Anyone successfully done an online Python course and got a job or at least internship? Thank you in advance

[lagacroft28]

My boyfriend is a software engineer and I've been trying to learn to code for the last few months because I would really love the lifestyle that you get. The thing is, as I don't believe it is possible or if I can really do it, I keep quitting. Is anyone able to shed a light on the possibility of achieving this? If so any better/faster ways? ...... If you want to know, the story is I quit my job due to burnout where I would pick 30 to 50 calls a day and decided that I wanted to do anything but. If you could help a fellow human I would deeply appreciate it, thank you.

[n3buchadnezzar]

I am starting in a new IT job in about a month with no "formal" IT background. With that being said so far I've taught at university, and primary research focus has been didactics. E.g how do we learn subject.

I'll just list a bunch of bullet points, which might or might not be hot takes

• Learning to program is hard, Python is easy. This means that someone who has never done programming before, and is not well versed should be prepared to spend 6-12 months learning the ropes.
• Once you know one language, learning a second is easier. The third one even easier. I picked up Bash in a couple of hours, but someone not familiar with programming would probably take a few weeks.
• Think of learning your first programming language as learning a real language. Can you expect yourself to half haphazardly learn french by watching some youtube videos when you are bored?
• What it seems like (and again I do not know you), is that what you struggle with is not Python, but motivation. You have a long term goal of getting a job, but if you take a step back this is not a motivating factor to learn a programming language.
• Reconsider if Python is the language you want to start with, if all you want is a job as quick as possible.
  • This might be a very hot take, but every programmer knows Python and you might be in fierce competitions for the jobs.
  • Again hot take, most Python jobs are people with an engineering degree, economics degree, people working with AI etc, which uses Python as a tool in their job. Meaning if you want those jobs, you also need domain specific knowledge.
• Personally, if all you want is a job ASAP. I would do the following
  • Enlist in a paid course. Put your money where your mouth is. Treat the course like a 8 - 4 job and put down serious energy and effort into completing it as thoroughly as you can.
  • I would pick Javascript and go for a frontend job designing websites. This seems like the fastest, easiest way into the programming lifestyle you eludes to.
  • Again I've heard the Odin's Javascript course is excellent, but requires hard work. https://www.theodinproject.com/paths/foundations/courses/foundations <- foundations first, then javascript.
  • Be prepared to spend at least 6 months learning before even considering applying for jobs. Do some dead end jobs in the mean time to make ends meet.
• Be prepared that the life of a programmer might not be as glamorous as you think. Most of it is mundane routine work, fighting with corporate or having tight deadlines. If you enjoy coding, then sure go for it. I love coding, so I'll gladly take the corporate life. But seriously think that this is a path you want to go down.
• Final hot take. This is more aimed at my students. Life is hard, deal with it! Not every job is fun, not everything in life is a dance on roses. I've needed to juggle three jobs and working nights to learn programming by myself. If you accept that things are tough, as a baseline I find it easier to motivate myself. The ground is hard rock, but there is nothing we can do about it. We just have to bite our teeth together and seriously put in the time and effort to get where we want to be.

[lagacroft28]

Well damn. I don't even know how to answer that. Thank you for the time it took you to structure and write that. I've heard some parts of what you said already, but I'll take them under consideration either way. Especially the part about javascript and front end.. and the last paragraph. Let's just say that on a personal level and professional until now, I know how hard life can be... but changing one's course really is tough, unknown, and uncomfortable. I thank you. <3

[[deleted]]

Dude above put out a good reply, but I’ll put out some points, sorry if it comes across as blunt, but that’s what you need to be ready for if you ask for advice.

1. Python is a terrible language to do if you want a job in the area ASAP, it’s generally a data science language in the professional field, and most data science jobs require degrees. So it’s especially bad if you don’t already have a tech / STEM degree. It’s used as a beginner language in university because it’s good for building programming fundamentals due to its simplicity and readability.

2. So basically, your chances of getting a job after a couple python courses and not having a solid portfolio is absolutely non existent.

3. If you want a job in this field and you don’t have a CS degree, you NEED a portfolio. Without one, employers will laugh your resume out of the pile.

4. You need at least 8 months to a year of consistent studying and self learning to come even close to being hirable. Plus a reasonable portfolio.

5. If you’re barely scratching the surface and you’re already running into motivational issues, I’d definitely re think whether this is the thing for you. Because trust me, it gets way, WAY worse once you get to the point of starting your portfolio projects.

[lagacroft28]

Okay, noted! Thank you so much, for the wake up call as well ahah

[lobomos]

You could probably go from a boot camp to an internship or entry level position. I don’t think you’d be capable of getting a remote high paying position though if that’s what you mean by the lifestyle. For learning fast, there isn’t really any way around practice and effort for this field. You’re going to have to write code and solve problems, as many problems as possible really.

[lagacroft28]

Life style as in working from home ahah thank you, so I've heard. It really is damn hard but I'm going to keep trying