There is definitely a stereotype that software engineers are nerds with glasses who are really good at math. I can say from my experience working with software engineers for over 10 years that some are and some aren't and therefore being really good at math isn't a requirement. However, a lot of concepts and principles are based on a basic understanding of mathematics. So while you don't need a PhD in mathematics, the more math you know, the more you can accomplish in software engineering.

As someone who enjoys writing code and tries to get more people interested in software development, I've met my fair share of people who think I'm crazy for having fun while writing code. And don't get me wrong, I've also dreaded and hated writing code as well. Ultimately for me, it depends on the "why" that really determines whether I'm going to enjoy or dread the time I spend at a keyboard staring at a bunch of random characters that look like someone let their child press random keys on the keyboard.

I think a common fear that people have is whether or not they'll be able to get a job as a software engineer without a Computer Science degree. The short answer is that it's completely possible and I know plenty of amazing software engineers who don't have a Computer Science degree. The slightly nuanced answer is that a Computer Science degree is evidence that you understand software engineering fundamentals. So without one, you'll need to provide other evidence to potential employers.

A fairly common question that comes up is whether or not it's possible to learn how to code on the Internet on your own. And maybe a secondary question if you can do it for free. We'll start with the first question if it's possible to learn how to code on the Internet on your own which is completely possible (but not guaranteed).

One of the first things everyone should understand is what it's like being a software engineer and writing code for a living. While every role at every company is going to be different, there's a lot that will be similar. And when you are investing your time to learn a new skill and then plan to spend 5-days a week for years, you need to make sure that writing code and building software is something that will make your life happier instead of drain the life out of you.