Learning to code has never been more accessible. With thousands of free tutorials, YouTube channels, and online courses available, it’s easy to see why many people start with self-taught coding, rather than more traditional guided training. Self-teaching coding can be rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges, especially if your goal is to land a job as a software developer.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of self-taught coding, and how a guided route, like a coding bootcamp, might offer the best of both worlds.
The Pros of Self-Taught Coding
1. Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of teaching yourself to code is flexibility. You can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, and in your own style. Whether you prefer watching videos, reading documentation, or building small projects, you’re in complete control of your learning journey.
2. Low Cost
Many online resources are free or inexpensive. From cheap interactive coding platforms to free open-source projects, it’s possible to gain a strong foundation in programming without spending much or anything at all.
3. Independence and Problem-Solving
When you teach yourself, you quickly develop resilience. Debugging code without immediate help can be frustrating, but it also strengthens your ability to think logically and solve problems independently. These skills are crucial as a developer, and can help set you apart.
Just make sure not to rely on AI to show you the answer as soon as you get stuck! As tempting as this can be, it gets in the way of practising problem solving and won’t always be an option as your projects get more complex.
The Cons of Self-Taught Coding
1. Lack of Structure
One of the main downsides of self-learning is that it can be difficult to know what to learn next. With so many resources available, it’s easy to jump between topics or lose focus. You might end up with gaps in your knowledge, or spend too long on areas that aren’t directly useful when it comes to getting a job.
2. Limited Feedback and Mentorship
When you’re learning alone, you don’t have experienced developers to review your work or guide your progress. Without feedback, it’s easy to pick up bad habits or get stuck on a problem for days. Mentors can also give you insights into the tech industry, and help you stay motivated throughout your learning journey.
3. Slower Progress Toward a Career
Many self-taught programmers find that, although they can code, they struggle to make the leap into a professional software development role. Employers look not only for coding ability, but also teamwork, communication, and experience working with industry tools. These areas can be hard to develop on your own.
Completing a course with industry links, such as a Northcoders bootcamp or university degree, also gives employers confidence that there aren’t any gaps in your learning.
How Guided Learning Can Boost your Coding Journey
A guided approach, such as a coding bootcamp, offers structure, support, and real-world preparation. At Northcoders, our learners follow a curriculum designed to reflect what employers actually want. It’s regularly updated as technologies evolve, and is based on direct feedback from our 400+ hiring partners. You’ll learn in a collaborative environment, supported by experienced tutors who can help you when you get stuck, and push further when you’re ready.
Bootcamps also simulate the real-world experience of working in a tech team: writing clean code, reviewing others’ work, and solving complex problems together. They also often include dedicated career support, helping you polish your CV, prepare for interviews, and connect with employers looking for junior developers.
Find your Ideal Balance
There’s no single right way to learn to code. Many successful developers start by teaching themselves independently, before joining a bootcamp to level up and gain job-ready experience.
Self-teaching to code is a great way to start. You can see how you enjoy it and if you want to commit to a coding course. At Northcoders, our application process includes a free, no-strings-attached JavaScript Basics course for beginners, giving everyone the chance to try coding for themselves.
You can discover our courses here to start your journey into tech today.