What would you do if you were me? Coding bootcamp question | Hacker News Reader

What would you do if you were me? Coding bootcamp question

3 points_gboz7 comments

Relevant context: I'm 28, live near [redacted], I'm single, have no degree (dropped out 40% through a non stem degree), have been unemployed since December 2019, and have little coding experience. I have a serious disc injury in my back which limits the type of jobs I can work. I'm also autistic and do much better with technical things then customer focused. I'm totally ok working in a team though! I currently live with family, which is not ideal but not terrible. I have been thinking about doing a coding a coding boot camp (specifically Launch School using their deferred payment) or alternatively learning Python with the goal of finding a entry level remote job. I currently make zero dollars a month and my savings is quickly disappearing.

And here's the actual question part.. Do you think this is a good plan? Do you have any advice? My long term goal is to obtain a degree in biology or neuroscience, I think the technical skills from coding would be a great asset in those fields. Finding a remote job is more urgent to me then finishing a degree because because I want to be able to pay for healthcare stuff that isn't covered by my insurance (medicaid) and move out of the small town I live in. I previously lived in a large city with roommates before my injury. Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse here. Id much rather go the coding bootcamp route then take out student loans. I think I would do better with learning in a structured course then with just my Python textbook. Thank you for reading!

Some code schools are free (and take a cut from your future earnings). But there's differing opinions on whether they'll really lead to fast and gainful employment.

If your long-term goal is a degree/career in biology or neuroscience, there's another option. Maybe you could try to get a job in a biotech firm. (Any job; just to get your foot in the door and make some contacts and get to know a bit more about the field.)

And of course, you can always just take an unrelated job, and then start taking classes at a good (and low-cost) community college. It could even be a part-time job. You can transfer those credits to any four-year college later if you end up with more college money down the road.

I'm not trying to talk you out of code bootcamp. But you do have a lot of options.

I do NOT recommend going to a bootcamp if you have little experience with coding. The bootcamp sweet spot is helping someone who knows how to code to get up to speed with being an entry level professional developer.

Bootcamps are incentivized to send their best candidates out to interview for the best jobs, and if you're trying to learn the very basics of javascript at the same time you're trying to learn the latest framework it is going to be very hard to be at the top of the class.

I recommend doing some self study at home through an online class, then after you feel like you both enjoy programming and have a good handle on the basics, to then try a bootcamp.

Do you think I should focus on Python before JS?

JS seems to be a little more common for hiring entry level developers. Doesn't matter that much once you get really good at JS you can easily transition to python and vice versa.

The delayed payment boot camp option sounds optimal for you if you don’t think self-study would work for you. Make sure tech is interesting for you, there electrical, welding and plumbing “bootcamps” that pay well too.

I broke out of a dead end QA testing job and into DevOps by getting AWS certified and developing some Python skills. I have to continually update and upgrade my skills, online courses provide enough structure to keep me motivated for that. Not sure if that would work for you. Good luck!

I have a done a lot of technical computer things (minus coding) and its definitely interesting to me. I dont think I would like a high pressure FAANG type job but I think there is definitely a niche out there for me. Specifically writing programs for ideas I have or using python to do research/data science type stuff. I know I would like trade school but cant physically handle it.

Whenever people ask "Should I do a bootcamp" it shows they either aren't serious about CS or don't have the willpower to crack into a new field.

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