Meta Frontend Developer Certification Review: My Journey from MBA to Coder

Published on March 25, 2023

Alhamdulillah! Today marks a massive milestone in my professional journey: I officially became a certified Meta Frontend Developer.

To many experienced engineers, this might seem like a small blip on the radar. But for me—someone coming from a strict BBA and MBA business background—this is a monumental achievement. I didn’t grow up writing code; I grew up analyzing balance sheets. However, I’ve always been a tech enthusiast at heart.

My traditional education taught me that the ultimate measure of success was landing a high-paying corporate job. Yet, shortly into my career, I realized that wasn't my path. I didn't just want a job; I wanted to build an empire.

In this post, I’m sharing my honest review of the Meta Frontend Developer Professional Certificate, how I managed to complete it with zero budget, and the grueling schedule I followed to transform my career.

The Turning Point: Why a Founder Needs Code

Before diving into the code, it is important to understand the why.

After deciding that the corporate ladder wasn't for me, I launched my first startup, Bichana—envisioned as the "Airbnb for bachelors" in Bangladesh. It was a brilliant concept, but I ultimately had to shut it down.

Why did it fail?

I diagnosed the root cause: My inability to build sophisticated programs.

I was reliant on others to build the vision in my head. I realized that if I wanted to be a true tech entrepreneur, I couldn't just understand the business of software; I needed to understand the building of software.

Insight: Non-technical founders often struggle not because of a lack of vision, but because of a lack of execution. Learning to code bridges that gap.

[Internal Link to: Why Tech Startups Fail Without Technical Founders]

Review: Is the Meta Frontend Course Beginner Friendly?

When I enrolled in the Meta Frontend Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera, my technical literacy was minimal. I knew basic HTML, and that was about it.

Here is my breakdown of the program:

Structure: The program consists of 9 individual courses.
Curriculum: It covers everything from HTML/CSS to JavaScript, React, and Version Control.
Difficulty: It is incredibly beginner-friendly.

Meta has put a significant amount of effort into crafting a curriculum that doesn't intimidate new learners. They assume you know nothing and build you up step-by-step. If you are sitting on the fence thinking you aren't "smart enough" for code, this course proves otherwise.

[Image: A screenshot or visual representation of the 9-course curriculum structure. Alt Text: Meta Frontend Developer Professional Certificate course list on Coursera.]

The Financial Strategy: Getting Certified on a Budget

Let’s talk about money. At the time I started this program, my monthly salary was only $180 USD.

The standard Coursera subscription is roughly $40 USD per month. Simple math told me that I could not afford to pay 22% of my income on a course subscription. However, I didn't let that stop me.

Thanks to Coursera’s flexible systems (Financial Aid and free trial periods), I was able to navigate the entire 9-month program without paying a penny.

How I did it:

Resourcefulness: I utilized free trial months effectively.
Focus: Because I had limited time on free access, I was forced to study harder and faster.
Determination: I treated the free access as a scholarship that I had to earn every day.

[External Link to: Coursera Financial Aid Guide]

The Grind: Balancing a Full-Time Job and Coding

I want to be transparent: this was not "easy peasy lemon squeezy." It was a war of attrition.

I was working a full-time job while studying. My office was a 15-minute walk from my bachelor mess (housing), which saved me commute time, but the schedule was still punishing.

My Daily Coding Routine

Early Morning: I woke up for Fajr (dawn prayer) and coded for hours until 20 minutes before my office started.
The Work Day: I put in a full shift at the office.
Late Night: After work, I coded until late into the night.
Weekends/Holidays: These were my marathon days. I would code for 15 to 16 hours a day.

This consistency over 9 months is what got me across the finish line. It wasn't about being a genius; it was about showing up when I was tired.

Key Takeaways from the Certification

Now that I am certified, do I know everything? Absolutely not.

I am not an expert yet. However, I have achieved exactly what I set out to do:

Solid Foundation: I understand how the web works, how React functions, and how to structure an application.
Confidence: I can now execute my own ideas without relying entirely on others.
Growth Mindset: I have the tools to learn advanced topics at my own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Meta Frontend Certificate good for beginners? Yes. The course is designed specifically for people with no prior coding experience. It starts with the absolute basics of the web.

How long does it take to complete the Meta Frontend Certification? It varies. While the course suggests a timeline of several months at a relaxed pace, I completed it in 9 months while working full-time. If you study full-time, you could finish much faster.

Do I need a Computer Science degree to get hired? No. Companies are increasingly looking for skills over degrees. This certification, combined with a strong portfolio, is often enough to land an entry-level role.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a BBA/MBA background to software engineering is a challenging path, but it is entirely possible.

My journey involved failing a startup, living on a tight budget, and sacrificing sleep for nine months. But today, holding that certificate, I know it was worth it. I now have the technical foundation to build the empire I dreamed of as a child.

If you are thinking about starting, don't let your background define you. The only thing standing between you and your goal is the work you are willing to put in.

Ready to start your coding journey? Check out the course today and start building.

About the Author

Mahmud H. Shakir is a tech entrepreneur and academic researcher. As the CEO of kobul.com and an experienced software engineer, he has expertise in building and scaling technology startups. His practical expertise is backed by academic inquiry as a doctoral candidate at Inti International University, Malaysia.

Connect with him on LinkedIn.