The creator learned to code in four months using free online resources and challenging courses like Harvard’s CS50, despite having no prior experience or formal computer science education. They landed a software engineering job by showcasing their skills during a business internship and emphasize that continuous learning and persistence are key to success in the tech industry.
In this video, the creator shares their journey of learning to code from scratch in just four months without a computer science degree, bootcamp, or paid materials. Initially, they had no knowledge of coding but were motivated to learn after graduating with an economics degree and realizing that a career in finance was not fulfilling. They sought a career that combined good pay with a more humane lifestyle and found software engineering to be a promising path.
The learning process began with free online resources such as “Python for Everybody” and “The Odin Project,” which introduced them to Python and web development basics including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. To deepen their understanding, they took Harvard’s CS50 course on edX, which provided a comprehensive introduction to computer science, programming in C and Python, web programming, and databases. This course was challenging but ignited a passion for problem-solving and a desire to learn more about how computers work at a fundamental level.
Following CS50, they enrolled in the CS50 Web Programming course, which focused more intensively on web development using Python and JavaScript frameworks like Django. This course was even more demanding but helped them build multiple web applications that could be added to their portfolio. By the end of these courses, they had gained enough skills to independently build projects and navigate the tech world, marking the first step toward a career in software engineering.
The creator emphasizes that coding is a lifelong learning journey and that mastering it takes continuous effort due to the ever-evolving nature of technology. They encourage viewers to consider whether they enjoy learning new skills regularly, as this mindset is crucial for success in software engineering. They also highlight the high demand for coding skills in the job market, assuring that even basic proficiency can open doors to many opportunities and provide a valuable, future-proof skill set.
Finally, the creator shares how they landed a software engineering job offer somewhat serendipitously through a business internship at a company that also hired software engineers. By demonstrating their coding skills and motivation, they convinced the company to offer them a software engineering position. They advise viewers to apply and try even if they don’t feel fully ready, as opportunities can arise unexpectedly. Currently, they continue to build projects and deepen their computer science knowledge independently, documenting their progress and encouraging others to follow their self-taught journey.