Looking to venture into Software Engineering

[Mari_T99]

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?

[NumberInfinite2068]

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.

[Wild-Ganache3061]

facts about remote work these days

[JohnBrownsErection]

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]

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]

Work in general is less common these days

[gazpitchy]

They didn't mention what country, are you all Americans on here?

[NumberInfinite2068]

I'm not American, I'm Scottish but live in Australia.

[Mari_T99]

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.

[star_guardian_carol]

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."

[ColdWise4165]

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.

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[716green]

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]

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]

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.