| If you enjoy web programming, and would like to pursue it as part of your career I have a few suggestions: - you are correct that many companies would pass on your current background if you went out for an open developer role. But they pass on many qualified people as well. There is some baseline amount of software engineering knowledge expected by most companies though. By your own description is likely you don’t have it yet. - changing careers to something that usually requires so much practice is less of a switch and more of a wiggle. - The fastest way to wiggling in this direction could be: - pick a single web backend language and tech such as Python and Django (which has a lot already included and mature documentation) and start making practice sites about plants or whatever interests you.
- do it until you are just competent enough then start applying for contract roles using upwork or other IT hiring platforms. Price low, get a gig and figure out what you have to, going off the clock if necessary.
- do this for up to a few years, increasing your rate as you grow. Learn vanilla JavaScript es6+. Learn how to host your own stack on EC2 or digital ocean.
- make small contributions to open source projects. Conduct yourself professionally and politely in comment threads about issues you file or PRs you offer
- prepare for brutality in hiring, it’s a lot like raising money. Often a difficult experience even if you’re great. Apply to many companies, learn what you are looking for and be honest about what you know and don’t.
Your “I used that once for” type stories will eventually become very useful, because it is helpful to have someone who has seen problems manifest in many ways, regardless of how poorly you solved them back in the day.It is not easy but it can be done. You will have to work for it, but you can be paid decently well up until you convert to a FTE. Or just do something with plants. If you can make life work and do that, maybe do that. |