5 years and $120,000 later I'm drowning in debt and working in fast food. I have many usefull skills from the many things I learned in college and tech school. None of them can get me a job.
I went to a programming bootcamp to learn to code and couldn't get a job afterwards because I “didn't have a degree.” -$8,000
I spent 5 years in college getting a degree in computer science. Now I am told I don't have enough professional programming experience. -$120,000
How can I get professional programming experience to get that first job without first having the job?
I have 2 apps in the Google Play Store. I have done freelance work for several websites. Why does this not count?
BS in CS and training in JavaScript, React, React Native, Ruby, and Rails. Also learned and have used C, C++, Python, HTML, CSS, SQLite, Postgres, Firebase, Git, Photoshop, Krita, and Maya.
I also have laser cutting experience, 3D printing experience, woodworking experience, mechanic experience, commission only sales experience, and managed my own shop for 5 years. I thought I could do better if I educated myself so I sold my business to help pay for school. I was wrong.
Now I can't afford to open a new business or get certifications because I live paycheck to paycheck.