With the convenience of online courses, many are diving into the world of coding, though securing a career is not without its challenges. — Image by Freepik
“I couldn’t stand how the people in my previous industry were being treated, with irregular working hours and how demanding it was,” says multimedia designer turned front-end web developer Jason Yeap.
The 25-year-old describes his work life as akin to that of a doctor on call for extended periods in a hospital, having to respond to client-requested changes at a moment’s notice.
For Yeap, who had already been working for two years prior to the pandemic, the subsequent MCO (movement control order) was the turning point where he decided to make a change.
Recognising the greater stability and better potential for career progression as a web developer, he opted for self-education, turning to online courses instead of a college to build the skills necessary for a new profession.
Despite having no formal education in computer science, Yeap used his self-taught coding skills to become a web developer. — JASON YEAP
“It was then that I decided to do some self-studying to try transitioning over to the IT industry. So I hunkered down and taught myself how to code with online courses and tutorials.
“But be ready to survive with a relatively lower salary for some time during your probation, or maybe even start off as an intern to prove yourself.
“It was worth it for me, since I treated it as an alternative to going back to college again for a proper certificate. This meant that I did not have to shoulder more college fees to get started,” says Yeap.
Setting a course
One of the most recognised entry-level courses is Harvard’s CS50: Introduction To Computer Science, which is offered by the university itself and the NGO freeCodeCamp.
According to digital skills trainer Daren Tan, the CS50 online course is a good resource for beginners venturing into learning coding and web development, but he notes that the two online platforms employ distinct teaching approaches.
“Both the C50 course from Harvard and freeCodeCamp are free, self-paced courses that touch on similar technologies and come with their own certificates upon completion,” he says.
The distinctions lie in the fact that the university follows a structured format with scheduled lectures, graded problem sets, exams, and the awarding of credits. In contrast, freeCodeCamp offers a more self-paced approach, emphasising the submission of milestone and capstone projects that integrate the lessons learners have covered.
Tan says Harvard’s C50 teaches a variety of programming languages (C, Python), algorithms, data structures, web development (HTML) and SQL, with an approach that broadens the learning experience by beginning with fundamental computer science concepts.
It provides a taste of the theory and practical learning a student would undergo in their first year of a university degree, but condensed into 12 weeks.
According to Tan, there are many examples of those from non-technical backgrounds who made the leap into the IT industry. — DAREN TAN
It functions closer to an academic foundation course, teaching through video lectures focused on pure programming, while freeCodeCamp emphasises hands-on learning with programming frameworks.
freeCodeCamp’s courses are tailored to different focuses, such as web development, JavaScript, data analysis, data visualisation, back-end development, quality assurance and more.
“I think those two are the golden standard for those looking to get into the industry, not to mention that they are free. Most other good courses online are paid,” Tan says.
Lessons to be learned
Although online learning tools are readily available, the absence of direct guidance poses a hurdle that students must overcome.
Yeap says: “With the lack of a mentor available to assist you when you run into a problem while learning, it can be quite challenging.
“I had to rely a lot on Google for answers to questions I had and Stack Overflow for solutions to the problems with my code. Other times, I had to ask my friends who were more experienced programmers.”
Yeap mainly searched for free coding courses or purchased those that were on discount.
“The idea was to do project-based learning instead of being stuck in tutorial hell,” he says, referring to learners who solely code within the confines of tutorials without venturing into creating something new from scratch.
Courses like those under freeCodeCamp, Vue Mastery, React.gg, and Code Academy were instrumental in his learning process, while resources like YouTube tutorials proved invaluable in gaining a deeper understanding of how certain concepts worked.
Task-oriented learning allowed Yeap to familiarise himself with coding languages and best practices, aiding him in building projects for his portfolio.
However, independent learning experiences eliminate the opportunity for interaction and networking with peers, aspects that significantly enhance the overall learning experience.
Tan says that in order to complete tasks, learners must be extremely self-motivated, driven and committed.
Lack of guidance or a structured schedule, he says, could lead to learners losing motivation while self-studying.
The skill sets required for specific technical positions can vary, with a collection of community-curated recommendations for specific roles available on the website roadmap.sh. — Image by DCStudio on Freepik
“Traditional lessons often involve an instructor who can provide personalised guidance, feedback, motivation and answer questions in real-time catered to the students’ level of understanding and progress.
“This level of human interaction is difficult to replicate in a self-driven course for now.
“They also have set schedules, pacing, and accountability measures like tests or supervision that can help keep learners on track, while self-driven courses require a lot of self-discipline,” he says.
He suggests that individuals aspiring to enter the IT industry explore the day-to-day responsibilities associated with various roles in the field and pick one that piques their interest.
The skill sets required for specific technical positions can vary, with a collection of community-curated recommendations for specific roles available on the website roadmap.sh.
Career crossroads
According to Tan, there are numerous instances of people successfully making the switch to a tech career.
“Some of my past students, who were from economics, mechanical engineering, finance, management and various non-technical backgrounds, were able to land remote tech roles with companies in the United Kingdom.
“I strongly believe that as long as you have the passion, put in the time and effort, and do not give up easily, anyone can do it,” he says.
Experts believe that a candidate’s industry portfolio carries more weight than their educational background, whether obtained through traditional means or online courses. — Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
Tan is also the founder of Alphv Technologies, an IT consultancy company that offers corporate training via Alphv Academy.
He adds that the IT sector tends to offer better salaries on average compared to other industries, with the opportunity to earn in foreign currencies such as Singapore dollars, euros, and US dollars.
“IT companies do not discriminate based on age or background as long as you can get the job done.
“I’ve seen cases of individuals as young as 14 to 17 years old already being employed and paid full-time salaries. Those are rare cases, but it shows what’s possible in this industry,” Tan says.
Making it work
Shane Mun, founder and CEO of Vimigo, a human resources consultancy and management software provider, believes that a candidate’s industry portfolio carries more weight than their educational background, whether obtained through traditional means or online courses.
“Qualifications serve to prove that a candidate has the right skill set, but not their willingness to actually use them and contribute to your company.
There are a lot of youngsters who did not study in university but have a lot of amazing skills, even without formal courses. — SHANE MUN
“If you know something but aren’t willing to use it, then it’s pointless. I think it’s about having the right attitude, core values and a willingness to learn rather than just having a certificate,” he says.
Tan, on the other hand, believes that degrees and credentials act as a passport that can get a candidate to the interview.
“Just getting the certificates is not enough. You will need to build a portfolio of mini-projects that show you can apply what you’ve learned through those courses to solve meaningful problems.
“There are companies that hire solely based on formal education or university degrees due to archaic policies and rules, but there are also companies that ignore formal education backgrounds.
“Many of the really outstanding people in tech didn’t attend universities and are self-taught. The key to landing a job is to have a strong portfolio and prove that you can already do the tasks for the role that they are looking for.
“Having a good attitude and communication skills are a plus point too,” he says, adding that a life-long learning mindset and the ability to be self-taught are ultimately what will bring someone far in their professional life.
He, however, emphasises that those making the jump maintain a realistic expectation of their salary.
“For example, if you are a 30-year-old earning RM8,000 in the construction industry with seven years’ experience, can you be paid RM8,000 with zero experience in the technology industry?” he asks.
Mun points out that companies, especially those involved in software engineering and development, tend to focus more on a candidate’s achievements.
“There are a lot of youngsters who did not study in university but have a lot of amazing skills, even without formal courses.
“We hire a lot of these people who have done their own small projects before. They just don’t know the business or have exposure to a bigger environment.
“These are the talents we love, as they have the ability, they have the motivation, and they are ready to get started,” he says.
Mun also acknowledges that a career switch can make for a tougher journey for those with non-relevant prior qualifications and experience.
“Certification proves that they have passed something, especially if they do not have any achievements.
“If a hair stylist decided to become a user interface and experience designer, it’s hard to imagine that happening since there’s such a big gap in roles.
“But if you have something to prove your capabilities and drive, like completed projects under your belt, then you can make it. The main thing that a business wants is results, not certificates or academics.
“You want to show them how you can fix something and provide a solution to a problem they face; only then will they give you offers and reward you for your capabilities.
“Between someone who shows up with a proven track record of accomplishments and projects under his belt and someone who only has a certificate, I think the choice is obvious regardless of their qualifications,” says Mun.
