Project Portfolio: Software Developer

Learn how to build your portfolio fast and easily!

We’re starting a new series #ProjectPortfolio to help you with building your competencies and careers in IT!

When you want to develop a career in IT, no matter if you’re just starting or want to change a direction, learn new technologies – the most important part of this process is building a portfolio of projects that will prove your skills. Remember, a new certificate is often not enough, after obtaining one, you should develop a new project that won’t be just a copy of the courses’ tasks.

That’s why we decided to start a new program #ProjectPortfolio. We will regularly invite you to get inspired and create a new portfolio piece – on your own and without any significant investments. When it comes to finances, that is. The time investment depends just on you and many/how complicated projects you’ll decide to create.

Remember, the best moment to start a new project is always RIGHT NOW!

Let’s do it!

Our first challenge is #ProjectPortfolio of a software developer. In one week!

Or even 20 minutes… don’t believe me? Read on!

There are thousands of articles with tips on how to build the best possible software developer’s portfolio. However, there’s one thing that recruiters look for most and at the same time is the hardest to gain when you’re starting: commercial experience.

Is there any magic trick that can help you? Yes, there is! We’ve consulted it with our mentors who develop software, and we all agree: one of the best portfolio projects are Chrome Extensions.

Chrome Extensions are:

• easy to develop – some take even 20 minutes
• easy to test among real users – you can upload a free or paid version to the Chrome Store and receive feedback on its quality and popularity instantly
• easy to innovate – with such simple apps, the sky is the limit. Instead of redoing tasks from classes, build something fun or practical

Step one: prepare to showcase your portfolio on Github

If you want to showcase your programming portfolio, there’s one place you should be – have your own Github account.

So, before we’ll move to build our portfolio, let’s start first with how to set a new Github account.

If you don’t know what Github is, it provides hosting for software development version control using Git. It also brings together the world’s largest community of developers to discover, share, and build open-source software together.

We’ve chosen for you two great sources:

The first is The Beginners Guide to Git and Github by Freecodecamp.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to check the official guide from Github Getting started with Github.

Aditionally, if you’re a Polish speaker, you can check this article by Flynerd.pl: Git i GitHub dla zielonych: tworzymy pierwsze repozytorium.

Step two: build a Chrome Extension in 20 minutes

A lot of people who are yet to build their portfolio are overwhelmed with the amount of work it would take them. As usual, the first step is the hardest to make. And the first own code is the hardest to write.

That’s why in Project Portfolio we’re helping you to start with easy and quick apps. Because what matters most at this stage is to test your app in real life – check if the users like it, what is their feedback, and then rework (if needed) it accordingly. Obviously presenting all the versions and your process on Github.

For starting we recommend you tutorial by Linda Vivah THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE: Build a simple Chrome Extension in minutes.

If you need some more inspiration, then look no further than Frecodecamp’s tips in How to Create and Publish a Chrome Extension in 20 minutes.

What do they have in common? Both tutorials will show you how to build a working app in less than half an hour!

Yet, we know that for some of you it won’t be enough. Then your next step should be checking Chrome Developer Guide and seeing how far your imagination as to possible functions will take you.

Now all is left is publishing your app in Chrome Web Store! Check the tutorial on publishing free and paid Chrome Extensions and don’t even think about omitting this step. That’s the most important part.

Remember that you’re not alone in this challenge and there are many communities willing to help you. Both here at Geek Girls Carrots in our local groups, as well as in specialized communities like this one on Reddit.

Final step: share your project with us

If you’re doing the challenge right now with us – do share it HERE! If you send us your project till 31st of March 2020 you have a chance to win an IT book and get recognized in our online channels!

Contest T&C:

1. You need to be 18+ and live in Poland.
2. You need to fill the form till March 31st, 2020, 23:59.
3. We will distribute 3 awards (IT books) among 3 projects with the best reviews in Chrome Store.
4. In case none of the submitted projects gets any reviews, the GGC Central Team will vote on their favorite projects.
5. The winners will get notified no later than April 3rd, 2020.
6. Due to the current epidemic situation in Poland we are currently working in home office mode, which means we might have to postpone the delivery of your awards. We’ll keep you informed.