Need Coding Advice

[NeverNotTired]

Hello,

I have fallen on hard times and have children to support (don't want to bore you with the details) and I need to pull myself out by re-training in coding. Can anyone in web development etc please advise me which coding language I should learn please? I need to be able to secure a job in 6 months to a year. I am a complete novice so any advice will be really appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

www.freecodecamp.org/map The freecodecamp map gives time estimates for each part of their curriculum

Java - no doubt.

There's a massive shortage of skills in this field.

If you can - focus on DevOps as a deployment method on Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure - the former being the better).

Oh - 3 months is very ambitious.

Possible if you have prior coding knowledge and a very strong aptitude.

Realistically, a lot longer.

On freecodecamp i keep doing all the java excercises but as soon as i get to the bonfires/challenges im stuck

OP, I think your idea of becoming a professional coder in six months, at 40, not having a long-standing interest in IT, is perhaps not totally unrealistic but it might not be the best choice for you. I see before me hours of frustration and how you perhaps will regret that decision (I have admittedly a vivid imagination). The chance of succeeding in both learning the ropes and landing a job are probably pretty slim. Have you looked into retraining to assistant nurse? I believe it could be easier, should also be possible to do in six months (or so I've heard from someone casual who did it). There are probably distance education available. Check places such as Open University (also valid for the coding should that be the case).

Maybe we should ask MN for a Learn to Code board
MNHQ are trying to cuf down on the number of boards, because with so many boards everything will filter through to AIBU and _Chat.

OP - the job market is excellent at the moment and candidate driven. Many employers are now starting returner or career changer courses to improve their gender split. As a result more and more companies over flexible working. I work from home 2 days a week and often leave early for DCs after school commitments - I was clear this was important to me at interview stage

What is drawing you to coding?

Hevonbu why do you think nursing would be any easier? Would people be telling a man that advice?

I knew nothing about coding a year ago and I still don't give a crap about IT. I used to work in fashion before.

I have spent hours of my life staring at a screen being stuck.

Yesterday I finished my 5th web app and I'm starting on a client project next week.

3 months is a good start on the FreeCodeCamp front end certificate and you should be able to make a few of the projects.

Many employers are now starting returner or career changer courses to improve their gender split

Do you have any links for that?

Recently made redundant and am looking at a possible career change, I have dabbled in sql, html, css, php, javascript and python over the years.

It’s quite difficult to advise what you should learn without understanding what previous interests and experiences you have, why you think coding would be something you would be interested in or good at. There are so many different opportunities and options depending on what you have aptitude and drive for. Some people love backend work and hate front end (css, HTML etc) and others are the opposite. There are opportunities in software testing which is related, where the industry is moving towards more automation of testing which requires some coding skills but different to that of say a front end web developer, and as someone mentioned up the thread, devops which is another area of growth. Other related but less technical areas include business analysis; a qualification in this would be very achievable in your timeframe. Aside from actual coding skills you should also look into understanding Agile methodologies (look up SAFE for a comprehensive overview).

We are moving this thread to Geeky Stuff soon.

I am reading all the posts and taking it all on board.

What draws me to coding? I think it is not so much for the love of it but more because I need to train in something from home and something I can fit around my DC. I will learn to love it in time I hope and the goal is to continue learning and also to earn a good salary and fit it around family life.

I realistically need to be able to earn Approx 30K in 3-4 years time in a role which also fits around my DC. Is this achievable?

I remember looking and visual basic and java about 20 years ago and not understanding it at all. Html looks manageable. I should perhaps focus on html and css in the 3 month time frame before moving onto java.

I am also interested in the career changer courses offered by employers CBB79
If you could provide details, that would be very helpful.

Bombsaway - if you google returnships or returners programmes it will bring up companies that partner with large organisations to facilitate their returner programmes

Thanks CBB79

Just looking at freecodecamp. It says that you get certificates as you complete projects. Are these certificates worth mentioning when it comes to job applications? Or are they more of a personal achievement marker?

CBB79, do they have career changer courses too or is it just returner courses?

I realistically need to be able to earn Approx 30K in 3-4 years time in a role which also fits around my DC. Is this achievable?

I think it really depends on natural aptitude, it may be achievable for some but I wouldn't say it was guaranteed.

Just to clarify do you mean java or JavaScript ? As some above posters referred to java on freecodecamp for example when think they mean JavaScript. So just wanted to check
I'm currently working 30k in a fully remote role, junior roles although again depending on company can go from 20-25k+ If you stick in your area and junior Dev roles into indeed or something, it will give you a view of the job market, what skills are in demand ATM and kind of pay you'd be looking at (also any must have requirements you'd need)

Hahahaha i wish to do in 3 months something that people go to college/university for and learn in a few years and then expect to get a job after with no experience, haven't worked in 8 years and will just be doing some at home learning.

Good Luck.

For stuff like freecodecamp the portfolio you will build up doing the projects will probably be worth more then the cerfitcayes you gain, but probably worth sticking on your LinkedIn with a brief description and link to GitHub.

When you have the motivations the OP has a lot of things become achievable.

Rooting for you OP.

A fair few people learn via home learning now in tech industry, if you can prove you can do it, a degree is not necessary. 3 months timelineis on the short side as said above, but home learning to job perfectly achieveable and nothing to be sniffed at.

If you are a complete newbie your best bet is SQL and aim towards analytics. Nobody hires a Java programmer in the UK unless they already have significant professional experience.

You all are so helpful and thank you for being so patient and responding to my questions which are quite obviously clueless.

Rawgarlic, I would like to learn javascript. I hope it is different to java, as I found java difficult to understand many many years back. Time will tell

From the advice that you have all given, it sounds like I need to make a start with html and then progress. Does freecodecamp site offer projects to start building a portfolio?