Embarking on a career change can be daunting, especially when venturing into a field as dynamic as computer programming. Imagine yourself in a vibrant café, laptop humming, as you prepare for your first day as a front-end developer. Just ten months prior, you were in a completely different profession, perhaps with no coding experience whatsoever. This was the reality for me, transitioning from an English teacher to a front-end developer in Madrid. Let me share my journey of Career Change Computer Programming, proving that it’s achievable, regardless of your background.
Image depicting a person confidently working on a laptop, symbolizing a successful career change into computer programming.
Debunking the “Special” Myth in Tech Careers
When I first considered a career change into computer programming, I often read success stories with a degree of skepticism. I searched for hidden advantages, some innate talent that these individuals possessed, something that set them apart and made them “special.” I’ve since learned that this perception is far from the truth. There are no exclusive prerequisites to becoming a developer. While it demands dedication, learning, and consistency, the fundamental requirements are accessible to everyone. The key ingredients are hard work, continuous learning, and resilience. It’s about pushing through moments of doubt and reaffirming your capability, skills that anyone can cultivate with practice.
My starting point was ground zero – no relevant background, no expensive courses, a demanding full-time job, and the perceived disadvantage of being “older” in tech at 40. Everyone’s journey is unique, but my experience underscores a universal truth: with determination, a career change into computer programming is within reach.
My Untraditional Path to Programming
On the day I wrote my first line of code, my experience with programming was non-existent. My professional background was varied, starting in the restaurant industry, followed by a Music Technology degree, and then a decade teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Spain. While I wasn’t particularly tech-savvy, I was always fascinated by technological advancements and viewed programmers as modern innovators.
However, programming felt like an exclusive domain, reserved for the exceptionally gifted, graduates from elite universities. While such individuals exist in the field, the reality is that the majority of developers are not stereotypical “hackers.” The world of development is far more inclusive and accessible than I initially believed.
The Spark for Change: An Origin Story
The catalyst for my career change computer programming journey was a conversation with my partner. She was researching the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, particularly in technology. Driven to make a difference and become a role model, she decided to learn programming. Her initiative ignited my own interest.
We discovered an abundance of accessible learning resources, realizing that programming wasn’t an arcane art but a learnable skill. Spoiler alert: she successfully transitioned from HR and secured a developer job a month before I did, further fueling my motivation.
Our “aha” moment came in a science museum where we found a children’s book on programming. Returning home, we opened Notepad, typed <h1>Hello World</h1>, opened it in a browser, and then changed the color to red. The sheer excitement was palpable! It felt like magic, controlling the computer with code. From that moment, I was captivated. I wanted to create, to command computers through code.
Why Leave a Job I Loved?
For eight years, I had been teaching children, a profession I genuinely enjoyed. This isn’t a story of escaping a dreaded job. I loved teaching, found it rewarding, and was comfortable in my role.
Image showing a person in a classroom setting, representing a fulfilling but previous career before a career change to computer programming.
However, even in fulfilling roles, there comes a time for change. I felt a shift in my life, new aspirations taking shape. Above all, I craved a new challenge, something that would push me beyond my comfort zone and into the realm of career change computer programming.
Debunking the Myth of “One True Path” to a Tech Career
There’s no single guaranteed route to success in a career change. Three of us – my partner, a close friend, and myself – started learning to code around the same time, all aiming for a career shift. Today, all three of us are working in development roles, yet our learning paths were vastly different. Each of us tailored our approach to methods and materials that resonated personally. If there’s a common thread, it’s unwavering persistence. We all invested significant hard work and dedication, refusing to give up.
Therefore, instead of presenting a singular “true path,” I’ll share my personal journey into career change computer programming. It’s not the only way, nor necessarily the best, but it’s what worked for me.
Getting Started: Dipping My Toes into Code
My initial steps involved extensive research. I read articles and watched YouTube videos about programming to grasp the landscape and identify a starting point. I began experimenting with HTML and CSS, following tutorials and coding along to build basic web pages. This hands-on experience solidified my desire to pursue career change computer programming seriously.
Setting Realistic Objectives for a Career Shift
Seeking guidance, I reached out to friends working in development. Their early encouragement and advice were crucial in shaping my direction and focusing my efforts on a clear objective.
It took time to evaluate options and set realistic goals aligned with my circumstances. I needed a relatively quick career change as I relied on my existing income. This meant balancing learning with full-time employment.
I decided to focus on front-end development, perceiving it as the most accessible and in-demand area. I further narrowed my focus to skills relevant for startup environments rather than freelance work.
Then, I set a firm deadline. To avoid indefinite procrastination, I aimed for a career transition within a defined timeframe. It was spring 2017, and I resolved that the upcoming academic year would be my last as a teacher. My target was to be working in a development role by September 2018, just over a year away.
Realistically, at this stage, clarity and complete control were illusions. Certainty is a luxury rarely afforded during significant career changes. Doubts were constant throughout the process. Persistence became my guiding principle. Once committed, I was determined to see this path through, regardless of the challenges.
Image depicting a person intensely focused on a computer screen, showcasing the dedication required for a successful career change into computer programming.
Immersive Learning: The Core of My Transition
I understood that dedicated study was the only way forward in my career change computer programming journey. With full-time employment, waiting for “free time” was not an option. Learning had to be integrated into my existing schedule. Fortunately, my partner was also learning, allowing us to structure our days to maximize study time. We initiated “weekend boot camps,” dedicating entire weekends to coding. A typical day involved:
8:00 am: Wake up, breakfast.
8:30 am: Start coding
12:30 pm: Gym break
1:30 pm: Lunch and break
3:00/4:00 pm: Resume coding
8:00/11:00 pm: End for the day
During summer vacation, I intensified this, transforming weekend boot camps into daily coding sessions. I adhered to this schedule diligently, resisting the allure of a relaxed summer break.
September marked my return to work. I consciously reduced my working hours, accepting a temporary income reduction for increased study time. This was another step solidifying my commitment to career change computer programming.
The challenge of being away from code during work hours was significant. My focus constantly pulled back to coding, wanting to resolve problems and refine layouts. However, work and life demands intervened. The start of a school year is always demanding for teachers, requiring extensive preparation and time commitment.
This period was a potential derailment point. Despite my best intentions, coding time diminished. Momentum waned, and some days, time simply wasn’t available. Even with strong motivation, life can complicate even the most determined career change computer programming efforts.
My activity on GitHub showing the dip in October
However, as my GitHub activity illustrates, I persevered. I consistently invested time, even if just an hour, even if it was just reading articles. My priority was to avoid losing momentum entirely. Prolonged breaks make it increasingly difficult to restart.
As December approached, the looming new year and approaching deadline spurred renewed focus. I rallied, pushing through, dedicating hours despite fatigue and limited time. Sometimes, this meant early mornings coding; other times, late nights.
My life became largely confined to my paying job and studying, with little else. This rhythm continued until I began preparations to move to Madrid in spring 2018, months ahead of my initial deadline.
Image showing a person working late at night on a computer, illustrating the dedication and time commitment involved in a career change to computer programming.
Essential Tools and Resources for Aspiring Developers
Throughout the ten months leading to my job offer, I fully immersed myself in the world of code. The most frequent question I receive on Twitter is about the resources I utilized. I’ve detailed this in another article. Here’s a concise list of key resources:
Courses: Foundational Learning
- freeCodeCamp.org: A comprehensive, free platform for learning web development.
- Udemy Courses by Cassidy Williams and Colt Steele: Focused and engaging courses on specific development topics.
- Wes Bos’ JavaScript 30 and other courses: Practical, project-based JavaScript learning.
- YouTube Channels: Traversy Media, LevelUpTuts: Excellent free video tutorials on various web development technologies.
- Christina Truong’s Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) courses: Structured courses covering a wide range of tech skills.
- Udacity Front-End Nanodegree (Paid, with scholarship opportunities): A more structured, in-depth learning program (I received a Google scholarship).
Courses provide a structured foundation, but I complemented them with other tools to enhance learning and job prospects in my career change computer programming journey.
- Twitter: An invaluable platform, particularly the supportive #100DaysOfCode community, for motivation and networking.
- GitHub: Essential for version control, collaboration, and showcasing projects. It’s often the first place potential employers review your work.
- Portfolio: Building a portfolio website and self-initiated projects was crucial for practical skill development and demonstrating my abilities.
For a complete list, you can explore My Learning Tracker GitHub repository, detailing resources and learning paths from my initial ten months.
Image displaying logos of various online learning platforms and developer tools, representing the resources available for a career change into computer programming.
Landing the Job: Focused and Selective Approach
Surprisingly, the job search phase wasn’t overly complex. I didn’t send out countless applications or spend excessive hours job hunting. Instead, I adopted a selective and focused approach to my career change computer programming job search.
I engaged in five interview processes. I received one rejection and didn’t complete a take-home challenge for another. I completed three processes and received offers from all three. One offer was unsuitable, but the other two, received almost simultaneously, were both very appealing. One of these became my current role.
This isn’t to downplay the intensity of the period. I was uncertain if my skills were job-ready. Entering interviews, I worried about being perceived as underqualified. It was a nerve-wracking yet hopeful time. Receiving two excellent job offers was exhilarating and almost unbelievable.
I remain deeply grateful to those who made hiring decisions and gave me a chance to prove myself.
The interview processes at the two companies differed significantly. One involved video calls with various team members at a well-established company building a new front-end team. After several weeks, they extended my first job offer.
The other was with a rapidly growing startup. Following a phone interview, I received a technical challenge involving building a component, making API calls, and displaying data. This was followed by a video discussion about my code and an invitation to meet the tech team socially. Subsequently, I received an offer as a junior front-end developer.
Ultimately, I had to choose, a fortunate position I hadn’t imagined possible. I selected the startup (LolaMarket Tech) primarily because of their clear emphasis on mentorship and providing guidance for growth and learning. This proved to be the right decision.
And so, on that rainy Madrid day, coffee in hand, I walked into an office, introduced myself as the new front-end developer, and began my new career.
I hope my story inspires you. If you found it helpful, please share it to encourage others considering a career change computer programming. I plan to write more about this journey, so if you have specific questions or areas you’d like me to cover, please reach out on Twitter @Syknapse.
Read my detailed article on the resources I used to land a front-end developer job.
