freeCodeCamp AI Alternative:
From Tutorials to Production Systems.
freeCodeCamp teaches web dev fundamentals. AI engineering requires
depth in ML systems, deployment, and real production experience.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
freeCodeCamp Is Great for Basics.
AI Careers Demand More.
Limited AI depth. freeCodeCamp excels at web development but its machine learning content stays surface level. No coverage of production ML systems, deployment, or real engineering workflows.
Self-paced means self-stuck. Without guidance, you hit walls and waste weeks debugging issues a mentor could solve in minutes. There is no one to tell you when you are heading the wrong direction.
No career pathway. Completing freeCodeCamp certifications does not translate to AI job readiness. Hiring managers want production experience, not tutorial completion badges.
1:1 Coaching Fills the Gaps freeCodeCamp Cannot.
The AI Career Accelerator
freeCodeCamp provides great free foundations. But AI engineering requires depth that self-study tutorials cannot deliver. Coaching gives you personalized guidance on ML engineering, deployment, and building systems that work in production.
Assess Your Foundation
We identify what freeCodeCamp taught you and what gaps remain
Build Production Skills
Learn deployment, MLOps, and real engineering workflows
Create Job-Ready Portfolio
Build projects that demonstrate production experience
Meet Your Mentor
When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.
My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.
I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.
I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.
Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy
A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls
Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.
Portfolio-Ready AI Projects
Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.
Interview Prep & Mock Interviews
Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.
Community Career Support
Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.
Free Tutorials Got You Started. Expert Guidance Gets You Hired.
Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.
I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is freeCodeCamp not enough for AI engineering careers?
freeCodeCamp does web development exceptionally well. Its AI and machine learning content is more limited. The curriculum covers basics like Python and introductory ML concepts but lacks depth on production systems, MLOps, deployment pipelines, and the engineering practices that companies actually need. For transitioning to AI roles, you need hands-on experience with real systems, not just tutorial projects.
What is missing from freeCodeCamp machine learning content?
freeCodeCamp ML content focuses on fundamentals like scikit-learn basics and introductory neural networks. What is missing: production deployment, model serving, vector databases, RAG systems, LLM integration patterns, MLOps practices, monitoring and observability, and working with AI frameworks used in industry today. These skills separate tutorial completers from job-ready engineers.
If freeCodeCamp is free, why would I pay for coaching?
Free content has hidden costs. The time spent stuck on problems, learning outdated patterns, or studying the wrong topics adds up. If unfocused self-study takes 12 months but coaching gets you job-ready in 4 months, the 8 month difference in AI engineer salary easily exceeds coaching costs. Free is only free if your time has no value.
Do I need prior AI experience?
Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.
How much time do I need to commit?
Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.
What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?
You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.
How is this different from online courses?
Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.
What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?
Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available