I'm 23 years old and feel a bit lost regarding my career path. I graduated with a BCA in 2024, but I really didn't pick up any coding skills during my studies. Initially, I wanted to take a gap year after high school, but my parents urged me to start college right away because I admired a friend who was pursuing BCA. Unfortunately, I didn't take it seriously and wasted those years. Now, I'm unemployed and feeling regretful.
Recently, I enrolled in a one-year Full Stack Development course where we're focusing on the MERN stack, Docker, and Kubernetes. We're currently learning JavaScript, but I feel like my fundamentals are pretty weak. With no one in my family in the tech field, I lack guidance.
I would really appreciate some honest advice:
1. Is it too late to seriously start learning programming at 23?
2. Should I emphasize JavaScript fundamentals first instead of getting overwhelmed with the entire stack?
3. If you were in my shoes and starting almost from scratch, what steps would you take?
4. Realistically, how long does it take to be job-ready if studying consistently?
I'm ready to put in the effort; I just want to make sure I'm on the right track. If anyone has started in tech later, I'd love to hear your experiences!
3 Answers
It's totally possible to get into tech! 23 is not late, and some people start even later. Focus on learning the fundamentals of JavaScript first. It’s better to be strong in one language before branching out to the whole stack. The amount of time it takes to become job-ready varies; you need to be realistic about the competition. Just put in the hours and work on small projects. Consistency is key! No one will know the perfect path for you—what's important is that you take action.
It's definitely not too late at 23! You can start learning programming at any age; the best time was yesterday, and the next best time is now. I'd recommend focusing on one language first—getting a solid grasp of JavaScript is key. Once you have the fundamentals down, you can explore other parts of the stack if you choose. I was in a similar situation, and my motivation was really important. Make sure you genuinely enjoy coding because that's what will keep you going! As for job readiness, if you dedicate enough time and effort—say around 10-12 hours a week—many people can land a job in about 10 months or so.
You're definitely not alone in this journey! I started in my late 20s and went through similar struggles. Your focus should be on building your fundamentals first, especially since you're just starting. Make sure you truly like coding; that's crucial for staying committed. Don't worry about how long it takes—if it takes a few years to get job-ready, that’s totally fine! What matters is consistency in your study and practice. I also believe that employers care more about your coding skills than your degree, so don't stress too much about that.
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