Is it possible to learn programming without paying anything?

[DimesDan]

Well, as I said, the free National Careers Service is geared towards people with no qualifications – they don’t know how to deal with graduates. And you only have two appointments and you’re done, so I’ve used up my allotted usage, and it was terrible advice.

And to counter that.

I saw a brilliant adviser seven years ago as I was stuck in a rut and regain some confidence and get some qualifications, I had a HND (because I dropped out of Uni just before the start of the final semester) and wasn't able to get anywhere, I took on some of their advice, looked at doing a HE course at a local college, managed to secure funding for two of the three years from Student Loans (they give loans for four years, and I managed to transfer one year of funding due to depression from an underlying health condition from my previous degree and transfered it to my new one) and also, received a hardship grant, and then worked full time hours while doing a full time degree course to pay the remaining few thousand quid.- Now I'm in a position to take a year out from work, upskill myself with a Masters in a field, with a whole range of experience to back it up that seems to be critical in the future.

But anyway, my point being is, they are fully capable of advicing graduates, they're just there to advice you on what to do, not actually tell you what to do.

I am continually applying for work already. Do you know there’s a global pandemic going on, there aren’t even many jobs to apply for at the moment? Do you know what a recession is? We get those during Tory governments and lots of unemployment, just like now. Save up for private careers advice, not possible on the super-low paid work you’re suggesting.

I was talking to my brother a few days ago, he's a trainee deputy manager for a major German retailer in the UK. they and the other supermarkets have been screaming out for staff in the last few months. It might not be perfect for you right now, but they are reliant on their IT systems, many of which are made in-house. You could use that as a stepping stone, plus they're amenable to those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Plus may I add, writing on a CV/Covering Letter/application that you're willing to learn in the IT sector without proof of actually being proactive and learning things in the IT sector (or any sector really) is a massive red flag to recruiters and from my experience both sides of the fence, is an automatic fail.

 

[Galactic Alignment]

And to counter that.

I saw a brilliant adviser seven years ago as I was stuck in a rut and regain some confidence and get some qualifications, I had a HND (because I dropped out of Uni just before the start of the final semester) and wasn't able to get anywhere, I took on some of their advice, looked at doing a HE course at a local college, managed to secure funding for two of the three years from Student Loans (they give loans for four years, and I managed to transfer one year of funding due to depression from an underlying health condition from my previous degree and transfered it to my new one) and also, received a hardship grant, and then worked full time hours while doing a full time degree course to pay the remaining few thousand quid.- Now I'm in a position to take a year out from work, upskill myself with a Masters in a field, with a whole range of experience to back it up that seems to be critical in the future.

But anyway, my point being is, they are fully capable of advicing graduates, they're just there to advice you on what to do, not actually tell you what to do.



I was talking to my brother a few days ago, he's a trainee deputy manager for a major German retailer in the UK. they and the other supermarkets have been screaming out for staff in the last few months. It might not be perfect for you right now, but they are reliant on their IT systems, many of which are made in-house. You could use that as a stepping stone, plus they're amenable to those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Plus may I add, writing on a CV/Covering Letter/application that you're willing to learn in the IT sector without proof of actually being proactive and learning things in the IT sector (or any sector really) is a massive red flag to recruiters and from my experience both sides of the fence, is an automatic fail.

Well how am I meant to retrain for these sorts of jobs then if I can’t afford to retrain? Unlike you I did a proper degree, not an HND, so I can’t get funding for any more retraining.

 

[{ Emilia }]

Again option 1 then: Learn by yourself.

With all the negatives that come with it. I don’t see any other option at this point. It’ll take many many hours of unpaid effort, it’ll be hard. But it’s possible. We can’t suggest much more than that.
There is no magical solution here.

If this is not an option, you’re most likely out of luck and can’t get into programming professionally.

 

[DimesDan]

Well how am I meant to retrain for these sorts of jobs then if I can’t afford to retrain? Unlike you I did a proper degree, not an HND, so I can’t get funding for any more retraining.

There is funding out there, you and only you need to take the time to be proactive in your research and be honest to yourself what you want.

As for the far more important and viable point (given your position in life right now), did you manage to skip that as you had managed to quote it.

 

[Galactic Alignment]

There is funding out there, you and only you need to take the time to be proactive in your research and be honest to yourself what you want.

As for the far more important and viable point (given your position in life right now), did you manage to skip that as you had managed to quote it.

well then, show me where I can get retraining full funded, then.

 

[DimesDan]

well then, show me where I can get retraining full funded, then.

I was talking to my brother a few days ago, he's a trainee deputy manager for a major German retailer in the UK. they and the other supermarkets have been screaming out for staff in the last few months. It might not be perfect for you right now, but they are reliant on their IT systems, many of which are made in-house. You could use that as a stepping stone, plus they're amenable to those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Plus may I add, writing on a CV/Covering Letter/application that you're willing to learn in the IT sector without proof of actually being proactive and learning things in the IT sector (or any sector really) is a massive red flag to recruiters and from my experience both sides of the fence, is an automatic fail.

Of course, your search engine of choice will also allow you to look into yourself.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Why don't you dedicate yourself for one month to using the learn python link someone posted. Just have a go at it, every day, in the same dedicated fashion that you would need to do if you were in a course. See if at the end of the month you fucking LOVE IT and want to do more of it or you want to die.

This is a good, new era we live in. We can test run so many things without ever filling out a form or handing over money.

One month.

 

[DimesDan]

Why don't you dedicate yourself for one month to using the learn python link someone posted. Just have a go at it, every day, in the same dedicated fashion that you would need to do if you were in a course. See if at the end of the month you fucking LOVE IT and want to do more of it or you want to die.

This is a good, new era we live in. We can test run so many things without ever filling out a form or handing over money.

One month.

That's a brilliant idea, I might do that myself.

 

[Finn]

Just Google it...the ways already mentioned. Do a bunch odd jobs as soon as you can, save up while you do the freebies and the cheaper options, until you are able to save up.

 

[Galactic Alignment]

Just Google it...the ways already mentioned. Do a bunch odd jobs as soon as you can, save up while you do the freebies and the cheaper options, until you are able to save up.

What, save up literally thousands of pounds on “odd jobs”? Not possible. You can’t save up in my situation.

 

[Finn]

^Okay. I'm not sure what we can do to say or offer if you keep dismissing our suggestions.

 

[Galactic Alignment]

^Okay. I'm not sure what we can do to say or offer if you keep dismissing our suggestions.

Well, stop suggesting idiotic rubbish which is no help for people on low incomes who can’t afford basics like food (and can’t get help from food banks as they aren’t open). I’m sick of saying, I have no money for training, the ELQ rules block me from funding, I have no money at all for anything.

 

[DimesDan]

What, save up literally thousands of pounds on “odd jobs”? Not possible. You can’t save up in my situation.

What about my suggestion? Getting employment in a supermarket and then gaining IT that way?

It's a fully viable option, it ticks all your boxes, but you seem adamant to not address it.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Why you no reply to my post why

 

[Finn]

^Many folks, both in this thread and the one from last year, gave you links and information to help you learn...at no cost.

You are being too dismissive. Lot of folks worked hard doing odd jobs with no money. Some of them do manage to save up a lot.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I had VERY GOOD IDEA and you no reply why

 

[{ Emilia }]

Well, stop suggesting idiotic rubbish

And... that’s this thread done.

You have received many helpful replies in this thread and either ignored them or responded in a rude way.

The bottom line is: this is all about your own initiative and effort now.

Three options:

1) Spend many hours self-learning and create stuff you can show potential employers. It’s doable but not easy.
It will take a lot of initiative, creativity and effort on your part.

2) Research alternative funding solutions as @Dimesdan did. This is also not easy.
It will take a lot of initiative, creativity and effort on your part.

3) I’m dumbfounded by you saying your original degree is of little use. From personal experience I can say that there are many many good jobs for people with political or social science degrees. Government agencies (in countless fields), public administration on all levels and in all fields, business associations, unions, political parties, NGOs, media, museums, publishing, and many more.
It’s true that with a degree like this you don’t fall into a specific job field automatically but the options are many.
The problem again: It will require a lot of initiative, research and effort on your part.

There is nobody who can do this work for you.

Since you’re completely unwilling to have a civil conversation here (again), I am locking this thread.