Is "learn to code" a meme or can you really get a job learning programming on your own?

submitted by yabbit from self.AskSaidIt

all 7 comments
sorted by:
top
newinsightfulfun

[–]ElectricSheep 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

It's both. It's the "lawyer, gym, delete facebook" advice that is a joke but also helpful beneath the surface.

The tech world is flooded but there's also a lot of need and turnover, so it's possible you'd study and learn enough to be competent at a job, but they likely won't hire you unless you have a silly degree or past experience. "So create projects and put them on your website" again nice in theory but what corp is going to fight HR on procedure and hire you on a hunch when there are a hundred other 22 year olds who qualify?

It's more about self improvement than anything else. Get a hobby, learn problem solving skills and new ways of thinking, and if you're persistent you'll have a few fun things to show off when you're done.

[–]SoCo 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

You can get programming jobs, while being self taught with no formal degrees or certifications. It is much more difficult to get your foot in the door. Many more corporate employers have solidified around the formal hiring practices which rely heavily on degrees, certifications, and previously employment. The gig economy has taken to the programming fields as well. Online gig project websites are plentiful and growing. Can you make a living with gigs? Maybe, but it will be tough and take a certain kind of person. I'd think one would have a better fighting chance by putting together a small team to do gig projects. Otherwise, doing plenty of documented contributions to open source projects could look good on a resume and make up somewhat for your lacking degrees and certifications, to help show your skills and get you a chance at a standard employment. Niche skills are another option if you are already a well learned programmer, with no formal training. If you know that 20 year old programming platform/tool-chain some employer needs to continue their project without a rewrite, you could be worth gold to them.

[–]Zapped 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

You can write a trading app and become soooo rich. Make sure it sounds like you are playing online slot machines.

[–]Jackalope 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Its possible, although not all that common

[–]asterias 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

It depends but the chance is generally low. I guess it might be worth a try if you are young and have nothing else to try.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Progress is 99% blood, sweat and tears and 1% creativity.

So it depends, imo.

You can automatize all the boring stuff they hassle you with. This is a pro. If you can show and tell about projects, you already did on your own that pique somebodies interest, you have a better pitch.

[–]filbs111 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

You can indeed get a job after learning programming on your own.