Better Rust from First Principles

To get the most value out of our sessions, I recommend having solid programming fundamentals in at least one language. That said, if you’re earlier in your learning, that’s fine too! Fundamentals can be taught, and we’ll figure out the right pace together on the intro call. What matters most is that you’re motivated and willing to put in the work between sessions.

The 30-minute intro call is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about your background, what you want to learn, and your goals with Rust. I’ll explain how the mentoring works and answer any questions you have. By the end, we’ll both know if this is a good fit. There’s no obligation and no sales pressure.

You will always know exactly what to work on next to reach your personal Rust goals. You’ll get immediate, honest feedback on your design decisions and code. Another human who went through the same learning process will be there to help you when you get stuck and to celebrate your wins. You’ll also have accountability and structure to keep you on track. All things that are hard to get from books, videos, or AI.

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a replacement for expertise. LLMs happily produce Rust that compiles but overuses trait objects, clones everywhere, escapes the borrow checker, and generally reads like Java with interfaces. The engineers who get real value out of these tools are the ones who can tell good Rust from slop, design the types and architecture themselves, and steer the AI inside a tight box. That’s exactly the skill set we’ll build together: domain modeling, type-driven design, idiomatic patterns, and the judgment to know when the AI’s suggestion is wrong. The goal is for you to remain the pilot, not the passenger.

It depends on what you define as proficient and your personal goals, but most students feel confident shipping their first production Rust code in a few months with weekly sessions. But remember, mastery takes time, and I’ll support you as long as you need to reach your goals.

You have a say in the agenda, but in general, we focus on working through real problems together. You might bring a piece of code you’re struggling with, a design decision you want feedback on, or a project you want to build. For example, we could work through a problem where I ask questions and explain concepts. Or we might draw a lot of diagrams. For hands-on work, we pair program in your own git repository, writing code, reviewing code, and talking through real issues. Between sessions, I might leave comments on your PRs or suggest take-home exercises which closely align with your weaknesses and goals.

If you’re not sure yet, start with Once::new(): it’s a low-commitment way to see if the style works for you. Most people move to [Session; 5] once they know they want to make real progress. Vec::with_capacity(10) is for those who want a thorough, end-to-end experience and are ready to commit.

Life happens. Just let me know and we’ll move your session to another slot. The 5-session block is valid for 3 months, and the 10-session block for 6 months, so there’s plenty of flexibility.

That’s what the intro call is for. We’ll talk, you’ll get a feel for my style, and we’ll both know if it’s a good fit. You can also watch this video beforehand to see if you like the way I work. And if after the first paid session it doesn’t feel right, I’ll refund you.

I’m based in Düsseldorf, Germany (CET/UTC+1). I prefer to schedule sessions during European business hours, but I’m flexible to accommodate other timezones when possible. Some people prefer code reviews via Loom videos, which allows for more asynchronous communication. Please reach out to clarify the details.

My goal is your success, not trapping you in a contract. If after your first session you don’t feel it’s a good fit, I’ll refund you.

You pay upfront for your session package via Stripe. You’ll receive an invoice you may be able to deduct as a professional development expense, so check with your employer or accountant. Unused sessions are refunded if things don’t work out.