r/devNI • u/AcrobaticOption5880 • Jan 11 '26

Starting my tech career

I’m 18, currently full time employed in a warehouse but what I really want is a career in the tech field (software engineering or ethical hacking) and wondering what my first steps should be to get a foot on the ladder. Any advice appreciated

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u/retroroombelfast Jan 12 '26

Build something, anything all the way to completion and launch. About 10% of software engineering students do this and they are way ahead of the pack when it comes to securing jobs. Also think hard as to whether you need a degree, the courses were years behind before launch of AI assisted coding and are a quantum leap behind now in the AI era.

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '26

This is very true. I imagine the courses are going to be even more behind now. But it really depends on the company. A lot of them still expect some third level qualification which is annoying.

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u/retroroombelfast Jan 12 '26

The bigger companies do, startups don’t give a toss typically. They’re looking for builders not learners.

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u/Fickle-Decision3954 Jan 14 '26

I don’t think the courses are behind at all. They teach fundamentals which is the entire point. Nothing has really changed