Originally published on Hashnode
Six months ago, I was fumbling with CSS margins and wondering if I’d ever “get” this dev thing.
Now? I’ve earned 50+ tech certificates, learned AI and web dev in parallel, and built solid front-end projects.
But here’s the twist — it wasn’t smooth.
I made mistakes. I got tricked. I learned the hard way.
And that’s what this post is really about.
Why I Started This Journey
As a software engineering student, I didn’t want to rely solely on theory.
I craved real, practical skills — something that could turn into projects, internships, or even freelance work.
So I went all in: courses, projects, and what I thought were legit internships.
(Plot twist incoming…)
How I Learned Fast Without Burning Out
- Frontend First, Always
HTML, CSS, JavaScript — practiced by building
Projects: Login pages, landing pages, calculators, portfolios
Focused on clean UI, responsiveness, and real UX
- AI Side by Side
While I built the frontend, I explored AI basics: Python, ML, vision, LLMs
Didn’t “wait to finish” one path before starting another
Just followed curiosity with structure
- Micro Learning, Not Binge Learning
1–2 hours daily > 10 hours once a week
Watched, applied, and repeated — always project-driven
Where I Learned (My Real MVP Platforms)
Platform What I Gained
Coursera AI fundamentals (IBM + Microsoft)
DataCamp Machine Learning, Python, CV
LinkedIn Learning Frontend dev, AI, productivity
Cisco Networking Academy IoT, AI concepts, networking basics
freeCodeCamp Solid JavaScript + practice-based learning
Microsoft Learn Generative AI, Azure, real world prep
Mistakes I Made Early (Read This Twice)
- Joining Fake, Unpaid Internships
Yeah, I fell for it.
I did internships at CodeAlpha and Oasis Infobyte thinking it would be valuable experience.
But here’s the truth:
Tasks were kid-level: calculators, to-do lists, basic HTML stuff
No mentorship, no code review — just submit and move on
Then they asked for money to give me a certificate
(Yup. Total scam.)
Lesson? Don’t waste time in your first year doing unpaid or sketchy internships.
Wait till 2nd or 3rd year, build solid skills first — then go for paid or quality internships from trusted platforms or company connections.
- Focusing on Certificates > Mastery
Early on, I chased shiny certificates.
Now I chase real-world skill and project depth.
50+ certificates helped me explore — but only projects made me grow.
What I’d Do Differently
Skip fake internships — focus on learning and building real stuff
Blog earlier — sharing my journey now gets me noticed
Start small, scale fast — don't wait to be "ready"
Top Skills That Actually Mattered
JavaScript – All real frontend logic starts here
Responsive Design – Mobile-first mindset is key
SEO + UX Thinking – Visibility + usability
Git/GitHub – Non-negotiable for serious devs
Python + AI Basics – Gives you edge in the AI-driven future
What’s Next for Me?
Scaling my e-commerce project (SHAH)
Deeper into APIs, backend, and AI integrations
Only choosing quality internships moving forward
Helping others avoid the scams I fell into
Real Talk for Beginners
You don’t need 10 certificates — you need 2 projects you can talk about
Internships aren’t magical — many are fake. Be picky.
Build in public — your journey helps others and attracts opportunities
Don’t skip fundamentals. But don’t get stuck there either.
Let’s Connect
If you’re just starting or somewhere on the same grind — let’s talk.
Drop a comment with your story or DM me your favorite course/project.
I reply to every real message.just starting or somewhere on the same grind — let’s talk.
Drop a comment with your story or DM me your favorite course/project.
I reply to every real message.
📌 Let’s Connect & Collaborate
✍️ Medium – @syedahmershah
💬 Dev.to – @syedahmershah
🧠 Hashnode – @syedahmershah
💻 GitHub – @ahmershahdev
🔗 LinkedIn – Ahmer Shah
🧭 Beacons — Syed Ahmer Shah
🌐 Portfolio – Website
Thanks for reading! Let’s build something legendary 🚀
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