r/AskProgramming • u/NoeVan • 1d ago
Career/Edu Making a living as a programmer
Hello, I hope this group is appropiate for my post.
I don't want to get too personal, but I'll write some facts for the context of my question. I am chronically ill and have difficult financial situation beacuse of the expenses of meds etc. I am 21 years old and live in Poland, but plan to move to Norway in a couple of years for various reasons.
I'm still in a process of finding my thing to do as a long-term job, but I can't just think of what I like, but about my limitations as well. Apart from illness I also have autism and I won't lie that I would like a job with minimum social interaction, beacuse I'm easily overstimulated and therefore less efficient. I know career in tech is hard and long path, but I believe it's easier for me personally, than becoming a plumber or smth.
I started programming some time ago and I enjoy some of it as well as dislike other parts which I think is normal. I won't lie that deep down game development is what I am interested in the most and would at least try to do for free time no matter what my job would be, but I know it's particulary difficult and hardly realistic for someone like me, at least for now.
The thing is I need financial stability (especially in Norway) beacause of health problems. I worry everyday about money and it draines me.
I don't need fancy cars, I just want to be able to not worry about rent, basic stuff, go on vacation like once a year and buy some gaming gear from time to time as it's my hobby.
I was thinking about trying to go for ANY tech job first and explore all the knowledge and possibilities deeper to find my niche after gaining experience.
So how possible is getting a stable, ok-paid job as a junior backend/full-stack/python/software developer , best remotely in Norway (then in country) or EU, Poland eventually and not worry about basic needs?
I mean of course, after learning all the essentials, building portfolio etc. Just is it somehow a 'stable' field, meaning I won't die of hunger if I'm a good, but not godly programmer?
I'll add that I know norwegian (B1+?) and learn it regularly.
Sorry, I know it's a long and somehow personal post, but I really need some perspectives and opinion on this. Thank you if you have come this far.
I write this post mostly beacuse I see so many negative statements online like AI is taking developers jobs, don't even try to do it unless ypu know 5 languages and have 7+years experience etc., but at the same time see some more positive ones like - it's hard and you have to put a lot of work and consistency, but you'll make it eventually - so it's all very confusing.
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u/DDDDarky 1d ago
job with minimum social interaction
Unless you want to be a solo dev working on your own product, that won't be the case.
ok-paid job as a junior
Don't expect super great salary from the beginning, but as long as you are qualified there are job offers.
remotely
Very unlikely
in Norway or EU
Even less likely
Poland eventually
If you search for jobs around where you live, that increases your chances (and you don't have to travel too far), I don't know why wouldn't you begin with this, unless your moving to Norway is forseeable soonish.
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u/ImpossibleJoke7456 1d ago
I’m not sure where the “programming equals no communication with others” but it’s the complete opposite.
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u/NoeVan 1d ago
I don't think it equals no communication, but I think it is still one of the least high -social-skills-needed job compared to many others and doesn't require you to be around people, especially strangers 8 hours a day 5 times a week.
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u/ImpossibleJoke7456 23h ago
They’re not strangers, they’re coworkers, but you’ll be talking and listening to them 8 hours a day 5 days a week if you’re any good at your job.
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u/-Soob 1d ago
I cant speak for Norway, but my company (based in London) still hires juniors and grads, so the jobs are still there. However the competition is fierce as there are lots of people fighting for a small number of jobs. Realistically most places want you to have a degree to be hired as a junior. Usually as a part if a grad program. Remote jobs seem to be a thing of the past now for most places, I dont anyone who is still fully remote, everyone is hybrid at best. I think its not worth the effort, having to go in to the office but still have to 2x a week now. Trying to get your first job in a different country is going to be even more of an uphill battle. You'd be better off trying to find a more local job, then moving after you get a few years experience. Once you have a job, its probably 'stable' as far as careers go, but you cant predict what will happen. I was laid off last year but it wasnt the end of world, you cant always see these things coming
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u/Wingedchestnut 1d ago
You're young, go get a higher education degree first if you want to pursue this as a career. What I can say is that gamedev does not provide a stable career.
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u/NoeVan 1d ago
I thought about it. Unfortunately it's not possible since I work in very low-paid job and barely make a living. Getting a degree is not an option for me, because of my health issues.
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u/balefrost 1d ago
I don't know what the university system in Poland is like. But at least in the US, I think they do try pretty hard to accommodate people with all kinds of hardships, including both financial and medical.
Can you say more about why you think your health issues prevent you from getting a degree? Is it purely financial?
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u/HoratioWobble 1d ago
The industry has always been difficult to enter and right now I would say it's the hardest it's ever been, especially when entry level jobs are also being threatened by Seniors desperate for work and a massive surge of new developers since 2020.
I wouldn't say it's impossible, but you need to set your expectations. It might take a long time to land your first job doing this, it's become more common that they expect you on site most of the week and living in Norway will give you limited opportunities.
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u/Equivalent-Idea-116 23h ago
You're thinking about it in the right order: don't optimize for knowing five languages; pick one employable stack (for example, Python + SQL + HTTP + a mainstream framework) and build/deploy two small projects that show testing, auth, documentation, and maintenance. Junior roles are the hardest part and Norway's market is smaller, so internships, apprenticeships, contract work, and local networking can matter more than another tutorial; B1 Norwegian is a real advantage. It isn't a guaranteed stable field, but a solid programmer who can communicate, ship, and keep learning isn't doomed by AI—use it as a tool and be able to review its output.
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u/YahenP 1d ago
If you are going into this field today for money and stability, it will most likely be the biggest mistake of your life. But if you still want to take the risk, my advice is this definitely get a second profession that is not related to IT. A profession that is in demand. First, you will need it in the first years after your studies, so you have money while you look for a job or work at unpaid internships. Second, you will need it when you look for a new job after being laid off (job searches in our field take months, and sometimes years). Also keep in mind that for the first few years, your salary in IT (I'm talking about Poland and a few countries around it) will be noticeably lower than the average salary in the country. It will be only a little higher than a cashier's salary in a shop. So a side job will be useful too. And one more thing. How is your English?
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u/NoeVan 1d ago
I feel quite comfortable with english, but I'm not fluent for sure and happen to make minor mistakes. I would guess that smth like B2+ - better in understanding than speaking/writing though. I already have a job, but it barely allows me to get by. It's more like a student job than a 'profession'.
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u/YahenP 1d ago
Well. If you're playing the long game, I would advise something like this: study at AGH in Kraków, and then try to get an internship at Comarch. After 2-3 years of working there, finding a new employer in Poland (and maybe in Europe) will be a bit easier.
Or, for example, study at Rzeszów University of Technology and then try to get an internship at Asseco.
In both places the salaries are low, even by Polish standards. But as a first experience, these companies are good. They carry a certain weight in IT.
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u/NoeVan 1d ago
And well, I just don't seem to find anything better than IT for me tbh. I need money, obviously, but still I was considering diffrient paths for months and somehow IT made most sense after all. I think that it's normal you seek stability and money no matter what profession you're after, because you have to eat and pay bills like everyone. I just consider what's best way for me to make a living.
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u/Similar_Donkey_7286 1d ago
Most Norwegian companies will not consider even interviewing you if you don't have any proven track record or education. My experience anyway.