coding Archives - Palm Beach Code School

Student Feature: Katherine Kennedy

Chris — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 12:54:27 +0000

“I had been furloughed from my job as a flight attendant. The industry was looking bad, so in the summer of 2020 I started looking at what I enjoyed and what I wanted to do.”

Katherine Kennedy was furloughed. It was the summer of 2020 and air travel had plummeted as Americans and global travelers suspended their travel plans and hunkered down in their houses to wait out COVID-19. International travel had fallen 60% and US airline losses were expected to surpass $35 billion.

COVID gave Katherine a gut check. Looking at a changing industry that could not predict what the future held, she decided it was time to start looking ahead.

One thing that COVID had taught her was that technology jobs were the face of the future. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Slack were the new normal and workforce trends showed that continuing. Mobile app and website development was surging. From virtual classrooms and remote work to virtual doctors’ visits, more and more industries were reliant on technology to operate effectively.

Determined to take advantage of her furlough, Katherine tried to figure out the ideal career that would blend her interests and natural skill set within an industry forecast for future growth and development. That assessment led her to pursue training in coding, with a focus on web design and development.

“I started assessing my skills and what I wanted to do,” she says. “I have a history with graphic design. I’ve done it in the past, and I’ve always liked math, so I decided to do a coding program.”

Coding, much like other jobs in the computer and technology industry, is projected to see even more growth in the coming years as technology is woven even more intricately into our lives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects some 13% growth in computer and information technology industries between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Coding jobs include front-end development (building a website including all the things that a user sees and touches when they visit a site, like the design, font, colors, buttons, links, and animations, also called the client side), back-end development (building the applications that run the website, organizing the data, and all the behind the scenes things that you don’t see on a site that communicates the database to the server; also known as the server side ), systems engineering, game development, AI programming, and others. Virtually every industry that involves technology is dependent on some form of coding.

Katherine decided to do the Web Design and Development program at the Palm Beach Code School (PBCS), located in West Palm Beach, after researching other online and offline programs. PBCS offers online and in-person courses. Because COVID was still raging, she opted for a hybrid program, taking some classes online and some in person.

“I liked that the Palm Beach Code School offered in-person sessions and that you could meet with your instructors and get in-class experience. I felt I’d work better in that environment because it would be face-to-face and I liked that they offered small classes and an individualized experience, instead of me being one person lost among hundreds,” she explained.

Katherine started PBCS’s Web Design and Development Program in October of 2020 and graduated with a certificate in Web Design and Development in February of 2021. The course took four months and met twice a week for 3 ½ to 4 hours each time. In that time she learned essential coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, PHP, SQL, and Bootstrap.

Looking back, she is amazed. “It was challenging,” she says,” but when you look back from where you started, you realize how much you’ve learned, and how much more there is to learn. I feel confident that my instructors did their best to make me walk away with a foundation on which I can build.”

She likens her experience to learning multiple dialects of the same language to become expert at it.

“It’s almost like learning Spanish, but you learn all the different dialects. So you walk away being fluent in all the dialects and the way in which people communicate. You walk away with the ability to find out how to answer or solve a problem.”

The high point of the course was creating her Capstone project—the end term project designed to show all you’ve learned in the program. Katherine created a website—GeriStretch—for a physical therapy business, writing all the codes for the front- and back-end development.

Presenting the project to her classmates and getting and giving feedback was gratifying.

“We had to break off from one another and work independently,” she says. “So it was good to see all the work that everyone else had done using all the skills we’d learned.”

Her end goal is to work as a web developer, though she hasn’t decided whether she’ll focus on front- or back-end development. She admits that she loves the versatility and creativity of CSS and wants to learn more about JavaScript, which she finds challenging.

“I’m design and project motivated. I want to make things look pretty and perform well. I love the project and problem-solving aspect of it all,” she says.

Currently she works as a flight attendant. The furlough ended and her job, suffering a shortage of workers, called her back. In her downtime she works on various coding programs and is looking to do volunteer web development for a nonprofit until she transitions into working full time in coding.

For a long time, she says, she loved the benefits of being able to travel, but after doing it for so many years, she looks forward to the flexibility of coding, being able to work independently and make her own schedule, but most of all, she laughs, being able to make a living while staying grounded. Writer/Interview: Max Smith

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Live Stream Gaming and the Evolving Content Trends

Maxwell McGee — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 19:31:01 +0000

Ninja is one the biggest household names in gaming today, and with a massive following and a net worth of $25 million, you can see the lucrative potential of a career in gaming.

Gaming has been around for over 30 years, but it’s popularity and integration into mainstream media has gained a very recent footing. Originally, it was the developers of games who made all of the money in the industry, but now gamers can make millions simply playing the games for a live audience.

With this new booming industry, it needed a partner to bring it to fruition. Previously, companies like Razer and Corsair reigned as kings in gaming product sales. After the realization that the gaming industry would be stretching to live streaming, multimedia companies took advantage of that spike. Companies that produced video tools such as Canon, Panasonic, and Elgato wanted to develop gaming compatible live streaming devices such as game capture tools, easy to use 4K DSLR cameras and live stream switcher boards for at home use. Other companies such as Sony and Beyerdynamic started creating gaming headsets and live stream setup packages for high end audio quality.

The industry has expanded to become one of the most profitable behind music and movies, but even their celebrities have gained popularity that could rival the top Tik Tok, Instagram and media stars.

Markiplier gained notoriety because of his unique voice and his particular brand of commentary, however, most critics originally weren’t keen on his content as it was just “a dude playing video games”. Now having one of the most popular YouTube channels with over 20 million subscribers, sponsors are banging down his door trying to get in on the lucrative advertising potential. Charitable organizations also see his potential, as his live streams are so popular that doing a live philanthropic event where the streamer collects donations have totaled over $3 million.

Even the most respected organizations in media have recognized streamers on their popularity, as TIME Magazine named Pewdiepie one of “The World’s Top 100 Most Influential People” in 2016. He is YouTubes #1 creator, has over 95 million subscribers, and has been described as being a major influence on the gaming industry with some indie developers crediting him with increasing their sales.

With any popular media, there will always be those that view a specific industry with disdain and refuse to understand and analyze why it gained so much notoriety. For anyone, especially in the multimedia/broadcasting industry, gaming is a business that cannot be ignored due to its massive profit, influence, and opportunities.

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The Basics of Internet Speed and How it Affects your Work Flow

Maxwell McGee — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 21:02:42 +0000

The new Work From Home trend has shown us many ugly sides of our culture. One of them being inaccessibility to decent internet speeds. This comes from a number of factors, including lack of access to knowledge about the internet, cable companies taking advantage of desperate customers who are unsure of what plan to go with, and not knowing some simple tips and tricks for improving the quality of your internet. This blog contains some information that could help you up your internet game!

Ethernet over WiFi: Ethernet cables are designed to take a network signal from a router/modem and plug it directly into a laptop or computer. This signal is much more secure, and faster. Usually, you need to be closer to your router/modem in order to get the most out of your internet speed, but an ethernet cable removes this issue entirely. With an ethernet cable, your direct connection can make your internet much faster, more secure, and prevent drop outs from happening as frequently.

ISP’s will limit your Download/Upload Speed: Your Internet Service Provider will usually have prices set on how much they allow for your Download/Upload Speed. If you notice your connection is slow, you can always do a test on https://www.speedtest.net/ to find out what your limits are for speed. Contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can be beneficial to learning what deals are out there for increasing your internet speed.

Know the Different Types of Internet: With the internet, from slowest to fastest, there is Dial Up, Satellite, DSL, Cable, and Fiber. Each one of these types of internet has their own unique features that can affect their speed. When searching for different ISP, it’s also important to note what type of services they can provide. Fiber Optics is extremely fast, but currently has limited availability due to it being a newer technology. DSL is usually cheaper than Cable or Fiber, but it can’t offer the same speeds. It’s best to think about what exactly you’re trying to do with your internet access before deciding on a package.

Understanding the Requirements of What You’re Streaming: How many people in your household use the WiFi? What is everyone trying to Stream? Are you trying to Stream 4k video or use a new HD Webcam for video conferencing? Your WiFi can only handle so much at one time, as things such as video conferencing, streaming a movie, and live streaming a video game or podcast all take up bandwidth.

Before deciding on how you can upgrade your internet, first think about what you are using it for. In a world of advanced technology that is improved every year, knowing your options and how you can improve your own household tech is half the battle!

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Learning the Ways of Web Design, a Profitable and Safe Industry

Maxwell McGee — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 19:48:14 +0000

As the Pandemic rages on, tens of thousands of Americans out of work have been searching for new career options. Some industries have suffered more than others, like restaurants, concert venues, and businesses that rely on live in person operations.

Searches have increased for professional opportunities that are not only safe, but profitable enough to help a family thrive. With #WFH (Work From Home) becoming one of the most popular hashtags on Instagram and Twitter, it’s no surprise that many are flocking to industries like coding and web design especially with an estimated 36.9 Billion in profit for 2020.

This type of work can be done from home, including communicating with clients, collaborations with colleagues and supervisors, and the actual workflow. Many have come up with searches on “Web Development” when exploring new WFH opportunities but are unsure where to start. It’s best to understand the basics before diving into this lucrative and thriving industry.

Think of Web Developers as the architects of a company’s website. They build, design, and update the look and functionality of the site to ensure anyone accessing it is pleased to see how easy it is to navigate, use, and look at (looks do matter after all). Roles of a Web Developer are split into two categories, front end and back end. The front end developer handles the look and feel of the website. They are always up to date on current trends, for example, Apple is a front runner and has been for decades when it comes to great web design. Their “Minimalist” approach to the look of their website has become a staple in modern day web design. Letting the products and contect speak for itself by outlining them, rather than distracting the eyes with fancy graphics that have nothing to do with the product itself. The back end developer handles the data and heavy coding and is considered the “Engineer” to the “Architect”. They make sure that the programming suits the needs of the company, keep up the web servers and make a seemingly random assortment of letters and numbers in a program like Javascript turn into computer magic.

Both the Front End and Back End developers use some kind of programming language like Python, HTML, MySQL, CSS so although the designers are using code, they didn’t just learn every language at once. They learned, practiced and applied them all one at a time as any great future developer does. Learning these languages comes with time, patience, and a strong passion for the craft. These languages have been mastered by many professionals, and those professionals have even helped to create schools and programs to teach and guide others on how they can master the craft of web development too.

2020 has brought forth so many surprises, both good and bad, it has taught us more about ourselves through quarantine, survival instincts, and more importantly, what we are truly passionate about. The Web Development industry is made great by individuals who are truly passionate about the craft.

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Facts About Coding

PBCS — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 16:59:28 +0000

Are you interested in building, designing and coding websites? Learning to code will give you the skills you need to be a Web Developer. New Web Developer programs are starting this month at Palm Beach Code School. Beginners welcome!

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Web Developer Languages 101

PBCS — Tue, 17 May 2016 08:30:39 +0000

HTML:

(HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language used to create web pages as well as to create user interfaces for mobile and web applications. Along with CSS, and JavaScript, HTML is a cornerstone technology used to create web pages. HTML describes the structure of a website semantically and, before the advent of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), included cues for the presentation or appearance of the document (web page), making it a markup language, rather than a programming language.

JavaScript:

(not to be confused with the programming language called “Java”) is a high-level, dynamic, untyped, and interpreted programming language. Alongside HTML and CSS, it is one of the three core technologies of World Wide Web content production; the majority of websites employ it and it is supported by all modern Web browsers without plug-ins.

CSS:

(Cascading Sheet Styles) is a style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language. It is most often used to set the visual style of web pages. Along with HTML and JavaScript, CSS is a cornerstone technology used by most websites to create visually engaging webpages, user interfaces for web applications, and user interfaces for many mobile applications.

Markup Language:

is a system for annotating a document in a way that is syntactically distinguishable from the text. The idea and terminology evolved from the “marking up” of paper manuscripts, i.e., the revision instructions by editors, traditionally written with a blue pencil on authors’ manuscripts.

Programming Language:

a formal constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs to control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms.

WordPress:

is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL. WordPress is installed on a web server, which either is part of an Internet hosting service or is a network host itself; the first case may be on a service like WordPress.com, for example, and the second case is a computer running the software package WordPress.org.

PHP:

is a server-side scripting language designed for web development but also used as a general-purpose programming language.

MySQL:

an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). In July 2013, it was the world’s second most[a] widely used RDBMS, and the most widely used open-source client–server model RDBMS.

JQuery:

is a cross-platform JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML.[2] jQuery is the most popular JavaScript library in use today, with installation on 65% of the top 10 million highest-trafficked sites on the Web.

Source: wikipedia

All of these languages are taught at Palm Beach Code School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Our web developer program lasts 16 weeks. Beginners are welcome, and we offer day and evening classes. We have new classes starting this month!

Call 561-855-6575 or email info@palmbeachcodeschool.com for more information.

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10 Reasons Everyone Should Learn to Code

PBCS — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:13:19 +0000

1. Coding will help you understand the way the world works. We use code every time we purchase something at the store, pick up our phone and sit at our computer.

2. Coding is the base of technology.

3. Average salary for a Web Developer is $64,000.

4. Coding is not just for men anymore. In fact 50% of Palm Beach Code School’s current students and graduates are women.

5. Programming jobs are forecasted to grow 21% by 2020. This is one of the hottest fields for job growth.

6. Coding will sharpen your ability to solve problems and troubleshoot.

7. Technology moves fast…faster than your employers have time to teach. Building your skill set could win you a raise or promotion, which recently happened with one Palm Beach Code School graduate.

8. Palm Beach county is attracting more and more technology companies, which means lots of jobs for computer programmers in South Florida.

9. The president believes in it. He told the world that everyone should learn to code, and even wrote his first line of code recently.

10. As Steve Jobs said “Everyone should learn to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.”

Palm Beach Code School is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Our Web Developer Program will teach you the basic fundamentals of coding in 16-weeks. Our next cohort starts December 8.

Sources: diygenius, Department of Labor, Wired, GlassDoor, Infoworld, code.org

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Students Graduate From Palm Beach Code School

PBCS — Thu, 14 May 2015 18:50:56 +0000

[fusion_text]On Monday, May 11 our first group of students graduated from Palm Beach Code School after completing our 16-week Web Developer Program. Graduation diplomas were awarded at our Training Facility in Palm Beach Gardens.

PBCS Instructor Paul Needham (on left) Graduate Rubens Jean Paul

The Web Developer Program is Palm Beach Code School’s flagship program. The course is designed to prepare graduates for entry level work as Junior Web Developers. The curriculum encompassed web platforms, programming, and web applications including (HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery PHP and MySQL. The instructional method includes hands-on individual and group exercises and project-based assignments. Each student built a final capstone project utilizing all skills learned throughout the course and presented their project to fellow students and PBCS staff at the graduation.

“Working in such small groups with a hands-on approach was ideal. I also loved how we worked with a variety of instructors with different areas of expertise instead of one teacher for the whole course. ” -Chris (Graduate)

At graduation, the students made presentations of the functional websites they built for their final capstone projects.

The students were very positive about the course and some will be returning to learn additional web languages.

“My favorite part was the small setting where you had a really intimate connection with your teachers and students. I am planning to return to learn Ruby on Rails.” -Rubens (Graduate)

Palm Beach Code School is working with tech companies and recruiters in Palm Beach County to help secure job interviews for these recent graduates and hopefully assist them in finding employment in the emerging tech industry. For more information about our programs, join our mailing list.[/fusion_text] Our next cohort will start June 8, 2015.

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The A to Z Guide to Web Developer Jargon

PBCS — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:49:40 +0000

The programmer’s “alphabet” is changing every day. Given tech pros regular use of terms like “404” and “robots.txt,” an industry-specific dictionary is warranted to help non-industry folks extract the intended meaning from even the most casual IT communications. But as new technologies and, therefore, new terms enter the market every day, even tech-savvy pros are facing decoding challenges.

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6 Reasons Your Next Job Should Be at a Technology Company (Even if You Have No Tech Skills)

PBCS — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:53:18 +0000

Want an informal workplace full of new ideas and advancement opportunities? Consider a career in tech. Even if you don’t know an algorithm from a server farm, you should think hard about looking for employment in the technology sector. Many of the skills required for these high-paying jobs can be easily learned with the right training.

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