I'm a 19-year-old high school senior with no programming experience, and I'd like to start learning a language that could eventually help me qualify for remote work and strengthen my college applications through extracurricular projects. What language would be a good starting point, and where can I find high-quality free learning resources? How long does it usually take to become employable, and is learning enough in one or two months realistic? How many hours per week should I plan to study? Also, do paid course certificates matter to employers, or are projects and demonstrated skills more important?
3 Answers
A remote programming job after only one or two months, with no prior experience, is very unlikely. Expect to spend several months or longer learning the fundamentals, practicing consistently, and building a portfolio. Employers generally care more about useful projects, problem-solving ability, and reliability than paid course certificates. Studying around 8–15 focused hours per week would be a reasonable starting point, while also keeping expectations realistic.
Python is a friendly first language, and free courses from the Python Institute can give you a structured introduction. You can also use public library books and build small projects as you learn. The specific first language matters less than developing problem-solving skills and learning how to work independently.
Python, C#, and several other languages can work as a first choice. Pick one that feels approachable and stick with it long enough to make a few complete projects instead of constantly switching. Free tutorials, documentation, and project-based courses are enough to get started.
Starting with whatever resources are available is perfectly fine. Some people begin with simple calculator or scripting languages and move to others later; once you understand the fundamentals, switching languages becomes much easier.