Career change to coding?

[ProjectBaby87]

Has anyone successfully done this? Seems to be advertised everywhere at the minute. Completing a coding boot camp and then got a job?

My friend did a few years back. I think it was a part time course and she got a job immediately after.

She was the least likely person to go into it. She's an artist/free spirit but has really taken to it and excelling.

Definitely worth it if it interests you

How long did it take?

What type of coding are you looking at?

I work in data and use a couple of languages. Some are more sought after than others?

What’s your background?

I tried to do this and it was a disaster. I did a bootcamp and a couple of workshops and thought I'd love it, but I absolutely hated it, to the extent that I was dreading going into work every day. But I think part of the problem was the company who took me on - they gave me very little support and I felt lost and alone.

So I would say, really REALLY take some time to think about it and work out if it's something you actually enjoy. Coding is complex and difficult and you need a logical, rational and mathematical mind. I spent most of my days battling on my own, and that was horrible. As a new coder you should be paired closely with a more experienced coder who can act as a mentor.

I'm now working as a web writer and much much happier!

Thanks very much for your wise advice! Tbh, I am mathematical and logical but terrible at languages. Background is healthcare but hating lack of pay change etc.

Mathematical and logical is good. Give it a go. Do a course in the evening and see if it works for you.

Would you recommend Python to start? What kind of salary would it be to start?

Python is good. Definitely sought after. SQL is quite straightforward to learn and means you can work on oracle and teradata too.

SAS is useful. Lots of companies use it.

Starting salary probably mid twenties but you can progress relatively quickly if you’re good.

I’ve over doubled my salary in 8 years and I’ve had 2 maternity leaves 😂

Sounds great! Any courses you'd recommend?

You sound more suited to it than I was. I actually did languages at university but coding is obviously a totally different ballgame.

Most of all, I found it boring (and stressful, because I couldn't muster the energy to care, so I didn't improve). That's not a judgement on anyone who works as a coder - it just wasn't for me. I know lots of people who absolutely love it.

Good luck!

I’ve done Udemy courses. They’re pretty good.

Most of my training has been on the job. I’ve got a maths degree and worked my way up in a banks analytics department.

I'm a coder who moved into it after training in a different discipline (life sciences.) I'd try and learn a bit at home first to see if you like it or not, it's not for everyone. I got into it because I was fed up of messing around with data in the lab, so I started learning how to automate it via code.
I use C# in my job. There are lots of C# jobs out there. I started with visual basic. Python is a popular language, my son is using it at school.
Good luck. Programmers aren't the only roles in IT. Project management, for example, is a big area too.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the responses x

There's an AMA on this, have a search I will see if I can find it. It had really good information

Following with interest!
This might be the thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/4104846-I-learnt-to-code-at-27-AMA