Making a career change from mechanical engineering to software engineer. Got an offer today. Pretty nervous and I already feel like an imposter. I am almost entirely self taught, they know this, and they know I have no software engineering experience. Any advice?

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Everyone has felt like an imposter at some point in their career, everyone. They hired you knowing who you are and where you are in knowledge. Be honest, work hard. You got this

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Have a beginner mindset, ask questions, don’t pretend to know something you don’t. Read as much as you can, and keep trying to understand the why as well as the how. If you made it through ME coursework you can handle professional software engineering.

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Fake it till you make it 😤 (just like everyone else) Good luck, you got this!!

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Google is your friend.

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Everyone doesn't know something. Be open to learning; expect negative feedback on your code; read lots of other people's code; perform reviews of ongoing PRs so you can learn the current culture programming idioms; strike up conversations with other Devs, especially more senior ones; find a couple of mentors to help guide you (don't rely on just one -- or you will cause them "kindness fatigue").

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Ask your coworkers who has a degree, and if that degree is in Computer Science/similar. You may find that it's not the majority

I've been writing software for ~10 years and am 100% self taught. Most of my team usually is too, and when I'm interviewing candidates I often find that the ones who got in the door with a degree are often the weaker candidates.

University learned software engineering is fine, but often not what the job actually looks like.

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Congrats! And don't sweat it, no one expects you to know everything, just to be ready to learn :)

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My mechanical engineering career took a detour for a few years and I ended up working as a Systems Analyst. I felt like an imposter going in, but I beat all of the computer science candidates on the interview test. I excelled at it once I started the job, but I missed working on making physical things so I went back to engineering. Unfortunately I’m in a rural area and finding a great engineering job so I’m looking for something I can do remotely. Like others have said, take every opportunity to learn. I think my success as an analyst came from digging into the tough problems and finding creative ways to solve them. It was good to have a mentor to help me with the things I didn’t understand about my new industry and company.

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I’m leaving engineering because I don’t get to build anything. If I can at least solve interesting problems with software I will be happy!

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What courses did you study? I’m also a mechanical engineer and looking to get out of the field.

Well if it’s paid for, c++ was useful. I would recommend learning c first though. I did it backwards and wish I had started with c.

Sometimes it’s more about what you can bring to the table rather than what you’re a master in. Don’t discount the fact that they may see your capabilities in a totally different light. Not to mention that you may have ultimately been a much better fit than the other candidates. Congrats and good luck!

Do what you do best... self-teach. Spark some discussions with your new colleagues asking what they keep on their career development radars. Also, hit the Google streets! Keeping your finger to the pulse on whats trending or being aware of the latest information usually proves a plus. Who knows; maybe you'll reposition your perspective to inspire crativiety and innovation you can apply to your career and life ;)
Lastly, remind yourself that your self-taught, (and obviously well maeketed talents), landed you the job. You wouldn't be there if your shouldn't be there - Put into practice what you have learned. Be encouraged .

All this advice is great. Happy to answer any questions OP, I also didn’t have a CS degree. DM me as needed

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