Lessons Learned Along the Way From Crafting My Portfolio
Over the past few months, I embarked on a new journey—from learning coding to creating my portfolio from scratch. In this blog post, I will share my experiences, challenges, and lessons.
My journey into coding began with curiosity sparked by the seamless integration of technology and design in marketing. I enrolled in a coding boot camp, diving into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It was a roller coaster ride—as a complete beginner, the hurdles (coding from scratch, syntax errors, refactoring, and debugging) were daunting! Nonetheless, I survived this journey and emerged stronger, armed with new knowledge.
As I improved my coding skills, I built a portfolio from scratch because I wanted complete control over how every element looked.
Here are some lessons I learned:
1. Planning is key.
One of the most crucial lessons I learned was the importance of meticulous planning. Building a portfolio involves more than just writing code and creating content. It requires thoughtful consideration of the user experience—what content users find most engaging, how they navigate from one section to another, and strategically placing calls to action to capture leads. Planning the layout helped me identify fixed components versus reusable ones, streamlining the development process and ensuring consistency across the portfolio.
2. Determination and Perseverance
Throughout this journey, determination and perseverance were my constant companions. From tackling codes to refining design elements, every setback was an opportunity to learn and grow. Embracing the iterative nature of development allowed me to push through obstacles and achieve milestones I once found daunting.
3. There is more than one solution.
Another valuable lesson was embracing the diversity of solutions available. Just as there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution in coding, crafting the user flow of my portfolio and integrating it with my main blog required a similar mindset. I had to consider various factors—such as content accessibility, intuitive navigation, and seamless integration between platforms—to ensure a cohesive and engaging experience for visitors. This involved testing different layouts, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs to optimize usability and achieve my goal of creating a unified digital presence.
Reflecting on this journey, several key lessons stand out. Firstly, embracing coding as a marketer broadened my skill set, enabling me to bridge the gap between creativity and technology. Secondly, the portfolio creation process taught me the importance of determination and perseverance—qualities essential not just in coding but in every aspect of professional growth. Lastly, it reinforced the value of embracing diversity in solutions, fostering a mindset of adaptability and creativity in problem-solving, whether in coding or designing user experiences.
Crafting my portfolio has been a transformative experience, reshaping my career perspective and reaffirming my commitment to continuous learning and growth. I'm excited to share this portfolio with you, inviting you to explore my projects and connect with me on LinkedIn. Thank you for joining me on this journey—I look forward to hearing about your experiences and aspirations.
x, Esther
