How to Program with Java Podcast

I'm losing software contracts right now, and I want to tell you why. Business owners who would've paid me $10,000 to build them something are telling me they'll just build it themselves with AI. That sounds like bad news for a guy who makes his living writing software, but in this episode I get into why I actually think it's a gift, and what it's telling me about where the real opportunity is heading.
I break down the pricing models I think are dead and the ones I think are about to take off. I talk about why selling software to businesses for $500 a month is a much harder game than it used to be, and why selling to regular people for $5 a month might be where the real money is hiding over the next five years. I also get into why paid advertising falls apart at those low price points, and what you have to do instead.
I share the actual marketing plan I'm using for the app I'm building right now (it starts with my neighborhood group chat), why I think your wife or your neighbor is probably a better customer than a business owner, and the one metric you should be watching instead of listening to what your friends say about your product. If you've been sitting on a software idea and wondering whether it's worth building, this one's for you.
Topics covered:
Why business owners are canceling software subscriptions and building their own with AI
The pricing model I think is dead, and the two replacing it
Why selling software to businesses is suddenly a much harder game
The consumer market opportunity that was a bad bet for years and is suddenly wide open
Why paid advertising falls apart at $5 a month price points
How virality can replace advertising when your product actually solves a real problem
The baby sleep app thought experiment that explains consumer virality
My actual marketing plan for the app I'm building (hint: it starts at school pickup)
Why you should never trust your friends' compliments about your product
The one metric that matters more than anything anyone says out loud
 
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Why I'm losing contracts to AI
05:16 How to compete on extreme automation
07:17 Charging by outcome instead of per-seat
14:29 The case for consumer software over business software
27:40 Why paid ads won't save a $5-a-month product
32:18 Virality: how the right product markets itself
38:40 My actual marketing plan (starting with my neighborhood)
46:37 Build apps you actually use yourself
49:27 Don't trust compliments, watch the usage data
Questions or thoughts? Email me at trevor@coderscampus.com

It's been over a year since my last episode, and I owe you an update. In this episode, I get real about what happened with the Coders Campus coding bootcamp — why we had to shut down new admissions, and what led to that decision.
But it's not all bad news. I also share what I've been doing since then: going all-in on AI-powered software development, landing the highest-paying contract of my entire career, and building 15+ applications in about 12 months — including a platform that generated nearly half a million dollars in revenue.
I break down exactly how I'm building software today using Claude Code and Codex, why your opinion about AI-generated code might be wrong if you haven't used these tools, and why I believe the role of a software developer has fundamentally changed.
Topics covered:
Why the Coders Campus bootcamp shut down
How AI transformed my development workflow
The WinningAds platform: one developer, half a million in sales, 99.99% uptime
Claude Code vs ChatGPT: why they're not the same thing
Why software developers are now project managers, product owners, and QA engineers
The apps I've built: TimeTrackr, CaptureOS, a family management app, a fitness tracker, and more
What's next for the Coders Campus brand
Why learning AI is the safest career bet right now
Questions or thoughts? Email me at trevor@coderscampus.com

Episode Summary
In this episode, Trevor Page delves into the challenges aspiring software developers face when trying to land their first job. Drawing from his 15 years of programming experience and 12 years of teaching, Trevor offers a unique perspective on the realities of breaking into the tech industry. He discusses the common misconceptions new developers have, the difficulties of finding a job, and why having coding skills alone isn't enough to secure a position.
Trevor also introduces Coders Campus's new Guaranteed Internship Program, designed to provide real-world coding experience in a team environment while working on software projects for actual customers. This innovative program offers a profit-sharing model, allowing participants to earn money based on the success of the projects they work on. He shares insights into the structure of the internship, the roles participants will play, and the long-term benefits of gaining practical experience.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Reality of Getting a Coding Job: Understanding that having the skills does not mean you are guaranteed a job.
Common Pathways to Employment: Exploring traditional methods like open source contributions, volunteering, and unpaid internships, and why they might not be sufficient.
Introducing the Guaranteed Internship Program: A detailed overview of Coders Campus's new initiative to help aspiring developers gain real-world experience while working in a team and potentially earning income through profit-sharing.
The Importance of Real-World Experience: How hands-on coding in a collaborative environment can significantly improve job prospects.
Case Study - JP's Success: A real-life example of a Coders Campus student who secured a job after participating in the internship program.
Opportunities for Non-Bootcamp Participants: Trevor hints at a future program for those who already have coding skills but need certification and experience.
Call to Action: If you're ready to take your coding career to the next level and join a program that offers real-world experience, visit coderscampus.com/bootcamp to apply for the next cohort. For those interested in the upcoming certification program, email Trevor directly at trevor@coderscampus.com.
Quotes:
"Just because you have the skills does not mean you are owed the job."
"If you and any other entry-level developer are applying to the same position, but you have real-world experience on your resume, guess who they're going to look at first?"
Links and Resources:
Coders Campus Bootcamp
Email Trevor: trevor@coderscampus.com

Summary
To reach out and connect with Alex, here's her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mamolo-2a1b57222/
In this episode, Trevor interviews Alex, who shares her journey from being a musician to transitioning into the tech industry. Alex talks about her background in music, playing drums in a band, and the challenges she faced in her musical career. She then discusses her experience working in data entry and her decision to pursue a career in technology. Alex explains how she discovered coding and her decision to join a coding bootcamp. She shares her struggles with understanding methods and functions and the support she received from her instructors. Alex emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of coding and how it has impacted her personal growth and progress. In this conversation, Alex discusses her experience in the coding bootcamp and the challenges she faced. She shares how she overcame those challenges and gained confidence in her coding abilities. The conversation also explores the difficulty curve in learning programming and the importance of perseverance. Alex talks about her job search process and the need for relentless follow-up. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Alex and seek advice on their own coding journey.
Takeaways
Transitioning from a non-technical career to the tech industry is possible with the right support and guidance.
Learning HTML and CSS is a great starting point for beginners in coding.
Struggling with certain concepts is common in coding, and seeking help from instructors is crucial for overcoming challenges.
Understanding the fundamentals of coding, such as methods and functions, is essential for building a strong foundation. Overcoming challenges in the bootcamp can lead to significant growth and improved coding skills.
The difficulty curve in learning programming often means that the second half of the bootcamp is easier than the first half.
Struggling on the job is different from struggling in the bootcamp, but both experiences can be valuable learning opportunities.
Relentless follow-up in the job search process can significantly increase the chances of getting an interview.
Revisiting assignments and focusing on mastering core skills can help improve coding abilities.
Networking and interpersonal skills are just as important as coding skills in the job search process.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:09 Interest in Technology and Music
05:31 Transition from Music to Data Entry
06:26 Exploring Tech Education Options
08:23 Choosing a Coding Bootcamp
09:52 Learning HTML and CSS
12:43 Struggles with Methods and Functions
15:35 Support and Guidance from Instructors
23:00 Importance of Understanding Fundamentals
24:25 Personal Growth and Progress
24:54 Overcoming Challenges in the Bootcamp
26:15 The Difficulty Curve in Learning Programming
27:44 Struggling on the Job vs. in the Bootcamp
29:38 The Excitement and Satisfaction of Coding
31:04 Job Search Process and Challenges
32:33 The Importance of Relentless Follow-up
34:01 Conversion Rate in Job Applications
36:55 Balancing Time Between Assignments and Job Search
38:23 Avoiding the Comfort Zone and Focusing on Networking
39:20 Revisiting Assignments to Improve Skills
40:46 Alex's Strong Understanding of Programming Terminology
42:35 Follow-up and Feedback in the Job Search Process
45:29 Proving Interest and Following Up After Rejection
47:22 Closing Remarks and Invitation to Connect

To reach out and connect with Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmonds-tony/
Takeaways
- Negotiate your salary and consider the market conditions in your area.
- Remote work opportunities are available, but starting with a hybrid role can provide valuable experience.
- Working in an office and collaborating with experienced developers can accelerate your learning and career growth.
- Having mentors and leveraging their expertise can help you progress quickly in your career.
- Bootcamp graduates can pivot to different roles within a company and apply their skills in various domains.
- Don't be discouraged by negative news and focus on your own journey and progress.
- When starting a new job, be resourceful, spend time learning on your own, and ask for help when needed.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:23 Becoming a Digital Nomad
03:42 Fascination with Latin America and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
06:33 Choosing the University Path
09:20 Transitioning to a Bootcamp
13:03 The Benefits and Limitations of University Education
20:05 The Job Search Process
23:43 The Importance of a Structured Job Search
28:03 Seeking Remote Job Opportunities
30:50 The Interview Process
31:48 Job Offer and Salary
33:15 Remote Work Opportunities
34:39 The Value of Working in an Office
35:03 Transitioning to Remote Work
37:24 The Importance of Mentors
38:18 Opportunities for Development within a Company
39:39 Pivoting to Different Roles
40:36 Enjoying the Data Role
41:32 The Reality of Getting a Job
42:31 The Influence of News and Media
44:30 Advice for Bootcamp Students
48:16 Tony's Advice for Himself
49:41 Tony's Final Project
53:52 Connecting with Tony on LinkedIn
54:22 Questions for Trevor