This is helpful, thank you. We're not a small startup by any means--we are a company that predates the Internet by about 100 years, literally--but we are a small team (seven devs).
Do you have a formalized pair programming process, or is it just "Hey, who can help me with this?" We're the latter, and while people often try their best, it usually devolves into "Let me do this for you".
It depends a lot on the company and the team but I think instead of just the new dev shouting out "Can anyone help me?", there would be a senior dev dedicated to you. That way that person knows it's her/his job to help you out and it's okay if that means you don't get so much done. At the same time other people on the team will be able to focus on their work.
Sadly, while question-asking is encouraged, question-answering is not. I can't count how many times I've asked something--to the group as a whole or to an individual--and it's just been ignored.
Do you find the "sink or swim" the best technique, or just the way it's done?
Does everyone have someone they know they can go to for questions? I've had times where asking a question to a group, it could be ignored (everyone assumes someone else will take care of it). But if you can have a one-on-one with someone, I haven't had those instances ignored.
That's just how it's been done. I do think, though, the best way to learn a system is to work on internal, non-critical projects.
I wish you the best of luck. I would donate gladly except healthy gay men can still not donate blood or marrow, despite there being no medical reasoning behind that. I'm sorry for your situation.
First off, $5000/week?!? I clearly need to get better at this fast. Thanks so much for your detailed response; posting this was a shot in the dark that I'd get anything at all.
So, I'd be working on this part-time at best. I have a day job and a life, so my time is limited. I use the Seinfeld method of productivity so I can guarantee that I will work for at least 15 minutes a day, but for many days that will be it.
I'm still learning a lot--here's the most complicated app I've made to date: https://github.com/pnichols104/guess_who/commits?author=pnic.... It's a guessing game app; you get a picture and four multiple-choices to identify it. I started in March and am just about done. This one is much more complex and I have a lot to learn about it. Although I've been developing for 3-4 years, I started iOS development about a year ago.
I couldn't possibly charge him $2000/week. Honestly, I was going to charge him a flat rate for the project (which if I could finish in three months, I'd be very proud of myself) and was wondering if $1000 total was too high! Given the specs I listed, which is pretty much all I know so far, what would you think is a fair price for the whole thing?
Will there be a recording of this somewhere? Would love to watch it but not available at this time.
In other news, I'm desperately trying to find some part-time freelance work. I'm a Python/Django dev with 4 years experience that leans a little more heavily on front-end. Ideally would like a mentor-type relationship where I can work with someone more experienced. If anyone has any leads or would like to chat, I'd be much obliged! https://www.linkedin.com/in/pnichols104https://github.com/pnichols104
Yeah, must suck to have your life ruined and be denied opportunities based on your actions rather than your gender, race, or orientation like all us non-white non-straight non-males have to deal with. "Why can't I just be allowed to be terrible to other people without fear of criticism?!?"
Ugh... I'm 36 and--according to Timehop on Facebook--just hit my 3 year anniversary of "Hmm, I wonder what it would be like to learn to code"? I have a good web developer job, but I hear everything you're saying. I feel the same way, and for people who say "age is just a number," yeah, sure, but it really can be grating to have to constantly be asking kids 10-15 years younger than me for help. I could have written your post--I'm literally procrastinating right now by writing this (despite having a million things to do and accomplishing NOTHING today) and I had to convince myself not to just walk out of my job in frustration an hour ago.
So yeah, no advice to give you other than to tell you that I understand, you're not alone, and let's hang in there together.
Do you have a formalized pair programming process, or is it just "Hey, who can help me with this?" We're the latter, and while people often try their best, it usually devolves into "Let me do this for you".