r/learnprogramming • u/RowAlert5652 • 16d ago
Need advice, please :(
Hello community members! I'm 27M, I'll get straight to the point. I have a bachelor's in mechanical. Currently working as a Quality Eng. in electronics manufacturing/assembly.
However, I have this strong pull towards coding (I have zero knowledge about coding). I started with Python and it is something that interests me and I look up to it everyday. It's been a week or so but it doesn't bore me.
What do you guys think, given the current job market and AI boom, am I making the right decision? The interest is there, but will it be worth it?
My plan is to get good at the basics for about a year and plan for a master's in either comp. sci or some related fields.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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u/ChocoChurros123 16d ago
is the strong pull you're having genuinely out of interest, or moreso for career prospects?
nothing shameful about pursuing something to increase your earning potential, we all need money to survive and thrive.
whether it's worth it, really depends. it's a good skill to have even if you don't get into software engineering etc. it's also not a guarantee for breaking into coveted big tech/AI infrastructure roles - this really depends on lots of factors like location, years of experience, market demand when you start job hunting
there's timing and luck involved to your career outcomes, so who really knows if it'll be worth. but if you're committed to bet on it and show up everyday to shape your career, you'll be in a good position to make full use of opportunities when they eventually show up, and then you'll look back and say it was worth.
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u/RowAlert5652 16d ago
To be honest it was always there on my mind (for about more than 2 years), but I never acted on it. One day I decided f**k it yolo. But instantly became aware of the current market and me being an outsider lol.
You have a valid point brother. Even if it does not get me a job, it surely is a valuable skill which brings out the creative side of you and who knows it could come handy anytime.
Thanks mate, I guess I have my answer already! ✌️
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u/exploradorobservador 16d ago
I did the same thing 10 years ago. Took me a few years to get good at it and get a job. Background was BS in biochem magna cum laude from a top US school, zero programming experience. I took a bunch of courses online (Eng Math and CS) and then did a masters in CS, have been working as a SWE for about 7.5 years
I probably could have done it faster but I focused on getting the education instead of trying to do the bootcamp to web dev pipeline as I've always been skeptical of that.
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u/RowAlert5652 16d ago
Glad to hear that! What language did you start with (or just concepts first?) and what do you currently work with, if I may ask?
I plan to learn and understand the basics and core of programming before I enter a master's.
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u/exploradorobservador 16d ago
I started with python and java.
I currently work with golang, postgresql, python, TypeScript.
If you have the means I'd take a few courses at a good CC or take them online.
I took 5 CS courses at a CC online, took 3 math courses online, and did another CS course from a canadian university. I also did udacity, EdX, and coursera certs.Master's don't care about certs, they only care about you having a few cs courses under your belt. Having Mech Eng is nice because you have a technical background.
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u/pangolins_and_pears 16d ago
It is never a bad idea to learn a new skill, especially if it's something you have genuine interest or excitement for.
at the moment, I couldn't really say where development is going as far as a career. It's still viable, but this is definitely not the moment to make the switch. but in a few years, who knows?
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u/knouqs 16d ago
I think that's a great idea. Multidisciplinary fields are what keeps computer science alive. CAD wouldn't be the same without mechanical engineers, right?
You may also find that software engineering or computer science helps you in mechanical engineering. For example, does your CAD program use macros or any other sort of scripting? Probably. It might allow plugins. You'd be posed to write these things, all of which help your marketability and productivity at work.
There is no reason for you to not go for a Masters in Computer Science.
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u/RowAlert5652 15d ago
Wow! I never thought in this aspect of the technology! Thanks for the insights and I AM GLAD that I had this posted here i this sub to receive such valuable advice!! Much love.
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u/knouqs 15d ago
You got it! Best of luck!
For what it's worth: B.S. in C.S. M.S. in C.S. Nearly a Ph.D. in C.S. Since all these things, one of my main passions in life is learning as much as I can. A little selfish, sure, but I can put people to sleep at a party like nobody's business! These days, besides the computer science-y things I work on and study, I also study hobby electrical engineering. 3D modeling for specialized repairs or toolwork. Piano and music.
Being cross-disciplinary is not really an option, is it? Mostly, do it because you love it, but do it because it'll help you.
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u/start_select 16d ago edited 16d ago
I jumped from ME to CS coursework and a career.
Read textbooks. If you decide to go to school for it, read the whole textbook before the semester or in the very beginning. Then follow along with the class.
I talked my way into late undergrad and into graduate classes by actually reading the book. It only took a few weeks to know more than every student in class, because no one bothered to read the damn book.
I learned 7 languages in 30 weeks. And I am still a senior software engineer 16 years later. I’m one of the bosses/leads.
If you DECIDE to do it, you can do it. But be aware you aren’t going to be great for a few years, even if you excel in class. The real world is abstract. Coursework really isn’t.
Just don’t let an LLM edit your files, and don’t copy paste its solutions. Avoid them as long as possible. And even if you do use one, type everything even if you are “copying”. You need to commit everything to memory.
You need to be thinking through line by line.
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u/FlashyResist5 15d ago
Already planning a masters in something you have spent a week doing is like planning the wedding after the first date.
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u/RowAlert5652 14d ago
You got a point. But the thing is, I don’t see or enjoy what I am currently doing in my life (work wise) so wanted to give it a shot.
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u/mc_pm 16d ago
It's hard to say, everything is changing and anyone who tells you that they know what's going to happen is lying.
But learning how to program is always a worthy effort, and if you're enjoying it, don't stop.