Coding direction

Question

I've been studying coding for years now and I've learned basics in over 15 languages. However, I'm struggling to find real world applications to showcase my understanding of coding.

If i can't showcase my abilities how can I ever dream to achieve a coding career? I need my foot in the door and no matter how much I learn I'm starting to feel like I'm just learning to learn at this point.

Don't get me wrong, I've had lots and lots of practical uses IRL including modifying code displaying on websites to gain access to blocked data or past walls and modifying websites to display targeted information in a layout that works best for my needs. Heck, even with online schooling the teacher linked in another website and the display was tiny so I changed it to display correctly. Gone as far to modify prefab web pages for shopify and other online store services.

Question is... what do I do now?

tl:dr - I know basics in 15+ languages, cant land a job. Any direction for getting a foot in the door is appreciated.

Answer 1

Travis durrant I just recently met someone in my company who had been in a non tech related career. He's in his mid 30s, with a family and decided 2 years ago to join a coding boot camp. After a year of going through the curriculum, he spent another year looking for a software development job with no luck.

He decided to change his strategy and looked for tech support roles at software companies. His thought was that it might be easier to transition into a development role from within a company. I think it's a smart thought. 😉

Although he's not quite ready for a junior dev role, I'm now working with him and two others in his situation as a mentor to get to that point.

His strategy might be a good option for you to consider.

It's late here atm. I'll try to give more feedback tomorrow if I get a moment.

Answer 2

Travis durrant In order to provide guidance, I would need to know more specifics about your coding journey so far.

Answer these questions only if you are comfortable sharing with others who can relate. But be as objectively transparent as possible.

Have you attempted to apply for developer roles already? How did that go?

Have you been called in for any interviews?

Have you attempted to gain some experience via freelancing?

Do you know professional developers IRL? If so, have they assessed your raw capabilities?

Do you have a personal website / Github account to demonstrate your capabilities?

What does it mean to know the "basics" in 15+ languages?

What are your top 5, middle 5, and lowest 5 languages from most to least proficient?

Would you describe your ability to express logic in the form of writing imperative code to be a natural experience like casually writing an email or would you struggle converting that logic from concepts in your mind to code typed on a screen?

This is a good start.

Answer 3

Travis durrant , you're welcome. Determine what your main interest is, e.g. is it in web development or something else. Then grow your skills in that area. It's OK to neglect certain unrelated languages/technologies for some time until you achieve your desired outcome. You can always revive your interest in those others at a later stage if you so desire.

Answer 4

One problem may be that you're over-diversified. Try to focus on 2-3 languages max and potential employers may stop thinking of you as a master of none.

Answer 5

David Carroll -
I've applied for coding positions and was able to get through to the second interview in the interview process. It went well even though I wasn't chosen for the position. Otherwise, most places don't give me the interview at all.

I have tried to get experience with freelance. However, most of those were experiences with those that weren't serious in going live with their stores so the websites created are still just on my computer going nowhere. Other than offering to make people websites I haven't offered freelance work. Where would you suggest to offer those services?

I know one programmer IRL and he tested me when I contacted him for direction. Asked me to perform different tasks, which I did, and then gave direction on my problem. Afterwards he stated to just do. I don't understand his instructions?

I have a github and was thinking of creating a showcase website.

Js
Jquerry
Css
Html
Python
Java
Bootstrap
Cmd
Powershell
Sql
C
C++

I've been drinking tonight lol it's the holiday

Answer 6

So im having a hard time thinking of everything I've studied over the years.

It depends on the language and what im trying to explain. My knowledge in the first few languages listed is that I can write code to provide me answers and to iterate through information provided to return expected results. When explaining it to others I can express it well. I dont know if I would be able to fluent enough to communicate like I can an email. However, I can express what I want the programming to do and why I'm setting it up to do what will give an expected answer.

The biggest issue I have is remembering exactly which program writes which code on which way for those results. Which is why I use Google to remember the gaps and write the code correctly.

Answer 7

Sonic that is good advice. I started with one language and then learned the next few out of necessity. After that I figured maybe a more diverse skill set would make me more desirable but I can see what you say by a master of none.

Thank you everyone for your input. I've got a lot to consider going forward

Answer 8

Sonic That's really good advice for most beginners.

Travis durrant I can relate to you in having the temptation of picking up new languages as needed and somehow being able to manage them. At the time, I thought this was normal for everyone. I later learned it was not as common to pick up several languages in parallel when getting started.

Answer 9

Added a tl;dr. Thanks for the advice. Hope that helps

Answer 10

I could even tell you the differences between the languages I've learned and which is better for which and why.

Should I keep learning and maybe the way will start to become clear? I'm not giving up.

Answer 11

Travis durrant Why learning so many languages? Based on your description, it seems web development is your strong suit. Why not advertise yourself as a web developer?

Descriptions like "I've learned basics in over 15 languages" do not usually help or tell anything about your expertise in a particular field.

First, I am just a college student but I know brothers who have landed a developer job without much prior experience, just a degree. I don't think experience really matters here compared to how you advertise yourself.

May be do free work for yourself or other people and include it in your portfolio. Modifying web pages is not really a skill you need to design something yourself.