I learnt to code at 27 - AMA

[OliviaSoprano]

Before anybody tells me to get over myself - I do know that there is absolutely nothing special or interesting about this! But women are still so under-represented in tech and I think far too many see it as an area that is "not for them" / a career option that wouldn't even be worth considering. I felt exactly that way three years ago but then I tried it and realised that I bloody love coding and now I'm working full time as a software engineer and really enjoy my job.

Just thought I'd start this in case there is anybody out there who may have questions about what's actually involved or how to go about starting to learn the necessary skills (or anything else obviously, it's AMA!)

I was thinking more in the way of learning programming concepts as scripting in HTML and CSS is only applicable to front end development tasks. Whilst programming concepts will help you with learning any coding language down the line.

Great to here you're enjoying Makers so far @Fere How is week 2 going? I agree that it makes all the difference in the world with a bootcamp to a) not have any other time consuming commitments and b) to go into it broadly confident and comfortable that you know what is coming and will enjoy doing it.

Also, so good to see others taking their first steps too. I would definitely agree with the advice to get going with a programming language and not focus just on HTML/CSS for too long.

Not only will it give you a better insight into what software development (as opposed to scripting/styling web pages) actually involves but (if you're anything like me anyway) you'll find it a hell of a lot more fun. Well, fun and then frustrating and awful, and then fun again and so on.

Ok I will put codeacadamy down and look at programming languages.

@Fluffycloudland77 You can use codecademy (that's exactly how I first started). I just meant trying one of the courses that offers either an introduction to "programming fundamentals" or an introduction to JavaScript/Ruby/Python (good beginner options but other languages are available!)

Sorry I meant put freecodecamp down not codeacadamy.

It's going well, I am soon going to be out of my comfort zone and will be using the tips in this TED talk recommended by Makers.
www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve
alexvermeer.com/why-your-mindset-important/
All those who are learning and struggling, watch that 10 minutes video

What an amazing thread and set of resources!
Thank you to Olivia for starting it off, but also to all contributers.

Hi everyone
This thread is great! It's brill to see a few folk getting into coding/programming later on, without the typical degree that I had previously assumed was vital.

I've come back to this after placemarking when it started!

I've recently resigned from the ambulance service, after 15 years. Stress, PTSD, missing out on real life took it's toll! I'd love to forge a new career, and am inspired by you guys :)

The reason I've looked to this career path - a few pals have left the military and are getting into careers - one in back end development - contract work, WFH, and one starting out in UX.

I did the intro on codecademy , and then have taken the intro to HTML which i loved. The career path chooser suggested Data Science, which sounds very awesome (I loved maths and stats at school, managed to wedge it in via a stint in research, and when I came to think about it, visual data is my total favourite thing!)

But now I'm not sure where to go.... and seeking advice! Thankfully I can study whilst my kiddo is at nursery. Do I go for a data science pathway on codecademy- python and R.... or is it better to bulk out my CV with some other stuff first?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help?

I guess as well... a massive question I have is, is expecting to get into data science from basically scratch unrealistic? I don't know anyone IRL who does this, and basically all the jobs I see say you need loads of experience or a degree.

@OctoblockBuild
Have look at courses in this link and perhaps talk to them about your interests

codefirstgirls.org.uk/courses/nanodegree/

I’m sure I’ve seen data science boot camps advertised by a company called purple (can’t remember the rest)

I’ve started c++ on codeacadamy. Finding it hard but pressing on. Dh has whipped the laptop off me to watch F1 so I’m going to read around the subject until the race starts.

How much was the code academy? Abd What was the ‘boot camp’ you did after your 6 months of online learning?

@OliviaSoprano I wish I had seen this when you first posted! DS(13) was offered coding as an option for moving into Year 9 (equivalent of Year 8 in England). While offering this option, his school very strongly advised that he choose the other option of a second language, in his case Irish (which he disliked, but was good at), or he could have taken on French. He chose coding. Cue much hand wringing from me and DP over the fact he didn't go for the language. We tried to talk him round. Some other parents just said no with no discussion.

Anyway, he's been doing coding since September and really loves it. He said that he just 'gets it' and that a few of the other kids are finding it boring and/or difficult. I still would have liked him to do the second language, but feel happier now knowing that he's enjoying coding because I realise it's not for everyone. I would be utterly crap! But I have enjoyed reading the information you've given. I'm also glad that I won't have to listen to DS complaining about conjugating French verbs when he could have been doing coding!!

How many of us did a second language though and actually went on to use it? Not many.

@Fluffycloudland77 I think at the stage you are it would be more useful to try to learn Python rather than C++. It is used widely and leads to good employability.

Thank you OP for this thread! I've read and been inspired.

I see so many different roles e.g. analyst, cyber security, coder, etc

Is there a particular area that in your opinion gives greatest job security?

Which is easiest to get work in?

Any area that you see to be a growth area or an area with potential to achieve a better income than others?

Thanks so much for this brilliant thread!

Ok I’ll try python.

I understood some of it as it was similar to html ie the ; & // to leave comments. So I can see how one language leads to another.

Off the subject a bit, but I'm married to a coder, I never see him, he's always studying new code, he dreams about it, says it's essential to stay on top of every new language and every free second is spent studying ( he's been doing it 20 years as a job!) I work in a Dev team too but not as a coder, so I understand a bit, but is it just him or are all coders like this? I would like to this women are more organised! BTW in the Dev team where I work there are 20 men and only two women, so good on ya!

@Miniature8 I read somewhere that security related jobs will keep growing. The skills for thst type of job are completely different from programming. If you are at the very beginning of your journey why not looking into Skills link I posted above and see what you fancy. What I mean is I think that the number of courses government funds is most likely reflecting what the industry needs.
There are jobs in all specialities, but you need to find interest in any of them. Because without interest and curiosity about the subject you won't be able to pull through tougher parts.

Sorry if this has already been answered, it’s a long thread (please direct me to answer if so!).

My husband is high up in a tech company and I wondered about learning to code. Just because I don’t understand it in the slightest and that pisses me off and why not get a job coding if I can.
I am VERY creative and strongly right-brained, artistic, lateral thinker, practical, like to physically see the efforts of my labour etc. Do you think there would be any hope for me to learn? I have had a look at Scratch just because DH ran a Codeclub and said that would be a good way to start even though it’s for kids 😁 that’s the level I am. Any point do you think? It is SO different to anything I’ve done before and I literally can’t get my head around how typing something in makes the computer actually physically do something?? I hate not knowing though!

@Fere thank you I am going to look at these tonight! Thank you for your posts I have been reading with interest. Off to check out!

@WakeUpLockie during learning to code you will see fruits if your labour very quickly.
If I was to learn from scratch, no pun intended, I would join www.codecademy.com/
and start to learn Python.
It won't be easy, but you have fire in you belly and you will succeed. My experience of learning to code reminded me of learning foreign language. There are so many aspects to it it is very hard to say how long would that process is going to take you. But you will get out what you put in. It is very time consuming but much, much more interesting than many hobbies people do on their spare time.
Enjoy!

I can’t find a free python course on codeacadamy, they want nearly £200 off me.

Apologies for not checking that @Fluffycloudland77 & @WakeUpLockie
you can start with a video like this for Python (I am sure there are others, this is just one of many available on Youtube, you'll see many popping up on the right side of the screen):

More resources here:
www.freecodecamp.org/news/best-python-tutorial/