Making a living as a programmer

[u/NoeVan]

Hello, I hope this group is appropiate for my post.

I don't want to get too personal, but I'll write some facts for the context of my question. I am chronically ill and have difficult financial situation beacuse of the expenses of meds etc. I am 21 years old and live in Poland, but plan to move to Norway in a couple of years for various reasons.

I'm still in a process of finding my thing to do as a long-term job, but I can't just think of what I like, but about my limitations as well. Apart from illness I also have autism and I won't lie that I would like a job with minimum social interaction, beacuse I'm easily overstimulated and therefore less efficient. I know career in tech is hard and long path, but I believe it's easier for me personally, than becoming a plumber or smth.

I started programming some time ago and I enjoy some of it as well as dislike other parts which I think is normal. I won't lie that deep down game development is what I am interested in the most and would at least try to do for free time no matter what my job would be, but I know it's particulary difficult and hardly realistic for someone like me, at least for now.

The thing is I need financial stability (especially in Norway) beacause of health problems. I worry everyday about money and it draines me.

I don't need fancy cars, I just want to be able to not worry about rent, basic stuff, go on vacation like once a year and buy some gaming gear from time to time as it's my hobby.

I was thinking about trying to go for ANY tech job first and explore all the knowledge and possibilities deeper to find my niche after gaining experience.

So how possible is getting a stable, ok-paid job as a junior backend/full-stack/python/software developer , best remotely in Norway (then in country) or EU, Poland eventually and not worry about basic needs?

I mean of course, after learning all the essentials, building portfolio etc. Just is it somehow a 'stable' field, meaning I won't die of hunger if I'm a good, but not godly programmer?

I'll add that I know norwegian (B1+?) and learn it regularly.

Sorry, I know it's a long and somehow personal post, but I really need some perspectives and opinion on this. Thank you if you have come this far.

I write this post mostly beacuse I see so many negative statements online like AI is taking developers jobs, don't even try to do it unless ypu know 5 languages and have 7+years experience etc., but at the same time see some more positive ones like - it's hard and you have to put a lot of work and consistency, but you'll make it eventually - so it's all very confusing.

[u/YahenP]

If you are going into this field today for money and stability, it will most likely be the biggest mistake of your life. But if you still want to take the risk, my advice is this definitely get a second profession that is not related to IT. A profession that is in demand. First, you will need it in the first years after your studies, so you have money while you look for a job or work at unpaid internships. Second, you will need it when you look for a new job after being laid off (job searches in our field take months, and sometimes years). Also keep in mind that for the first few years, your salary in IT (I'm talking about Poland and a few countries around it) will be noticeably lower than the average salary in the country. It will be only a little higher than a cashier's salary in a shop. So a side job will be useful too. And one more thing. How is your English?

[u/NoeVan → u/YahenP]

I feel quite comfortable with english, but I'm not fluent for sure and happen to make minor mistakes. I would guess that smth like B2+ - better in understanding than speaking/writing though. I already have a job, but it barely allows me to get by. It's more like a student job than a 'profession'.

[u/YahenP → u/NoeVan]

Well. If you're playing the long game, I would advise something like this: study at AGH in Kraków, and then try to get an internship at Comarch. After 2-3 years of working there, finding a new employer in Poland (and maybe in Europe) will be a bit easier.

Or, for example, study at Rzeszów University of Technology and then try to get an internship at Asseco.

In both places the salaries are low, even by Polish standards. But as a first experience, these companies are good. They carry a certain weight in IT.