“I’m sitting in a café in the heart of Madrid, enjoying a cup of coffee, typing away on my laptop as the rain falls gently outside. In just a few minutes, I will walk into my first day as a front-end developer. Ten months ago, I was teaching English in Granada with absolutely no programming knowledge, and now, here I am. How did this incredible Career Switch Coding journey happen?”
These were the words I excitedly wrote a few months ago as I prepared to embark on my first day in a brand new career. Join me as I recount my journey of how I achieved a successful career switch coding and landed a front-end developer role.
A person smiling and working on a laptop in a cafe, representing a successful career switch coding moment.
Debunking the “Special” Myth in Career Switch Coding
When I initially entertained the idea of a career switch coding to become a developer, I would read articles like this one with a healthy dose of skepticism. I would often scrutinize the author’s background, searching for that elusive “special” quality that seemingly predisposed them to a tech career. I looked for something in their past that I felt I lacked, a hidden advantage that made their success seem unattainable for someone like me.
However, through my own experience in career switch coding, I’ve come to realize that this perspective is fundamentally flawed. There are no “special” prerequisites to becoming a developer. While I won’t sugarcoat it and say it’s easy, the encouraging truth is that the essential requirements for a career switch coding are within everyone’s reach. The core ingredients are a willingness to dedicate yourself to hard work, a commitment to continuous learning, and unwavering consistency. You need the resilience to persevere through challenges and the mental fortitude to overcome moments of self-doubt when you question your capabilities. That’s truly all it takes for a successful career switch coding, and these are qualities that anyone can cultivate with dedication and practice.
My own starting point was from scratch. I had no prior formal education in computer science, limited financial resources for expensive coding bootcamps, a demanding full-time job already consuming my days, and I was navigating this career change in my 40s. While everyone’s circumstances are unique, my journey proves that with the right mindset and dedicated effort, a career switch coding is absolutely achievable.
My Background Before the Career Switch Coding Journey
On the day I wrote my very first line of code, my experience with programming was non-existent. My professional background was quite diverse and far removed from the tech world. I began my career in the fast-paced restaurant industry, followed by pursuing a degree in Music Technology, and then spent a decade teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Spain. My computer skills were fairly basic; I wouldn’t consider myself particularly tech-savvy. However, I always held a fascination for technological advancements and innovation. I admired programmers, viewing them as modern-day problem-solvers and digital architects.
Yet, the thought of becoming a programmer myself never seriously crossed my mind. Partly, this was due to the misconception that coding was an exclusive domain, reserved for exceptionally gifted individuals who graduated from elite (and often prohibitively expensive) universities. While undeniably, talented individuals from top institutions contribute significantly to the field, the reality is that the vast majority of developers don’t fit this stereotypical “Hollywood hacker” image. The world of software development is far more inclusive and accessible than I initially believed, making a career switch coding a viable option for many.
The Spark for a Career Switch Coding
My journey into career switch coding began with an insightful conversation with my partner. She was deeply researching the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, particularly in technology. Driven by a desire to contribute to change and serve as a role model for younger girls in our family, she decided to embark on her own career switch coding journey to become a programmer. Her initiative sparked a similar interest in me.
We soon discovered the wealth of readily available resources for learning to code. Programming wasn’t some esoteric art form, but a tangible skill that we could learn and master through dedicated effort.
Spoiler alert: My partner successfully transitioned her career from HR and actually secured a developer position a month before I did!
One day, we stumbled upon a children’s book about programming during a visit to a science museum. Inspired, we returned home, opened Notepad, and typed <h1>Hello World</h1>. We then opened the file in a browser and experimented with changing the color to red. The sheer excitement we felt was incredible! It felt like magic, like we had unlocked a secret power.
From that moment, I was hooked. I was captivated by the idea of creating things with code, of instructing computers to perform tasks at my command. This simple act ignited my passion for career switch coding.
Loving My Job, But Needing a Change for Career Switch Coding
At that point, I had dedicated eight fulfilling years to working with children as a teacher. This isn’t a story about escaping a dreaded dead-end job. In fact, I genuinely loved my teaching career, enjoyed working with my students, and felt comfortable and valued in my workplace. My work was rewarding and brought me considerable satisfaction.
However, there are times in life when even if you love what you do, you sense a shift within, a quiet voice telling you it’s time to move forward. I was entering a new phase in my life, marked by evolving perspectives and new aspirations. Above all, I yearned for a fresh challenge, something that would push me far beyond my comfort zone and ignite a new sense of purpose through a career switch coding.
A person looking thoughtfully out of a window, contemplating a career switch coding.
Dispelling the Myth of “The One True Path” in Career Switch Coding
The notion of a single, guaranteed path to success in career switch coding is simply a myth. Around the same time my partner and I began our coding journeys, a close friend also decided to pursue a career change into tech. Remarkably, all three of us successfully transitioned into development roles, yet our approaches were vastly different. Each of us discovered and utilized materials and methods that resonated best with our individual learning styles and circumstances. If there’s one common thread uniting our experiences in career switch coding, it’s unwavering perseverance. We simply refused to give up, consistently pushing forward despite challenges. Each of us invested significant hard work and maintained relentless persistence.
Therefore, instead of presenting a non-existent “one true path,” I’ll share the details of my personal journey in career switch coding. It’s not the only way, nor necessarily the best way, but it’s the path that worked effectively for me.
Getting Started with Career Switch Coding
My initial steps into career switch coding involved extensive research. I started by reading articles and watching YouTube videos about programming to gain a foundational understanding of where to begin. I then began experimenting with HTML and CSS, following online tutorials and coding along to build basic web pages. This hands-on experience solidified my interest and confirmed that career switch coding was a path I genuinely wanted to pursue.
Setting Clear Objectives for Career Switch Coding
Seeking guidance, I reached out to two friends who were already working as developers. Their early encouragement and practical advice were crucial in propelling me forward and helping me focus on establishing clear, achievable goals for my career switch coding.
It took some time to navigate the multitude of options and define realistic objectives that aligned with my situation. I needed to make a relatively quick career transition as I didn’t have alternative income sources. This meant I needed to maintain my teaching job until I could successfully complete my career switch coding.
I decided to focus on front-end development as it seemed to be the most accessible and in-demand area within web development. I further narrowed my focus to the specific skills required for a role in a startup environment, rather than pursuing freelance opportunities initially.
Crucially, I set a firm deadline for my career switch coding. I wanted to avoid this objective becoming another item on a perpetually postponed to-do list. It was spring of 2017, and I made a commitment to myself that the upcoming academic year would be my last as a teacher. My goal was to be working in the tech field by September 2018, a little over a year away.
It would be disingenuous to suggest that I had absolute clarity and complete control at this stage of my career switch coding journey. Uncertainty is an inherent part of making such a significant career change. Doubts and anxieties surfaced frequently throughout the process. The key was to cultivate persistence. Once I made the decision to pursue career switch coding, I committed to following this path to its end, regardless of the obstacles encountered.
A person intensely focused on coding at a computer, illustrating the dedication required for career switch coding.
The Learning Process in Career Switch Coding
I understood that dedicated study was the only way to successfully execute my career switch coding. With a full-time job, waiting for “spare time” was never going to be a viable strategy. I had to integrate learning into my already busy schedule, or my career switch coding would remain just a dream. I was fortunate that my partner was also learning to code simultaneously. This shared goal helped us structure our days to maximize learning time. Initially, we implemented what we called “weekend boot camps,” dedicating entire weekends to intensive coding sessions. A typical day during these boot camps looked like this:
8:00 AM: Wake up, breakfast.
8:30 AM: Start coding.
12:30 PM: Gym session.
1:30 PM: Lunch break.
3:00/4:00 PM: Continue coding.
8:00/11:00 PM: Finish for the day.
When summer vacation arrived, I maximized this time by transforming the “weekend boot camp” into a “daily boot camp.” I rigorously adhered to this schedule, resisting the temptation to relax and fully embrace the summer break.
September brought the return to work. I made a conscious decision to reduce my teaching hours, accepting a decrease in income in exchange for more study time. This was another tangible step to solidify my commitment to career switch coding and make it a higher priority.
It’s difficult to convey how challenging it was to be away from coding during workdays. All I wanted to do was return to my computer to solve a coding problem or refine a website layout. However, the demands of daily life intervened. The start of a new school year always requires significant time for preparation and organization, and as any teacher knows, it extends far beyond school hours.
This period presented a critical juncture where my career switch coding mission could have faltered. Despite my best intentions, I found myself with increasingly limited time for coding. My momentum began to wane. I tried to maintain my study routine, but there were days when time simply wasn’t available. Even with strong motivation and a clear goal, life’s complexities can create significant obstacles in a career switch coding journey.
My GitHub activity showing the dip in October
However, as my GitHub activity graph illustrates, I persevered. I consistently dedicated time, even if it was just an hour or reading a coding article. I did everything possible to avoid reaching a point of complete demotivation. Procrastination in career switch coding makes it progressively harder to resume with each passing day.
As December approached, with the new year looming and my self-imposed deadline drawing nearer, I rallied my efforts and reorganized my schedule. I pushed through, dedicating hours to coding regardless of tiredness or time constraints. Sometimes, I would wake up early to code before work; other times, I would stay up late into the night.
This intense focus meant my life largely revolved around my income-generating job and studying for my career switch coding. Little else remained. I maintained this rhythm until the day I began packing to move to Madrid in the spring of 2018, several months ahead of my September deadline.
A laptop displaying lines of code, symbolizing the tools and resources used for career switch coding.
Essential Tools and Resources for Career Switch Coding
Throughout the ten months leading up to receiving my job offer, I immersed myself in all things related to code. The most frequent question I receive on Twitter is about the specific resources I utilized for my career switch coding. I’ve detailed these in another article. However, here’s a concise list of the most impactful tools and resources that aided my career switch coding:
Courses for Career Switch Coding
- freeCodeCamp.org : An invaluable free resource offering comprehensive coding education.
- Udemy Courses by Cassidy Williams and Colt Steele: Affordable, high-quality courses covering various web development topics.
- Wes Bos’ JavaScript 30 and other courses: Focused and practical courses, especially for JavaScript skills.
- YouTube Channels: Traversy Media, LevelUpTuts: Excellent free video tutorials on web development.
- Christina Truong’s Lynda.com courses (now LinkedIn Learning): Professionally produced courses covering a wide range of tech skills.
- Udacity Front-End Nanodegree (paid, scholarship-based): A more structured, in-depth program (I was fortunate to receive a Google scholarship).
While courses provide a strong foundation, I supplemented my learning with other tools to enhance my skills and prepare for job applications in my career switch coding journey.
- Twitter: A cornerstone of my experience, especially the incredibly supportive and welcoming #100DaysOfCode community.
- GitHub: An essential tool for version control, collaboration, and showcasing my projects. It’s often the first place potential employers check to evaluate your work.
- Portfolio: Building a personal portfolio website and other self-initiated projects was instrumental in developing vital development skills and demonstrating practical abilities.
For a complete list of resources and learning paths I utilized during those initial ten months of career switch coding, you can explore my My Learning Tracker GitHub repository.
A person celebrating success in front of a computer, representing the achievement of a job offer after career switch coding.
Landing a Job After Career Switch Coding
Surprisingly, for me, the job search phase of my career switch coding wasn’t overly complicated. I didn’t engage in mass applications or spend countless hours job hunting. Instead, I opted for a selective and focused approach.
Ultimately, I went through five interview processes. I received a rejection from one company and didn’t complete the take-home challenge for another. I successfully completed three interview processes and received job offers from all three. One offer was significantly less appealing than the others, but the remaining two, arriving almost simultaneously, were both very attractive. One of these became my current job.
I don’t want to sound dismissive about this part of the career switch coding journey. It was a period of intense pressure. I was still uncertain if my skills were truly job-ready. I entered interview processes unsure if my limited experience would be a significant disadvantage. It was a nerve-wracking time, but also filled with excitement and hope. When I finally found myself with two genuine, compelling job offers, I was elated and almost in disbelief.
I will forever be grateful to the individuals who made the hiring decisions and decided to give me a chance based on my career switch coding efforts and potential.
The interview processes at the two companies were quite different. One company, a smaller but established firm aiming to build a new front-end development team, conducted a series of video calls to speak with various team members. After several weeks of discussions, they extended my first formal job offer.
The other company, a rapidly growing startup, had a different approach. Following a phone interview, they sent me a technical challenge to complete within a few days. This involved building a component, making API calls, and displaying data correctly. This was followed by a video call to discuss my code. Finally, I was invited to meet the tech team for an informal gathering to assess team fit. Subsequently, I received an offer to join as a junior front-end developer.
In the end, I had the enviable task of choosing between two excellent offers – a luxury I could scarcely believe I had achieved through my career switch coding. I made my decision based on one key factor: the startup (Lola Market Tech) seemed to prioritize mentorship and provide guidance for growth and learning. This was crucial for me, and it proved to be the right choice.
And so, on that rainy day in Madrid, after finishing my coffee, I walked into an office in the business district, introduced myself as the new front-end developer, and began my new career, a testament to a successful career switch coding.
I hope you found my career switch coding story inspiring and helpful. If you did, I would appreciate it if you could give it a clap or share it so more people can learn that they too can achieve a career switch coding. I plan to write more articles about my experiences. If there’s a specific aspect of this process you’d like to know more about, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to connect with me on Twitter @Syknapse.
