[ue_]

How might one get experience? For example, I want to try programming for a client, but I don't even know where to find such a thing. I've programmed for a while by myself, but I have no connections. And to get experience, many companies want you to have experience, so that becomes a catch-22. This is why I viewed having a degree as having a foot in the door, as it were.

[afuchs]

Generally, open source projects or volunteer work. Unfortunately, taking time to do unpaid work can be a burden for those working low-wage jobs, or who otherwise exist near or below the poverty line.

[ue_]

Thanks for the answer.

[reading-at-work]

You could try Upwork. It basically lets you be a contractor, remotely, for programming projects that people have.

[GFischer]

That should be a last resort, though.

Any kind of business networking event will help you uncover people with problems, which might translate into customers.