Ask HN: Realistic to get an entry-level C++ job without professional experience?
Hello everyone,<p>I&#x27;ve been in the tech industry for 10 years now, working in a consultative role for a tech Fortune 100. I&#x27;ve always had an interest in programming and growing up I occasionally created scripts for gaming projects using the Allegro Library in C. While I&#x27;ve so far have had a successful career, I&#x27;ve found myself intellectually unchallenged in my job and unwilling to keep trying to convince myself that I was passionate&#x2F;interested in my work. So, I decided I would try to pursue programming professionally and as a back-up, I could always go back to a similar role if for any reason it didn&#x27;t work as planned.<p>I enrolled in a web development boot camp since I figured that would help me become a stronger candidate (I didn&#x27;t complete my bachelors), but after completing the course, I couldn&#x27;t help but find myself far more interested in the case uses of C&#x2F;C++, such as game production, audio programming, computer graphics, desktop software, etc. more than back-end and front-end web development. The problem I see with that is - there are barely any Junior&#x2F;entry-level C++ roles. The few that I see require 2+ years of experience AND a degree from a top CS program. I&#x27;m considering enrolling in a C++ course at one of the largest university in my city, but I figured I would ask for some advice&#x2F;feedback from HN first.<p>Is it unrealistic for someone without a CS degree to get an entry-level C++ developer job without prior professional experience? Would it be best that I get experience as a front&#x2F;back-end developer first? I&#x27;m aware that a language is just a tool, it just so happens that the programming fields that uses C++ are much more interesting to me.<p>Thank you!<p>(side note: I live in one of the largest cities in the US, but I have also been keeping an eye out at other tech hubs. I wouldn&#x27;t mind relocating if it&#x27;ll help me get my first job.)