Changing careers can feel like a daunting leap, especially when venturing into a field as dynamic as programming. For years, I believed that breaking into tech required a specific background, a computer science degree, or some innate “tech gene.” However, I discovered that this couldn’t be further from the truth. At 40, with no prior tech experience and while working full-time, I successfully transitioned into front-end development through self-directed learning and minimal financial investment.
“Here I am, in a cozy Madrid café, laptop humming, rain pattering outside. In a few moments, I’ll step into my first day as a front-end developer. Just ten months ago, I was teaching English in Granada, completely clueless about code. Now, this. How did I manage this career change into programming?”
These were my excited thoughts on that pivotal day. Let me share my journey with you, detailing how I made this significant career change into programming.
Debunking the “Special” Myth in Programming Careers
When I first considered a career change into programming, I devoured articles about others who had done it. Yet, I often looked for a hidden advantage, some inherent quality that made them uniquely suited for tech – something I felt I lacked.
I’ve since learned that this mindset is misleading. There’s no secret formula or prerequisite to becoming a developer. It’s not an easy path, but the requirements are accessible to anyone. The key ingredients are hard work, consistent learning, and unwavering persistence. You need to develop the mental resilience to overcome moments of self-doubt, those times when you question if you’re “cut out” for this. That’s truly all it takes, and anyone can cultivate these qualities with dedication.
My starting point was ground zero – no relevant background, no budget for expensive bootcamps, a busy full-time job, and the added factor of being in my 40s. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, but I’m living proof that a career change into programming is within reach if you’re determined.
My Unconventional Background Before Programming
Before writing my first line of code, my professional life was far removed from the digital world. My early career was in the restaurant industry. Later, I pursued a degree in Music Technology, followed by a decade teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Spain. While I was always fascinated by technology and admired programmers as modern-day problem solvers, I never saw myself joining their ranks.
Programming seemed like an exclusive domain, reserved for the exceptionally gifted who graduated from elite universities. While such individuals certainly exist in tech, the reality is that most developers aren’t stereotypical “Hollywood hackers.” The world of development is far more inclusive and attainable than I initially believed, making a career change into programming surprisingly accessible.
The Spark for a Career Change into Tech
My journey toward a career change into programming began with a conversation with my partner. She was researching the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, particularly in technology. Inspired to become part of the solution and a role model, she decided to learn programming herself. Her initiative ignited a spark in me.
We soon discovered the wealth of resources available for learning to code. It wasn’t some arcane art, but a learnable skill, a new career path we could forge together.
Spoiler alert: she successfully made her own career change from HR to development, securing a developer job a month before I did!
Our initial foray into coding was almost whimsical. We stumbled upon a children’s book about programming at a science museum. Returning home, we opened Notepad, typed <h1>Hello World</h1>, opened it in a browser, and then changed the color to red. We were astonished! It felt like magic!
From that moment, I was captivated. I wanted to build things with code, to instruct computers to perform tasks I dictated. This was the catalyst for my career change into programming.
Finding Motivation for Change Despite Job Satisfaction
At that point, I had dedicated eight years to teaching children. This isn’t a typical story of escaping a dreaded job. I genuinely enjoyed teaching, loved working with kids, and felt comfortable in my school environment. It was fulfilling and pleasant.
However, even when you love what you do, there are times when you sense it’s time for a change. I was entering a new phase of life, with evolving perspectives and ambitions. Above all, I craved a new challenge, something that would push me significantly beyond my comfort zone. This desire became the driving force behind my career change into programming.
Dispelling the Myth of a Single Path to Programming Success
There’s no singular “right” way to achieve a career change into programming. Around the time my partner and I started learning, a close friend also embarked on a similar journey. All three of us now work in development, yet our approaches were vastly different. Each of us gravitated towards methods and resources that resonated personally. If there’s a common thread, it’s our shared tenacity and refusal to give up. We all invested considerable effort and persistence.
So, instead of presenting a mythical “one true path,” I’ll share my personal approach. It’s not the only way, nor necessarily the best, but it’s what worked for my career change into programming.
Taking the First Steps into Coding
My initial step was to immerse myself in information. I started reading articles and watching YouTube videos about programming to get a sense of where to begin. Then, I began experimenting with HTML and CSS. Following online tutorials, I coded along to build basic web pages. This hands-on experience solidified my desire to pursue a career change into programming.
Defining a Clear Objective for My Career Change
Seeking guidance, I reached out to two friends working in the tech industry. Their early encouragement and advice were crucial in propelling me forward and helping me define a clear objective for my career change into programming.
It took time to navigate the various options and set realistic, achievable goals. I needed a relatively quick career transition as I couldn’t afford to leave my teaching job without another income source.
I decided to focus on front-end development, recognizing it as an accessible and high-demand area. I further narrowed my focus to the skills needed for a startup environment rather than pursuing freelance work.
Then, I set a firm deadline. I didn’t want this aspiration to become another item on a perpetually postponed to-do list. It was spring 2017, and I resolved that the upcoming academic year would be my last as a teacher. By September 2018, just over a year later, my goal was to be employed in the field of programming.
It would be disingenuous to claim I had complete clarity and control at this stage. I didn’t. Certainty is a luxury you often can’t afford when making a significant career change into programming. Doubts and uncertainties were constant companions throughout the process. Persistence was key. Once I committed to this path, I was determined to see it through, regardless of the obstacles.
The Intensive Learning Phase
I knew that dedicated study was the only way to achieve my career change into programming. Working full-time meant waiting for “free time” was not an option. I had to integrate learning into my existing schedule, or it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately, my partner was on the same learning journey, which helped us structure our days to maximize study time. Initially, we established “weekend boot camps,” dedicating entire weekends to coding. A typical day looked like this:
8:00 AM: Wake up, breakfast.
8:30 AM: Start coding
12:30 PM: Gym
1:30 PM: Lunch and break
3:00/4:00 PM: Continue coding
8:00/11:00 PM: End for the day
When summer vacation arrived, I leveraged the time by transforming the “weekend boot camp” into a “daily boot camp.” I rigorously adhered to this schedule, resisting the temptation to relax and enjoy the summer break.
September brought the return to work. I made a conscious decision to reduce my working hours, accepting a lower income for more study time. This was another step to solidify my commitment to a career change into programming.
It’s difficult to convey how challenging it was to be away from code during workdays. All I wanted was to be back at my computer, solving problems and refining layouts. But reality intervened. The start of a school year is always demanding, requiring significant preparation and organization. As any teacher knows, it also consumes a lot of personal time.
This period was a potential derailment point for my mission. Despite my best efforts, coding time dwindled. Momentum waned. I tried to maintain consistency, but some days simply lacked the hours. Even with strong motivation and intentions, life can complicate a career change into programming.
However, as my GitHub activity illustrates, I persisted. I continued to dedicate time, even if just an hour, even if just reading articles. I did everything possible to avoid losing all momentum. Prolonged breaks make it increasingly difficult to restart.
As December approached, the looming new year and my approaching deadline reignited my determination. I regrouped and reorganized. I pushed forward, dedicating hours regardless of fatigue or time constraints. Sometimes I coded early mornings, sometimes late nights.
My life became largely confined to my income-generating job and studying for my career change into programming. Little else remained. I maintained this intense rhythm until the day I packed to move to Madrid in the spring of 2018, several months ahead of my deadline.
Essential Tools and Resources for Learning Programming
During the ten months leading up to my job offer, I completely immersed myself in the world of code. The most frequent question I receive on Twitter is about the resources I used. I’ve detailed this in another article. Here’s a concise list of the most impactful tools and resources for anyone considering a career change into programming:
Key Courses for Aspiring Programmers:
- freeCodeCamp.org
- Udemy courses by Cassidy Williams and Colt Steele
- Wes Bos’ JavaScript 30 and other courses
- YouTube channels: Traversy Media, LevelUpTuts
- Lynda.com courses by Christina Truong
- Udacity Front-End Nanodegree (paid, scholarship-funded)
Courses are foundational, but I supplemented them with other tools to enhance learning and job prospects for my career change into programming.
- Twitter: A vital component, especially the supportive #100DaysOfCode community.
- GitHub: Essential for version control and showcasing projects. Often the first place employers review your work, crucial for demonstrating practical skills for a career change into programming.
- Portfolio: Building a portfolio and personal projects was instrumental in developing crucial development skills.
You can also explore My Learning Tracker GitHub repository for a comprehensive list of resources and learning paths I used during my initial ten months of pursuing a career change into programming.
Landing a Job in Programming
Surprisingly, the job search phase of my career change into programming was relatively straightforward. I didn’t engage in mass applications or endless job searching. Instead, I focused on being selective and targeted.
Ultimately, I participated in five interview processes. I was rejected by one company and didn’t complete the take-home challenge for another. I completed three processes and received three job offers. One offer was unsuitable. The other two, received almost simultaneously, were both highly appealing. One of these is my current role.
I don’t intend to sound casual about this. It was an intense period. I was still uncertain if my skills were truly employable. I entered interviews unsure if my limited experience would be a disadvantage. It was nerve-wracking yet also exciting and hopeful. Receiving two excellent job offers was exhilarating and almost unbelievable.
I am eternally grateful to those who made hiring decisions and gave me a chance to prove myself after my career change into programming.
The interview processes varied significantly between the two companies. One involved a series of video calls with various team members at a smaller, established company building a new front-end team. After several weeks, they extended my first official offer.
The other was with a rapidly growing startup. Following a phone interview, I received a technical challenge to complete within a few days. It involved building a component, making API calls, and displaying data. This was followed by a video discussion about my code. Then, I was invited for an informal meeting with the tech team to assess team fit. Subsequently, I received an offer to join as a junior front-end developer.
In the end, I had a choice – a fortunate position I hadn’t imagined possible when starting my career change into programming. I selected the startup, Lola Market, primarily because they emphasized mentorship and growth opportunities. This focus on guidance was crucial, and it proved to be the right decision.
And so, on that rainy Madrid day, after my coffee, I walked into an office building, introduced myself as the new front-end developer, and began my new career – a successful career change into programming realized.
I hope you found my story inspiring and helpful in your own journey of career change into programming. If you did, please consider sharing it to inspire others. If you have specific questions about my process, connect with me on Twitter @Syknapse.
Read more about the resources I used for my career change into programming.
