Ask HN: The Struggles of Poverty and Trying to become a programmer from 0
I am currently struggling with similar tough situation.I see some helpful advice here but honestly, its easier said than done.<p>-I am a latina, working in retail, no support of any kind whatsoever, surviving and on top of that with an expensive autoimmune medical condition. My job is in retail working long stressful hours, no benefits, no vacations. That leaves almost no time to study or hack around because I need to work in order to survive. Many things regarding web development requires owning a Mac computer that many people can&#x27;t afford or taking some basics classes around which are not free. Nowadays, if you have internet access and a simple computer that should be enough. Guess what? Many people cant even pay for those basics needs. I just bought a Mac with money I don&#x27;t have...hopefully it will pay in the future. But there are people even in the US with less choices than your average person. For example, many people lack credit access and money to buy computers, have internet access, buy books, go to places...hard to believe but it&#x27;s true. When I first was diagnosed with my medical condition, I did not have insurance or financial help and all I needed  was less than $2000 for my medical tests. No one helped me financially even when asked for help. I lost my hair, couldn&#x27;t go to work so I did not earn money for those days, had some skin rashes due to my conditions. How can I be able to meet people like that? or study? I spent my few savings on all that. Thankfully, I recovered and my medical situation is now manageable. But It was a painful situation...I am afraid to face the same situation in the future: Health vs rent? Because eating became my third choice...<p>I applied to many free hack&#x2F;development schools just to be denied from all of them. The last one I applied at the beginning of December 2015 just denied me I believe for not completing a bunch of tests&#x2F;quizzes in order to get in. Guess why I couldn&#x27;t finished? I was working long hours during holidays and did not have a computer and they required a mac. So I rushed to get one just to complete my tasks, didn&#x27;t get sleep in order to advance some tests, and put some internet and the Mac on a credit card(at least now I have access to one but It wasn&#x27;t always like that). When I put my internet to begin working on those entrance quizzes which are really long tasks, I saw my denial email. That was 2 days ago...I allowed myself to cry that whole day. Today, my plan is to keep my mac computer and try to pay if off little by little and study from free sources.<p>I live in NYC, my bills are not expensive because I have learned to budget after my health vs rent situation 2 years ago...but it&#x27;s tiring to live with so many constrains.It&#x27;s tiring to not have vacations AT ALL not even holidays off. I understand that my situation could be worse if I didn&#x27;t plan my steps everyday. I just pray things don&#x27;t get worse for me, especially health-wise.<p>This is what I recommend since you live in a big city like me:<p>-Try to eliminate your debt if you have any so you can get easier access to stuff in the future like loans. credit card, set up internet accounts, etc.
-Try to get a credit card by doing #1 and buy yourself a refurbished or cheap Mac computer as many schools&#x2F;teaching tools are really requiring a Mac
-Get access to public library and have a card
-try to get cheap internet access by shopping around. I don&#x27;t have cable tv just cheap internet
-Read free sources online and get free ebooks about programming
-Check around for free development schools&#x2F;IT programs in your city. NYC offers some or with minimal financing...apply if you can.Apply to all of them and don&#x27;t give up...within your city that is.
-Go to meetup groups and try to network.<p>NYC Fellowships just denied me, I don&#x27;t qualify for Per Scholas here in NYC since I am currently working and need my job to survive...Treehouse is not longer free with public library access as it used to be. I fell into any possible crack in every situation. I feel forgotten by everyone in every situation and I am afraid. But I don&#x27;t have much choice but to keep fighting.<p>I don&#x27;t have friends in the industry, I don&#x27;t have a mentor or someone to guide me in my journey. I have no financial help. All I know is that I love computers and programming, I have to survive and I need money to cover my unpredictable medical condition and I only have my own help for all that.Also, I am tired of working every day of the year. I want at least JULY 4th, Christmas and New Years off.Or even a week vacation...I want to leave my soul sucking job...these are &quot; basics&quot; things but many people lack them.For me, just having one of them , it&#x27;s a privilege. I finally got my hair back and my skin rashes are more manageable, so now I am ready to meet new people and be more presentable.Better keep up now because I feel my time is limited due to my health condition. Who knows when I will lose my hair again and all that? I better be positive about my situation and don&#x27;t stress myself more about my struggles.<p>Just believe in yourself, don&#x27;t forget what you want and your needs, keep fighting and don&#x27;t give up. Don&#x27;t dwell in painful situations and don&#x27;t allow yourself to cry for more that a day. Don&#x27;t look back, just look forward but don&#x27;t forget the reasons you are fighting for this. Don&#x27;t really wait for a break, just go after what you want...<p>Hopefully, your situation turns around. Keep us updated...