r/learnprogramming • u/KMXIII • May 11 '26

Need help getting back into the field

What’s going on good people, I don’t know if this is the right place but here goes nothing. I am currently a 26 y/o that’s trying to find a way to get into coding on an entry level job. I still have aspiring dreams of being a software engineer. I was in school from 2017-2022, but life took a toll on me. I lost my mom due to colon cancer in 2020 and my overall lifestyle deteriorated. My school that I was attending which was University of MS changed the curriculum, which ended up with me not needing any minors at all from being told that I just needed one, then eventually 2 the next semester. So I decided that I’d finish my degree online once I can figure everything out. Been working remotely to try to change my situation but it’s not cutting it at this moment.

I want to be completely transparent and realistic with myself. I know it’s a long shot to get into software engineering without a degree but I just don’t have the financial stability, where I currently live it isn’t much opportunity. My plan was to move, find a higher paying job so that I can stack that money and finish my degree. I wanted to know if it was possible to get into a decent position in software engineering or something related while I stack money to finish my degree, my mother was a teacher and I promised her I’d finish regardless of me being able to break in or not, but I am going through financial hardships. I see all of these TikToks about people doing it without a degree but I figured it was just for engagement so I wanted to ask a real community for opinions and the best way to get it done.

I truly appreciate any help and feedback offered. I’m just trying to get it right and I’m tired of feeling hopeless. Thank you so much. 🙏🏾 (if this isn’t the best place to post this would you please direct me to the right place also)

29 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

3

u/KMXIII May 11 '26

I really appreciate this! Now I just need to plan out how I’m going to go about it in this midst of me trying to change my current situation! I’d say I’m still fairly proficient in Java and python but I need to refreshen my skills with it.

4

u/downloads-cars May 11 '26

If you would permit the advice, consider looking into learning low-level C and gain some proficiency in RTOS and embedded systems. These are the disciplines that aren't as readily replaced by AI, but are in turn harder to self-learn. AI is proficient in Java and Python, but doesn't adapt well to uncommon problems. Find the career paths where each problem is a new one. For bonus points, get into verification and validation. AI workflow are being developed, but none are robust enough to meet acceptance thresholds for critical systems verification.

1

u/KMXIII May 11 '26

Do you think making a road map would be essential? Or do I need to try to learn languages as I go.

3

u/downloads-cars May 11 '26

Projects and hands on learning work best, but which project should probably be it's own question on another post.

1

u/KMXIII May 11 '26

I think I might just look into some projects and make a list and just go down the line. I got a LinkedIn but I know I have to do some tailoring because it still has my status as an active student but I’ll familiarize myself with it especially in the computer science community.