So, you’re diving into the world of programming outside the traditional university path? That’s fantastic! You’re taking the initiative and forging your own way. It’s understandable to feel a bit lost without the built-in career services of academia, but rest assured, starting a programming career on your own is absolutely achievable. Let’s break down how you can navigate this journey and land your first programming job.
First and foremost, embrace lifelong learning. Completing an introductory Python course like “Python for Everybody” is a great starting point, but the tech world is constantly evolving. The specific skills required for your first job might be different from what you initially learned. Don’t stop at the basics. Keep expanding your knowledge base. Learn at a comfortable pace that allows you to enjoy the process. Consider exploring web application development with frameworks like “Django for Everybody.” This will introduce you to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – essential technologies beyond just Python. Delve further into “Web Applications for Everybody” to learn PHP, reinforce your JavaScript skills, and gain a deeper understanding of web protocols and databases. Solidify your database skills with resources like “PostgreSQL for Everybody.” The more diverse your skillset becomes, the more confident you’ll be in your existing knowledge. Remember, landing a job isn’t solely about what you already know; it’s significantly about your capacity to learn new things quickly and adapt. Build a foundation broad enough that learning new technologies becomes easier and faster.
One often-overlooked but highly effective way to break into programming is to leverage your current job. Think about how programming skills could enhance your existing role. For example, if you work in sales and regularly deal with monthly sales spreadsheets, consider writing a simple Python script to automate report generation. Create insightful reports that would be time-consuming to produce manually. Present these reports to your manager and inquire if there are other reporting needs that you could address. You might find yourself gradually taking on data analysis tasks, evolving from spreadsheets to graphs, and eventually contributing to website redesign projects. This organic progression is powerful. As you demonstrate your abilities, technical tasks will naturally gravitate towards you. The beauty of this approach is that you can strategically choose your next learning focus based on the evolving needs you observe within your company.
However, if you’re currently unemployed or in a role where transitioning to a technical position isn’t feasible, the path to entry-level programming jobs can feel steeper. Let’s address why securing that first entry-level role from outside an organization can be particularly challenging.
Why Are Entry-Level Programming Jobs So Hard to Find?
Imagine a small company needing extra help. An entry-level programmer who is productive on basic tasks from day one, has a positive attitude, and is eager to learn and grow would be a valuable asset. If this company were to post a job ad online – “Part-time, remote entry-level programmer position, Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript skills minimum” – they would likely be flooded with hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. For a small business owner juggling multiple responsibilities, sifting through countless resumes to identify a handful of suitable candidates for interviews, conducting those interviews, and finally selecting a single hire becomes a monumental task. Then comes the onboarding and training process. What if the new hire’s skills aren’t quite as advanced as their resume suggested? The company may lack the resources to provide extensive remedial training. What if the work isn’t what the new employee expected, leading to dissatisfaction and turnover? The cycle of recruitment, hiring, training, and potential re-hiring becomes incredibly time-consuming and resource-intensive for a small business.
So, how do companies often overcome this challenge? Frequently, it’s through personal connections and trusted referrals. A current employee might mention a friend who is skilled but underutilized in their current role. This friend might have some coding knowledge, be a hard worker, possess a great personality, and be enthusiastic about learning and tackling less glamorous tasks to gain experience. The company could offer this person a few hours of work per week initially, allowing both parties to assess the fit without significant risk. The individual can retain their current job during this “startup” period, and both sides can re-evaluate after a few months. If it doesn’t work out, the stakes are low, and there are no hard feelings.
This approach mitigates many of the hiring company’s concerns. The referred candidate comes with a built-in endorsement from a trusted employee, reducing the risk of misrepresentation. There’s already a potential mentor within the company, and the low-pressure, part-time start allows for gradual integration and skill development. While larger companies may utilize internship programs to create similar low-stakes pathways for potential employees to demonstrate their abilities, these programs still require significant organization and management.
So, What Should You Do to Start Your Programming Career?
Firstly, continue learning. (It’s worth repeating!). If you’re currently employed, excel in your current role. The work ethic and positive habits that make you a good employee in any field are transferable and equally valuable in a technical career.
For breaking into entry-level programming, prioritize people connections over solely relying on massive online job boards. While networking can be more challenging in a pandemic era, actively seek out opportunities to connect with people in the tech community. Find local Python User Groups, Django Girls organizations, or general IT professional meetups in your area. Many groups have shifted to online Zoom meetings, offering a low-pressure way to observe, listen, and learn. Research the types of companies and programming jobs prevalent in your local area. You might be surprised to discover smaller local businesses engaged in technical work. Often, being in the right community and making connections is key to having career opportunities emerge organically.
Consider volunteering your programming skills. Numerous non-profit organizations often require technical assistance with their websites or data processing. This is where a breadth of skills proves invaluable. Real-world projects for these organizations often involve “crufty” technology stacks, unlike the neatly packaged programming assignments you encounter in courses. The ability to handle ambiguity and complex, imperfect situations is highly valued in the professional world. If you wait for the “perfect” job requiring only your existing skillset, you might be waiting a long time.
Another strategic approach is to seek non-technical employment at a company that interests you, particularly a tech company. Look for roles in shipping, customer service, or call centers. Taking a non-technical role within a tech company gets you “in the door.” You’ll gain firsthand insight into the company’s operations, meet people within the organization, and learn about their technical needs. You might even identify specific technologies the company uses and then proactively learn those skills. Once you’re inside the company, transitioning to a technical role becomes significantly more attainable.
Summary: Kickstarting Your Programming Career
To summarize, your path to a programming career as a self-taught individual involves:
- Continuous Learning: Never stop expanding your skillset and adapting to new technologies.
- Networking: Build connections within the tech community through online and offline groups and events.
- Volunteering: Gain practical experience and build your portfolio by offering your skills to non-profit organizations.
- Strategic Employment: Consider non-technical roles at tech companies as a stepping stone into a programming position.
Throughout a 40-year career, many programming opportunities arise through unexpected connections. My first technical role wasn’t through a formal job application; it came from a casual conversation with a classmate in a Calculus course. He mentioned his part-time job as a student consultant needing more people. It started at $4 per hour, but that offhand comment from a new friend in 1975 launched my entire career. Keep learning, be proactive, and put yourself in environments where opportunities can find you.
