Laurence Bradford: How She Went From Tech Novice to Teaching Thousands to Code

If you had told college-aged Laurence Bradford that she would one day become a influential tech educator and podcaster, she probably wouldn‘t have believed you. As an Economics major, Laurence‘s tech skills were so limited that her university required her to take a remedial computer class. The experience left her feeling embarrassed and convinced a career in technology was not in the cards.

Fast forward a decade and Laurence is now the creator of the acclaimed LearnToCodeWith.Me blog and podcast, where she has taught and inspired thousands of aspiring developers around the world. She has interviewed nearly 100 tech professionals on her podcast, written for major publications like Forbes, and amassed a devoted online following. This is the story of how Laurence taught herself to code in her late 20s and used her experience to carve out an impactful niche in tech education.

A Winding Path to Web Development

After college, Laurence worked in economic development in Asia for several years. But as she approached her 30s, she began to crave a career change. She was drawn to the fast-paced world of tech startups but held back by her lack of technical skills. Despite her prior struggles with technology, Laurence decided it was time to conquer her fears and learn to code.

"I started with free online tutorials on basic web development," Laurence recalls. "I loved the immediate gratification of being able to change the appearance of a webpage with just a few lines of HTML and CSS. JavaScript was harder to grasp at first, but the more I practiced, the more the concepts clicked into place."

While teaching herself to code, Laurence documented her learning journey on her nascent blog, LearnToCodeWith.Me. "At first, it was just a way for me to keep track of the resources I was using and cement what I was learning," she says. "But I soon discovered there was a whole community of people online who were also teaching themselves to code and looking for guidance and support."

As Laurence‘s coding skills grew, so did her blog audience. Within a year, she felt proficient enough to start applying for entry-level developer jobs. Her hard work paid off when she landed a freelance web development gig she found on Craigslist.

"Getting paid to code for the first time was such an exciting milestone," Laurence shares. "It made me feel like an actual developer, not just someone learning to code as a hobby. That freelance project gave me the confidence boost I needed to start pursuing a full-time career in tech."

Transitioning from Developer to Product Manager

Over the next few years, Laurence worked as a front-end developer for several startups. She became proficient in React and honed her skills in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and responsive web design. But as much as she enjoyed coding, she found herself gravitating more and more toward big-picture planning and strategy.

"As a developer, I loved building features that made the user experience more seamless and intuitive," Laurence explains. "But I started to realize my real passion was for understanding user needs on a deeper level and translating those needs into product roadmaps and specifications."

Laurence‘s managers recognized her knack for user empathy and product thinking, and she soon transitioned into a product management role. The shift in perspective was eye-opening and helped Laurence become a more well-rounded tech professional.

"As a product manager, I gained a whole new appreciation for the importance of clear communication and cross-functional collaboration," she notes. "I learned how to balance business goals with technical constraints and user needs. Those skills have served me well in every role since."

Scaling LearnToCodeWith.Me and Becoming a Tech Influencer

Even as her tech career flourished, Laurence never stopped growing her LearnToCodeWith.Me blog and community. She published in-depth tutorials, curated resource round-ups, and shared learnings from her own coding journey. In 2017, she expanded into podcasting, launching the LearnToCodeWith.Me podcast.

"Starting the podcast was a way for me to connect with the LearnToCodeWith.Me audience on a deeper level and share a wider range of perspectives," says Laurence. "I wanted to interview developers from all walks of life – self-taught coders, career changers, bootcamp grads, computer science majors – to show that there‘s no one ‘right‘ path into tech."

To date, Laurence has interviewed over 90 developers on her podcast, including influential figures like Saron Yitbarek, founder of the CodeNewbie community, and Avi Flombaum, co-founder of the Programming School. Her interviews dive deep into guests‘ learning journeys, career challenges, and advice for aspiring developers.

"One of my favorite parts of podcasting is getting to ask experienced developers the questions I wished I had answers to when I was just starting out," Laurence shares. "Like, how do you stay motivated when learning to code gets tough? How do you make your resume stand out when you‘re applying for your first tech job? What are the most valuable skills to learn as a new developer? The insights I‘ve gained from these conversations have been invaluable, not just for my listeners but for my own growth as well."

In addition to her blog and podcast, Laurence has written articles on tech careers and learning to code for publications like Forbes. She also founded the Newbie Coder Warehouse, a Facebook community for aspiring developers that now has over 40,000 members.

Supporting the Next Generation of Diverse Developers

As a self-taught developer and career changer herself, Laurence is passionate about making tech careers accessible to people from all backgrounds. She uses her platform to uplift and support underrepresented groups in tech.

"The tech industry has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusion," Laurence argues. "Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities are still vastly underrepresented, especially in technical roles and leadership positions. As someone with a bit of influence in the tech education space, I feel a responsibility to challenge the status quo and advocate for change."

On her blog and podcast, Laurence frequently discusses the challenges underrepresented groups face in pursuing tech careers, from lack of access to education and mentorship to bias and discrimination in hiring and promotion practices. She uses her platform to amplify the voices and experiences of diverse tech professionals.

"Representation matters so much," Laurence stresses. "When aspiring developers see people who look like them succeeding in tech, it helps them envision that path for themselves. That‘s why I‘m intentional about featuring a diverse range of guests on my podcast and sharing stories of developers from all backgrounds on my blog."

Laurence also partners with organizations working to make tech more inclusive, such as Code2040, Girls Who Code, and Out in Tech. She has hosted webinars and workshops for these organizations and frequently promotes their programs and resources to her audience.

The Future of LearnToCodeWith.Me and Tech Education

Looking ahead, Laurence has big plans for expanding the impact of LearnToCodeWith.Me. In addition to continuing to grow her blog, podcast, and social media presence, she is exploring creating more in-depth educational content like online courses and workshops.

"I want LearnToCodeWith.Me to be a go-to resource for anyone who wants to learn to code, whether they‘re starting from scratch or looking to level up their skills," Laurence shares. "I‘m excited to develop more comprehensive learning experiences that guide students from beginner concepts all the way through to building real-world projects and preparing for the job market."

Laurence also plans to ramp up her efforts to make tech education more accessible and inclusive. She is researching scholarships, apprenticeships, and other alternative pathways for underrepresented aspiring developers.

"Traditional computer science degrees and even coding bootcamps are still out of reach for many people due to cost, location, or other barriers," Laurence notes. "I want to shine a light on programs that provide more flexible, affordable, and inclusive ways to gain tech skills and break into the industry."

As the demand for tech talent continues to grow, Laurence believes continuous learning and skill development will only become more essential for developers at all career stages. She plans to use LearnToCodeWith.Me to help experienced developers stay on top of the latest technologies and trends.

"The tech landscape is always evolving," Laurence says. "Even senior developers need to carve out time for learning and experimentation to stay relevant. I hope to support the community not just in getting their first tech jobs, but in enjoying long, fulfilling careers in this exciting, dynamic industry."

Learning, Growing, and Giving Back

Reflecting on her own unconventional journey into tech, Laurence is grateful for the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her career and fueled her passion for teaching others. Her own experiences of struggling to learn to code, hunting for her first tech job, and rising the ranks as a developer and product manager help her relate to her audience on a deeply personal level.

"When I first started learning to code, I never could have predicted the incredible opportunities and relationships that would come from putting myself out there and documenting the journey," Laurence reflects. "Teaching myself to code didn‘t just give me valuable technical skills – it introduced me to a welcoming, collaborative community and allowed me to discover my passion for teaching and mentoring."

With LearnToCodeWith.Me, Laurence has channeled that passion into a thriving platform that has supported tens of thousands of aspiring technologists around the world. By sharing her own story and elevating the voices of diverse industry professionals, she is helping to demystify the tech world and empower a new generation of developers.

For anyone considering learning to code, Laurence offers this advice: "Start small, be patient with yourself, and don‘t be afraid to ask for help. Find a community of other learners to connect with, whether online or in person. And remember that everyone starts somewhere – even the most brilliant senior developers were once beginners. With time, practice, and persistence, you can absolutely achieve your tech career goals."

As Laurence looks to the future of LearnToCodeWith.Me and her own career in tech, one thing is certain: she will continue to lead with empathy, generosity, and a commitment to expanding access and opportunity in the industry. With voices like hers at the forefront, the future of tech education looks brighter than ever.