[huntie]

I work in a factory and I see all of the problems my older coworkers have. Along with that I think the company wants to move the whole plant to Mexico so there is no long-term job security. I've learned programming in my spare time but when I've tried applying for jobs I didn't get a response, which I assume is because I don't have a degree. I've been trying to get back into university but I'm not sure that it will happen anytime soon. We've been working a lot of weekends too so programming time is limited. I'd quit but this is the best paying job I've been able to get.

[ju577ry]

I decided to make an account to comment on this. Build things, put them on github, write 500 words about it, add to resume, repeat.

[epiphanitus]

I recently changed careers myself. My advice is to look at positions that look interesting/are in high demand, check out the technologies that they are using, learn them, build them and put them on your Github. And make sure to put the keywords of the technologies you know on your Linkedin - if you actually know them (because otherwise you will embarrass yourself in a technical interview).

Since your time is limited, make sure every time you sit down to code you are learning something new rather than retreading the stuff you already know.

This won't be easy - you will have to be stubborn and persistent and really commit to it. I for one got here because I became obsessed with tech and spent countless nights coding instead of socializing. But the rewards are there if you have the passion to stick it out.

[Nadge]

I am in your situation. No longer work in a factory but still in a dead-end job. Have you considered trying to become a sysadmin instead? Everyone and their nan are trying to become programmers, but network engineering gets overlooked a lot. CCNA + maybe an AWS cert and you would easily find an entry-level role. GL.

[magic_beans]

Companies don't care as much about the degree as your projects.