Are you interested in becoming a software engineer but don’t have time to dedicate to a CS degree? Well, here’s the good news. You can become a self-taught software engineer without a college degree by following the necessary steps and directions.
As per the US News report, the average salary per year of a software engineer starts from $107,510, with an unemployment rate of only 1.4%. Further, it is the most lucrative technology career that provides an above-average work-life balance.
How to become a self-taught software engineer without a college degree
When starting, the initial decision requires deciding a program language and framework that should be learned. However, a lot of people get confused while making this decision. But once you are aware of a particular language, transitioning to a new one is not a difficult task. For this reason, your initial step should include understanding programming fundamentals. You can easily learn new languages, technologies, and frameworks based on fundamental learning.
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Pick a relevant course/platform
Choosing the right one can be difficult with tons of options available in software developer programs and classes. Further, the course formats in online learning platforms have different strategies and techniques involved. Therefore, go with small courses and one-off tutorials to learn the basic programming language initially.
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Work with others to learn
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Working with people on the same learning journey as you can be extremely helpful in accelerating your skills and knowledge. For this reason, we recommend you set up a working group to focus on a specific app or project.
Get practical experience
The lack of practical experience makes companies resist hiring junior developers. So the critical component of your marketability is based on your previous experience. Therefore, you can begin with Hackathons and find open-source projects to gain exposure and knowledge.
Build experience with technical side gigs
You can easily practice on real projects and build your programming portfolio by taking a technical side gig. Moreover, apart from learning to code, it is a great opportunity to make money instead of waiting for a full-time. Technical side gigs also assist in skill application and faster learning.
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Reach out to your references
Don’t apply for every job blindly after thinking you are ready for the interviews. We suggest you reach out to the people you are connected with as it increases your chance of success. You can talk to your engineer friends or use your LinkedIn connections and see if it helps you reach relevant companies. Most tech companies might be happy to submit your name as they offer solid referral bonuses.
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Officially become a software engineer
After learning the skills and experience of becoming a software engineer, it is time to find jobs and make it through a series of interviews. Make sure you have enough experience to overshadow the no-degree aspect of your career. With time, you can get an offer that may be entry-level but is a great push to start a career.
Also Read: How to get a Remote Software Developer Role
