#273 - When You Don’t Know What to Build—Build This

Develop Yourself

Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers.

You’ll learn:

• Why great data makes or breaks your app
• How to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something new
• Picking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it)
• Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picks
• Adding AI functionality to make your project stand out
• Building a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a pro

Here's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browse

And—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship.

👉 Apply here 👈

Send us a text

Shameless Plugs

🧑‍💻 Join Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months.

✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here

Zubin's LinkedIn (ex-lawyer, former Googler, Brian-look-a-like)

Kapitel

1. Welcome and Scholarship Announcement (00:00:00)

2. Why You Need a Side Project (00:01:11)

3. Finding and Using the Right Data (00:02:29)

4. Choosing Your Tech Stack (00:06:34)

5. Feature Planning and AI Integration (00:10:39)

6. Deployment Options and Final Advice (00:14:56)