Learning to code to get a job in tech can seem daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring stories from the Codecademy community to show how people like you (yes, you!) are embarking on their learning journey and building new careers. We hope these stories remind you that there’s more than one path to a more fulfilling work life.
Today’s story comes from Joshua Lange, 31, a research scientist in Stockholm, Sweden, working for a biotechnology company developing cancer drugs and treatments. Read more Codecademy learner stories here —And share your story here.
Why I chose to learn to code
“When I was doing my research in immunology, bioinformatics was starting to become a bit of a boom. We were generating so much data, and we were just starting to have the technology to process it all. But my generation didn’t learn anything computer-related. Every biology PhD student after me had to learn some code.
I reached a stage in my career where I generate a lot of data. My brother, who is a software engineer, always told me that I need to learn this. Before, I thought I didn’t have time and that doing what I was doing was enough. But at work, I was doing a lot of copy and paste and using weird Excel tables for calculations. I was copying data into one software and then into another for graphing, spending hours in front of the computer, often getting confused and making mistakes.
Learn something new for free
My brother told me there was an easier way to do it all with Python and automate it all, so I decided to take a short course. I promised myself that if I could keep it up for a month, I would buy a real laptop and get serious about it. I found Codecademy courses for Data Science and discovered that they had a section dedicated to data processing in Python, specifically for biologists.
Within the first two weeks of using Pandas, I knew it was exactly what I needed. As I continued to use it, I discovered that my workplace had set up Jupyter Notebooks for everyone on a cloud server, and everything fell into place perfectly. I finally felt the need to get started, so I took the plunge and it has been extremely helpful.
I don’t spend any time doing manual calculations like I did before. I just write 3-4 scripts that use the original Excel file as a parameter and hit play. What used to take me an hour or two on a Friday now takes 15 seconds and is fully automated. I love it and my boss is very happy.”
How to make time to study
“One of the reasons I didn’t start initially was because I didn’t have the time. When I went to work and came home, I didn’t feel like studying more. But I recently moved with my partner to the outskirts of Stockholm, so my commute is almost two hours. Unfortunately, my job isn’t yet at the stage where I can set up a work-from-home structure.
So I decided to take the train. The seats on the train are very good and very comfortable. I promised myself that I would study one hour a day instead of sleeping. That hour became longer. I started taking some of my work home and studying for two, sometimes three hours during my commute. The only way I could get my studies done was during my commute. It got interesting, so I decided to study on the weekends. I thought this was the most productive way to spend my time, especially since it was something quite ambitious.”
How I saved up for Codecademy
“I paid for it myself. There was a sale on annual memberships. I didn’t know how much it would cost, so I bought a year’s worth anyway. I didn’t really think about it, I just decided to go for it once I’d decided. But it’s paid for itself. It’s saved me a lot of time at work and freed me up to do a lot of other things.”
Even if you’re not looking to change jobs, honing your skills in your current job can be a huge asset.
Joshua Lang
Research Scientist
How to choose the right course for your goals
“This was actually the hardest part, because there are so many possibilities and courses available. I learn best when I’m working towards something I’ll actually use. I focused on Python in particular because I heard it has the easiest syntax for beginners. It’s also closely tied to other tools that scientists use.
So I looked into Python and found the Data Science and Machine Learning section, and the description was exactly what I wanted to do – organize data and potentially implement machine learning. It was a perfect fit from the start, with a strong focus on Data Science that made it easy to get started and aligned with my goals.
I was also interested in the C programming language because my younger brother is working on a game design project as a side job. I would like to learn more about the basics now that I understand not only the language aspect but also the problem-solving mindset that comes with coding. I might even try game design as a side job.”
How learning to code helped my career
“Codecademy is a really great platform and has had a huge impact on my work. Not only does it save me time, it also changes the way I think. Others are starting to look into Codecademy too. I’m not old by any means, but you’re never too old to keep learning.
Even if you are not looking to change jobs, upskilling yourself in your current job is a huge asset. I feel that the short course I took has given me valuable skills that I can put on my resume. I don’t have to change jobs. It will make my current job better, more efficient and make my life easier.
The biggest takeaway for me was that I didn’t have to wait for someone to tell me to learn this. I saw a problem, decided to change my job, and now programming is part of my role, rather than changing careers completely. It’s been great.”
What I wish I’d known before I started studying
“Learning to code was really hard, it was a big challenge and it felt otherworldly. Software developers often have a reputation of being super smart and having to really know things, and of course that’s true, but the key is to just get started.
I struggled with what language to learn and how to do it most efficiently. What helped me, as cliché as it sounds, was to just get started. I wish I could tell my past self to just get started.”
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