π» There are three ways to enter the software engineering industry, ranked by success rate.
π The most common way to enter the industry is through a college degree in computer science, math, or engineering.
π Despite the high demand for software engineering skills, there are alternative paths to enter the industry without prior experience.
π Most professional developers have a college degree in a computer science related field.
π₯ Internships are crucial for gaining work experience and getting ahead in the industry.
π’ Having work experience gives an advantage over bootcamp graduates or self-taught individuals.
πΌ Going to college and getting an internship is a standard way to become a software engineer, but it takes a long time and a lot of money.
π Another option is to attend a boot camp or program that provides all the necessary materials and schedule, usually within 3-4 months.
π° Boot camps can cost around $20,000-$30,000 and may require relocation.
πΌ Attending on-site bootcamps allows for interactive learning but may require a full-time commitment.
π° Consider boot camps with income sharing agreements to minimize financial burden.
π¨βπ» Self-taught software engineering is possible without structured programs or schedules.
π― To become a software engineer with no experience, you need to figure out what you need to learn and how to learn it.
π‘ For self-taught individuals, there is no set path, but you can mimic the work of a boot camp by making a list of technologies mentioned in job posts and learning them one by one.
πΈ Online courses can provide a predefined list of technologies to learn, but they come at a cost.
Attending a bootcamp can save time and provide a portfolio of projects
Creating a personal website is a valuable project for a software engineering portfolio
Building a project with account login functionality is recommended for a software engineering portfolio
π Having a project that mimics real software is crucial for showcasing skills.
π Incorporating external APIs and advanced features in a project demonstrates versatility.
π There are three paths to becoming a software engineer: college, boot camp, or self-teaching.
π Becoming a software engineer with no experience requires learning and building a portfolio of projects.
π Self-taught individuals should focus on acquiring knowledge and practical experience.
π The goal is to make a tech career accessible to anyone.