How can an average Joe, without a computer science degree, break into tech?

A few months ago, I was a complete tech illiterate. I had a Facebook account, Instagram account, and that was it. I didn't own a computer. Fast forward to today and I am interning at a startup as a software engineer. I didn't have a computer science degree. So, how did I do it? Well, here's the play by play.<br><br>I got my first "smart" phone in 2023. An iPhone 14. I think Apple is shit, but whatever. I did not know what an app was, or a game, or a program, or whatever tech related terms are. I didn't know what a computer was either. I was just a dumbass hillbilly who didn't know anything about technology. So, first things first. I learned basic terms. I went on Urban Dictionary and learned basic tech terms. Once I had learned basic terms, I learned what a program was, and how to download apps. I downloaded TikTok, Twitter, and Chambers. On those platforms, I learned about programming, coding, tech related terms, etc. While on those apps, I came across a term I had never heard of before: online courses. So, I took an online course on Udemy about Python. Once I finished, I learned about different programming languages, and that coding was essentially writing programs in those languages. I decided I wanted to learn how to code. I took Udemy courses on JavaScript, and Rust. I learned the basics of each language, but quickly realized that coding was incredibly boring. So, I decided to learn how to make websites, since that is what most people use the internet for. So, I took Udemy courses on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I learned the basics of each language, and learned how to make simple websites. Once I learned that, I was hooked on tech. I learned everything I could on tech. I learned about different programming languages, different tech related terms, different tech companies, etc. Once I was knowledgeable in tech, I learned about internships. I learned that internships were basically a way for companies to test you out for a few months first before hiring you full time. Since I had learned how to code and make websites, I figured, why not try out to be a software engineer? So, I looked up software engineer internships in my area. I found one in a town a few hours away, so I applied. I didn't hear back immediately. I waited a few months. Then, out of the blue, I got an email. It was the company telling me I got the internship, and that they wanted me to come in for an interview. I was elated, but I also knew this was just the first step out of many. So, I flew out there and came in for an interview. It consisted of three different interviews. One with the CTO, one with the COO, and one with the CEO. The interviews went well, and they told me they would be in touch soon. A few days later, I got an email. It was the company offering me the internship. They told me they were extremely impressed with my work ethic, and wanted me to start immediately. That was in early February. I'm currently still interning, but not for much longer. In a few weeks, the internship will be over, and then I will be offered a job as a software engineer full time at the company. Like I said, I didn't have a computer science degree. But, through sheer force of will and determination, I was able to break into tech.<br><br>PS: I'm sorry I don't sound very believable. I'm literally just a hillbilly who broke into tech. So, I guess you can't verify anything I say.<br><br>UPDATE: So, a lot of people have been messaging me and commenting on my post asking me for more information, and resources on how I did it. So, I'll try to give as much information as possible. First things first, the company I'm interning at is a startup. It has less than a hundred employees. So, they didn't have a bunch of other applicants for the internship. They pretty much just picked me because I was willing to move to their location. The interviews were pretty easy, too. The first two interviews were just them talking to me about their company, and why they hired me. Then, the CEO asked me to write a program on the spot. He gave me a prompt, and I wrote a simple program that asked for the user's name, then printed "Hello, <Name>!" to the screen. I didn't use any external libraries, and wrote the whole thing from scratch. Then, he asked me to explain to him how the program worked. I explained how it worked in detail, and then he was impressed and told me they wanted me to start immediately. The company I'm interning at has no formal education requirements. The CTO and CEO both told me that they didn't care about my formal education, and that the only thing they cared about was my work ethic. I told them I was largely self-taught, and that I learned how to code on Udemy. Then, I told them I wanted to learn more and asked for mentorship. They told me they would mentor me, and that they wanted me to learn how to code. They put me on a salary, and gave me access to their GitHub. From there, I was free to do whatever I wanted. They told me to make whatever program I wanted, and that if I needed help, to just ask. They have been mentoring me ever since, and I'm extremely thankful for them. I know a lot of you are saying that this is some kind of scam, or that this won't happen to you. But, I assure you, it can happen to anyone who wants it to happen. Just learn how to code, and then take an internship. It really is that simple. Also, if any of you want to know more, feel free to ask.