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The End of Learning to Code.
February 1, 2026
Curious about Claude Cowork? You've seen people talking about how useful and revolutionary it is and how it can speed up organizing your desktop, emails, calendar, and meeting notes. Use this totally free Cowork Stack provided by HubSpot that guides you through 12 prompts to replace a week of work. Check it out here: https://clickhubspot.com/b3ebdf ----------- Did AI Kill Learning to Code? ๐ค๐ป Over the last few years, something strange has happened in the programming world. Long-form coding tutorials are disappearing. Junior developer roles are drying up. And more people than ever are learning to codeโฆ by not coding at all. So whatโs really going on? Did AI kill learning to code or are we using it in a way thatโs slowly killing our skills? ๐In this video, I break down how AI coding tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and AI agents are changing: โ How people learn to program โ Why โvibe codingโ feels productive but can be dangerously misleading โ The growing gap between junior and senior engineers โ Why AI often creates a false sense of competence โ And whether deep technical understanding still matters in 2025 and beyond โ Weโll also look at real research (including recent academic studies) showing how AI widens the gap between strong and struggling learners, helping some accelerate while actively holding others back. โ AI isnโt going away, and learning how to use it well absolutely matters. But relying on it blindly may be doing more damage than we realize; to our critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and long-term career prospects. ๐If youโve ever felt: โ Stuck in tutorial hell โTrapped in a prompt-engineering loop โOr worried that AI is making you faster but not better โฆthis oneโs for you. ๐ Let me know in the comments: Do you think AI is helping or hurting how people learn to code? ๐ข Donโt forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell ๐ icon so you never miss a video on coding and productivity: https://www.youtube.com/@catherinelijs?sub_confirmation=1 ๐ Want to level up your coding skills or learn to code? Check out Scrimba: https://scrimba.com/?via=catherineli As a bonus for my subscribers, if you sign up using the link above, you'll get 20% off a Scrimba Pro subscription! ๐ Do you have a fullstack or front end interview coming up? Sign-up to GreatFrontEnd using my link to get access to the most comprehensive front end interview questions list to make your interviews much easier: https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41 ๐ฏ Check out my full Coding Life playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYzW3CLtJcVVE4OitYkcjeOcTZqn9V6&si=ZUUTwmEQNQJ003Cn ๐ฅ Brand Collaborations: catherinelimedia@gmail.com #AICoding #LearnToCode #SoftwareEngineering #VibeCoding #ChatGPT #GitHubCopilot #TechCareers #JuniorDeveloper #CriticalThinking #FutureOfWork
I was an AI skeptic. Claude Code changed my mind.
January 21, 2026
#ClaudePartner Code is the first tool Iโve used that actually understands your entire project, not just a single file. Itโs like having a senior engineer in your terminal, one that you can constantly reach out to for any guidance. Check it out for yourself by using my link and trying out the Pro or Max plan: http://clau.de/catherinelijs @anthropic-ai @claudeai Claude Code Opus 4.5 is the best AI coding model Iโve used, and I honestly didnโt expect that. In this video, I put Claude Code to the test by building a real-world React app from scratch and comparing it head-to-head with other AI coding models. As a long-time software engineer and AI coding skeptic, I usually ignore new tools. But Claude Code genuinely feels like pair programming with an experienced engineer. Iโll show you exactly why, how I use it in production workflows, and the prompting strategies that actually matter if you want an unfair advantage in 2026. ๐ What youโll see in this video: โ Building a real-world React app โ Comparing Claude vs Gemini on the same prompt โ How Claude handles ambiguity, tradeoffs, and edge cases โ Fixing UI and logic bugs using images as input โ Using Plan Mode + Extended Thinking for complex problems โ How experienced engineers actually use AI (and where they donโt) โ When AI breaks down, and why understanding the system still matters โ ๏ธ Why this matters: AI coding tools are no longer optional. Many companies now expect AI usage as a core engineering skill. The difference in 2026 isnโt who uses AI, itโs who uses it well. ๐ Claude Code Opus 4.5 stood out because it: โ Infers intent without over-specification โ Produces cleaner, more realistic engineering decisions โ Excels at debugging, refactoring, and architectural reasoning โ Dramatically reduces onboarding time in large codebases ๐ Resources: Claude Code (Sponsor): ๐ http://clau.de/catherinelijs Live app demo: ๐ https://claude-demo-nine.vercel.app GitHub repo: ๐ https://github.com/grumpycat808/plate_math Sponsor Disclosure This video is sponsored by Anthropic. All opinions are my own. ๐ข Donโt forget to like the video (it helps more than you think), subscribe, and hit the bell ๐ icon so you never miss a video on coding and productivity: https://www.youtube.com/@catherinelijs?sub_confirmation=1 ๐ Want to level up your coding skills or learn to code? Check out Scrimba: https://scrimba.com/?via=catherineli As a bonus for my subscribers, if you sign up using the link above, you'll get 20% off a Scrimba Pro subscription! ๐ Do you have a fullstack or front end interview coming up? Sign-up to GreatFrontEnd using my link to get access to the most comprehensive front end interview questions list to make your interviews much easier: https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41 ๐ฏ Check out my full Coding Life playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYzW3CLtJcVVE4OitYkcjeOcTZqn9V6&si=ZUUTwmEQNQJ003Cn ๐ฅ Brand Collaborations: catherinelimedia@gmail.com Thanks for watching โ see you in the next one. #ClaudePartner #softwareengineering #ReactJS #webdevelopment #aideveloper #AICodeAssistant #ClaudeAI #FrontendDevelopment
Itโs not looking good for sofware engineers
December 22, 2025
Want to master AI prompt engineering? This comprehensive, completely free, 7-day playbook from Hubspot, transforms you from a casual AI user into an expert capable of engineering precise systems that deliver exact insights and 10x your professional results. By mastering advanced frameworks, you'll build high-value AI skills that save significant time and provide a massive competitive advantage in your daily workflow. Get the guide for free here: https://clickhubspot.com/511050 ----------- The tech job market for new grads is brutal right now, and AI is getting the blame. Since 2022, software engineering job postings have dropped by nearly 50%(!!), and major companies like Amazon, Salesforce, and IBM are openly questioning whether they even need junior engineers anymore. But is AI actually replacing entry-level developers? Or is something else going on behind the scenes? ๐ฅ In this video, I break down: โ What the data actually says about AI and job losses โ Why junior engineers are being hit hardest โ How executive AI hype and cost-cutting are distorting the market โ The looming senior engineer shortage nobody is talking about โ Which skills are most exposed to AI, and which ones are safest โ Why expertise, not automation, still wins long-term I analyze real research from Stanford, Harvard, ADP payroll data, and the World Economic Forum to separate fear-driven headlines from reality. The job market isnโt disappearing, itโs evolving, and if you know where to look, there is a path forward. ๐ฌ Comment below with your thoughts or lessons youโve learned in your own tech journey. Iโd love to hear from you! ๐บ If you want to hear about my job hunting experience recently, check out 'I Applied to 1 Job and Got 2 Offers: Here's What Happened' โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0qnH2CIOe4 ๐บ Interested to know if I think whether or not AI will replace engineers? Check out 'Surviving in the age of AI (as a software developer)' โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXVm-u7DCyA ๐ If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up, comment with your thoughts or questions, and donโt forget to subscribe for more career stories, dev tips, and real talk. ๐ Want to level up your coding skills or learn to code? Check out Scrimba: https://scrimba.com/?via=catherineli As a bonus for my subscribers, if you sign up using the link above, you'll get 20% off a Scrimba Pro subscription! ๐ Do you have a fullstack or front end interview coming up? Sign-up to GreatFrontEnd using my link to get access to the most comprehensive front end interview questions list to make your interviews much easier: https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41 ๐ข Donโt forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell ๐ icon so you never miss a video on coding and productivity: https://www.youtube.com/@catherinelijs?sub_confirmation=1 ๐ฏ Check out my full Coding Life playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYzW3CLtJcVVE4OitYkcjeOcTZqn9V6&si=ZUUTwmEQNQJ003Cn ๐ฅ Brand Collaborations: catherinelimedia@gmail.com Thanks for watching, and Iโll see you in the next one! ๐ #softwaredeveloper #softwareengineering #techcareer #programmingadvice #developerlife #careergoals #learnprogramming #codingcareer #techjobs #developeradvice #aijobs #aitech
It took me 9 years to realize what I'll tell you in 12 minutes
November 4, 2025
Want to start learning Python? This free HubSpot guide, is the perfect starting point for marketers, developers, and data professionals who want to understand and apply Pythonโs power to real-world tasks. Download it for free to learn core programming concepts, automation techniques, and best practices that can help you streamline workflows and unlock the full potential of data-driven projects: https://clickhubspot.com/c54370 ----------- After 9 years as a software developer, Iโve learned some painful but valuable lessons that no one talks about. These are the unspoken truths about coding careers, job rejections, promotions, and navigating tech culture that I wish I knew sooner. Whether youโre a junior developer, software engineer, or someone trying to break into tech, this video will help you avoid the mistakes I made early in my career. ๐ฅ If youโre searching for: โ How to grow as a software developer โ Tech career advice thatโs actually honest โ How to get promoted as a developer โ Developer mistakes to avoid โ Real talk about software engineering jobs โ Then this video is for you. ๐ Links mentioned in the video: ๐ A Life Engineered - 3 Simple Ways to Impress Your Manager (Without Being a Brown Noser) โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSokTYYPZcE&feature=youtu.be ๐ฌ Comment below with your thoughts or lessons youโve learned in your own tech journey. Iโd love to hear from you! ๐บ If you enjoyed this, check out my video on 'What I wish I knew before becoming a software engineer' โ https://youtu.be/ImGdm14y-g4 ๐ If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up, comment with your thoughts or questions, and donโt forget to subscribe for more career stories, dev tips, and real talk. ๐ Want to level up your coding skills or learn to code? Check out Scrimba: https://scrimba.com/?via=catherineli As a bonus for my subscribers, if you sign up using the link above, you'll get 20% off a Scrimba Pro subscription! ๐ Do you have a fullstack or front end interview coming up? Sign-up to GreatFrontEnd using my link to get access to the most comprehensive front end interview questions list to make your interviews much easier: https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41 ๐ข Donโt forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell ๐ icon so you never miss a video on coding and productivity: https://www.youtube.com/@catherinelijs?sub_confirmation=1 ๐ฏ Check out my full Coding Life playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYzW3CLtJcVVE4OitYkcjeOcTZqn9V6&si=ZUUTwmEQNQJ003Cn ๐ฅ Brand Collaborations: catherinelimedia@gmail.com Thanks for watching, and Iโll see you in the next one! ๐ Music: bensound.com Artist: Yunior Arronte License code: 5SVZDCPNTL1OAIJZ Music: bensound.com Artist: TURNIQUE License code: CPADHSDBOU0ZSFPW #softwaredeveloper #softwareengineering #techcareer #programmingadvice #developerlife #careergoals #learnprogramming #codingcareer #techjobs #developeradvice
I Applied to 1 Job and Got 2 Offers: Here's What Happened.
September 2, 2025
Struggling to get relevant and accurate ChatGPT results from your prompts? Build and maximize your use of ChatGPT to get exactly the kinds of answers youโre looking for. Iโve partnered with Hubspot to bring you this entirely free guide on Advanced ChatGPT Prompt Engineering to help you do that with ease. Download your free copy here: https://clickhubspot.com/3035f3 ----------- ๐ฅ Was I Wrong About the Job Market? My Most Personal Video Yet Hey everyone! This video is different. It's the most personal one Iโve ever shared. After years of giving advice on the software engineering job market, Iโm pulling back the curtain and sharing my own recent job search experience; the real numbers, emotions, and surprises that came with it. Iโve got 8+ years of experience in tech, and like many of you, I wasnโt sure what to expect in today's market. ๐ This video isnโt meant to brag or pretend my experience is typical. If anything, I hope it gives you a glimmer of hope. Your job search might look very different than the horror stories online, and thatโs totally okay! ๐ Watch till the end for lessons learned, honest reflections, and whatโs coming in Part II where I reveal which offer I took (if any). ๐ Links mentioned in the video: ๐ The Great Frontend (https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41) โ excellent resource for frontend interview prep ๐บ If you enjoyed this, check out my video on 'What I wish I knew before becoming a software engineer' โ https://youtu.be/ImGdm14y-g4 ๐ If you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up, comment with your thoughts or questions, and donโt forget to subscribe for more career stories, dev tips, and real talk. ๐ Want to level up your coding skills or learn to code? Check out Scrimba: https://scrimba.com/?via=catherineli As a bonus for my subscribers, if you sign up using the link above, you'll get 20% off a Scrimba Pro subscription! ๐ Do you have a fullstack or front end interview coming up? Sign-up to GreatFrontEnd using my link to get access to the most comprehensive front end interview questions list to make your interviews much easier: https://www.greatfrontend.com/questions/formats/quiz?fpr=catherine41 ๐ข Donโt forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell ๐ icon so you never miss a video on coding and productivity: https://www.youtube.com/@catherinelijs?sub_confirmation=1 ๐ฏ Check out my full Coding Life playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeMYzW3CLtJcVVE4OitYkcjeOcTZqn9V6&si=ZUUTwmEQNQJ003Cn ๐ฅ Brand Collaborations: catherinelimedia@gmail.com Thanks for watching, and Iโll see you in the next one! ๐ #softwareengineering #jobsearch #techcareer #frontend #devlife #jobmarket2025 Music by https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: VPHGPKQCRGVZMWDJ Artist: : Benjamin Tissot License code: B0GU5YH0BVUXZGAG Artist: : Benjamin Tissot License code: P8DM0D3G9XWZRVXY Artist: : Benjamin Tissot Artist: Benjamin Tissot License code: 9F9ODQQRRHN9AKWO