How I Became a Software Engineer Without a Computer Science Degree

Hello, in this video I share how I became a software engineer without a Computer Science degree or attending a Bootcamp.

Here are some resources I used in my journey:

Programming Resources
Head First Java
Learning Python O’Reilly 5th ed
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
Algorithms 4th ed Sedgwick
The Algorithm Design Manual by Skiena

Interview Resources
Cracking The Coding Interview
Elements Of Programming Interview

LET'S BE FRIENDS

VIDEO RESOURCES
Music: Summer Youtube Music

Desk Equipment

Filming Equipment

PERSONAL INQUIRIES
DM me on Instagram!

BUSINESS INQUIRIES

TIMESTAMPS | CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - My Job Before Becoming A Software Engineer
4:54 - Why I Chose Not To Do a Bootcamp or get a CS degree
5:40 - Recurse Center (free educational retreat)
6:50 - How I Studied Before Quitting My Job
7:38 - How I Studied After Quitting My Job
9:04 - My Interview Experience
10:11 - Interview Resources I Found Helpful

#blackengineer #softwareengineer

[Bukola]

Thanks for watching! Here are timestamps if you want to move around :)
Timestamps
1:00 My Job Before Becoming A Software Engineer
4:54 Why I Chose Not To Do a Bootcamp or get a CS degree
5:40 Recurse Center (free educational retreat)
6:50 How I Studied Before Quitting My Job
7:38 How I Studied After Quitting My Job
9:04: My Interview Experience
10:11: Interview Resources I Found Helpful

[tgrucker]

You reminded me of how I went through my career change. I was a truck driver, but I had no degree, not even a high school diploma. I went back to school to become a chiropractor, but I needed several pre reqs for Palmer college. Well after some time, my bank account looked like shit. I did like my computers class, so kept on going down that path. I graduated with Computer Science degree, got a job working on Apple computers. Then I went back got a degree in Information Systems. This last time I went back and got a degree in Cisco Telephone Systems, and a CCNA, CCNA Security certificates. Which is how I got a job with the government. I have now been deployed to Hong Kong and looking forward to my next deployment.

Over all, "Never give up on yourself"!

[IvanHXL]

Nigerian parents should collab with Asian parents.

[kcmn]

I feel kids who finish highschool need to figure out what they really want to do in life before going to college. Other wise you end up with a Student Loan debt for a degree and career you hate.

[VivekYadav-dsoz]

YouTube only shows part of the title in thumbnails, so all I read was _"How I Became a Software Engineer Without A Computer"_ and it would be an understatement to say I was surprised.

[joel]

Her smile and energy makes me feel employed already

[kehindepopoola]

Be self-taught and enjoying constant learning is the key.

[msntung]

I am 42 and looking to become a software engineer, but with two toddlers... it’s not easy. Best of luck to all.

[sapientiaprudentia]

Haitian parents are the same; “you can be anything you want to be, doctor, lawyer, engineer; anything you want to be.” (Actual quote from parents)

[nieceykelz]

I have Jamaican parents. I started college majoring in pre-med. Blood and the general public make me nauseous.I switch to engineering 3 years ago and to this day my mom still ask when am I going to med school.

[dkiem]

this makes me cry. Here I am trying to figure out my next move and I'm reluctant to go into computers fearing it's not my forte or aptitude but seeing another person of colour who is a woman going into it without a computer science degree gave me hope. I even felt good enough to exercise after this video.

[dlayton]

I've been working in the field for over 20 years and have made a good living at doing so without a college degree. During my career I have had a lot of doors close but several opened. It was definitely my passion, drive, and determination that set me aside because I refused to be denied. After 20 years of working my way up from a help desk analyst to an IT Project Manager I am finally completing a degree in Project Management because I knew there were things that I just could not learn on my own at this level of my career. As a black woman myself I can relate to a lot of the challenges minority's and women in general face in this career. Stay grounded and if this is what you love doing don't give up.

[rumble]

I really hate the hiring process where they ask you to solve dumb puzzles and trick questions. Now that I'm in the position to hire devs I just send out a super simple task, ask them to spend 2 hours on it and then we talk about how they approached the solution. Gives me way more insight into if the person will fit the team. I also learned a thing or two from junior devs doing it this way.

[jillvalentine]

Yeah, I am a victim of the doctor-lawyer mentality of parents and now at 26, I am learning to code.
I am scared...

[subhashvadlamani]

Who came here after watching her episode on CNBC???...If you did leave a like... Cheers.

[WyliesWorld]

Just wanted to throw this other route out there: in some companies you can get a job in one sector, learn coding on the side, and then apply internally for engineering position openings. People do this in my best friend’s company and some people have basically doubled their salary by being proactive about learning coding, being coached by their coworker friends for the interview process, and then literally being interviewed by their friends. It’s still a strict process and you have to have the skills, but it’s soooo much easier to get your foot in the door and the interview process is much less stressful since you know the people interviewing you.

[concuben]

Congrats on becoming a software engineer! It's a breath of fresh air to hear how you committed yourself to the career transition and put in the effort to achieve it. Keep it up

[YadiAnyankah]

Shout out to our Nigerian parents pushing us to become some amazing robots

[miraclehesed]

But seriously, you still look like a lawyer. You have the hairstyle, the black shirt, the expression. But still it's so cool you switched sides. Thanks, Learned a lot.

[didunoluwajohnson]

Honestly, I just stumbled across your channel and I’m speechless. I’m a freshman at College majoring in computer science. I’m Nigerian as well! I’m just so inspired because you’re everything I’m hoping to be when I’m done with my career. A female Nigerian programmer?? Phew. Thank you so much for this 🥺🥺 you’ve got a new fan 🥰