courses.reviews logo
I launched a free website to help you find the best courses with reviews & discounts.
Up to date
Published
4 min read

Trevor I. Lasn

Staff Software Engineer, Engineering Manager

Self-Taught Developer's Guide to Thriving in Tech

How to turn your non-traditional background into your biggest asset

As a fellow self-taught dev, I get it. No fancy degree, no built-in network, and sometimes that nagging imposter syndrome. But here’s the thing - being self-taught isn’t a disadvantage. It’s your secret weapon. Let me show you why.

First off, pat yourself on the back. Teaching yourself to code? That’s no small feat. It shows grit, curiosity, and a killer ability to learn independently. These are traits that top companies drool over.

As a self-taught developer with over a decade of engineering experience under my belt, I’ve come a long way from those early days of imposter syndrome and uncertainty. But I haven’t forgotten the challenges.

If you’re just starting out on your self-taught journey, or if you’re a few years in and still finding your footing, this one’s for you.

Here’s how being self-taught sets you apart:

  1. Problem-Solving Prowess: You’ve likely solved a ton of issues on your own. That resourcefulness is gold in the dev world.
  2. Diverse Skill Set: Without a fixed curriculum, you’ve probably dabbled in various languages and frameworks. That adaptability is crucial in our ever-changing field.
  3. Real-World Focus: You likely learned by building actual projects, not just theoretical exercises. That’s hands-on experience many CS grads lack.
  4. Unique Perspective: Your non-traditional path gives you a fresh viewpoint on coding challenges.

Turning “Weaknesses” into Strengths

Now, let’s tackle some common worries self-taught devs have and flip them on their head:

  1. “I don’t have a CS degree”

    • Reframe: “I have a practical, project-focused education tailored to real-world development.”
  2. “My knowledge might have gaps”

    • Reframe: “I have a growth mindset and I’m skilled at rapidly learning new concepts.”
  3. “I don’t have a traditional network”

    • Reframe: “I’m part of diverse online communities and have collaborated with developers globally.”

Practical Tips to Leverage Your Background

  1. Build a Killer Portfolio: As a self-taught dev, your projects speak louder than any degree. Focus on quality over quantity. Showcase your best work.
  2. Contribute to Open Source: It’s a great way to gain experience, build your network, and show you can work on large codebases. Plus, it’s a perfect answer to the “have you worked on a team?” question.
  3. Embrace Your Learning Journey: Keep a blog or YouTube channel documenting your progress. It showcases your growth and helps others. Win-win.
  4. Specialize in a Niche: Find an area where you can become the go-to expert. Maybe it’s optimizing React performance or mastering serverless architectures. Depth can outweigh breadth.
  5. Network Creatively: Attend hackathons, join local tech meetups, or start your own coding group. Online platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn are goldmines for connecting with industry pros.

A Message to Those Just Starting Out

To all the self-taught developers just beginning their journey: it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Your path may not be traditional, but it’s valid and valuable. The challenges you’re facing now are forging the skills and resilience that will serve you throughout your career.

Remember, every experienced developer was once a beginner. We all start somewhere. Your dedication to learning, your ability to persevere through challenges, and your unique perspective are your greatest assets. Nurture them.

The tech industry needs diverse voices and experiences. Your non-traditional background isn’t just acceptable - it’s essential. So keep coding, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. Ten years from now, you might be the one writing advice for the next generation of self-taught developers.

Now go build something awesome. The future of tech is waiting for your unique contribution. By the way, I created a roadmap to becoming a web developer in 180 days, for absolutely free.


Found this article helpful? You might enjoy my free newsletter. I share dev tips and insights to help you grow your coding skills and advance your tech career.

Interested in supporting this blog in exchange for a shoutout? Get in touch.


Liked this post?

Check out these related articles that might be useful for you. They cover similar topics and provide additional insights.

Webdev
3 min read

CSS ::target-text for Text Highlighting

A look at how browsers can highlight text fragments using CSS ::target-text, making text sharing and navigation more user-friendly

Dec 17, 2024
Read article
Webdev
3 min read

CVE-2025-29927 - Next.js Middleware Bypass Explained In Simple Terms

The vulnerability skips Next.js middleware security checks by adding a single HTTP header

Apr 6, 2025
Read article
Webdev
3 min read

CSS :has() - The Parent Selector We've Always Wanted

Transform your CSS with :has(), the game-changing selector that finally lets us style elements based on their children.

Dec 4, 2024
Read article
Webdev
6 min read

Inside the CSS Engine: CSSOM Explained

A deep dive into how browsers parse and manipulate CSS, its impact on web performance, and why it matters

Oct 25, 2024
Read article
Webdev
2 min read

link rel='modulepreload': Optimize JavaScript Module Loading

The rel='modulepreload' indicates that a module script should be fetched, parsed, and compiled preemptively, and stored for later execution

Dec 4, 2024
Read article
Webdev
8 min read

Invisible columns in SQL

It’s a small feature, but it can make a big difference.

Aug 26, 2024
Read article
Webdev
3 min read

Native Popover Element with HTML

Create overlays and dropdowns easily with the native HTML popover API

Jan 24, 2025
Read article
Webdev
6 min read

Micro Frontends: The LEGO Approach to Web Development

Explore the concept of micro frontends in web development, understand their benefits, and learn when this architectural approach is most effective for building scalable applications.

Oct 2, 2024
Read article
Webdev
12 min read

Frontend Security Checklist

Tips for Keeping All Frontend Applications Secure

Jul 30, 2024
Read article

This article was originally published on https://www.trevorlasn.com/blog/being-a-self-taught-developer. It was written by a human and polished using grammar tools for clarity.