Can I land a coding job without formal experience?

When it comes to what you need to know: having a grasp of git is essential, along with basic coding skills. Work on a small project using Flask, set it up on GitHub, and learn about continuous integration. You don’t need to take costly courses; there are plenty of free resources available. Just know that your enthusiasm must translate into solid understanding when you communicate your skills.

You never know when the right opportunity might pop up, even if the market seems tough. Just keep pushing through, building skills, and refining your projects. The process might include setbacks, but the key is to keep advancing. Networking can definitely help you find those hidden opportunities!

The job market is pretty competitive right now, but it isn’t impossible. Your current skills from tech support do provide some relevant experience, so you have that going for you. If you can showcase a solid GitHub with some meaningful projects, that will help a lot! Just remember that the process might take some time, so temper your expectations a bit. Networking can also open doors, so try meeting people within the industry instead of only applying to job listings.

I appreciate your determination, but I won't sugarcoat it: I wouldn't hire you just yet. However, that doesn't mean you're not on the right track. Continue building projects, and focus on learning foundational concepts like data structures and algorithms. There's no rush; you're on a valuable learning path. While the market is shifting with AI in play, having a solid grasp of programming fundamentals will always be relevant.

I'm on a similar path and have found success in self-teaching with resources like The Odin Project. I suggest familiarizing yourself with Git and taking the time to work on practical projects. Creating a web app combining SQL with another tech could definitely make your portfolio stand out. Keep learning, and don't rush — quality matters more than quantity!