Hey everyone! I'm Krystal, and I'm currently working as a firefighter paramedic in Colorado. I'm looking to make a career switch to software engineering, which I'm really excited about. I've dabbled a bit in programming, primarily with HTML and CSS, and I've enjoyed it so much that I believe this could be a great change for me.
I've just enrolled in the MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding: Full Stack Development with MERN, starting on February 18, 2026. I'm curious if anyone here has experience with this program, especially for beginners, and what the career services are like? If you've gone through this program successfully, do you have any tips for me? What was the job search like after you completed it?
I'm also open to any advice on how to start in this new field, especially since I work full-time and need a bootcamp that's more self-paced, which is why I chose this one. Thanks for your help!
5 Answers
It's great that you're interested in software engineering! Just a heads up, it can be quite challenging to find a job in this field right now, especially with the number of computer science graduates out there. Make sure to stay persistent, though!
I think you should consider an online degree program instead of just a certificate or bootcamp. Many entry-level positions are looking for serious credentials nowadays, so having a degree could really help you.
Honestly, I would advise against pursuing this path. The job market is pretty tough right now without a computer science degree, but if you're really passionate, go for it!
Why not focus on learning software engineering and finding a niche that could specifically benefit firefighters and paramedics? That way, you can apply your background to tech and stand out in the job market!
I don't have any specific information on that certificate, but I recommend checking out the FAQ section linked in this community. There’s a ton of useful info there that can help you out!
I appreciate it! I’ll definitely check that out further.
Thanks for the insight! I'm prepared for some challenges and plan to keep pushing through.