Main content
Computer programming
Course: Computer programming > Unit 8
Lesson 1: Meet the professional- Welcome to "Meet the professional"!
- Maya Bello, Software engineer and YouTuber
- Sarah Northway, Game Maker and Nomad
- Brenda Jin, Mobile Prototyper and DJ
- Tom Heinan, Mobile Developer, Pilot, and Zombie
- Amy Quispe, Data Liberator and Developer Relater
- Bill Mills, Physicist and Interdisciplinary Programmer
- Carrie Cai, Researcher and Dancer
- Lauren Haynes, Product Manager and Lindy Hopper
- Marcos Ojeda, Designer, DJ, and Dog Owner
- Allyson Lubimir, Support Engineer and Cat Lover
© 2023 Khan AcademyTerms of usePrivacy PolicyCookie Notice
Brenda Jin, Mobile Prototyper and DJ
Hi, I'm Brenda Jin!
What do you work on?
I code interactive A/B web prototypes for Tablet at Macys.com with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. We design, build, and test these prototypes in front of real users. We use the results of these tests to improve the prototypes in what is called an “iterative” process. Eventually, the best features from these tests will be brought into the Macys.com experience.
I can’t show you what I’m working on now, but you can check out the CyberSwipe JS library that I built last year:
How did you learn to program?
It all started with AOL Instant Messenger in the 90s. Back then, you could use HTML to decorate your profile. My friends and I used to have a lot of fun changing colors and font styles in the basic editor.
In college, I majored in Musicology and took a computer science course that would lay the groundwork for success later on. It was called PLOrk: Princeton Laptop Orchestra. We used a language called ChucK to program music and wrote compositions every week using Computer Science fundamentals!
After college, I pursued a career in opera, then non-profit fundraising. I found myself doing all kinds of web work and being good at it. So last year, I decided to learn JavaScript and become a Web Developer. It took a lot of hard work, but I landed a great job at Macys.com.
I found my calling, and I’m so grateful to be a programmer. It’s a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun!
What do you do when you're not programming?
I make electronic music and love hiking and biking! I also hack for fun - my side projects include microcontrollers like Arduino and wearables like Google Glass.
What’s your one piece of advice for new programmers?
Don’t be afraid to feel like a n00b - everybody is a n00b at something! Learning is what we do every day on the job, and it’s a part of this career that I absolutely love.
Want to join the conversation?
I really love that you say you just learned JavaScript last year! Did you do that on Khan Academy & other independent sources, or did you pay for classes somewhere? How did you convince Macy's that you knew what you know in order to get the job; was it on your resume under "Other skills" or what? I'm hoping to be a web developer part=time once I learn how, and I'm really unsure how that part works.(37 votes)
What is the thing on her head on her pic(6 votes)
Google Glass is an optical head-mounted display designed in the shape of a pair of eyeglasses. It was developed by X (previously Google X) with the mission of producing a ubiquitous computer. Google Glass displayed information in a smartphone-like hands-free format. Wearers communicated with the Internet via natural language voice commands. Google started selling a prototype of Google Glass to qualified "Glass Explorers" in the US on April 15, 2013, for a limited period for $1,500, before it became available to the public[citation needed] on May 15, 2014. It also had a camera attached to it.
The headset originally received a great deal of criticism and legislative action due to privacy and safety concerns. On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop producing the Google Glass prototype, to be continued in 2017 tentatively.[citation needed] In July 2017, it was announced that the Google Glass Enterprise Edition would be released.
From Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Glass(6 votes)
Are there many opportunities for people who are beginners in programming but over 30? I might not have a computer science degree but could my skills still be put to use?(2 votes)
Once you learn programming, age becomes nothing but just a number. There are a lot of ways you can put your skills to use especially when it comes to programming. Learn about freelance coding here:
https://www.quora.com/How-does-one-become-a-freelance-coder(9 votes)
- Are there jobs when we complete programming(2 votes)
Yes. There are many people that have jobs as a computer programmer.(7 votes)
Is it possible to program or set up a programming environment on a tablet? I have a Nexus 7.(2 votes)
It's hard but not impossible I guess. I'd suggest just going to a computer and programming(3 votes)
Is that possible starting with Javascript? When I take a look on Computer Science, it seems only based in Java. Can someone help me?(2 votes)
Khan Academy does not offer anything using the Java programming language. They use Javascript for their introduction to programming tutorials.(3 votes)
- On the question "How did you learn to program?", how come you used JavaScript while working for Macy's?(1 vote)
- Macys.com is a website, and we use JavaScript to present information in a meaningful way to a user.(4 votes)
SHE HACKS? she is a good programmer isnt she?(2 votes)
by hacking she means using a piece of tech in a way it was not meant to be used ( if she was an actual hacker I doubt she would say she was )(1 vote)
at my school my friends call me noob cause i study a lot(2 votes)
how do you get help on coding?(2 votes)
There are various resources that you can utilize to get help. You're already on Khan Academy, which is a good start! If you run a search for the name of the programming language you are needing help with on any given search engine you should be able to find an abundance of guides and resources. You'll want to look for the language's official documentation, or a website that mimics that documentation so that you are getting the best information.
You can also navigate to Youtube and type "xxx programming guide," where "xxx" is the language you need help with. There are many generous content creators on Youtube who have made programming guides for various languages, and they tend to be well-produced. Always be vigilant though; make sure the source that you are using is up-to-date and accurate so that you aren't learning inaccurate material.
You can also, of course, ask here on Khan Academy. If you have anyone that you know in real life who has studied software development, then they could be a great resource as well.(1 vote)