[was_boring]

I’ll throw my hat in the ring...

I’m 100% self taught, and have a humanities degree. I’ve worked in global 500 companies, as well as YC startups. I consider my greatest strength to be the ability to teach myself, and that has led to front end, backend, ML, etc. work.

I have never worked at FAANG but with most of them going remote, I’ll probably take my chances next year (a kid on the way so staying with current employer to ensure family leave). To be honest, I’m also scared of the rejection.

I view the learning process as multiple steps. The first is to learn the technology to become useful, while doing that it’s really important to learn the social context of it and how to talk to others in an informed way. I can’t stress that enough.

If you are looking to break into industry I suggest doing a few side projects to demonstrate knowledge, and aim for a company who will give you a chance. For me, this was consultancy.

It requires study off the job, but I love it and would be doing it anyways.