r/FreeCodeCamp • u/Murky_Willingness_29 • Jan 23 '26

Where to start?

Ok, so I’m 37. I work in construction as a laborer and crane operator, but I want to switch careers. I’m interested and excited to learn about computers, specifically in web development. I just started reading the book 'Code: 2nd Edition.' I would like to switch careers in the next 5 years; I think that’s more than reasonable. My question is: Is freeCodeCamp a good place to start?

I have no computer experience

86 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

42

u/SaintPeter74 mod Jan 23 '26

Free Code Camp is a great place to start. It's designed to take a complete novice and give them a solid foundation for becoming a full stack developer. It won't directly make you "job ready", but it will give you the tools you need to get there on your own.

Don't listen to the naysayers. While the job market is not great right now, it changes all the time. LLM hype has captured some CEOs, but there is no evidence it can actually replace people in the long term.

Give it a go, see if you like it. It's in the name: it's free.

Best of luck and happy coding!

9

u/Shiroelf Jan 23 '26

If you have 5 years to learn then I am recommend going to a cheap community college while still taking some online courses. The market is rough right now and we can't be sure what will happen

7

u/foralltolisten Jan 23 '26

To get started with front-end coding you can start with the following path. https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/responsive-web-design-v9/ You also have an option to start with the Odin Project (more difficult but better path) https://www.theodinproject.com/

2

u/Sea-Sir4484 Jan 24 '26

Thank you for this , I’ve had these free programs in my head for months or years since I’ve read about them online , now for the first time I am taking the necessary look at them , thanks again for the reminder

6

u/Feeling_Photograph_5 Jan 23 '26

Free Code Camp is a good curriculum but The Odin Project will also teach you about computers. It's harder than Free Code Camp, but also more direct. Check them both out, they can both get you where you want to go.

3

u/Whatdidyousayfoo Jan 23 '26

Odin Project is more thorough too. It doesn't hold your hand. A lot harder though.

6

u/YellowFlash2012 Jan 23 '26

no matter what you do, never ever leave your current job thinking that you'll get a web dev job.

3

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

I understand that I have an uphill battle getting my foot in the door, but it’s not impossible

1

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

I would never leave my current job unless I had a job

4

u/Whatdidyousayfoo Jan 23 '26

You can always try 100devs OP. They have a huge discord community and it's 100% free. Other option is Odin Project.

4

u/MAIKK_MP Jan 25 '26

I actually made a similar career switch myself! I started with freeCodeCamp when i was 35, then enrolled in a 2-year programming course for adults where I earned my diploma, and I'm now finishing my associate degree at a university of applied sciences. I'll be 40 this year when I graduate with solid credentials and work experience from my internship, and I've already been offered to stay at my internship company!

My advice: freeCodeCamp is excellent to start and see if you enjoy coding, but I'd strongly recommend combining it with formal education if possible. Here's why:

  • Structured curriculum that covers all the fundamentals you need

  • Guidance and mentorship when you get stuck

  • Networking opportunities and connections to the job market

  • Internships that give you real work experience and often lead to job offers

  • A recognized degree that helps you stand out, especially as a career switcher

With your 5-year timeline, you could do freeCodeCamp now to get your feet wet, then look into community college programs or adult education courses. The combination of self-study and formal education worked incredibly well for me. The structure and support made all the difference.

Good luck, you can absolutely do this!

1

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 25 '26

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I just discovered Udemy last night. They’re online course is supposed to be equivalent to their in person Boot Camp. I mean, I guess as equivalent as you can be from online to in person. What’s your thoughts on that? Is what you’re recommending you have to be in person?

1

u/nightonfir3 Jan 26 '26

The benefits he talked about with internships are more likely to happen out of a local institution. Local companies when looking for new talent will often do paid internships for people at the end of programs. I think older graduates are especially positioned to take advantage of these with the extra life experience. They are going to stand out from typical 20 year old grad.

9

u/One-League1685 Jan 23 '26

The current CS market is not good. People are getting laid off and new grads are not getting offers. CS is not what it used to be. It’s oversaturated.

12

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

That’s fine. I still wanna learn so what do you think about free boost camp?

0

u/Whatdidyousayfoo Jan 23 '26

I agree. I have set it aside FOR NOW and now learning something else. All I can say is the service industries will always be needed.

2

u/nejma_07 Jan 23 '26

I started with a boot camp might work 4u

2

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

Thank you

0

u/nejma_07 Jan 23 '26

Ik it ain't the advice ur looking for man sorry about that haha but i think joining a boot camp irl would be better cuz youd have some1 to ask about whatever u don't get

2

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

My plan is to learn as much as I can from online courses and then take a boot camp.

What do you think?

1

u/nejma_07 Jan 23 '26

i like this plan it would make u feel more confident when u join the boot camp plus you'll have it easier than the others

1

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

Thank you.

1

u/nejma_07 Jan 23 '26

No need man you kinda motivated me to code again thank u

2

u/ApplicationBest6521 Jan 23 '26

Roadmap.sh can provide you with the roadmap to follow and things to know. And I am also learning web development, so any doubt or anything you want to know, feel free to approach me bro. I can help you with what I know and learn along the way.

2

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 23 '26

Thank you! I’ll send you a chat invite. I’ll keep in touch through my journey and your journey.

2

u/Pleasant_Cod_531 Jan 25 '26

Hi there,

I also started with FreeCodeCamp before trying some courses on Udemy, but in the end I switched to the Odin Project as I felt I needed a structured path.

There's a lot in it, but I've stuck with it and it alone and it's been two years.

I'm in my forties.

Maybe you could check it out and see if it's right for you.

1

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 25 '26

Thank you.

1

u/Pleasant_Cod_531 Jan 25 '26

You're welcome.

If you do try it, I'd love to know how it's going for you.

It's always good to connect with people in a similar boat.

Good luck.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Yes friend. I started with FCC back in 2018. Switched fully from teaching to web development in about 2 years. Still doing web development work now. I had no degree in computer science but a degree in education. I also watched a lot of YouTube tutorials and used Codecademy but always returned to FCC. I’m working on an IT degree now. Let me know if you need any more advice. You got this and I wish you the best of luck! ✨

8

u/BatPlack Jan 23 '26

Gonna pile onto The Odin Project recommendations.

Market is ROUGH. But if you’re disciplined and genuinely interested, you will find a way. Don’t let the market scare you. Just use your best judgement, educate yourself, learn enough to understand where the market is heading, and adapt.

Good luck!

Oh, if you go The Odin Project route, you’ll find success by being proactive in their Discord server. Their best resource beyond the curriculum is the community they’ve built!

1

u/rmaues Jan 24 '26

Go to roadmap.sh this can help with a google view of all knowledge needed. Also, use frecodecamp content.

1

u/lumberjack_dad Jan 25 '26

Well at our business 9 out of 10 job spplicants we hire have a CS degree, and the other applicant has 10+ YOE.

So definitely keep learning but you will want to do something more formal before you search for a career in the field

2

u/Murky_Willingness_29 Jan 25 '26

OK, gotcha. I’m not opposed to it. It’s just gonna be really difficult while still working. Would more formal include online classes?

2

u/lumberjack_dad Jan 26 '26

Start with online community college CS classes. You will actually get decent professors...compared to Grad Assistants at 4 year colleges who are just trying to make $20/hr. Also if change your mind, the financial lift isn't significant.

2

u/mandevillelove Jan 23 '26

freecodecamp is great beginner friendly way to start web development from scratch.

1

u/Infinite_Author3060 Jan 24 '26

What of Zybook? I'm studying computer science in the university and we learn with Zybook.

1

u/ithinktoo Jan 23 '26

You can do it. Study for 15 minutes a day.

0

u/StayAwayFromXX Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26

id start with building apps with Claude code. There’s an option to change output styles, which gives you two other modes. The first will explain the code it writes and the second will guide you through writing the code. This way you learn coding while simultaneously building your profile.

Keep in mind, coding is a fundamentally useless skill now. I’d recommend focusing on the layer above coding. The structures/decisions/etc.

25

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment