Start Your Journey as a Software Engineer

Follow this 8-week plan to get your first software engineer job. Build skills, create a real project, and be interview-ready.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Foundations

Begin by learning basic coding concepts and the fundamentals of web development. You will practice with simple programs and solve small problems.

2 weeks

Understand how code works
Learn JavaScript basics
Write small programs
Explore how websites work

Variables (let x = 5)
Loops (for, while)
Functions (function add(a, b))
Basic HTML (build a simple webpage)
Debugging (fix error messages)

Online JavaScript Tutorial
Basic HTML Guide
Interactive Coding Platform

Write 5 working JavaScript programs (calculator, counter, tip splitter)
Build and publish a basic HTML page

Front End Skills

Dive into building interactive web apps. Learn to use a front-end library and make your pages respond to users.

2 weeks

Learn React basics
Design simple user interfaces
Manage page state
Connect forms to code

React components (create HomePage, AboutPage)
State management (store active tab)
Handling events (onClick, onChange)
Work with forms (login, signup)

React Beginner Course
UI Design Basics
Official React Docs

Create a 3-page React app (Home, About, Contact)
Demo inputs that update page state live

Back End Basics

Learn to build the brains behind your app using a back-end server. Practice sending and receiving data.

2 weeks

Set up a Node.js server
Create API endpoints
Store simple data (memory or file)
Connect front-end to back-end

Express.js server (start server, handle routes)
API creation (GET /users, POST /message)
JSON handling (parse, send data)
Connecting front-end and back-end

Node.js Starter Guide
Express.js Tutorials
Simple API Example

Build an API with two routes (list, add data)
Connect front-end app to this API for live updates

Testing and Deployment

Check that your app is reliable and publish it online. Add automated tests and make your app live.

1 weeks

Write basic tests for front and back end
Automate checks with GitHub Actions
Deploy app online (free host)

Write unit tests (Jest: test user creation)
End-to-end tests (run sign-up flow)
Deployment (Vercel/Netlify/Hobby host)
CI setup (add test badge to README)

Jest Testing Guide
Deployment Platform Docs
CI/CD Basics Guide

100% tests pass for main features (test login, test API routes)
Deployed live project link and working CI badge

Showcase and Job Ready

Wrap up your project with real-world extras. Prepare your portfolio, resume, and practice interview questions.

1 weeks

Write project README file
Publish code to GitHub
Create a simple resume
Practice interview problems

Documentation writing (explain how app works)
Code publishing (push to GitHub, add screenshot)
Basic resume writing
Problem solving (reverse a string, find largest number)

Resume Template
Common Interview Questions List
GitHub Guides

Finished portfolio project with README and live demo link
Updated resume with project link

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Basics of JavaScript and HTML	Foundations are needed for all web programming steps.	Follow JavaScript tutorial (Codecademy or similar), Build and style a simple HTML page (About Me), Write a number guessing game, Debug code using browser console	Simple HTML page online, Three basic JavaScript scripts working
2	Core Programming and Debugging	You must be comfortable with basics to advance.	Write functions for calculator and counter, Practice loops with mini-projects (count odd numbers), Fix 3 error messages using console logs, Publish code to GitHub	Calculator project in GitHub, README showing usage
3	React Basics and Components	Modern apps need interactive user interfaces.	Start React app with Create React App, Make Home, About, and Contact pages (React components), Add navigation between pages, Style pages with simple CSS	React app with 3 pages, Screenshots of working navigation
4	Forms and State in React	User input is at the heart of real apps.	Build a login form in React, Show live state changes as user types, Handle errors (show message on wrong input), Test form with sample data	Login form saving input, Demo video or GIF
5	Back End Basics with Node.js	Apps need data handling and logic on server.	Set up basic Express.js server, Make GET and POST routes (list and add users), Send sample JSON data from server, Test API endpoints using Postman	Working Node.js server code, API tested with Postman
6	Connecting Front End and Back End	Full stack skills show that you can build real apps.	Fetch data from server in React, Show server data in your app, Add new data via React form, Check all messages update live	App syncing with API data, Short demo video
7	Testing and Deployment	Jobs require apps that are reliable and published.	Write unit tests for server (Jest), Write UI tests for main app features, Set up free CI (GitHub Actions), Deploy app on Netlify or Vercel	Passing test badge, Live app link
8	Showcase and Job Preparation	Show your work and be ready to apply.	Write project README with screenshots and setup steps, Update GitHub code and add live app link, Make or update resume with project, Practice three coding interview questions	Project README and live demo on GitHub, Updated resume with project link

Daily Plan

Monday

Watch lesson video or read chapter
Take notes on key concepts

Tuesday

Apply what you learned by coding a small example
Test your code for errors

Wednesday

Work on main weekly project task
Share progress with a peer or online group

Thursday

Finish main task for the week
Ask a question in a tutoring group or forum

Friday

Review what you learned this week
Make a list of wins and challenges