JavaScript: A Beginner’s Guide to Coding

Are you new to the world of coding and software development? JavaScript is a fantastic first programming language to learn, and here’s why it’s a great choice for beginners looking to dive into programming and web development.

Why JavaScript is a good coding language for beginners:

  • It’s everywhere: JavaScript is the language of the web. If you want to build websites or web applications, JavaScript is a must-have skill.
  • It’s relatively easy to learn: Compared to some other languages, JavaScript has a more forgiving syntax and is generally considered beginner-friendly.
  • It’s versatile: Once you know JavaScript, you can use it for a variety of things, from building websites to creating mobile apps and games.

Learning the basics of JavaScript has become more accessible than ever before. There are tons of resources available, including online courses, YouTube videos, and challenges for beginners.

  • Online JavaScript Courses: Taking online courses is an excellent first step to learning JavaScript. There are many different courses available for free. Many options are self-paced, so you don’t have to worry about falling behind or feeling rushed. 
  • Here’s a list of the top five free online JavaScript courses for beginners, ideal for those preparing to apply to a coding bootcamp:
    • Learn JavaScript (Scrimba): This course offers over 140 interactive coding challenges and the chance to build four projects, including a Chrome Extension. It provides a hands-on approach to learning JavaScript fundamentals in a 10.38-hour course​​.
    • JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures (freeCodeCamp): This comprehensive course covers basic JavaScript, ES6, regular expressions, basic data structures, Object-Oriented Programming, and functional programming. It’s interactive and concludes with certification upon completion​​.
    • Learn JavaScript (Codecademy): This course provides a concise introduction to JavaScript fundamentals in about 20 hours. It includes 11 lessons covering conditionals, functions, arrays, and more, making it ideal for absolute beginners​​.
    • Intro to Coding (Code Platoon):  Intro to Coding is a free, self-paced online course designed especially for beginners. This 11-session course featuring seven hours of video instruction will teach you two things – JavaScript fundamentals, including JavaScript syntax, and problem-solving. The course also features over 120 coding practice challenges.
  • JavaScript Tutorials on YouTube: There are many different JavaScript YouTube channels available. Here are three popular JavaScript video tutorials and YouTube channels that provide beginner-friendly coding information:
    • Clever Programmer: Run by Rafeh Qazi, this channel focuses on web development and programming, with a mix of in-depth tutorials and interactive content in JavaScript. Qazi’s teaching style is fun and engaging, emphasizing practical learning​​​​.
    • Codecademy: Codecademy’s YouTube channel offers a range of tutorials in various programming languages, including JavaScript. Their videos are well-suited for absolute beginners, providing step-by-step guides​​.
    • Code Platoon: As a nonprofit coding bootcamp, Code Platoon makes all of its program content and lectures available for free on its YouTube channel. This includes their Intro to Coding JavaScript course, which is designed for beginners. (They also have an Intro to Coding Python course available.)
  • Interactive JavaScript Coding Challenges: If you want to practice your JavaScript skills, there are many coding challenge platforms available online. A popular site you might want to check out: 
    • Codewars: This platform offers a large number of challenges and supports a wide range of programming languages. It has a strong community aspect, encouraging users to create challenges and participate in the site’s social elements. 

Stepping Stone to a Career in Tech

JavaScript’s flexibility and the extensive support community make it an outstanding first choice for individuals venturing into coding and software development.

For those at the starting point of their tech journey, learning JavaScript is a strategic move. It lays a solid foundation for a career in web development or software engineering. As you grow more comfortable with the basics, consider taking the next step with an Immersive coding bootcamp like Code Platoon, tailored to equip you with the skills needed for a successful career in tech.

Jim Hennessey is Code Platoon’s Director of Marketing. Jim brings a strong background in nonprofit marketing and start-up enterprises to the mission of Code Platoon. Jim is a graduate of Clemson University and currently lives in Chicago. Follow Jim on LinkedIn.

Victor Platoon Final Projects

The Veteran and military spouse members of Victor Platoon recently completed their Coding Bootcamp and presented their final coding projects during graduation. These final projects showcase the software engineering skills of the Veterans and military spouses who graduated from the 15-week Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive program. Check out their web applications below.

Sacred Scrolls 

Developed by an Air Force Spouse, two Army Veterans, and a Marine Corps Reservist, Sacred Scrolls reflects the team’s desire to create connections through diverse religious perspectives. The app helps users compare verses from different religious texts. Users can save favorite verses, create journal entries, and search for keywords across the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita. 

The Bible and Quran verses come from a third-party API, while the Bhagavad Gita is pulled from a GitHub repository, adapted using a Python script, and added to the team’s PostgreSQL database. Check out their presentation.

Dino Stocks

Dino Stocks blends education and entertainment by teaching children the basics of stock trading with a dinosaur theme. Users can buy and sell dino stocks, manage portfolios, and track hourly changes in their dino stock shares.

The Dino Stocks team–two Air Force Servicemembers, a Navy Servicemember, and an Air Force Veteran–used React JavaScript library on the front end and a Python-based Django Framework on the back end. They also used Celery to update the dino stock prices and users’ portfolios stored in the PostgreSQL database every hour from a third-party API.

CragMentor

CragMentor guides rock climbers to new heights. The app’s algorithm generates a personalized training “pyramid” based on the user’s climbing goals. The pyramid uses a weighted score system to suggest increasingly difficult training climbs in the user’s area until the user reaches their goal. All these climbs appear on a Places API-powered map in CragMentor.

Developed by a Navy Veteran, an active duty Marine Corpsman, two Army Veterans, and an active duty Soldier, CragMentor utilizes Bootstrap React UI, React Icons, and an AWS EC2 instance for deployment.

Poke Clone

Poke Clone users can relive classic Pokemon adventures created with React and Django by an Army Veteran, active duty Soldier, and active duty Airman. 

Players can battle and capture wild Pokemon with attacks determined by a random number generator. After battles, the app saves levels, experience, skills, and health to the PostgreSQL database, storing every user’s Pokemon data. Transport yourself back to the era of Pokemon Red and Blue with the Poke Clone presentation.

If you like what you saw, visit our YouTube channel to see more student projects, access recorded lectures, and watch our Intro to Coding videos for aspiring software developers. Congratulations to the Victor Platoon graduates for their outstanding final projects!

What is VR&E?

The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, offers crucial assistance to Veterans with service-connected disabilities, aiding their transition to meaningful civilian careers. This program, previously named Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Voc Rehab), is structured into five distinct tracks:

  • Reemployment: Facilitates Veterans’ return to pre-deployment jobs, including adjustments or accommodations for any service-related disabilities.
  • Rapid Access to Employment: Aids Veterans in leveraging their existing skills for new employment, providing job search tools, resume writing, and interview preparation.
  • Self-Employment: Supports Veterans with entrepreneurial aspirations, offering business plan development, small business training, and resources for successful business establishment.
  • Employment Through Long-Term Services: Assists Veterans facing difficulties in their current roles due to service-connected disabilities, helping them transition to fields that align better with their abilities and interests.
  • Independent Living: Designed for Veterans who are limited in daily activities or not immediately able to return to work, offering counseling, resource referrals, and accessibility evaluations.

Eligibility and Application

Eligibility for VR&E services requires a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% and an honorable discharge status. Veterans can apply online at va.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000.

Your Path to Code Platoon with VR&E

Code Platoon is a unique opportunity for Veterans and military members like you to dive into the world of software engineering. By using VR&E benefits, you can embark on a transformative journey with Code Platoon’s immersive training programs. These programs are designed to equip you with the skills needed in today’s tech-driven world, from full-stack development to DevOps engineering.

How to Use VR&E for Code Platoon

  • Determine Eligibility: Ensure you meet the VR&E eligibility criteria.
  • Apply for VR&E Benefits: Use the online platform or the contact number above.
  • Select Code Platoon: When exploring your training options under VR&E, opt for Code Platoon’s comprehensive software engineering programs.
  • Complete the application process to attend Code Platoon.
  • Embark on Your Journey: Once approved, you’re set to start at Code Platoon, with a community ready to welcome and support you.

Your military background has instilled in you discipline, resilience, and a unique perspective—traits highly valued in the tech industry. With VR&E benefits and Code Platoon’s dedicated training, the path to a rewarding career in software engineering is not just a dream but a tangible reality. Embrace this opportunity and take the first step towards a dynamic future in technology. Remember, your skills, experience, and determination can open doors to incredible possibilities in the tech world.

Greg Drobny is a former Airborne Infantryman, PSYOP Team Chief, political consultant, professional military blogger, and Code Platoon’s Student Outreach and Recruitment Manager. He holds a BA and MA in history and an MS in organizational psychology. He is married with four children who keep him more than slightly busy, and he is passionate about helping Veterans find their paths in life and develop the skills needed to pursue their goals.

Transforming Veteran Tech Training with AI Curriculum

Today, we have some exciting news: Code Platoon is adding AI to our tech training curriculum! Our students will learn how to use generative Artificial Intelligence tools (which I’ll just call AI) to supercharge their learning, coding productivity, and the apps they build. We’re taking a holistic approach and integrating AI skills in these areas into all our programs.

Our mission at Code Platoon is to equip Veterans and military spouses with tools and skills that will greatly aid their transition to careers in tech. With those skills, our graduates go on to create successful software engineering careers across various industries and disciplines. 

Deciding to integrate AI into our curriculum wasn’t as straightforward as it seems. AI is making waves, but the fundamentals of coding are unchanged. We wanted to ensure that students using AI wouldn’t hinder their growth by bypassing the very real need for understanding the fundamentals.

So, we did our homework. The instructional team reviewed studies that measured the impact of AI on software engineering education to guide our curriculum development. We evaluated AI tools from a learner’s perspective. We looked at where the industry is going. 

We also talked with current students, alumni, employer partners, and industry experts to gain their opinions about AI in the workplace. They told us that AI skills are in high demand and that the ability to use AI coding tools is becoming more common for developers across all skill levels. 

Integrating AI into Code Platoon’s curriculum is about more than just training in AI tools – it’s an opportunity to level up our students. We’re giving them the power to understand, adapt, and lead in this ever-evolving tech landscape.

The goal of our approach is to enrich our students with a solid foundation of AI concepts. In the early weeks of the program, we will talk about AI Ethics and Security so our students know how to use AI responsibly. As they progress through the Bootcamp, we will introduce new AI concepts and techniques, each related to the programming skills they are learning. Finally, students will have the chance to apply their AI knowledge in hands-on projects to show their understanding. This helps prepare them to confidently and responsibly wield AI. 

We’re rolling these updates out with Whiskey Platoon—the current Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive cohort—but over the coming months, every single Code Platoon program will have the new AI curriculum integrated into their curriculum. And I’ll be sharing updates and letting you see this AI training in action at Code Platoon.

Nick Smith is Code Platoon’s Program Manager and is a retired Air Force Problem Solver. He volunteers full-time at the world’s best theology school and wants to make a game about the Bible. He currently lives in Florida, where he enjoys the great weather from the comfort of his home.

Great Tech Employees

Why Veterans Make Great Tech Employees

In the ever-evolving world of technology, companies constantly seek individuals with the skills and mindset to thrive in this dynamic environment. Veterans, with their unique blend of technical expertise, soft skills, and unwavering dedication, represent a valuable untapped resource for the tech industry.

Technical Skills

The military provides extensive training in various technical fields, including electronics, cybersecurity, and aviation technology. Veterans often possess specialized skills in areas like programming, data analysis, and network administration. These technical skills can be readily applied to a myriad of tech-related roles.

Soft Skills

Beyond technical proficiency, Veterans bring a wealth of soft skills that are highly sought-after in the tech industry. These skills include:

Discipline: Veterans are accustomed to working under strict timelines and adhering to rigorous procedures. This discipline translates into a strong work ethic and a commitment to completing tasks with precision and attention to detail.

Problem-solving: Veterans are trained to think critically and adapt to challenging situations. They are adept at identifying problems, analyzing potential solutions, and implementing effective strategies to overcome obstacles.

Teamwork: The military fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork. Veterans are accustomed to working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals. This collaborative spirit is essential for success in the tech industry, where projects often involve cross-functional teams with varying expertise.

Communication: Veterans develop strong communication skills, both written and verbal. They can break down complex ideas, provide concise updates, and effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders.

Leadership

The military provides ample opportunities for leadership development. Veterans often gain experience leading teams, making decisions under pressure, and motivating others to achieve objectives in the military. These leadership skills are invaluable for tech companies seeking individuals to take on project management, team leaders, and supervisory roles.

Veterans: A Valuable Resource

Veterans possess a combination of technical expertise, soft skills, and leadership qualities that make them well-suited for success in the tech industry. By recognizing and embracing the potential of Veterans, companies can tap into a valuable resource that can contribute to their innovation, growth, and overall success.

If you are a tech employer seeking talented and dedicated individuals, consider expanding your recruitment efforts to include Veterans. You may be surprised by the wealth of talent and experience that these individuals can bring to your company.

Jim Hennessey is Code Platoon’s Director of Marketing. Jim brings a strong background in nonprofit marketing and start-up enterprises to the mission of Code Platoon. Jim is a graduate of Clemson University and currently lives in Chicago. Follow Jim on LinkedIn.

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Echo Evening & Weekend Platoon Final Projects

Echo Evening & Weekend Platoon’s 28-week program culminated in impressive final presentations, showcasing our Veteran Coding Bootcamp graduates’ practical deployed full-stack web applications. These projects demonstrate their mastery of front-end, back-end, and iteration management programming tools mastered during the Full-stack Software Engineering: Evening & Weekend program.

The first presentation in the project showcase is SamurAI Stocks, an AI-powered web app aiding stock market decisions. SamurAI users can explore, save, and track the performance of their stocks over time. They can also view 30-day predictions created by a pre-trained GPT AI model.

The SamurAI team used many frameworks, programming languages, and coding tools to create their full-stack application. JavaScript was their core scripting language, harnessed by the React library to create their dynamic front-end user interface along with Tailwind CSS. Python and Django were used on the back end to store user authentication data via secure cookies.

SamurAI Stocks was developed by a team of Veteran software engineers, including a Marine Corps Veteran and three Army Veterans. Check out their SamurAI Stocks application demo.

 

Echo Coffee Co. is a custom-API-driven coffee reviewing application. A team of four Veterans representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps developed Echo Coffee Co. In addition to using JavaScript with React and Python on Django, the team developed a custom API for the application using the Django REST API framework. The API adds a coffee’s description, photos, reviews, and ratings under a unique ID assigned to it.

From these features, the program’s users can see existing coffee data and add new drink entries to the app’s PostgreSQL database, save reviews and ratings for different types of coffee drinks to the app’s database, and create a customized drink profile reflecting their coffee preferences from their ratings.

Check out Echo Coffee Co.’s presentation, including a demonstration of their custom API, below.

Chapter Chat is the final demonstration in our graduation showcase. Chapter Chat features a robust database of books for users to explore, add books to a “to read” or “completed” list, and invite other users to join a book club with a responsive messaging board. Chapter Chat also tracks the pages users read and sorts them into a leaderboard visible to the app’s logged-in members. 

Chapter Chat’s book data comes from the Open Library API and is housed in a Django framework using Python. The team created a responsive user interface using JavaScript on React, as well as Excalidraw, an app to whiteboard web application UI, and Humint, an AI color palette generator that lays complementary colors into a mock-up of the web app. Chapter Chat was containerized in Docker and deployed in an Amazon EC2 instance. The team managed the deployment by implementing a simple CI/CD pipeline on GitHub Actions.  

Watch the presentation by the Army Veteran and two Navy Veterans who comprise the Chapter Chat team.

We’re proud of the incredible applications showcased during Echo Evening & Weekend Platoon’s final project demonstrations. Congratulations, graduates!

The entire project showcase and graduation ceremony can be watched on Code Platoon’s YouTube channel.

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A Day in the Classroom: The Chicago Coding Bootcamp Experience

It’s 7:30 a.m., and Kelvin Lau is making his daily commute on the bus into the Chicago Loop. It’s quite a different experience for the eight-year Air National Guardsman who left his home in California on a new mission: to attend Code Platoon’s Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive program in-person.

“I was surrounded by programming my whole life,” Kelvin says. “​​I’ve always found software engineering enticing, but it didn’t pan out with my time in the military.”

Kelvin enters Code Platoon’s classroom at about 8 a.m. Sometimes, he arrives early to use the gym before class. Today, he grabs coffee with another student to discuss debugging their programs.

“I had some exposure to coding from my professional experience before Code Platoon. I use that experience to help my friends out. Walking through other peoples’ code helps me learn, too,” he says.

Class begins at 8:30 a.m. for all students, whether they are in-person like Kelvin or attending remotely from around the world. This morning, the students practice answering a behavioral interview question. Since many Code Platoon students are interviewing for the first time after Bootcamp, this practice is essential for entering the civilian tech industry. 

“Learning to translate my military experience into something tech employers can understand and connect with has been eye-opening,” Kelvin says.

Next up, two Motorola Solutions security architects drop in to lead a web security guest workshop. The Code Platoon curriculum includes regular expert guest workshops, thanks to corporate partners like Motorola. Today, Kelvin learns how to use Burp Suite to analyze his program’s attack surface and pinpoint its security vulnerabilities. In the last few weeks, he’s also delved into workshops on relational databases, GitHub version control, and AWS deployment.

“I think Code Platoon’s curriculum goes deeper than other coding bootcamps,” Kelvin says. “Last week, we had a whole day on Agile project management. These workshops immerse us in how software engineers think and let us network with the industry pros leading them.”

Kelvin,_Abou,_BrendaIt’s time for lunch, and Kelvin and his classmates grab some takeout and review their notes before an afternoon of working on their group projects, which they will present before graduating.

“Since everyone is here today, we’ll help each other on our projects. In my case, I have a knack for front-end development,” Kelvin says. “The remote students also work together in Zoom breakout rooms, but I prefer the in-person collaboration here.”

Kelvin had toyed with pursuing a computer science degree using his GI Bill®. He ultimately chose Code Platoon, where he could gain more quick, practical experience in technology and still have enough GI Bill left for college later.

Kelvin_at_the_Bean“The other reason I chose Code Platoon was to be part of the exclusively military Coding Bootcamp community. The shared experience here is comforting,” Kelvin says. “Even most of the instructors are Veterans themselves.”

Living in Chicago has its perks beyond learning to code for Kelvin:

“I haven’t seen the winter yet, but I love the city so far,” he says. “The cost of living is much lower than the Bay Area, but there’s still plenty to do. It’s so much fun exploring the city with my new friends on the weekends. I want to stay here after I graduate.”

Kelvin’s future as part of Chicago’s tech community will have to wait a bit. He received orders to deploy the day after his Uniform Platoon graduates.

Despite this setback, he won’t give up on his new dream of entering Chicago’s tech sector:

“I’ll keep building projects and improving my software engineering portfolio during deployment. I’ll try to get in the door with some companies in Chicago while that’s happening,” he says.

“Oh, and I’ll need to buy my first winter coat before I come back.”

Kayla Elkin is the Marketing Content Specialist at Code Platoon. In this role, she uses her marketing, writing, and editing skills developed from previous higher education and educational technology positions. Kayla has degrees in English and Sociology from Clemson University and completed the Study in India Program (SIP) at the University of Hyderabad.

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The Highest Paying and Most In-Demand Programming Languages In 2023

 

Code Platoon keeps a close eye on the programming workforce to ensure that our Veteran, Servicemember, and military spouse Coding Bootcamp students receive the best training for their future careers in full-stack software engineering or DevOps engineering careers. 

This article highlights the highest-paid and most in-demand programming languages for 2023. We’ve also analyzed the trends for 2022, 2021, and 2020 to provide a comprehensive overview of the shifting technical landscape. 

The Best Programming Languages for Developers in 2023

Our research shows that Python and JavaScript developers continue to excel in 2023. 

  • Python emerges as #1 in job postings, closely followed by Java (#2) and JavaScript (#3). 
  • Python and JavaScript programmers also earn high salaries, ranking #3 and #4 in compensation. 
  • C# is the highest-paid programming language but has less demand than Python, JavaScript, and Java.

Methods for Identifying the Top Programming Languages

Code Platoon first examined the eight most popular coding languages according to Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey:

  • We mapped the highest paying programming languages with compensation data from the survey and Indeed, one of the largest job listing sites. 
  • We measured demand by tracking the number of job postings targeting the survey’s most popular programming languages.

Programming Languages in 2023 by Job Openings and Salary

Python claimed #1 in the Job Postings category and #3 in Average Salary. Python is an interpreted, multi-purpose coding language. It excels in the areas of data science tools, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, and DevOps engineering.

JavaScript secured #3 in Job Postings and #4 in Average Salary. JavaScript is the backbone of web application development and remains popular with employers.

Java ranked #2 in Job Postings and #5 in Average Salary. Java remains integral to large-scale, legacy business applications and Android development.

C# climbed to #4 in Job Postings and #1 in Average Salary. C# is most known for powering the Unity gaming engine.

C++ fell to #6 in Job Postings but remained highly paid at #2 in Average Salary. C++’s quick speed and high stability make it a good tool for developing high-performance applications, but it’s a difficult programming language to master. 

C held #5 in Job Postings and #6 in Average Salary. C is an older–but still widely used–programming language. C exposes concepts hidden in scripting languages like Python and Java, offering more flexibility. Its complexity makes C challenging to adopt.

PHP took #7 in Job Postings and Average Salary. PHP continues to have a loyal user base, particularly in powering WordPress platforms.

SQL (or Structured Query Language) was #8 in Average Salary and Job Postings. SQL is a query language that extracts information from databases.

Predicting the Best Programming Languages for 2024

Forecasting the future demand for programming languages is challenging. The supply of qualified applicants and evolving industry needs affect the number of open positions. Yet we anticipate the following trends:

  • Python will keep growing as companies continue to adopt AI and LLM tools like ChatGPT, data analytics tools, and infrastructure software development. Python shines in all these areas. 
  • JavaScript will continue to be the backbone of the web. It’ll likely remain essential for web development.
  • Java developers will stay in demand for DevOps engineering and large-scale business operations.

For more information on programming language trends and their popularity in the workforce, consult the TIOBE Index and Stack Overflow reports. These sources consider industry demand and incorporate complementary approaches to determining the highest-paying and most in-demand programming languages.

Rod Levy is the Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. He holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees in engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he graduated with honors. Rod has completed Dev Bootcamp’s web developer program.

Uniform Platoon Final Projects

The Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive Uniform Platoon showcased the full-stack web applications they developed during Code Platoon’s military Coding Bootcamp. Their final presentations demonstrate their working applications and describe the front-end, back-end, and product management tools the Veteran tech students mastered during Coding Bootcamp.

The first presentation in the Full-stack software engineering project showcase is Wastenot. Wastenot is a web application that addresses food waste. Users input the foods they need to use, and Wastenot matches them with recipes using their ingredients. Wastenot’s tech stack includes React for the front-end user interface, Django on the back end to store user authentication data via secure cookies, and API calls to Spoonacular and OpenAI’s ChatGPT to pull recipe data, suggest substitutions, and provide nutritional information.

Wastenot was developed by an Army spouse, a Navy SkillBridge participant, two Active Duty Marine Corpsmen, a Coast Guardsman, a National Guardsman, and an Active Duty Soldier. Check out their Wastenot program demo.

 

ConnectForum is the next demonstration. ConnectForum is a full-stack web application with real-time chat through Channel Layers with Redis. ConnectForum allows users to connect live through different instances in the app’s common interest chat rooms. 

A Navy Veteran, two Army Veterans, and three Marine Corps Veterans developed ConnectForum. The Veteran software engineering graduates used JavaScript on React and the WebSocket API on the front end. The front-end code makes calls to the back end, featuring Python through Django Framework. The team hosted their data in a PostgreSQL database.

Void Turtle is the next presentation. A team of a Navy Veteran, an Air Force Veteran, a Marine Corps Veteran, an Active Duty Army Servicemember, and a military spouse developed Void Turtle. 

The Void Turtle team programmed a 2D, top-down, rogue-like game powered by the Godot Engine. The Void Turtle team used GitHub to coordinate version control and resolve merge conflicts while launching their application. Dive into Godot in the Void Turtle presentation below.

Shredder is the final demonstration in our graduation showcase. Shredder is a fitness and nutrition tracker web application. Shredder offers customizable nutrition tracking and workout programs for users to achieve their fitness goals. The app pings Rapid API’s exercise database to find exercises using particular equipment, muscles, or muscle groups. The nutrition portion calculates the nutrition information based on the user’s reported meals. 

Shredder was programmed with JavaScript and Python coding languages, an Axios HTTP client, and React styling. Watch the presentation by the Shredder team: two Navy Veterans, an Army Veteran, an Army Reserve Veteran, an Air Force National Guardsman, and an Active Duty Marine Corpsman.

We’re proud of the incredible applications showcased during Uniform Platoon’s final project demonstrations. Congratulations, graduates!

The entire project showcase and graduation ceremony is available to watch on Code Platoon’s YouTube channel.

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5 Tips for Military Members Creating a LinkedIn Profile for Post-Military Job Search

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be both exciting and challenging. One of the crucial steps in this transition is creating a strong LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills, experience, and potential to prospective employers. Here are five valuable tips to help you make an impressive LinkedIn profile that maximizes your post-military career opportunities.

Highlight your military experience.

As a military member, your service has equipped you with a unique set of skills and experiences that are highly valuable to employers. When creating your LinkedIn profile, emphasize these qualities. Start with a concise, compelling headline showcasing your military background and key strengths. In the “About” section, briefly overview your military career, highlighting your leadership abilities, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. Use industry-relevant keywords to increase your visibility to potential employers searching for candidates with military experience.

Translate your skills.

One of the challenges Veterans face is translating their military skills into civilian language. Employers may not understand military jargon, so you must translate your skills and accomplishments into terms they can quickly grasp. Use civilian equivalents to describe your roles, responsibilities, and achievements. Focus on transferable skills such as project management, strategic planning, communication, and technical expertise. This will help potential employers see how your military experience aligns with their needs. Use numbers, figures, and statistics to quantify expertise whenever possible.

Build a professional network.

LinkedIn is a powerful networking platform; building a robust professional network can help your job search. Connect with fellow military members, Veterans, industry professionals, and recruiters. Identify and connect with  Veteran talent recruiters that work with companies you are interested in working for. Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions to expand your network further. Actively engage with your connections by sharing relevant industry news, insights and contributing to discussions. A strong network can provide you with valuable contacts and potential job opportunities.

Leverage recommendations and endorsements.

Recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn serve as proof of your skills and expertise. Reach out to your colleagues, supervisors, and military subordinates and request recommendations highlighting your strengths and achievements. Similarly, ask them to endorse your skills, which adds credibility to your profile. Remember to reciprocate these gestures by offering recommendations and endorsements to others within your network. This mutual support will strengthen your professional relationships and increase your visibility.

Continuously update and engage.

Your LinkedIn profile is not a static document; it should evolve as you progress in your post-military career. Regularly update your profile to reflect new accomplishments, certifications, or skills you acquire. Engage with your network by sharing relevant content, commenting on posts, and participating in conversations. Seek and follow industry influencers, companies, and organizations aligning with your career goals. Staying active and engaged on LinkedIn shows your dedication to professional growth and keeps you on the radar of potential employers.

Creating a compelling LinkedIn profile is crucial for military members transitioning into civilian careers. LinkedIn also offers eligible military community members one year of access to LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning, so make sure you take advantage of that offer.

Following these tips can enhance your job search and open doors to exciting post-military opportunities. Remember, your military service has equipped you with invaluable qualities that employers seek, and LinkedIn is the perfect platform to showcase your potential. Embrace the transition, seize the opportunities, and embark on a fulfilling post-military career journey!

Jim Hennessey is Code Platoon’s Director of Marketing. Jim brings a strong background in nonprofit marketing and start-up enterprises to the mission of Code Platoon. Jim is a graduate of Clemson University and currently lives in Chicago. Follow Jim on LinkedIn.