How I Become a Software developer without a Computer Science degree

Hi, It’s Amy. I am a web developer with no degree in computer science. My academic background is in medicine, and I obtained a Ph.D. degree in the medical research field. 

So, how have I become a web developer? 

Here is my story:

A year ago, I never would have guessed I could build a career in programming. My journey started when I wondered if I could automate my statistical models instead of clicking buttons repeatedly to share results with colleagues during my Ph.D. program. My first attempt wasn’t in C++, Java, or Python—it was in R, a statistical language that felt natural since I needed it for my Ph.D. research.

In about a week, I had written hundreds of lines of code in R. I felt excited and thought, “Maybe I should explore other programming languages.” That curiosity led me to try courses like Harvard’s CS50, which I found both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Learning to code wasn’t without struggles. Translating the solutions in my head into code was tough, and I often got stuck without knowing exactly how to proceed. But I kept going, and over time, the coding process helped me think differently, pushing me toward better solutions.

After following FreeCodeCamp for two months, I built some small web applications, which I proudly added to my portfolio. With my resume ready, I began sending out job applications. I got a couple of interviews, which taught me a lot, but I felt stuck in that classic cycle: “How do I get a job without experience if no one will give me my first job?”

So, I took a leap and joined a FREE bootcamp in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), where I lived. It was a six-month program that gave me the structure I needed, from algorithms to frameworks like React. By December, I was thrilled to receive a call for a technical test. After preparing intensively, I passed each stage of the interview process, including a campus interview that focused heavily on teamwork and problem-solving.

Finally, I received the offer letter. I had made it—I landed my first job as a web developer! This experience taught me resilience and the power of persistence. I hope my story resonates with anyone facing similar challenges, and I’ll keep sharing insights and advice from my journey to encourage others.