Hi I am currently a first year level 4 data analyst apprentice (19 years old) based in London. I have another 2 years on the apprenticeship contract, 1.5 years until i pass the apprenticeship qualification. Whilst working the job, I have found I very much enjoy code (I use SAS), creating things from scratch talking to a computer in a cryptic language. I could happily sit all work day coding.For that reason I want to pivot after my apprenticeship into software engineering. For that to happen, I am outside of work learning python, started this Feburary and plan to get very good at that. For employers to understand that I am capable of coding I know I will have to create my own side projects, especially to be competitive in graduate roles which many who have a drgree in computer science will probably be automatically favoured as oppossed to me. Any ideas how I can be competitive against other graduates who have solely focused on compyter science for the 3 years of their degree. Anybody that has pivotted from a semi relsted/unrelated job into software engineering/developing would like to give their story and how they did it. I also know the application process is brutal and involves practicing leetcode. So my questuons I have are
Has anyone successfully pivotted into software engineering without a degree in comp scie, maths etc.. Could you please share your story, the projects you did. The tech stack you learnt. Even better if you did it without having a degree in the first place
What projects would you recommend I do( I plan going into the fianance or tech industry with it), I am learning off chatgpt and following the roadmap it has given for me to transition into software engineering?
How do I stand out against those that have a software engineering realted degree in the application process
Would you say it is necessary to know a massive amount of finance realted topics if I plan to go into it at a junior level or should i place my attention on getting good at coding
Any advice/thoughts are welcomed however realistic they are/optimistic they are for my chances to becoming a software engineer once my apprenticeship has finished. The more thoughts given the merrier.