I'm 21, live in Poland, and hope to move to Norway in a few years. I'm chronically ill and autistic, so I'm looking for work with limited social interaction and a manageable environment. Financial stability is especially important because of medical expenses—I'm not aiming for luxury, just reliable rent and living costs, an occasional vacation, and some money for hobbies.
I've been learning programming and enjoy parts of it, although I'm still figuring out which area suits me. Game development interests me most, but I understand it can be unstable, so I'm considering backend, full-stack, Python, or general software development as a more practical career path. I would be willing to learn the fundamentals, build a portfolio, and start with whatever technology job I can realistically get before specializing.
How realistic is it to find a stable, reasonably paid junior developer job in Poland, elsewhere in the EU, or eventually Norway? Remote work would be ideal because of my health, but I'd consider relocating or working on-site if necessary. I'm also studying Norwegian and estimate my level at around B1, while my English is roughly B2 and stronger in reading and understanding than speaking or writing.
I can't currently afford a traditional degree because I work a low-paid job and have health limitations. Is software development still a reasonable path for someone who is capable and consistent but not exceptionally gifted? I keep seeing conflicting advice: some people say AI and competition have made entry-level programming nearly impossible, while others say it remains viable if you put in enough focused effort. I'd appreciate realistic perspectives on the stability, difficulty, and best strategy for getting started.
5 Answers
Junior jobs still exist, but the competition is intense. Many companies prefer graduates or applicants with relevant education, and entry-level candidates may be competing against experienced developers who are currently unemployed. A portfolio can help, but it needs to show that you can build, test, document, and maintain a complete project rather than just follow tutorials. Expect the first job search to take time, and don’t assume remote work will be available.
Norwegian employers may be reluctant to interview someone without either a degree, professional experience, or a strong track record of completed work. Getting hired from another country with no experience is particularly difficult. A more realistic route would be to find a local position first, build a few years of experience, and then apply for jobs in Norway. Also, fully remote roles are much less common now; hybrid work is more typical.
There are also entrepreneurial routes, such as building a small software product or using AI-assisted development to create a niche service. However, that should be treated as a risky side experiment rather than a replacement for dependable employment. Products can take a long time to earn money and usually require marketing, customer support, and business skills in addition to programming.
If you can’t attend a traditional university, look for alternatives such as part-time study, structured online programs, apprenticeships, or practical training that fits your health situation. A degree isn’t the only way in, but you’ll need some substitute evidence that you can work professionally. Focus on one employable path instead of trying to learn every language: for example, Python with SQL, APIs, testing, Git, deployment, and basic cloud tools.
Programming can become a stable career after you gain experience, but it isn’t guaranteed stability, especially during the first few years. Hiring can take months, layoffs happen, and entry-level salaries in Poland may not be dramatically higher than other low-paid work at first. Since your finances and health are important, keep some backup income or develop a second practical skill while learning. Game development is worth pursuing as a hobby or side project, but it’s generally a poor choice if your main priority is predictable income.
A conventional degree isn’t currently realistic because of my income and health, but I’m open to part-time or flexible training if I can find something sustainable. I’m mainly trying to work out whether the effort has a reasonable chance of leading to employment.