5 answers
Lalita
Student
Ventura, California
1
Question
Asked
1136 views
What is the best way to start a career in IT/Computer Science/Coding?
I'm afraid AI will take over most of those type jobs but also have heard the ones on top will be the ones using AI. I want to start a new career path but just worried what AI will do to it. Any advice will be helpful and the best way to start this career. I am new to the field and need to learn so any advice on schooling, learning, etc... would be helpful. I am currently working on my own website and app projects and watching tutorial videos and LinkedIn learning videos. Realistically what do I need to proceed and succeed.
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5 answers
Agnes Carroll
Senior Product Designer
1
Answer
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Agnes’s Answer
Starting a career in IT, computer science, or coding is still a solid choice, even with AI changing the field. AI is reducing repetitive tasks, not eliminating skilled roles. People who understand fundamentals and know how to use AI effectively will be in demand.
Focus first on strong basics:
Learn one main language such as Python or JavaScript
Understand programming fundamentals and problem solving
Learn how the web works and use Git and GitHub
Use tutorials actively. Rebuild projects on your own, break things, fix them, and change features. Avoid just watching videos.
You do not need to know everything. Employers care more about what you can build and explain than credentials alone. School, bootcamps, and self teaching can all work if you stay consistent and build real projects.
To move forward:
Pick one role direction
Build two to three meaningful projects
Practice explaining your work clearly
Learn to use AI as a support tool, not a shortcut
If you enjoy building and learning, you are on the right path. AI is a tool. Your thinking and problem solving are what make you valuable.
Focus first on strong basics:
Learn one main language such as Python or JavaScript
Understand programming fundamentals and problem solving
Learn how the web works and use Git and GitHub
Use tutorials actively. Rebuild projects on your own, break things, fix them, and change features. Avoid just watching videos.
You do not need to know everything. Employers care more about what you can build and explain than credentials alone. School, bootcamps, and self teaching can all work if you stay consistent and build real projects.
To move forward:
Pick one role direction
Build two to three meaningful projects
Practice explaining your work clearly
Learn to use AI as a support tool, not a shortcut
If you enjoy building and learning, you are on the right path. AI is a tool. Your thinking and problem solving are what make you valuable.
Dima Vizelman
Software Engineer
10
Answers
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District, Israel
Updated
Dima’s Answer
You're on the right track by focusing on practical skills, understanding AI, and gaining hands-on experience. AI is changing tech jobs, but it won't replace people who think critically, build, and lead projects. Knowing how to use AI makes you even more valuable.
Don't be afraid of AI; learn to use it as a helpful tool. Developers who use AI well will be in high demand.
Jobs that need creativity, problem-solving, human understanding, and teamwork will still be around. Since you're already creating websites and apps, web and app development is a great place to start.
Don't be afraid of AI; learn to use it as a helpful tool. Developers who use AI well will be in high demand.
Jobs that need creativity, problem-solving, human understanding, and teamwork will still be around. Since you're already creating websites and apps, web and app development is a great place to start.
Thank you Dima! I really appreciate your reply. I will continue with my ventures and quash those fears away as best as I can. I think web development is something I've always enjoyed so I'll likely pursue that field and then go from there. Thanks again!
Lalita
John Easton CEng FIET FBCS CITP
Design large computer systems for companies
53
Answers
Winchester, England, United Kingdom
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Lalita!
So, I think a little bit of a reality check first to somewhat allay your concerns. While it's certainly true that many organisations are using AI tools to help their developers create code remember that these are being used to assist the developer rather than replace them. There is still very much a human in the loop. Also, while many organisations are doing this, there is a majority that aren't, and likely won't for the foreseeable future. Lots of reasons for this but there is still a huge amount of manual, people-driven work in IT. There will be plenty of jobs in IT that will remain. Yes, they might use AI to help them along, but the jobs are still there and will remain there. Also remember that there are lots of different roles in IT way beyond coding roles. Lawyers, writers, designers etc to name but a few.
I'd always suggest someone in your position make a couple of lists. Firstly, those things you like / love doing. The second is a list of the things you dislike / hate doing. That can then help you narrow down the sorts of roles that you might be more suited to. Remember that every job will have good bits and bad bits. As long as there are more good bits, you're likely doing OK :-)
Finally, remember that university is NOT always the answer here. I know many junior professionals who decided to go via an apprenticeship route into IT. There are many reasons for this choice but they have not been held back as a result. There are many routes in because there are so many different roles. One of my mentees did go to university and studied English. She went to work as a journalist and then 'converted' to become a website developer via a bootcamp. She's successful at what she does and is a proof point of a "non-traditional" route into an IT career. Good luck!
So, I think a little bit of a reality check first to somewhat allay your concerns. While it's certainly true that many organisations are using AI tools to help their developers create code remember that these are being used to assist the developer rather than replace them. There is still very much a human in the loop. Also, while many organisations are doing this, there is a majority that aren't, and likely won't for the foreseeable future. Lots of reasons for this but there is still a huge amount of manual, people-driven work in IT. There will be plenty of jobs in IT that will remain. Yes, they might use AI to help them along, but the jobs are still there and will remain there. Also remember that there are lots of different roles in IT way beyond coding roles. Lawyers, writers, designers etc to name but a few.
I'd always suggest someone in your position make a couple of lists. Firstly, those things you like / love doing. The second is a list of the things you dislike / hate doing. That can then help you narrow down the sorts of roles that you might be more suited to. Remember that every job will have good bits and bad bits. As long as there are more good bits, you're likely doing OK :-)
Finally, remember that university is NOT always the answer here. I know many junior professionals who decided to go via an apprenticeship route into IT. There are many reasons for this choice but they have not been held back as a result. There are many routes in because there are so many different roles. One of my mentees did go to university and studied English. She went to work as a journalist and then 'converted' to become a website developer via a bootcamp. She's successful at what she does and is a proof point of a "non-traditional" route into an IT career. Good luck!
Thank you for the info John I appreciate it! S far I am really enjoying app building. I would rather not go to University for a degree. I have a degree already (not related to computers) and would rather not have to go back (student loans, older now, etc...). I'm not against taking a class or two at a local community college though. There's a lot of information online and I know if I apply myself I can do it. I appreciate the thoughtful reply and have taken your notes to heart. Thanks again!
Lalita
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
31
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Lalita,
Most research predicts that AI will change a large percentage of jobs, but that doesn’t mean it simply removes opportunity. It also creates new roles and changes how work gets done. The people who struggle will be the ones who ignore AI. The people who thrive will be the ones who know how to work with it.
In that sense, you’re actually in a great position. You’re learning now, in an era where being AI-native is an advantage, not a disadvantage.
Like Agnes said, the key mindset shift is this:
- Treat AI as a tool, not a threat
- It’s a copilot — not a replacement for thinking.
If you are new to the field and worried about how to proceed, here are three practical actions that can help reduce fear and build real confidence:
1. Build evidence that you can do the work: Confidence doesn’t come from watching videos — it comes from proof.
- Build your own small projects (websites, apps, automations)
- Use AI as a helper to explain code, debug, or explore ideas — not to blindly copy
- Each finished project becomes evidence that you can build.
2. Create a simple portfolio: You don’t need credentials to start — you need examples.
- Show what you built
- Explain why you built it and what you learned
- Include your GitHub or live demos
3. Focus on fundamentals + thinking: AI can write code, but it can’t replace. Strong fundamentals make you adaptable — even as tools change.
- Problem solving
- Understanding tradeoffs
- Explaining decisions
You don’t need to know everything to succeed. You need to keep learning, keep building, and stay curious. If you enjoy creating and improving things, you’re already on the right path.
Those who learn to ride this shift will be in demand for a long time.
Wish you the best!
Most research predicts that AI will change a large percentage of jobs, but that doesn’t mean it simply removes opportunity. It also creates new roles and changes how work gets done. The people who struggle will be the ones who ignore AI. The people who thrive will be the ones who know how to work with it.
In that sense, you’re actually in a great position. You’re learning now, in an era where being AI-native is an advantage, not a disadvantage.
Like Agnes said, the key mindset shift is this:
- Treat AI as a tool, not a threat
- It’s a copilot — not a replacement for thinking.
If you are new to the field and worried about how to proceed, here are three practical actions that can help reduce fear and build real confidence:
1. Build evidence that you can do the work: Confidence doesn’t come from watching videos — it comes from proof.
- Build your own small projects (websites, apps, automations)
- Use AI as a helper to explain code, debug, or explore ideas — not to blindly copy
- Each finished project becomes evidence that you can build.
2. Create a simple portfolio: You don’t need credentials to start — you need examples.
- Show what you built
- Explain why you built it and what you learned
- Include your GitHub or live demos
3. Focus on fundamentals + thinking: AI can write code, but it can’t replace. Strong fundamentals make you adaptable — even as tools change.
- Problem solving
- Understanding tradeoffs
- Explaining decisions
You don’t need to know everything to succeed. You need to keep learning, keep building, and stay curious. If you enjoy creating and improving things, you’re already on the right path.
Those who learn to ride this shift will be in demand for a long time.
Wish you the best!
Thank you for this information! I appreciate it.
I have already started making an app using Swift and my own website using GitHub and VSCode. I am using AI currently to help me, Claude and Gemini since I don't have a huge understanding of code right now. I am making sure to take the time to learn and understand it too because I know that's important.
I really appreciate your reply and I will continue forward and do the best I can and take your advice. Thanks again.
Lalita
Not sure the rationale behind selecting Swift. The industry trends React / Flutter and NodeJs backend. In general JavaScript. If you are building mobile we could go with React Native + Expo. That is what we use for our web and mobile app development.
Siva Kann
Good to know! I chose swift because I had a former coworker doing a tutorial on it for apple and I'm a mac user so it made sense to me to try it out. So far I'm enjoying the experience. I know each one has their strengths for the type of device it's being built for, etc... I'm still pretty new at this and I will make sure I learn the industry standards since that's what most companies are using. I want to be diverse. I appreciate the good advice. Thanks again!
Lalita
Understood. Irrespective of the device, try to follow the industry trends. Instead of following tutorials. I would urge you to continue to learn & build things you needed for your project. That will help you enhance your problem solving skills more than learning basics. Wish you the best! Do reach out if you need any help!
Siva Kann
Thank you so much for the advice Siva! I will reach out if I need any help. Much appreciated.
Lalita
Sandeep Gupta
Provide IT Services to HPE's customers
3
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hi Lalita,
I hope you are doing well. To start your journey into the vast field of computer science, you need to first understand where your interests are.
1. Its important you do a degree / course in computer science. Look out for courses wherein they teach you how the computer works, what's binary numbers, how do computers work, what is CPU, RAM, storage, network and how they work together? What's cloud?
Essentially get your grounding in computer science so that it gives you confidence when you front the real corporate world.
2. Do you have any experience with coding and if so, do you like it? If you have not done coding before but want to check if it interests you, just try to write a simple logic on piece of paper: adding even numbers from 1 to 100? Once done, did you enjoy putting a logic together for this problem?
I do read your concern about AI taking over jobs. In my view, AI has already started assisting programmers to write code. However a human has to still prompt AI with the problem they are trying to solve, what will be in the inputs/outputs expected, etc? So humans will not go away but will play a role of defining the issue, requirements etc.
3. Do you like to analyze data? Do numbers interest you i.e. the patterns in numbers? Are you someone who looks at a graph and tries to analyze it? If so, data analytics could be an area of interest for you. Please do note that for AI to work, they do require a large amount of data sets to inference, to analyze and provide the relevant outputs.
4. Are you curious about AI and how it is going to impact the world? Do you want to know about the practical application of AI and how it is benefiting?
5. Are you a person who doesn't want to go into coding, analyzing data, understanding how computer works? If the answer is yes, you may want to explore courses in computer application. In these courses, they teach you application of computers in real world.
I can add more options as the field of computer science is vast. However I think above 5 options should guide you to a good start.
Wish you the best in your career journey. I am sure you will do well, you are asking the right questions.
Regards,
Sandeep
I hope you are doing well. To start your journey into the vast field of computer science, you need to first understand where your interests are.
1. Its important you do a degree / course in computer science. Look out for courses wherein they teach you how the computer works, what's binary numbers, how do computers work, what is CPU, RAM, storage, network and how they work together? What's cloud?
Essentially get your grounding in computer science so that it gives you confidence when you front the real corporate world.
2. Do you have any experience with coding and if so, do you like it? If you have not done coding before but want to check if it interests you, just try to write a simple logic on piece of paper: adding even numbers from 1 to 100? Once done, did you enjoy putting a logic together for this problem?
I do read your concern about AI taking over jobs. In my view, AI has already started assisting programmers to write code. However a human has to still prompt AI with the problem they are trying to solve, what will be in the inputs/outputs expected, etc? So humans will not go away but will play a role of defining the issue, requirements etc.
3. Do you like to analyze data? Do numbers interest you i.e. the patterns in numbers? Are you someone who looks at a graph and tries to analyze it? If so, data analytics could be an area of interest for you. Please do note that for AI to work, they do require a large amount of data sets to inference, to analyze and provide the relevant outputs.
4. Are you curious about AI and how it is going to impact the world? Do you want to know about the practical application of AI and how it is benefiting?
5. Are you a person who doesn't want to go into coding, analyzing data, understanding how computer works? If the answer is yes, you may want to explore courses in computer application. In these courses, they teach you application of computers in real world.
I can add more options as the field of computer science is vast. However I think above 5 options should guide you to a good start.
Wish you the best in your career journey. I am sure you will do well, you are asking the right questions.
Regards,
Sandeep
Thank you for the information! I have been building my own app and my portfolio website and I enjoy app building so far. I also have an interest in file management. I appreciate the advice and look for some classes in computer science I can take because I know understanding that is important.
Lalita
HI Sandeep! To confirm, it sounds like you're saying the first step in starting a career in this industry is for the student to narrow down their scope of focus and find what actually interests them in the field. Is that correct?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin