Ileana Argyris – From React-ing to Taking Charge as a Web Developer

Dive: Coder - React
Description: Knows how to code using React
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Can code using Angular at a basic level
Certified On: Aug 27, 2020

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Ileana Argyris Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 6 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

When I graduated from University in 2016, I rediscovered my passion for creating websites and also my passion for travel.

I started learning website development again, as it was a way to earn an income from anywhere in the world while travelling full time! The thought of that truly excited me!

I was motivated to learn React due to the high demand for React developers and the availability of remote React developer positions. In late 2017, an opportunity to apply for a Grow with Google Scholarship for the Udacity Frontend Nanodegree was presented to me. I started the program in early 2018 and React was part of the curriculum!

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

With the Udacity Nanodegree program, it took me about two months to learn the basics of React in order to build something awesome.

It took me this long as I started traveling in early 2018 and had to work my studies in around my travels. Focusing on learning while moving from country to country (and exploring!) is a tough task in and of itself, but I did it!

It also took me longer to understand the basics of React as my foundational JavaScript knowledge was a bit lacking — I was stronger at HTML and CSS and not very strong in other programming languages. This lack of knowledge made learning React slower as I had to build some of that Javascript foundation before applying it to React.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The hardest part about achieving this level was learning how React worked and how it builds on JavaScript. There are so many different components to React. To know the basics, you have to understand how everything fits together. You have to understand states and props, functional components, and class components.

Further, I was not familiar with ES6 and above, and React uses recent JavaScript updates very extensively. I had to learn about these new JavaScript features while completing my projects.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The easiest part about this dive is the amount of resources available to learn! There are videos, blogs, tutorials… If you don’t understand the way one person explains a concept, it’s easy to find someone else to explain it to you. There are also tutorials in many languages, so if English isn’t your first language, you can probably find a tutorial in your native tongue!

Once you get the basics down, the sky’s the limit!

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

Get familiar with JavaScript. Knowing JavaScript well will make learning React a LOT easier.

Create a plan. Figure out what the ‘basics’ are and then start learning them. Having a target to work towards will make it easier for you to know when you’ve reached your goal.

Find support! Find a community (like BreakDiving.io) or mentor that you can help guide you and can help answer your questions. Learning something new can be tough and having support can give you the push you need to keep trying.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

I recommend:

React Documentation. The React documentation has a great tutorial to teach you how to use React – https://reactjs.org/tutorial/tutorial.htm

The Beginner’s Guide to React. Learn from one of the best React developers in the industry, Kent C. Dodds. This course teaches you the basics and gives you a solid foundation to creating React apps the right way. https://egghead.io/courses/the-beginner-s-guide-to-react

Free Code Camp. Free Code Camp – Free Code Camp has an introductory section about React. It is not very in depth, so it must be supplemented with other material. https://www.freecodecamp.org/

Resource 1: Break Diving's H.A.C.K.ers Group - Many members work with React and can help you.

Resource 2: React Docs - Read these

Resource 3: Beginner's Guide - Learn the basics.

Resource 4: Free Code Camp - Learn the very very basics.

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

Learning React was difficult for me, especially because I had a time limit. My learning felt rushed, because I had to turn projects by certain deadlines.

I learned a lot, but I really recommend digging deep and spending your time to learn the material, slowly and methodically.

I remember running into one of the difficult challenges that came with one of the projects that I was required to complete — using information from two APIs to display information and make things work.

I had to read through the documentation of the two APIs and ended up asking for guidance to complete the project.

The problem was more of a JavaScript problem than a React problem and knowing JavaScript would have helped me complete the problem quicker. Luckily, I got it to work before the deadline and completed my nanodegree!

But as I said before: before trying to learn React, learn Javascript.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

Please review my front end nanodegree certificate:

You can also view the Robofriends React App that I created here: https://argyrisileana.com/robofriends/

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Yes! I will definitely be pursuing the next level for this dive. It has been a few years since I worked with React and it has changed quite a bit since then. I look forward to learning more and creating more involved React apps! I want to learn Gatsby, which is a static website generator based on React.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Ileana Argyris is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Coder - React - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 58

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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