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Code Mercenary: Starting a career in software development and beyond

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This book covers everything for a career in American software development, from start to finish, from junior to senior. Want to know how to begin? If you should pick a college, bootcamp, or unconventional education? How to format your resume? How to skip terrible interviews and get the job you deserve? I cover all that, and more!


This book also covers moving into the role of a seasoned what your day-to-day looks like, the processes and ceremony in the craft, working with your team to solve problems, tips and tricks on how to be the best developer, and why you should take control of your future when it’s time to change all with a raw, take-care-of-yourself-first attitude.


Finally, I cover the option of what consulting looks like when you are very senior and ready for a change in your career, with more freedom and more clout. While this book spends half of its length for readers who want to enter the industry, it’s also a great read for anyone currently working in the field of software development.


I’ve slung code for over a decade and share my insights freely, and I make it an easy, engaging read.


This book will answer questions


● Where do I start? What programming language do I pick?

● Do I need LinkedIn? Why is this recruiter so aggressive?!

● Why will no one call me back? Is my resume bad?

● How do I find a job as a newbie?

● I have all these companies sending me how do I deal with this?

● How do I get the best salary?

● What’s my day-to-day? How do I handle difficult people?

● Wait, I change jobs every two years? Maybe even more often?!

● What should I do when I’m “super senior”? Is management my only option?

● How do I become a self-employed consultant? Is it for me?

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2022

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5 reviews
August 13, 2023
A breezy read that tells you everything you need to know to succeed as a software developer. No matter what career stage you're in, this book gives you clear, concise advice and considerations to help you succeed.

I'm going to refer back to it the next time I am job hunting to make sure I don't waste energy and time making the mistakes we have all made.
1 review
June 20, 2022
I wish I had this book two years ago when I started self-teaching web development! It's been the longest job search of my life and the market is whack... it's nice to have that validated by someone as experienced as Summer, especially after hearing so much "pivot into tech" marketing (led primarily by coding bootcamps?), with dozens of success stories leading you to believe the opportunities are everywhere and that the market isn't oversaturated with juniors who no one wants to hire. Even so, this came at the right time because I definitely needed to change my approach.

Lots of wonderful tips and guidelines throughout this book, everything from interview red flags to salary negotiation to minor workplace dysfunctions and burnout (i.e. once you get the job, how to tell if and when it's time to start looking again). I found the sample data of people's salary trajectories illuminating as well.

I'm feeling better prepared to begin working as a developer now, and will definitely be referring back to this book frequently. Here's hoping I get hired soon!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

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