[Lisa]

I do not recommend web development because it is VERY saturated. I recommend you specialize in a subject like AI/ML, Cyber Security, Cloud, or Data Engineering.

It took me 3 years after graduating in 2017 to hit 6 figures.

[Christopher]

I retired from the field in 2019 at 36. Dropped out of college, got headhunted by a FAANG, etc.

Bootcamps won’t help you.

You’re probably out not cut out for the field; there are mountains of free resources to do development online right now that you should be using to build a non-trivial portfolio.

I recommend finding a program you like.

Love even. Then find the bugs it has. Then try and fix them.

Alternatively, write a non-trivial program and release it for free, and support someone else using it for a bit.

Shipping something, anything, and having even 1 not-your-mom user will get you miles ahead of whatever a bootcamp will sell you.

[Sonya]

I did ages ago. I wanted to work as a SWE to build up a foundation in tech to get into product management.

I do not recommend the bootcamp I went to, however heard great things about Hack Reactor.

That said, it is a very different time now and I would not recommend switching roles/industries.

If you absolutely have to, bootcamps are not going to set you up for success right now, as the market for SWE’s is already oversaturated with top talent.

Getting a degree in CS from a great university with connections to intern programs may be a better bet.

Also depends on your current experience and background.

There may be another path to get to SWE from there, that doesn’t require bootcamp.

[Author]

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