How do I help my friend get his first tech job?

Question

I've been a dev for awhile and I have a friend who's around 30 and wants to be a software dev. I started talking to him about it a few years ago and I helped him learn Android dev and basics of CS. If his path early on would've been different he definitely would've been a software engineer, just didn't get that opportunity and hes been an electrician (non-union) most of his life. He's got a family so can't just quit to do a boot camp, but based on talking to him I think he's got the aptitude to learn on the job quickly. Unfortunately I don't know how to help him break in. Are there entry level, junior engineer , or tester roles for non-recent college grads? I think he'd take a job making less than what he's making to break in but everything I see is asking for several years of experience or a degree.He's looking for something remote or in Honolulu because that's where his family is.Has anyone done this or helped anyone go through this? Do I help him just get good at coding interviews or help him create some Android apps?

sigmaprimus · Accepted Answer

30+ year old electrician with a family living in Hawaii wants a new career in software dev? Maybe head over to Zuckers compound?
Anyways, I would say "Don't quit your day job" and get working on a side hustle in software dev, if they like android dev then they should start there. Find a niche that they can offer a service or product and promote the hell out if it.
I still find it incredible that someone working as an electrician in Hawaii would want to change careers. I guess it's true that "You don't know what You have until it's gone and the grass is always greener"

new_guy · Answer

Hire him yourself. Give him some small projects to get going with.