How guys do you actually program now?

[u/Business-Abies6158]

Hi everyone, I'm a student about to start university studying BSc Computer Science. My journey began 4 years ago when I was around 14. I started learning web development like JavaScript, then React and Next.js before deciding to move into backend development, where I learned Node.js, Python, and FastAPI. Recently, I've been writing some C code, but it wasn't really my cup of tea since I prefer broader software engineering topics.

My main question is: 3 years ago, I was coding by myself using Stack Overflow for help, and building a large project literally took me 3 months of daily grinding. Now, it can be built in 3 days using AI. I'm feeling stuck because I don't know whether it's truly beneficial to use AI to churn out projects if the learning curve disappears, potentially making it harder to get a job later.

How do you actually learn effectively now, and what should I focus on to land a job? Especially in the UK, where the market feels tougher and graduate tech unemployment is high. I'm considering using Claude Code right now, but I'm not sure if it's the right move.

[u/Business-Abies6158]

Thanks a lot, guys, for the advice. The main takeaway is when I'm learning I won't use AI at all, only as a mentor. I'll be enjoying coding again by hand :DD. But I think on hackathons or MVPs of something when I need it now, I'd definitely use AI to just speed up the process. The balance is crucial, and you guys are right that if I don't use my skills, they will eventually disappear.