship Announcement (00:00:00)
2. Why You Need a Side Project (00:01:11)
3. Finding and Using the Right Data (00:02:29)
4. Choosing Your Tech Stack (00:06:34)
5. Feature Planning and AI Integration (00:10:39)
6. Deployment Options and Final Advice (00:14:56)
302 episodes
Manage episode 506403047 series 3399111
Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers.
You’ll learn:
- Why great data makes or breaks your app
- How to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something new
- Picking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it)
- Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picks
- Adding AI functionality to make your project stand out
- Building a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a pro
Here's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browse
And—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship.
👉 Apply here 👈
Shameless Plugs
Free 5 day email course to go from HTML to AI
Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here
Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Learn to build complex software, work with LLMs and launch your career.
AI Bootcamp (NEW) - for software developers who want to be the expert on their team when it comes to integrating AI into web applications.
Chapters
1. Welcome and Scholarship Announcement (00:00:00)
2. Why You Need a Side Project (00:01:11)
3. Finding and Using the Right Data (00:02:29)
4. Choosing Your Tech Stack (00:06:34)
5. Feature Planning and AI Integration (00:10:39)
6. Deployment Options and Final Advice (00:14:56)
302 episodes
All episodes
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