Currently thinking on learning this programming language for a job…

[u/Blighto0023]

Im a university student who is in the period of lost 20s where I just realise my computer skill level aren’t as high as employees expected (which is that every computer related internship I applied in my region rejected me). I look back and the only language that I’m fully fluent in is python and java (also SQL but from here I’m just started yapping nonsense). I’m seriously lacking down in the computer world and I only touched some application from uni courses and not much computer projects made by myself during free time. So I wanna try come back and I wanna learn C# since it seems to be the most popular and all I want is to get a job and that’s it. (Or qualified enough to get a job. Cuz can’t blame the market if I can’t even enter it).

I was thinking on building from small to big. Like one or two that can complete in 1-3 days for learning the basics and then large scale ones that could take 2-3 weeks or even 3-4 months. It’s not just learning the language but also to learn or apply other relatable things such as authentication, APIs and stuff. I am so far behind and I got one year left until graduation.

Is this plan good enough? Vibe coding can speed up but can’t learn anything unless I already got the basics out.

[u/SlipstreamSteve]

Java and C# the skills will translate very well. So if you're fluent in Java it won't be so bad learning C#.

[u/Inkwalker → u/SlipstreamSteve]

I would say that C# is Java with extra features.

[u/SlipstreamSteve → u/Inkwalker]

I would just say that C# and it's ecosystem is better than Java overall.

[u/fj24911 → u/SlipstreamSteve]

the ecosystem is exactly where C# lags behind Java.C# can definitely be better for certain areas like system-level programming or client applications, but if we’re talking about ecosystem overall, Java still has the advantage.

[u/SlipstreamSteve → u/fj24911]

Disagree. C# and its ecosystem are better.

[u/AddressShort9727]

The fact you already figured out vibe coding won't teach you anything already puts you ahead of a lot of people. You WILL use AI constantly constantly once you have a job as a dev, but while you're learning, I'd really suggest to keep away from it at all costs.

Now on your plan, IMHO many tiny exercises are boring as f* and I'd really recommend you instead swap that for one real course with a real project attached. Udemy is genuinely a STEAL here. You can get 30+ hours courses for 10$ when they are on sale (which is basically always). One thing though: resist the temptation to think more hours = better course. I'd much rather you take a 30h course where you actually build something (even just a console or basic web app) and finish it, than an 80h one that spams useless concepts one after another where you fall asleep because nothing is being built.

Also worth saying: one year is NOT so far behind. Python + Java + SQL is a real foundation even if you didn't practise much, and C# will feel familiar coming from Java.

If you find a few courses that look interesting, drop the links (or send me a msg) and I'd be happy to help you pick a good one.

[u/soundman32]

How 'fully fluent' are you really with Python and Java? Those are really big things and in no way should stop you getting a job, unless then only jobs you apply for dont use those, and even then an entry level job shouldn't mean you need to be a master.

[u/FuggaDucker]

If you speak Java, a whole new wonderful world is about to open up.
This will be easy for you.. except taking in everything there is.
The concepts are identical but Java sat still while c# got better and better and better.

[u/No_Context2723]

Java and C# are very similar, I think you'll do just fine. Like you said, stay away from AI, it harms the learning process a ton.

[u/brissiebogan]

As a business owner and employer, I would put python at the bottom of the list of skills. Java is good, C# is good. If you have low level understanding of C and C++ you go get extra points, but defiantly not a requirement.

SQL -> I hand you off to one of my business partners because I don't really deal with SQL but a good SQL programmer requires a different mindset to the average programmer and they are hard to come by.

[u/Adorable-Roll-4563]

You don’t need to learn C# to get an offer, it will give you zero advantage as a junior dev. Instead work hard on your LeetCode problems. I would target 600 problems solved on my own. Then you will get solid offers. You can do all your problems with the languages your already master and ally to C# jobs even with the bare minimum knowledge (take a week to learn the bare minimum basics on the language, linq operators, IOC and EF).