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Ask HN: What would you recommend a 14y/o to learn over the next 2 years?

2 points by oppressedgf ↗ HN
So here's the deal; I'm 14, a hobbyist web developer and I'm really overwhelmed by how many things I could learn. My goal is to be proficient in at least one major stack by the time I'm 16, so I can A) Have something to show off to colleges and therefore B) have even more to show off to potential employers. I feel like 2 years is enough for me to get a moderate understanding of a popular tech stack, however I have no clue what. I know I'm capable enough in PHP and I'd like to imagine I know my way around the LAMP/LEMP stack, however I _really_ don't want a career in PHP development.

So, HN, what would you recommend I commit to and practice throughout the next 2 years?

If it makes it easier to help, I'm currently capable in Python, PHP, and the basic web stack: HTML, CSS, JS (as well as Node.js for server-side).

Thanks!

9 comments

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ziddoap
Do exactly what you ENJOY doing.

Don't like PHP? Don't do it. Simple.

Honestly, if there is ONE thing I've learned in my professional life.. It would be enjoying what you do. It makes literally everything else better in life if you enjoy it.

Don't go for the hot stack, the hot language, etc. If you enjoy what you do, your skill ceiling is going to be much higher in the long run, you'll be less likely to burn out (which is very common, especially if you're trying to push yourself already at age 14... theres 50 years left til retirement). You'll also be a more enjoyable person at work.

Just my 2c.

oppressedgf
Good point - I guess I've just been working on trying to be employable, so trying to do something purely enjoyable never occurred to me, honestly. Are there any languages or stacks you find particularly enjoyable to use?
auslegung
React seems to be the most popular framework right now, so Mongo Express React Node (MERN) would be a great thing to study. I think you're not going to go wrong no matter what you study because you're 14 years old and asking this question. Many people 10 or 20 years older than you aren't asking these kinds of questions.

And since you're obviously not the average person, you should check out https://elm-lang.org. It's a purely functional language and it will improve the way you write code in any language.

oppressedgf
Damn, Elm looks really interesting, I'll be sure to give that a go - the fact it generates to pure JavaScript too seems cool, thanks
taylodl
Don't focus on learning development stacks - today's hotness can be tomorrow's old news. Focus instead on doing something. The what is far more important than the how. If you really want to impress prospective colleges and/or employers (be thinking of internships!) then focus on what you want to deliver. What will it do? Hey! Can I run this on my phone?

The best way to figure out what to do is to scratch your own itch. What are your hobbies? I'd do something related to that.

bluGill
Where do you want to be? Everything so far tells me you want to write web apps for someone else. Nothing wrong with that, but personally I hate it. You are not me though, I could tell you the things you need to learn to be just like me, but you might hate the work I do.

The good news: you don't need to decide yet. You are 14 which means nobody will expect you be more than a rank beginner for the next 8 years or more! Take your time now to explore things to see what you like. Get an aurduino kit and make LEDs flash, advancing to running motors. Try some chemistry (I have no clue how to get into this - figure it out). Learn to play piano. Write a bad novel. The point of all this is to taste your options.

When you are 17 you need to decide what college to go to (this is partially a matter of who will let you in). Over the next 3 years you need to make sure you know where you want to go well enough that your college choice can get you there, the details can come latter. Even when you are college you have a few years before you have to commit to a major, the first 2 years of computer science are mostly the same as the first 2 years of mechanical engineering or physics.

The point of all this is to see what you like and what door open. If you like the electrical engineering professors that is a sign to go that way.

Don't forget to look at the charts of what various professions make once in a while. When you like two things - pay is a powerful factor to change direction.

buffaloo
Learn to be well-rounded and access within yourself a sense of well-being as you use your youthful energy to explore varied interests from which in a few years you will select life-long pursuits. Also, always be kind to others.

Python or JS or technology X will probably be the punchline of a joke about old tech in 5 years, so don’t focus too much on any one thing right now. Play some sport, have a couple really good friends in whom you invest, learn to cook a little, get a dog. Don’t get hung up in life traps like drugs, alcohol, tobacco, teen pregnancy, debt.

At 14, that’s about the best you can do. If you seem to shine much beyond that in some area (eg., you’re a tech millionaire or child actor), it’s probably at a fairly heavy personal cost and not worth it.

kirankn
I would suggest a combination of Elm and Elixir :-) If you gain a good handle on these, you are bound to impress good employers