So you want to become a software engineer but don’t have any experience? Maybe you just graduated from college or boot camp, or perhaps you’ve been working in a different field for a while and are interested in making a career switch. Regardless of your situation, it is possible to break into the software engineering field without any prior experience using resources like Revature reviews. Here’s how:
Teach Yourself How to Code
If you want to be a software engineer, you need to know how to code. This may seem like an obvious statement, but you’d be surprised at how many people think they can get away with not learning to code if they’re just planning on being an engineer. The truth is, even if you only ever plan on working on the back-end or front-end of software projects, you still need to be able to code. Coding is the fundamental building block of all software engineering, so if you don’t know how to do it, you’re not going to get very far.
The good news is that there are now more resources than ever before for teaching yourself how to code. In addition to dozens of online resources like Revature and freeCodeCamp, there are also dozens of boot camps that will teach you everything you need to know about coding in just a few months. And if none of those options appeal to you, there are always traditional 4-year computer science degree programs. So no matter what your learning style is, there’s sure to be an option out there that will work for you.
Get Some Real-World Experience
Once you’ve taught yourself how to code, it’s time to start getting some real-world experience under your belt. If possible, try to find a job or internship at a company where you can work on coding projects full-time. If that’s not an option for you, see if you can find part-time or freelance work as a developer. Or if neither of those is an option, try working on personal projects in your spare time and putting them up on GitHub for potential employers to see. Whatever route you choose, make sure you’re actually doing some coding on a regular basis so that when it comes time to apply for jobs, you’ll have something tangible to show for your efforts.
Network With Other Developers
One of the best ways to break into the software engineering field is by networking with other developers who are already established in their careers. Attend meetups and conferences in your area, join relevant online communities (such as Reddit’s r/learnprogramming subreddit), and reach out to developers who inspire you and ask for advice. Not only will this give you the opportunity to learn from more experienced developers, but it will also help develop connections that could potentially lead to job opportunities down the road.
Closing Thoughts
Becoming a software engineer with no experience may seem like a daunting task, but it’s definitely achievable if you’re willing to put in the effort. Start by teaching yourself how to code using one of the many resources that are available online or offline. Then gain some real-world coding experience through internships, part-time jobs, or personal projects. Finally, network with other developers as much as possible in order to receive advice and connect with potential employers.
