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Welcome to The Pragmatic Empiricist: A Midlife Journey into Full Stack Web Development

Hello and welcome! I’m Dyyanna Draw, and I’m excited to kick off this blog — The Pragmatic Empiricist — where I share my journey learning to code and transitioning into tech in my 40s. After more than a decade (12 years, to be exact) working in the federal government, I’ve decided it’s time for a major shift. I’m diving headfirst into the world of full stack web development, and I’m inviting you along for the ride.

Why "The Pragmatic Empiricist"?

The name reflects how I approach this journey: with practicality, curiosity, and a willingness to learn by doing. I believe in testing ideas, iterating fast, and embracing mistakes as stepping stones — values that align beautifully with both scientific thinking and modern software development.

Changing Careers After 40: Why Tech?

As a woman in her 40s starting over, I know the doubts that can come with learning to code later in life. But I also know the strength that comes from years of problem-solving, team collaboration, and systems thinking. The tech world thrives on adaptability, and those of us making a midlife career change bring valuable skills and perspectives to the table.

Tech isn’t just for twenty-somethings. It’s for anyone willing to learn, grow, and build. I’m here to show that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself — and that includes becoming a developer over 40.

Inspired to Start Now, Not Later

After reading an inspiring post on DEV (Blogging Your Learn to Code Journey), I realized I didn’t have to wait until I became “job ready” to start documenting this journey. In fact, that’s the whole point. This blog is my digital journal — full of lessons, challenges, resources, and progress updates as I level up my skills.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

• Reflections on learning programming over 40
• Project walkthroughs as I build my portfolio
• Reviews of helpful coding resources and tutorials
• Career change insights for those transitioning into tech careers
• Real talk about the ups and downs of learning to code

🧿Purpose of this Blog

The Pragmatic Empiricist Blog will serve three purposes; 

1. **To catalogue my thoughts**

1. Rants, Reflections and Revelations 

2. Manifesto - redefining myself

3. Accountability Log - to keep track of my evolution (no matter how small)

2. **To publicly bookmark**; 

1. Tech Resources

2. Books

3. Music

4. Movie

3. **To serve as folder for my main website**; 

1. Where I document my journey through the tech world; 

2. Where I remind myself to stay inspired; 

3. Where I brain dump ideas for my Web Portfolio.

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Tutorial Hell and Roadmaps to Everywhere

Tutorial Hell and Roadmaps to Everywhere 

(Backlog as of 26JUNE2025)

"Analysis Paralysis" is often time described as the inability to make a decision due to overthinking. This is often displayed in a loss of action or failing to make progress. 

Well i have discovered a new form of "Analysis Paralysis" in which a person is absolutely making progress and taking action daily but accomplishing nothing. 

This is how I would explain my last month. Simply put, I have been down so many rabbit holes on the way to learning to become a Full Stack Developer that I am borderline burnt out from trying to figure out which path to take. 

Firstly, Like everyone I started on YouTube searching keywords, 'Full Stack Developer' or 'Front end and Back end Development' 

as we all know this can lead you to a thousand videos making personal suggestions for how to best approach this career field as a newby (self-taught). 

I tried Coursera, my review (4/10 score). 

As a self proclaimed ADHD learner Coursera in theory seemed like a great starting point. Until i got 9 modules in and realized the pattern of its training. Coursera trains have three methods of teaching, first listen to a video, then read the video transcript/summary and lastly answer questions. This method is great for certain learners that have a difficult time learning and or grasping information the first time, but for someone like myself, eventually it became annoyingly a waste of time. Generally when i am studying i have a tendency to be impatient and need information to be quick and concise. Also, i am able to understand some very complex information without even having prior experience. listening to videos on 1.75x and 2.00x speed is the best way for me to learn and keep my mind occupied. Coursera felt so redundant in information that i started to feel burnt out halfway through the course. 

I tried Linkedin Learning, my review (8/10) for fast information. 

So far I am enjoying my experience with Linkedin Learning, I am taking my first course and i was able to complete the majority of the course in one sitting by listening at 2.00x speed. I will complete the other half and then go back and write concise notes on the topic. To a person like me, this feels like progress. I would rather fulfill my curiosity up front to be sure that the course is worth it and then circle back a round and generate notes for review later. 

I looked into getting a certificate and or degree from a reputable college. 

I was accepted into WGU and didnt qualify for student grants, loans, etc. I already have several degrees and have zero intentions to take out more debt. 

I also looked into stand alone certificates but all of them are costly programs for students that aren't able to self guide themselves. At 40 years old i would like to think that I can learn this information on my own and self manage. Also, I find most training programs start off going in the direction I desire and later veer off to topics I have no interest in. Personally, i want to control the direction of my learning and don't think that a certificate can guarantee my competence or legitimize me. 

as of today i have tried many learning methods....more to come. 

Scrimba

Code Academy 

.....etc. 

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Linkedin Learning "Career Essentials in Software Development by Microsoft and LinkedIn"

ACCOUNTABILITY LOG: (Backlog) 

I am starting a Linkedin Learning Course Title: Career Essentials in Software Development by Microsoft and LinkedIn 

Class Type: Professional Certificate 

Time Required to complete: 8 hours 20 minutes 

Overview: Discover the skills needed for a career in software development. Learn the core concepts and structure of programming languages and learn how they are applied. 

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/career-essentials-in-software-development-by-microsoft-and-linkedin 

Start Date: 26JUNE2025 

End Date: I QUIT 

Introduction to Career Skills in Software Development Programming Foundations: Fundamentals Programming Foundations: Beyond the Fundamentals

RESULT: 

💤I am adding this post for tracking. Ultimately, I quit Linkedin Learning because it became boring for me. I needed less details and more bullet points in the lessons. I felt like the tutorials were blabbering at me. 

I may circle back around to this platform again, but for now. I must move on if I want to stay inspired. 

Another moment in Tutorial Hell.

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