There’s just something magical about coding with a view, and React Miami fully leaned into that vibe. Set in sunny Miami, FL, this conference felt less like work and more like a developer’s daydream: palm trees, sunshine, and some of the brightest minds in frontend all in one place.

From connecting over cocktails on beautiful rooftops to speaking at the conference and watching a stellar panel that included the creator of React.js, Jordan Walke, React Miami was the spring break trip I needed as a developer.

In this recap, I’m sharing all the highlights from my favorite tech talks to behind-the-scenes moments you didn’t see on stage, and why I think you should come and code in paradise next year.

🌴 React Miami: Spring Break for Developers

React Miami is a two-day web development conference focused on React.js, hosted in the gorgeous city of Miami, Florida. The conference brings together developers of all levels through a mix of sessions, panels, and interactive game shows. It’s a single-track conference that ensures excitement with each new speaker, sponsor, and evening event.

I attended React Miami for the first time last year, and seeing it grow into a sold-out event this year was such a full-circle moment. The venue was nestled right on the Miami River, so while most tech folks are told to “go touch grass,” I was outside watching yachts float by between sessions.

The magic of React Miami isn’t just the sunshine. It’s the heart behind it. Co-organizers Michelle Bakels and Gabe Greenberg crafted a lineup and experience that wasn’t just educational, but deeply community-driven. I spoke with tons of attendees, some at their first React Miami, and others at their first-ever tech conference, and the consensus was clear: we’re already counting down to next year*.*

🎤 Styled, SASSy, and On Stage

At React Miami, I had the opportunity to deliver my talk, "Styled & SASSy: Choosing the Right Styling Solution," live and in person, and it was just as exciting the second time around. With React 19 on the horizon, Tailwind v4 freshly released, and Styled Components officially shifting to maintenance mode, the timing couldn’t have been better to explore the current state of styling in React.

I first debuted this talk a few months ago at Commit Your Code, but these recent shifts in the ecosystem gave me a reason to dig even deeper and refresh everything with the most up-to-date info I could find.

Between working on large enterprise apps, maintaining a design system, and experimenting with my own projects, I know how overwhelming choosing a styling approach can be. This talk stemmed from that exact feeling of being stuck in decision paralysis, but it evolved into something much more: a guide to help others confidently choose what works best for their app. It’s easily one of my favorite talks I’ve ever given, and twenty-two minutes barely scratched the surface.

Missed it? You can check out my slides and dive into the GitHub repo I created to compare CSS Modules, Tailwind, and Styled Components. (I’ll update this post once the video goes live!)

💖 React Miami is For the Girls

As a woman in tech, it’s rare that I attend large developer events and feel truly seen. But you know what? React Miami is for the girlies! This conference radiated warmth, visibility, and inclusion from the stage to the swag bags. Here are some of my favorite tech girly moments from React Miami:

Seeing women on stage

Some of the most insightful, inspiring moments came from the incredible women who brought their knowledge (and style!) to the stage:

• Madison Kanna was one half of the welcoming MC duo, bringing both hype and high fashion.

• Jovonne Cameron walked us through her $50,000 mistake and how to avoid it with better React state management.
  Jemima Abu reminded us that sometimes, less JavaScript is more.
  Isabela McLenachen showed us how to implement automated accessibility testing to build apps everyone can use.
  Leah Thompson demoed how to move faster with InertiaJS.

• Aileen Villanueva Lecuona wowed us with ways to use WebAI to create smarter user experiences.

• Julissa Rodriguez walked us through building scalable full-stack apps—without stressing over infrastructure.

• Samhitha Rama Prasad taught us how to build a rock-solid permissions system in React.

Not just seen – included

I love how welcoming and inclusive this community was. I met too many kind, warm, and welcoming folks to count. I met so many kind, warm, and brilliant folks, some familiar faces, and many new ones. If you’ve ever hesitated to attend an in-person event because you weren’t sure you’d belong, I promise: React Miami sees you. React Miami welcomes you.

Cute Goodies

Part of going to a tech event means you’ll get swag. I’m a sucker for a soft t-shirt or cozy pair of socks, but they have a tendency to be plain black or neutral colors. React Miami’s signature color is a gorgeous and bright hot pink, and I was so excited to see everyone embrace it! From hot pink sunglasses from Auth0 to the cutest fanny pack/belt bags from Clerk and even homemade React Miami cookies by Israa Taha, there was no shortage of cute (and delicious) goodies to bring home.

And while the talks were amazing, some of the most unforgettable moments didn’t happen on stage. They happened in the hallways, at sponsor booths, and between sessions. Let’s talk about the hallway track.

✨ The People Made the Magic

Some of my favorite moments didn’t happen in front of slides. They happened in the in-between. The hallway track was where the magic unfolded: spontaneous conversations with folks I’ve followed online for years, meeting new friends while grabbing brunch, and getting introduced to incredible developers at sponsor booths. Evenings on rooftops always ended with laughter, and it reminded me how much value there is in just being present. React Miami wasn’t just about the content. It was about connection.

Just when I thought the week couldn’t get any better… I ended up behind the mic for a special podcast recording that made the whole experience even more unforgettable.

🍹Rum, React, and Ramblings

I was so excited when the team behind Whiskey, Web, and Whatnot invited me to join them for a special podcast recording. Our themed episode, Rum, React, and Ramblings, was an absolute blast! I got to sit down with Chuck Carpenter and Aaron Francis to sip rum and chat about everything from styling in React to discovering new places through food. It was the perfect post-talk activity, riding that post-speaker adrenaline and having some real, relaxed conversation. I’ll be sure to share the episode once it’s live, but in the meantime, if you haven’t listened to the podcast yet, now’s the time to change that!

🌇 Sunset Summary

React Miami wasn’t just a conference. It was a vibe, a vacation, and a validation all rolled into one. From giving one of my favorite talks to meeting incredible people, recording a podcast, and learning so much about the React ecosystem, this trip gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. I left feeling inspired, connected, and so deeply grateful for the growing, welcoming community that makes spaces like this feel like home. Until next time, Miami—you were magic. ✨

Conference season is officially here—and we’re blasting off with a strong start. Epic Web Conf 2025 wasn’t just my first conference of the year—it was one I’d been counting down to for months. And it delivered.

From emceeing for the very first time (I'm still not over how special that was!) to attending every single talk in this one-track experience, Epic Web Conf was both energizing and deeply grounding.

In this recap, I’m sharing what makes this conference so unique, the behind-the-scenes emceeing, a few standout talks, and why I think Epic Web Conf deserves a spot on your calendar next year.

🚀 Liftoff: Kicking Off Epic Web Conf 2025

Epic Web Conf is a two-day, full-stack web development conference tucked into the stunning mountain backdrop of Salt Lake City, Utah. Put on by the team behind the Epic Stack and led by Kent C. Dodds, the conference brings together web devs of all levels to learn, connect, and build. It’s a mix of hands-on workshops, inspiring keynotes, and tech talks that cover everything from the latest updates to the Epic Stack, to harnessing AI as a developer, to leveling up your networking game.

As a React developer, I left every session with either a new piece of technical insight or a burst of motivation I couldn’t wait to bring back to my work. There's something electric about being surrounded by people genuinely excited about building for the web—and Epic Web Conf captured that energy perfectly.

One of my favorite parts of any conference is the people! Epic Web Conf was a cozy, one-track event, and that’s what made it special. Instead of rushing between tracks or choosing what to miss, everyone shared the same moments. It made bumping into new friends and reconnecting with old ones effortless. A big reason those connections felt so natural? The single-track format.

🛸 One Track, One Mission

One of the best things about Epic Web Conf? It was a single-track event, which means every talk happened on the same stage, in the same room, for everyone. If you’ve ever been to a multi-track conference, you know how tough it can be to choose between overlapping sessions. The single-track setup removes that stress entirely—you don’t have to worry about what you're missing. You can just be fully present.

And that presence paid off! Being in the same space for every talk created this shared rhythm, where little moments turned into inside jokes and big moments became collective inspiration. One of my favorites? Aaron Francis dropped the now-iconic line, “You can just do things,” and it echoed through nearly every talk after his (as it should have—it was that good).

That shared experience builds a different kind of energy. You could feel the support ripple through the room, especially when two first-time speakers—Leah Thompson and Dev Neill—gave their talks. The cheers, the claps, the heartfelt encouragement… it was community in action, and it was beautiful.

👩🏾‍🚀 Emcee Mode Activated

📸 Photo by Mark Techson

One of the biggest reasons I was so excited about Epic Web Conf was because I had the honor of being one of two emcees! It was such a hallmark moment in my career—and honestly, I still can’t believe it happened. I started my public speaking journey just last July, and in less than a year, I’ve given eight talks… and now I’ve emceed a conference. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity and glad I got to share it with the Epic Web Conf community.

What made it even more special was my co-emcee, Taylor Desseyn! He’s hilarious and full of vibrant energy, and together, we helped set a fun, welcoming vibe for the entire event. There were multiple moments when I had to catch my breath from laughing so hard on stage. One of those moments? My spontaneous karaoke debut. We wanted to announce the evening karaoke party in a fun way, which led to me singing the first verse of Defying Gravity from Wicked—live, on stage, in front of everyone. To this day, I’m still not sure how I found the courage to do it, but it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

As someone who’s only ever done 30–45 minute tech talks before, I wasn’t sure what to expect from emceeing, but I ended up loving it. It pushed me to be more spontaneous and creative in the moment. The biggest shift was in how I prepared. As a speaker, I come in with a full talk, slides, and a fixed plan. As an emcee, I prepared by getting to know the speakers, but most of the magic happened live, responding to the moment and helping transition between talks in a way that kept the energy high.

Case in point? The singing. If that had been planned ahead of time, I definitely would’ve chickened out. Emceeing challenged me in the best way—and I hope I get the chance to do it again. But beyond what happened on stage, it was the people and the learning that really made this conference unforgettable. So, after all that, you might be wondering—should you go?

💫 What Made Epic Web Conf…Well, Epic

The thing that makes in-person tech events truly special? Always the people. Whether it’s making new friends over breakfast or singing your heart out at karaoke with old ones, it’s that real-world sense of community that keeps me coming back. It’s why I push myself to step out of my comfort zone and show up in person—because the connections are always worth it.

But the vibes weren’t the only thing that made this conference epic—I also left with a ton of new technical knowledge. Conferences are all about sharing what we know and growing together, and Epic Web Conf absolutely delivered. Every single talk left me with something new to think about. Here are just a few highlights:

1. Annie Sexton gave a fantastic talk on The Origin of JavaScript. I learned so much about the early days of the language and the infamous browser wars, but what really stuck with me was her storytelling. The way she brought history to life with humor and energy had me thinking, how can I make people feel like this when I present? I walked away feeling completely inspired.

2. Dev Neill helped us with “vibe coding” —and honestly, it’s here to stay. He built and deployed an entire web app in just 20 minutes using Cursor, helping users find dinner spots based on their location. It was a perfect example of how thoughtful prompting and planning can make AI a powerful tool in your workflow, not just a novelty.

3. I’m a sucker for a good design systems talk, and Eva Ferreira did not disappoint. After working on a design system, I love seeing how she approaches the process. Her talk explored how to know if your project needs a design system, how to build it incrementally, and how to create a feedback loop to stay useful and developer-friendly.

Whether learning from the stage or cheering from the sidelines, every moment at Epic Web Conf made me feel more connected to the tech and the people building it.

👩🏾‍💻 Should You Go? (Spoiler: Yes!)

If you're a web developer who loves to learn, connect, and grow (so… all of us?), you should absolutely add Epic Web Conf to your calendar next year! Whether you're deep into your frontend journey or just starting to explore the full stack, there's something here for you.

The cozy, single-track format is perfect for first-time conference goers, introverts, or anyone who wants to focus more on the talks and connections—and less on making tough scheduling decisions. It’s the environment where you can actually talk to people, follow up on a speaker’s point in the hallway, and leave feeling like you’ve made real connections instead of just collecting stickers and swag.

If you’re looking for a conference that blends high-quality technical content with genuine community vibes (plus karaoke, obviously), Epic Web Conf is it.

✨ Until the Next Launch

Epic Web Conf 2025 wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was a reminder of how powerful it is to gather in person, learn from one another, and celebrate the magic of building for the web. From emceeing my first conference to soaking up inspiring talks and late-night karaoke memories, every part of this experience filled my cup.

Huge thank you to the organizers, speakers, and everyone who made this event so special. I’m walking away with new knowledge, new friends, and a full heart. If you missed this year’s event, you can watch the full conference stream on YouTube! If you’re looking for a conference that blends technical excellence with genuine connection, I hope to see you at Epic Web Conf next year—maybe even on stage again. 😉

You want to learn to code at the prospect of a new career, a better income, increased flexibility, or another perk. That excitement fuels your endless research into in-demand programming languages and roles you could picture yourself in. You've gathered learning resources and prepared for the journey ahead. And then, in no time...you're learning to code!

There's a learning curve, but you welcome the challenge. You push through with a smile because the goal is within sight. But as concepts get tougher, projects more daunting, and life starts interfering, the reward for your hard work begins to feel distant. You might find less time to study or struggle with complex topics, leading to shorter or skipped study sessions. Your desire to become a software engineer hasn’t changed, but the initial motivation isn’t what it once was.

This is a cycle many developers know well. Excitement and motivation will come and go. Discipline is what keeps you going through challenging moments when you can’t see the finish line, but trust your effort will pay off. Building discipline doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s essential for achieving the progress you’re aiming for.

Welcome to your roadmap for consistent coding! Your version of consistent coding might not look like someone else’s—and that’s okay. Every developer's journey is unique. This framework will help you build sustainable coding habits that fit your life. We'll walk through creating your study plan, maintaining concentration, and tracking your progress.

It’s All About the Plan

Consistency starts with creating a plan and sticking to it. If you're anything like me, you may have created a "plan" to code for at least one hour every single day. It was easy to tell myself I would find the time to do it without assessing my schedule. This led to missed study sessions when different life factors arose, making it harder to get back on track. Creating a plan only helps if it fits your life and working style.

Creating consistency is a process, and understanding what it looks like for you means taking an honest assessment of a few factors. I recommend creating a weekly plan that's revisited regularly where I can answer the questions:

• What are my biggest obligations this week?

• How much time per day can I commit to coding?

• What do I plan to accomplish this week? (Finishing a course, completing a feature on a project, passing a practice test for a certification)

• How am I feeling? Do I feel like I may be feeling signs of burnout?

Mapping out your priorities and commitments for the week will give you a clear picture of the time you can dedicate to coding. You may not have hours to spend each day, but there are ways to get creative with time. This may include studying on a lunch break or your daily commute.

❌ Instead of:

I'm going to code for one hour every single day

✅ Try:

Monday - Wednesday: 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Thursday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch break)

Friday: Rest

Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00 PM

Creating a schedule of time dedicated to uninterrupted coding removes the guesswork from your routine and makes it easier to stay committed. This helps you prioritize coding as part of your weekly structure rather than an afterthought. By setting realistic and flexible time blocks, you’re not just making a plan—you’re setting yourself up for sustainable, long-term progress while allowing room for life’s unexpected moments.

Make It A Date

After creating your weekly schedule, take it one step further by making it official. Using your favorite calendar application, add your study blocks to the calendar. Even if your coding time for the day is 30 minutes, lock that time in! Adding study time to your calendar reinforces its importance in your routine. With a reminder prompting you to honor your commitment, you'll find it easier to decide to work toward your goals and stay consistent.

Be Intentional About What You’re Going to Work On

With your schedule set and locked into your calendar, it's time to plan your session. Don’t wait until your coding session begins to decide what you’ll work on, as analysis paralysis can steal valuable time. Having a set structure and plan allows you to start your study session knowing your goals and takeaways.

Use your favorite calendar or to-do list app to plan your sessions. I love planning in Notion, but recently, I've enjoyed the simplicity of Google Calendar. I create events for my study sessions and use tasks to list out everything I want to achieve during that time, such as watching tutorials, practicing LeetCode, or working on projects. This practice helps you develop the habit of breaking problems down into the smallest, manageable pieces to tackle.

When planning your tasks, be sure to leave some flexibility. This helps prevent a backlog of unfinished tasks from piling up between sessions. For example, when creating tasks for video tutorials, I limit myself to 30 minutes of video time per hour. This allows time to take notes, code along, and rewatch portions if needed.

Add Pockets of Joy to Coding Sessions

Learning a new skill and reaching your goals doesn’t have to be boring! Make your coding sessions something you look forward to. Treat yourself to a special drink or snack when you code, or create a playlist that helps you focus. Adding small joys to your study sessions can make them feel less like a chore and more like a highlight of your day.

I recently discovered the concept of a dopamine menu. This approach involves planning activities that boost dopamine throughout the day to stay motivated and engaged. By categorizing activities based on time commitment, you can sprinkle them throughout your day for consistent enjoyment. Creating my own dopamine menu has reminded me to take breaks during long work sessions, which is crucial when tackling mentally demanding tasks like learning to code. If you want to learn more about dopamine menus and how to create your own, check out this article from ADDitude or see mine on TikTok.

Focus Focus Focus

Distractions are everywhere—our phones, social media, and surroundings all compete for our attention. While it’s impossible to remove every distraction, there are some you can control. For example, if you have an iPhone, create custom focus modes for your coding time. This minimizes noise from social media notifications and emails, while still allowing specific contacts to reach you if needed. If you need an extra push, try using the Screen Time feature to block distracting apps during your sessions. And if you’re tempted to reach for your phone, placing it across the room—or even in another room—can make a big difference. You deserve uninterrupted coding time!

Other factors that can be distracting are the room’s lighting and noise level. Choose a quiet space or use noise-canceling headphones to minimize interruptions. Soft lighting can also help reduce glare and create a comfortable, focused environment. By creating a distraction-free space, you can stay fully immersed in your coding, making your study time more productive and enjoyable.

Journal Your Progress

If you're not documenting what you're learning on your journey, it can be easy to forget how far you've come. I recommend journaling or documenting your progress weekly or biweekly. Your journal doesn’t need to be physical—digital options like your phone’s Notes app, an audio journal, or even a GitHub README diary work just as well.

Here are some ideas for your journal entries:

• Summaries of what you've learned

• Things you hope to learn

• Milestones and personal wins

• Feedback or advice you've received and how it influenced your learning

• Current questions you have

• Concepts you don't quite understand

Journaling helps you track your progress and serves as a source of motivation during tough times. Reflecting on your journey will boost your confidence, remind you of how far you've come, and keep you inspired as you push forward.

Get An Accountability Buddy

Learning to code can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! Finding a study and accountability buddy can make a huge difference in your coding journey. Don't just study together! Have regular pairing sessions where you teach each other parts of what you've learned can reinforce your knowledge.

I don't know about you, but simply telling someone you’ll do something adds extra pressure to follow through. Accountability can be a powerful motivator to stay on track with your coding goals. Think of it as a team effort. When you feel stuck, your buddy can provide guidance or encouragement. And when one of you reaches a milestone, you both get to share in the win.

If you’re unsure where to find a study buddy, join online coding communities or local coding meetups. Many developers are on the same journey and would welcome a partnership for mutual accountability and support. Having an accountability buddy transforms solo study time into a collaborative, enjoyable experience that keeps you committed and motivated.

Don’t Stop, Keep Going!

Consistency in learning to code isn’t just about sheer determination; it’s about creating a system that works for you and making your coding journey enjoyable and sustainable. From setting up a personalized study plan and blocking out dedicated time to journaling your progress and finding an accountability buddy, each step you take brings you closer to your goals. Remember that your version of consistent coding might look different from others, and that’s okay! It’s your journey, and what matters most is that you keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Building habits and maintaining discipline don’t happen overnight. It’s a process that requires patience, reflection, and adaptability. Celebrate your small wins, stay flexible, and don’t forget to add a little joy to your study sessions. Whether it’s a favorite drink, a curated playlist, or sharing your progress with a friend, these little things make a big difference.

Keep going! Stay committed, be kind to yourself, and trust that your hard work will pay off. Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come on your coding journey.

You've got this!

I found myself trapped in this loop until I learned a secret that made things a little easier. The experience requirement on job listings is not always restricted to traditional employment! Let's discuss a few ways to gain experience that will help you land your first role as a software engineer.

1. Build A Developer Portfolio with Your Best Projects

"Build projects." It's a common piece of advice I'm sure you've heard at one point or another. While you may think it's overused, building projects is a great way to learn. Not only is it a great way to learn, but it is also a good way to show prospective clients or employers what you know. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and the same is true on your coding journey.

You don't need dozens of projects in your portfolio to show mastery in your skillset. The handful of projects you do have should be well-crafted and relevant to the role you're applying for. Your projects are an opportunity for you to stand out in the candidate pool! It's not what you create - it's how you created it. The subject matter of the project is just the vessel that will deliver you fantastic skills.

2. Contribute to Open Source Projects

Contributing to open-source projects is a fantastic way to gain experience working on a team even before you land your first role. Open source projects are community-led projects that accept work from the greater coding community. You don’t have to be a member of the organization to participate in code contribution.

When contributing to open-source projects, you’ll accept an issue/request and open a pull request for your work. After opening a pull request, other developers on the project will review your code to ensure it meets the project's standards for merging. This replicates what you will experience during your first engineering role (minus meetings).

I highly recommend contributing to an open-source project if you’re looking for ways to set yourself apart! If you’re interested in starting, but not exactly sure where to start, here are a few places:

• Awesome First PR Opportunities

  A repo dedicated open-source projects that have good opportunities for anyone looking to get their first PR into an open-source project. It also notates the issue flag you should look for in the repo when looking for issues

• From Zero to Hero: Quick Tips to Navigating Open Source Like a Pro

  This blog post breaks down contributing to open-source projects for absolute beginners.

• Complete Guide to Open Souce

  A comprehensive guide by FreeCodeCamp that walks you through contributing to open-source projects for beginners!

3. Participate in Hackathons

Hackathons are a fun way to code for a little cash or other prizes! Hackathons are coding competitions where you create an app to match a theme or solve a problem. Some hackathons take place in person over a day or two, and others are virtual over a few weeks or a month.

Hackathons allow you to show how creative you can solve a problem with code in a relatively short amount of time. They force you to think outside of the box. You may create something you never would have expected. It doesn’t matter if you choose to work solo or with a team, it’s going to be a great learning experience. These projects can be great for your portfolio or just a great resume talking point.

If you’re interested in hackathons, DevPost has a great list of hackathon events! If you don’t find what you’re looking for, a quick Google search for "Hackathons happening soon" will do wonders!

4. Volunteer

Volunteering can be a great (and rewarding) way to gain experience as a developer. There are so many options, but here are a few recommendations.

If you’re interested in coding to help your community, try searching for coding groups in your area. Some cities have coding cohorts that gather to create apps that directly benefit their community. This is a great way to meet and interact with other devs in your area and do a little “social good”.

Another option might be helping a local "mom and pop" business. If you’re a frontend dev, try helping a local business that may need a website (or may need to refresh their website). You may opt for an agreement where you offer a simple website free of charge and they pay for hosting. This allows you to add real-world projects to your portfolio and start collecting testimonials.

Even though you may be looking for your first software engineering role, it doesn't mean you lack experience. Experience comes in many forms! It all comes down to how you present that experience on your resume and in interviews.

Thank you for reading! I hope this article was informative or entertaining (or both)! If you liked this post, feel free to like and follow me on my socials around the web.

1. Frontend Mentor

Frontend Mentor allows you to strengthen your frontend development skills by creating real-world projects. They provide a project brief and assets for each challenge so you can focus on the code - not the design. There are also tips for how you can challenge yourself with each project. Once you’re complete with your project, submit it for peer review and learn from other developers on the platform. There’s a Slack community where you can connect and learn from other developers.

2. DevChallenges

Dev Challenges is a great resource for both frontend and full-stack developers. It includes three tracks: responsive web developer, frontend developer, and full stack developer. Each contains a variety of projects specific to that skill set.

For each project, you’re given different user stories to help guide your development. From there, it’s your choice to select your tools and where to start! Once you’re done with the project, submit your solution for peer review or join the Dev Challenges discord to discuss your projects.

3. Project Learn

Project Learn is a library full of web dev, mobile dev, game dev, and machine learning projects! Select projects by the type of development or by the programming language you would like to use. This library contains both videos and articles to guide you through creating over 100 different projects!

4. Frontend Practice

Frontend Practice challenges developers to replicate websites from real companies. Replicating all (or parts) of these websites is a great way to practice the skill of bringing a web design to life. Use basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript or your favorite frameworks to get build these sites and see how close you get to the original design.

5. JavaScript30

JavaScript 30 helps developers learn JavaScript by completing 30 projects within 30 days. These projects will help you solidify your fundamental JavaScript knowledge and help you practice with CSS, integrating audio and video, and more! These projects don’t require frameworks or libraries, so they are truly beginner friendly!

6. ✨ A Bonus Tip

Just because you've completed the requirements for a project, don't stop! These are great projects to practice your creativity and add to your developer portfolio. Many of the frontend projects are shells. Remove the stub or dummy data and find a free, open-source API to integrate into your project to push it to the next level. Look for different ways to make these projects your own!

Thank you for reading! I hope this article was informative or entertaining (or both)! If you liked this post, feel free to like and follow me on my socials around the web.

These are some of my favorite resources specifically for coding interviews. You may not need every item on this list, so feel free to pick the ones that will enhance your interview experience.

1. Practice Data Structures & Algorithms and System Design

💻 Cracking the Coding Interview | 💸 $39.95

A walkthrough and deep dive of 189 data structures & algorithms technical interview questions

💻 Technical Interview Handbook | 💸 Free

Guided behavioral and technical interview prep that includes data structure & algorithm prep, resume guides, and salary negotiation advice

💻 System Design Primer | 💸 Free

Learn the ins and outs of building scalable systems

💻 FullStack Cafe | 💸 Free Tier & Pro ($69/lifetime access)

Questions, answers, and explanations to the most common full stack and mobile dev, data structure, and system design interview questions

💻 Tech Dev Guide: Interview Prep by Google | 💸 Free

Interview prep materials and coding questions previously used during Google's hiring process

💻 Tech Mock Interview | 💸 Varies

Technical and behavioral interviews with experts at top tech companies

💻 Hiring Without Whiteboards | 💸 Free

Technical and behavioral interviews with experts at top tech companies

💻 Grokking Dynamic Programming Patterns for Coding Interviews | 💸 Educative.io membership ($59/monthly OR $199/annually)

Learn to solve dynamic programming problems and identify dynamic programming patterns for coding interviews

💻 Grokking the System Design Interview | 💸 Educative.io membership ($59/monthly OR $199/annually)

Learn and practice modern system design to prepare for coding interviews

💻 Ace the Coding Interview | 💸 Educative.io membership ($59/monthly OR $199/annually)

Get ready for technical interviews within your niche of software engineering with these comprehensive interview prep courses

• Ace the JavaScript Coding Interview

• Ace the Java Coding Interview

• Ace the Python Coding Interview

• Ace the C++ Coding Interview

• Ace the Frontend Interview

2. Practice Coding

💻 HackerRank | 💸 Free

Practice solving coding problems with data structures and algorithms

💻 LeetCode | 💸 Free Tier & Pro ($35/monthly OR $159/annually)

Practice solving coding problems with data structures and algorithms

💻 Great Frontend | 💸 Multiple plans available - $29/month, $128/lifetime

Gear up for frontend development interviews with frontend technical challenges, curated study plans, and interview simulation

💻 Frontend Mentor | 💸 Free Tier & Pro ($96/annually OR $12/monthly)

Practice using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frontend frameworks with FrontendMentor. They provide the design and assets, you provide the code.

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1. Human Resource Machine

Human Resource Machine is a fun game for those who know how to code, and those who would like to learn. In Human Resource Machine, you plan as a corporate worker bee who's job is inbox/outbox management. This puzzle game requires players to think critically by creating groups of instructions that transform and manipulate numbers. The fun is in creating instructions without having to worry about language specific syntax.

Link: Human Resource Machine on Steam - $14.99

2. Elevator Saga

Have you ever been standing and waiting for an elevator to come? Did you think about what could be taking it so long to come? Elevator Saga allows players to use JavaScript to program a bank of elevators. Given many scenarios, how efficient can you make your elevators? Show off your skills by transporting as many people as you can in the shortest time possible.

Link: Elevator Saga - FREE

3. SQL Murder Mystery

There's been a murder in SQL City! The SQL Murder Mystery Game is a self-directed lesson to learn SQL concepts and commands. It's also a fun game for experiences SQL newbies and experts alike. This game will have players crafting queries to create clues to figure out whodunit. Will you figure out who the culprit is?

Link: SQL Murder Mystery - FREE

4. CSS Diner

Hungry to learn CSS? CSS Diner is the perfect place to start. CSS Diner is a game where players learn how to use different CSS selectors. Combine multiple selectors to grab specific items on your table. Learn how to select elements by their tag, with pseudo classes, and their attributes. CSS Diner also serves as a great visual reference sheet when you need a reminder of what selectors do.

Link: CSS Diner - FREE

5. Flexbox Froggy

Flexbox Froggy is one of the cutest games that will help players understand CSS flexbox. The goal of this game is to align each froggy in a particular way on the screen. The 24 levels will test your understanding of different flexbox properties, how they work individually, and how they work together.

Link: Flexbox Froggy - FREE

6. Lightbot

Lightbot is a cute and easy to approach mobile game where your goal is to help Lightbot strategically turn on lights. This game requires players to use commands to create procedures, use form loops, and play with conditionals to help Lightbot traverse the playing field. This game may be geared towards kids, but will provide a challenge for adults as well.

Link: Lightbot - $2.99

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Create your own game of Mad Libs with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through creating the Mad Libs form to accept user input, styling an HTML form, then accepting and generating a string based on form data!

What is Mad Libs?

Mad Libs are stories with words removed and replaced by blank spaces. Each player fills in the blanks for a fun story! Make sure to think outside the box. The wackier, the better! This game is fun for children and adults alike.

How is the game played?

Mad Libs is a simple game that only requires users to fill out a form. Once the form has been completed, a story (with their inputs) is created!

Mad Libs is an awesome project for new developers because it allows you to practice creating and styling HTML form elements, work with user input, and insert elements into the DOM with JavaScript.

✨ For a step-by-step video tutorial, you can watch the full tutorial on my YouTube channel.

✨ For a guided step-by-step document, check out the project wiki.

✨ To see the completed code, check out the Mad Libs Github Repo.

✨ Click here for a live demo of Mad Libs in action!

I would love to see your version of Mad Libs! If you create your own version, leave a link in a comment below.

Thank you for reading! I hope this article was informative or entertaining (or both)! If you liked this post, feel free to like and follow me on my socials around the web.