Hey everyone! I'm seeking some advice as I navigate a career shift into the tech world. I'm 29, living in London for the past 8 years, and I've had a varied job history, primarily working as an estate agent for 4 years, plus roles as a prison officer and in restaurants and hotels. None of these jobs are in IT or technology. Now, I'm interested in moving into tech, specifically areas like coding, AI, and software development. However, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there—there's programming, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and lots more. I'm starting to learn Python and spent about 4-5 hours getting a feel for it, as I've read it's in high demand. I'm unsure if I should pursue boot camps on the side, as I work full-time to cover my bills, or look for apprenticeships that might offer decent compensation. I've heard that doing small coding projects on GitHub can help with job applications, but I'd love any advice on what to focus on or which courses to take to increase my chances of breaking into IT without heading to university.
3 Answers
No worries about starting at 29; it's totally fine! Devote a couple of weeks to mastering Python and then choose one area to dive deeper into. Boot camps can be beneficial, but consistency is key. A mix of self-learning and building a strong GitHub portfolio, along with an apprenticeship, could be your best bet.
I’d recommend picking a specific path to follow, maybe start with web development using Python or JavaScript. Build some small projects and push them to GitHub. While boot camps can be helpful, they can also be pricey. Use free resources and really concentrate—breaking into tech can be tough right now since jobs are competitive.
It's great that you're exploring this change! Just be realistic about job prospects. In the UK, the market for tech roles without a degree can be intense. It’s definitely not impossible, but you might find it challenging. Continuing to learn Python for a few weeks and then narrowing down to a specific field, like web development or data science, could really help you focus your efforts.
Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely keep at Python and aim for some small projects to build my portfolio.