Looking to venture into Software Engineering
Posted by Mari_T99@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 21 comments
I'm 27 F and looking to venture into Software Engineering. Reason being, in all my years of looking for remote work, I have realised how many freelance/remote job opportunities are available for people in tech. And I am at a point where I really want to make that career switch from a traditional Electrical Engineering career into tech. However, I do not have the resources to go back to school/uni full time but at the same time I need a formal learning environment where there is structured teaching, a structured curriculum and someone to hold me accountable. Any suggestions?
716green@reddit
I'm a software engineer who got started in my mid to late 20s and I'm incredibly passionate about it and I am a Sr engineer now.
It is not a good time to get started in the industry, I promise you that. Even the entry aren't hiring Juniors anymore. Entry-level jobs are just for experienced people who are having trouble finding better paying work.
gazpitchy@reddit
Why not? We just hired 5 juniors from bootcamps.
Just because where you work isn't hiring, doesn't mean the industry is entirely devoid of junior roles.
716green@reddit
I don't know what world you're living in where that makes sense. Every engineer that I know right now has had mass layoffs at their company and is adopting AI so one engineer is doing the work of 20 developers. It's just simply doesn't make sense to hire Juniors anymore because everything is architecture work these days.
There have been so many layoffs in big tech that the market is extremely competitive and if you work for a company that is hiring straight out of boot camps, there's no way you're adopting AI fast enough to stay competitive.
Any-Look-8817@reddit
Yeah, the middle management's wet dream, lol..
NumberInfinite2068@reddit
Remote work is less common these days, and it's *very* hard to make a good living freelance.
If you're wanting to get into software development because you can work from home, I wouldn't bet on it.
Maybe have a go of programming in your spare time, see if you even like it.
gazpitchy@reddit
They didn't mention what country, are you all Americans on here?
NumberInfinite2068@reddit
I'm not American, I'm Scottish but live in Australia.
Astronaut6735@reddit
Colin Hay? 😉
NumberInfinite2068@reddit
Never heard of him.
Astronaut6735@reddit
Old singer, so not surprised you haven't. Mostly famous for the 80's band Men at Work. https://youtu.be/XfR9iY5y94s?si=oqWQFdqCPIkcuEyK
Mari_T99@reddit (OP)
Thank you very much for you response and sound advice. I have tried to self-learn and I normally stop before getting too far. It's not that I don't like it, but I think it's due to lack of motivation. Hence I am asking for advice on any online communities or courses where I can follow a curriculum or structured teaching with a group.
Apprehensive_Fox321@reddit
Try boot.dev
JohnBrownsErection@reddit
On top of this, while having a degree in electrical engineering is much better than no degree at all, a lot of remote employers are probably going to be less interested in it than a programming-focused degree.
NumberInfinite2068@reddit
Definitely, we'll probably hire a developer in the next month or so, but where I work is "EE adjacent" and an EE degree would be very welcome indeed.
BigCSFan@reddit
Work in general is less common these days
Wild-Ganache3061@reddit
facts about remote work these days
Astronaut6735@reddit
Remote work is being killed with RTO mandates. Companies are mandating AI usage, and the cry of "I never write code anymore" can be heard all around the industry. Huge layoffs are happening. I know experienced engineers who have been out of work for months, even after submitting hundreds of applications.
These are very uncertain times for software engineers.
Mesmoiron@reddit
I run a volunteer startup; we work collectively on real products. I am non tech but with AI I already het pretty far. The beauty of the concept is that it gives the safe structure to explore. Besides that we can create a :pinkprint' for better ways to make transitions possible.
If you're interested you can send me a DM. Established companies go for back to the office; bit there is no law that says we can create an organisation that can grow into a remote only structure in the future.
Accountability comes from the fact that others depend on what you do! It is taking responsibility for what we collectively create.
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ColdWise4165@reddit
I had to apply to in-office positions to even be considered as a new grad with no experience. I was prepared to move again when that gig ended too (contract work).
Most of the people new to the field are not going to be remote. Most of those remote workers are already established. That’s not to say there aren’t exceptions.. but it’s very rare in my experience. I lucked into a remote position a year in and I didn’t even apply for it. They offered it to me lol.
star_guardian_carol@reddit
I really would not see remote job postings as opportunities. I made the switch around your age, BUT had schooling and very niche jobs that I was already doing to propel me forward. Not saying not to. One of the other comments said to try it out in your spare time first, and I agree. There are endless home projects with guides that you could work on to learn things. While the end product of any of the work is very satisfying, the road to it as a beginner can be incredibly frustrating. When this happens, don't be discouraged. Know we have all been there and might currently be there staring at a screen going "hmmmmm what am I not seeing... Hey Karl can you.. nvm I found it."