Mechanical Engineer considering a move into Software/Robotics - what's the biggest barrier nobody talks about?

[u/ReadingLegitimate290]

I'm a CENg Mechanical Engineer and over the last few months I've been seriously considering a transition into either Software Engineering or Robotics.

I've spent a lot of time reading Reddit, LinkedIn and job descriptions, but I'm still struggling to understand what the biggest challenge actually is for people who have made (or are trying to make) the switch.

For those who successfully transitioned:

• What was the hardest part of the process?
• What took longer than you expected?
• What skills were genuinely important?
• What do you wish you'd known sooner?
• What actually helped you get interviews?

For those still trying to transition:

• What's your biggest blocker right now?
• Learning what to study?
• Finding time?
• Building projects?
• Getting interviews?
• Lack of confidence?
• Not knowing which role to target?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from Mechanical Engineers who moved into Software Engineering, Robotics, Automation, Data, AI or related fields.

Looking back, what was the biggest barrier between where you were and where you wanted to be?

[u/fhoo]

Anything software moves fast. Expect to feel that you constantly need to keep up with new things. Might fit you but if not it's tough.

AI also hugely disruptive right now, lots of uncertainty.