re: Software guys of the OT. Questions about coding/getting started.

OP, while I mentioned github & volunteering briefly, Engineer gives a great employer perspective on it. Read his post carefully.

Bootcamps & certifications might get a job. Portfolios, often on GitHub, show demonstrated skill that make you stand out more. Of coure, you'll have to develop a little proficiency before you can contribute, but this is something you should bear in mind as you proceed-- how to apply the knowledge in useful, demonstrable ways.

You can google "volunteer for github projects" and get several google hits for further guidance.

One of the first I saw was this reddit thread:

LINK

which in itself has good advice and links to other useful resources, like:

firsttimersonly

which has specific advice and resources for newbies trying to learn how to contribute.

When I previously talked about becoming interested in the field and joining groups in my last post, it's because, imho, you're less likely to succeed if you just shell out $$$$ for a bootcamp and think you're going to get a good job. Do free tutorials first, join groups on whatever platform (reddit, discord, etc), find useful tips from others, build your skills and see if you're really interested without spending too much money. Then, if you find it is a good fit, consider the bootcamps, certifications, building a portfolio, etc.

I'm not a gamer myself, but another there are games that teach coding as well, which might be a little more fun to approach the subject.

eta: depending on what context your family finds you tech savvy, you might also explore engineering fields that overlap with programming / tech.