Even non-science majors can learn programming on their own! A complete guide to learning programming from scratch [side job/job change OK]

programming

"I'm from a liberal arts background and have no programming experience. I don't know where to start..."

For those of you in your 20s who are working and have such concerns.

In this article, a programming professional will explain specific methods by which even those with no liberal arts experience can acquire skills through self-study and use them in a career change or side hustle.

We will explain the study steps, recommended study materials, and tips to help you avoid giving up in an easy-to-understand manner.

How to teach yourself programming for non-science majors

If you are a self-studying liberal arts professional, your purpose is important

conclusion

When a liberal arts major learns programming on their own, the most important thing is to "clarify the purpose"is.

reason

Because if the purpose is not clear, the direction of learning will not be clear.Loss of motivationorSetbacks along the wayBecause it is directly related to

On the other hand, if you have goals such as "I want to change jobs" or "I want to earn money through a side job,"It becomes easier to select the languages and study materials you need, and you will no longer have to worry about how to spend your time.

Examples

For example, "Six months laterAccepting web production projects as a side jobIf you are a liberal arts student who wants to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript,Copy coding → Create a portfolio → Apply for jobsWe can see the following trend.

"Within a yearEngineer career changeIf you want toSelf-study specializing in Python and JavaScript → Utilizing a school with job-hunting supportis valid.

reassertion

Whether you are from a liberal arts background or are a working adult, you may be wondering "Why do I want to learn programming?"Setting a goal is the first step to successful self-studyThat's it.

How to create a study plan for working adults

conclusion

For working liberal arts students wanting to learn programming on their own, it is essential to have a study plan that they can continue without difficulty.

reason

For working adults who study while working, time is limited.Without a plan, you won't know what to do today, and as a result, your studies may come to a halt.

If you have a clear schedule,It's easier to make it a habit and it's less likely to waver along the way.That is it.

Examples

For example, "Study 30 minutes every weekday and 1 hour on weekends," "HTML in the first week, CSS in the second week, JavaScript in the third week," etc.Set study themes on a weekly basislet's.

Visualize with Google CalendarThis will help you to naturally move your body with the mindset of "I'm going to do this today."

Also,"HTML CSS Beginner's MaterialsJust by selecting ", you can easily proceed without getting lost.

reassertion

In order for liberal arts majors to be successful in self-study within a limited time frame,A clear schedule is essentialLet's create a "visible study plan" so that you can act without hesitation.

Self-study for liberal arts professionals starts from the basics

conclusion

A member of the workforce with a liberal arts backgroundIf you want to learn programming on your own, the golden rule is to start with the basics, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.is.

reason

If you suddenly try to tackle something difficult,It's easy to get confused and the rate of failure is high.Because programming is a cumulative discipline,If you don't get the basics down first, you'll struggle to understand later.That is it.

Examples

"HTML determines the structure of the text," "CSS arranges the color and shape," and "JavaScript adds movement" -- by using these three technologies, you can create a simple web page.

for example,Finish Progate's HTML/CSS course in one week → Copy coding → Proceed to JavaScriptThe learning order is as follows:A self-study route recommended for beginners in the humanitiesis.

reassertion

There's no improvement without the basics."Building a solid foundation" is what determines the success of self-study.

Even liberal arts students can improve their skills through practice

conclusion

When liberal arts students self-study programming,The most important way to learn is to get your hands dirty and "do it yourself"is.

reason

Many people tend to learn only through textbooks and videos,Knowledge will not stick unless you use itErrors and failures,Experience gained through actual practiceIt will be.

Examples

"Make your own profile page," "Copy your favorite website," "Make a ToDo app," etc.It's effective to start with small practical tasksis.

moreover,Upload it to GitHub and make it into a portfolioSo,It can also be a useful tool when job hunting or proposing side jobs..

reassertion

The improvement of programming isRepeated attempts to actually make thingsDon't be afraid of failure."Just try writing" will help self-learners of the humanities grow.

Tips for continuing self-study for liberal arts workers

conclusion

The most important thing when learning programming is"Continue"No matter how good the study materials you choose,There's no point if you can't keep it up.

reason

Many working adults with liberal arts backgrounds give up within 3 days to a week when they start self-study.The causes are "the gap between ideals and reality" and "not being able to find the time"is.

However,Anyone can grow by accumulating small habits.

Examples

"Just 15 minutes in the morning before going to work" or "30 minutes before going to bed to study on YouTube"Incorporate learning into your daily routineThis makes it easier to continue.

Also,Record your "# Today's Stack" on social mediaSo,Many people maintain their study habits.

reassertion

It doesn't have to be perfect."Don't give up and keep going every day" is the fastest way to succeed in self-study for liberal arts studentsis.

How to start learning programming: For liberal arts and working adults

Humanities What languages are suitable for working adults?

conclusion

If a liberal arts major wants to start learning programming on their own,Python or JavaScript recommendedis.

reason

These languages areThe grammar is simple and easy to read, making it easy to understand even for inexperienced users.Python is used for data analysis and AI development, while JavaScript is used for web production and app development.Highly practical and easy to use for side jobs or career changesThe point is attractive.

Examples

for example,Python allows you to easily create automated tools and graphs..Also,JavaScript can be combined with HTML and CSS to create "moving web pages."So,Directly linked to side jobs for web production projectsI will.

A classic way for beginners to start learning is to search for "HTML CSS JavaScript beginner".

reassertion

It's okay if you are from a liberal arts background.The first step to successful self-study is to start with a language that is easy to learn and can be used at work.

Self-study materials recommended for liberal arts students

conclusion

For self-study beginners in the humanities and working adults,We recommend using both online learning sites and booksis.

reason

The online teaching materials are visual and easy to understand.The advantage of repeated practiceThere is. The book isThe content is systematically organized, so you can learn in depth while organizing your knowledge.That's why.

Examples

Progate: For beginners only, slide-based and easy to learn

Dot Install: 3-minute videos are perfect for your spare time

Book: "Easy-to-read JavaScript furigana programming": The structure is easy to understand even for those with a liberal arts background

If you use these to learn "HTML CSS JavaScript",You will acquire the skills necessary for a side job in web production.

reassertion

Even for those in the humanities,If you choose the right learning materials for beginners, you can improve your skills.With a combination of videos and books, you can study on your own in the shortest time possible.

Humanities: Working adults should take advantage of learning communities

conclusion

To continue self-study,Joining a community where you can find fellow students is effectiveis.

reason

Studying alone is lonely and it's easy to lose motivation,Being in an environment where you can interact with your peers is the key to continuingIt will be.

Just having a place to ask questionsMove forward quickly when you stumble.

Examples

X: "# Today's Stack"Post your daily records using

Discord programming server for beginnersJoin

Progate Community EventsShare your progress with your friends

These efforts areIt reduces the risk of discouragement for liberal arts-related working adults and helps them develop the habit.

reassertion

People who are successful in self-study areI try to find ways to avoid trying to do things alone.Humanities and social science students,Make use of the resources around you and continue to have fun while you learn.

Things to keep in mind when learning programming on your own as a non-science professional

Why self-study for liberal arts professionals is likely to give up

conclusion

When a liberal arts major starts learning programming on his/her own,The most common problem is "giving up midway"is.

reason

Especially if you are inexperienced and have a liberal arts background,It can take time to get used to the terminology and code concepts, so you may get stuck at first.is.

Also,The practical barrier of not being able to find time to study because of a busy daily jobis also a major factor.

Examples

The biggest challenge is the first 1-2 weeks where you will encounter obstacles such as "What is HTML? What are tags?" or "I couldn't understand the meaning of an error and my work stopped."If you misunderstand and think, "This isn't for me," your motivation will drop instantly.

reassertion

Setbacks happen to everyone.The key to successful self-study is to understand that it's normal to stumble at first and not give up learning even if you fail.

For self-studying liberal arts students who are confused by too much information

conclusion

In self-study,The ability to select the "right thing" from the vast amount of information on the Internet is necessaryis.

reason

Especially for those with a liberal arts background,Because they are unfamiliar with technical terms and technology, there is a high risk of taking the wrong information at face value and taking a roundabout route.is.

Also, if you choose the wrong study materials, learning can become a pain and lead to frustration.

Examples

We often hear comments such as, "I got confused when the code was different from what I saw in the video on YouTube," and "I had to use a lot of free learning materials, so my learning became piecemeal."

Progate → Dot Install → Books → PracticeAs in,By consistently using trusted sources, you can move forward without getting lost.

reassertion

For self-study by liberal arts majors,"Don't gather too much information" and "Limit yourself to reliable teaching materials"is the shortcut to success.

Why theory alone is not enough

conclusion

The common mistakes that self-studying liberal arts professionals make are:"Don't be satisfied with just understanding the theory and not put your hands into it."is.

reason

Even if you think you learned it from a book or video,Unless you actually write code, you won't gain any useful knowledge..

Programming is like "sports or musical instruments."It only has meaning once your body remembers it..

Examples

"I understand the meaning of functions, but I can't write them myself," "I have a negative reaction when I see an array," etc.A common problem for people who don't move their handsis.

You can quickly copy what you learned on the learning site,You can gain skills by creating a simple web page based on your own ideas.

reassertion

Knowledge is only powerful when you use it.When studying on your own, the surest way to solidify your skills is to combine input and output.

Programming materials recommended for liberal arts students

Why Progate is suitable for liberal arts students

conclusion

The first study materials that inexperienced people with a liberal arts background should use are:Progateis.

reason

Progate isThe slide format makes it easy to understand visually, and you can learn while writing code.The book is characterized by its structure. It uses illustrations and exercises to cover the common problem of "difficulty in understanding concepts through words" that is particularly prevalent among students of the humanities.

Examples

For example, the basics of HTML and CSS areView slides on the left side of the screen → Enter code on the right → View results belowYou can learn in three stages:

"HTML CSS JavaScript Beginner's Guide" It's a great first step.

You can also learn through the app,You can study quickly on your smartphone during your commute or break.This is also an important point.

reassertion

How can liberal arts majors get started in programming without getting discouraged?The best learning materials are those like Progate that allow you to "see, write, and see results immediately"is.

Dot Install is for working people who don't have much time

conclusion

As a learning material to study in your spare time,Dot InstallHighly recommended for liberal arts students and working adults.

reason

Dot Install consists of short videos of 3 minutes each.Designed to match the lifestyle of busy working people, whether commuting, taking a break, or before going to bedIt has become.

In addition, we will actually write the code in the video,Easy to acquire practical knowledgeIt also has the advantage that:

Examples

"Introduction to HTML", "Introduction to CSS", "Introduction to JavaScript", etc.There are a wide variety of courses available for specific purposes, so you can solidify your skills by simply taking the courses in order.

"Basics with Progate → Repeat with Dotinstall → Portfolio creation" and if you connect it,Skill composition that allows even beginners to aim for side jobsIt will be.

reassertion

Even if you are a busy liberal arts professional,Dotinstall can be started in just 3 minutes a day and is a powerful ally that supports "continuity"is.

A book for liberal arts students who want to organize their knowledge through books

conclusion

For those who feel uneasy about just watching the video or want to watch it again later,Recommended books for beginnersis.

reason

The book is systematically organized,It helps you to notice the gaps in your understanding and can be used as a dictionary.This is a major advantage.It's reassuring to choose a book with furigana and illustrations.is.

Examples

We recommend:"Easy-to-read JavaScript furigana programming" (Impress).

In your JavaScript codeAll concepts are accompanied by furigana, and the concepts of functions, variables, and arrays, which can be difficult even for liberal arts students, are explained in detail.

reassertion

If you have a book that you can study with confidence even if you are a humanities major or have no experience,It will be useful for a long time as a “map for when you get stuck.”

Success stories of liberal arts professionals learning programming on their own

A case of a liberal arts graduate changing careers to become a web engineer

conclusion

Even if you are a liberal arts major or have no experience,A case study of someone who acquired skills through self-study and changed careers to become a web engineerThere are many.

reason

In the job market, many companies place more importance on "motivation and basic skills" than on "immediate ability to contribute."If you study hard and gain experience, there are opportunities regardless of your educational background or work history.That's why.

Examples

A former salesperson in his late 20s said,I continued self-study for 6 months using Progate and Dotinstall for 1 hour every day.After that, I made my own portfolio.I got a job offer from a web development company that doesn't accept people with no experience through Wantedlywon.

The portfolio includes:"Usable works" that include JavaScript actions and simple PHP implementationwas published and was highly praised by recruiters.

reassertion

Even if you are from a liberal arts background,With effort and ingenuity, "successfully changing jobs" is a realistic goal.The important thing is to develop skills that you can show off.

An example of a self-taught liberal arts student who earns 50,000 yen a month from a side job

conclusion

While continuing his main job,There are also self-taught liberal arts students who earn a stable income of 50,000 yen a month from a side job.I will.

reason

In crowdsourcing and Coconala,There is always a demand for banner creation and LP (landing page) production, and many projects are available even for beginners.is.

Examples

A liberal arts professional in his 30sI honed my skills through Progate and copy-coding and created a portfolio website.

after that,He puts his services up for sale on CrowdWorks under the name "HTML CSS JavaScript coding agency" and steadily receives more than five requests per month.

Although the unit price is relatively low at 10,000 to 15,000 yen per case,"Punctual delivery and courteous service" leads to a high repeat rate, resulting in a monthly side income of over 50,000 yenWe are receiving the following.

reassertion

Even if you have no experience in humanities,If you can effectively develop your skills, you can definitely aim for success in a side job.What is needed is the "accumulation of small successes."

Frequently asked questions about learning programming for liberal arts students

Q1. Can liberal arts students really learn programming?

yes.What is needed for programming is "logical thinking ability" and "persistence"It doesn't matter if you're from a liberal arts background.If you make it a habit to work steadily, you will steadily acquire skills.

Q2. Which is better: self-study or school?

Each has its own advantages.

Self-taught: Learn at your own pace and keep costs down

School: Systematic learning and comprehensive career change support

If you are unsure, try self-study for a month first, and if that is still difficult, consider going to school.I recommend it.

Q3. Which language should I start learning?

It depends on your purpose.

• Web production:HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

• Data analytics and automation:Python

• App Development:JavaScript + framework (e.g. React)

First, work backwards from what kind of work you want to do and choose your job.

Q4. I don't have time to study while working. What should I do?

Try to use your time in small chunks, such as 30 minutes on a weekday or an hour on the weekend.

You don't have to do it perfectly every day.It's important to continue even if it's just once every three daysis.

Q5. How long will it take to be able to change jobs or have a side job?

It depends on the person.Many people see results after 3-6 months of studying 5-7 hours a week.is.

conclusion

Whether you are a liberal arts major, inexperienced, or working adult,Programming skills can be self-taught if you follow the right stepsis.

Summary

Deciding on a goal is the first step

Make a reasonable study plan

Building on the foundations

Learn through practice and continue

Use the community and educational materials

Learn from successful cases

Eliminate your worries with Q&A

For those who are taking action

The fact that you are reading this article right now is proof that you want to change.

It doesn't matter if you're a liberal arts student, a working professional, or have no experience. What's important is to take a step forward today.

We wholeheartedly support you as you begin your self-study journey.

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