Ask HN: Where should I start as a 34-year-old switching to software as a career?
Develop any software for your domain (lab technician or microbiology) that solves a simple problem you see or encounter daily.  Identify a problem in your current day job that can be solved with software like recording data in the lab, tracking supplies, etc. (nothing too complex) and come up with a solution (website to check-in/check-out, mobile app (?), etc.) and learn how to build it.  It will not be perfect but you will have done something.  Having domain experience will GREATLY make it easier to transition -- learning a new field and software at the same time is going to be rough.https://sysadmincasts.com/episodes/51-mechanics-of-building-...