#291 - Open Source + Hard Work: A CTO’s Roadmap for Junior Developers

Develop Yourself

Amber argues that the biggest problem facing new developers isn’t coding ability…

It’s lack of real experience, and an over-reliance on feel-good advice that doesn’t translate into hireability.

We dig into:

• Why contributing to real, medium-complexity open-source projects is the fastest path to becoming job-ready
• Why most juniors aren’t actually hireable yet — and how to fix that
• How toxic positivity on LinkedIn is misleading beginners
• Why “passion” means nothing if it isn’t backed by proof-of-work
• The kinds of projects and habits that actually impress hiring managers
• The mindset shift every junior dev must make to survive today’s market
• What Amber wishes she knew as a brand-new developer
• How to stand out when 30,000 other bootcamp grads are competing for the same jobs

If you’re early in your software career — or mentoring someone who is — this conversation will challenge your assumptions, push you out of the fluff zone, and give you a clear, actionable roadmap to becoming the type of junior developer who actually gets hired.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Open Source Projects & Communities:

• Dance-Chives Prototype (Amber’s breakdancing app project): https://github.com/BenTheChi/dance-chives-prototype
• Build In Public community: https://buildinpublic.com/
• Gridiron Survivor project: https://github.com/LetsGetTechnical/gridiron-survivor

Mentorship:

• ADPList (free mentorship sessions): https://adplist.org/

Connect With Amber:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-adamson-a33a3860/

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Bab

1. Welcome And Episode Setup (00:00:00)

2. Amber’s Nontraditional Path (00:00:27)

3. What Email Development Really Is (00:00:48)

4. Realizing Skills Gaps And Intentional Growth (00:02:08)

5. Open Source The Right Way (00:02:24)

6. Showing Work Vs Saying Passion (00:04:09)

7. 2020 vs Now: Market Reality (00:05:46)

8. What Juniors Must Do Post‑Boot Camp (00:07:20)

9. Quality Portfolios And Honest Feedback (00:09:20)

10. Rethinking LinkedIn And Proof Of Work (00:11:42)

11. Spicy Take: Not Everyone Is Hireable Yet (00:13:27)

12. What Juniors Obsess About Unnecessarily (00:16:13)

13. Fundamentals Beat Framework FOMO (00:19:30)

14. Market Bar Rising And Final Thoughts (00:22:05)

15. Closing And Next Steps (00:26:55)