I've always had a strong interest in coding and technology, but never pursued it seriously because I doubted my abilities. I earned a BA with the intention of going to law school but changed direction after working in SaaS sales and risk management. Now, while I'm stable in my current role, I can't shake the desire to learn programming and become a software engineer. I'm fascinated by AI and have started teaching myself coding with a focus on Python, mapping out projects to help with my transition into a backend development role.
However, I sometimes feel uncertain about the self-taught route, especially considering the job market. I'm currently in grad school, and going back for another degree isn't feasible for me right now. I've seen success stories about people transitioning into software engineering and would love to hear advice or inspiration from anyone who has taken a similar path. Thank you! Also, I have a good amount of time to dedicate to self-study right now and hope to be job-ready in 12-18 months.
1 Answer
I started learning to code while finishing my IT degree, and a couple of years later, I landed my first full-time software engineering job. Here’s what helped me:
1. I was active in the local coding community and even led a coding group.
2. I took on freelance projects.
3. I developed applications for my IT department where I spotted needs.
4. I constantly worked on personal projects to build my skills.
By the time I got hired, I was able to land a mid-level position with a salary near 100K. The key is to find and target a company where you have connections. For me, that was within the applications team at my workplace. Good luck!
Appreciate your insights! I work for a huge multinational company, but it seems like our software development team is mostly contracted. What other roles in IT would you suggest that could help me transition? Also, any tips on how to get involved in community projects?