Hey everyone! I'm 33 years old and currently working as a Level 2 tech support specialist at a security integration company. My job mainly involves configuring IP-based devices like cameras and access control panels, along with handling some SQL troubleshooting. I've always had a fascination with coding, often finding myself checking out source code online just to see how things work. I'm currently learning Python and absolutely loving it! I've created several small tools for work using it and I'm planning to move on to Java and C++ soon. I'm wondering, if I start sharing my non-work related projects on GitHub (which I still need to learn how to do), should I begin applying for junior dev jobs? Is it realistic for someone with my background to break into programming? Should I keep building projects and applying for jobs, or is it too late for me?
2 Answers
I admire your ambition, but I wouldn’t hire you just yet. You’ve got the right mindset, but experience and skills are what counts. Keep making projects and learning about software development concepts, especially data structures and algorithms. Don't rush it; you’re on the right path. The job market is changing rapidly because of AI, so keep learning to stay relevant!
It’s really tough out there right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find something! While the competition is fierce for coding jobs, if you can get a solid GitHub profile with a couple of decent projects and maybe contribute to open source, you could stand out. Networking can also give you an edge; sometimes it's about who you know as much as what you know. Just stay persistent and keep your expectations realistic!
What skills do you recommend he focuses on to land that first junior dev job? Can you break down some specifics he should target?