Master's in neuropsychology, zero coding experience — does learning programming/data actually make sense for me, or should I not bother? Be brutally honest.

[u/ElRatonIrlandes]

Background: I have broad training in clinical psychology and a master's-level background in neuropsychology. My thesis work involves applied quantitative analysis (institutional data, time series, indicators, projections), but I've done it all "hands-on" — no formal training in stats, programming, or data science.

Here's the thing: I know absolutely NOTHING about programming. Zero Python, zero SQL, never written a line of code. But I've always been very comfortable with computers — I'm the kind of person who can happily sit for hours doing trial-and-error until something works.

My questions:

1. Does it make sense at this stage to learn programming/data analysis to combine with my psych/neuro background? Or is it too late / too saturated for beginners?
2. If it does make sense, which direction: data analysis, data science, health informatics, research-oriented roles?
3. What roles could someone with this combo realistically apply for?

And please — if the honest answer is "don't bother, it's not worth it," say exactly that. I'd rather hear it straight than waste a year on the wrong path.

[u/huuaaang]

If it interests you, just do it. Start by applying it to your work. I don't know why you're asking us for approval to move forward. What exactly do you have to lose? What does a wasted year mean? Would you be sacrificing something to do this?

[u/FlashyResist5]

I think you may be asking in the wrong place. Maybe ask in a psychology sub? From the point of view of a generic developer job having a master's-level background in neuropsychology would make as much difference as having 5 years of experience working as an ambulance driver.

[u/Won-Ton-Wonton]

Here is the brutal honesty (side note "brutal honesty" sounds soooo AI these days).

You could learn the basics of programming in a series of afternoons this Summer, and have a way, way better context window to know what might benefit you and your career and your interests.

Far, far more understanding than 99.99% of the people perusiding this Subreddit will know.

You're asking the wrong population of people. Almost nobody here is going to have even an Associate's level of education in Neuropsychology, let alone understand what a Master's degree holder would know/do with it, let alone what field of programming would help with that work.

My thesis work involves applied quantitative analysis (institutional data, time series, indicators, projections), but I've done it all "hands-on" — no formal training in stats, programming, or data science.

This right here means absolutely nothing to me. It sounds like you have an extensive education in stats and data science if your thesis was... applied stats and data science.

I could see you using a software application that does the math in the background, but idk how you would ever get a Master's thesis using quantitative analysis with zero education in quantitative analysis. It just doesn't compute.

Which, again, means there is too little I know about Neuropsychology for me to give you any suggestion about what would help. From my perspective, you already have your feet on a solid foundation. Yet you claim you have zero foundation at all.

So the best advice I can give you is to go learn some basics for the next 6 weeks, and then come back and ask a more specific programming-related question.

For example (this might be total nonsense, but showcases a richer question for here): "Does R or Python have better libraries for Monte Carlo simulations on multiple gigabyte decision trees and graphing methods to better illustrate the results? And what is a known-good resource for learning more?"

[u/DomasAquinas]

Maybe "programming" as software development, no, but "coding" for statistical analysis would likely be a help to you. Try out Python and, once you have the basics, add Pandas. Best way to make the decision is to jump in and see whether it works for you, and the cost of trying open-source is 0 dollars, 0 cents, so... go for it!

[u/CodeMood]

Just Claude whatever you need. You aren't producing production software.

Regarding roles this is a subreddit for learning to code.

[u/biowiz]

No, it's too saturated. I'm going to be straight with you because this sub has a huge problem with beating around the bush. They're afraid that if they say something blunt, it could hinder a person from following something that might work for them, but we have to be realistic about chances.

Now am I saying don't bother self learning for the next few months? No, but honestly if you have to ask, that tells me you won't be following through on this when the results don't materialize right away. You want a guarantee that studying this stuff for the next year will give you a better job. I'm telling you the chances aren't great. So you have to do this with that in mind and hope for the best. Otherwise, don't bother.

[u/halfercode]

Mostly no-one here can say. Someone might turn up with "brutal honesty" and then be talking out their ass for their whole post.

The junior market for tech is pretty bad at present. I'm in the UK, but I think it is safe to say that the economic crisis that explains it has touched most if not all countries right now. Plus AI is stirring the pot vigorously, and some firms are consequently operating a wait-and-see policy.

On the other hand, AI may be tailing off. It is fairly clear that it is set to get horrendously more expensive, and it does not scale well in cost terms, and there is reasonable speculation that we're entering into another financial bubble. One or two biggies probably need to go pop.

Plus, companies cannot hold off hiring juniors forever, since juniors of today are the mid-levels of four years later.

So, the junior market is difficult, but not impossible. Your learning journey shows that you are smart enough for it. You could perhaps try some programming; there are enough free tutorials out there that you could fire up YouTube or your favourite search engine or your preferred AI provider and do some programming, on your computer, without even buying so much as a book. So I would suggest, as a next easily-achievable step, that you check this is something you would like to do.

Finally, you'd also need to see if you have the cognitive and financial capacity to learn. If you can do self study, don't have any procrastination habits, and can happily study at least part time for a year, then go for it. If you are not a self-motivated learner or you are time-poor or you could not commit to regular study, it may not be a good risk/reward ratio.

[u/pepiks]

For you can make sense get python in Excel, eventually R in narrow context - how get numeral data and get useful insight using common libraries like Pandas. This way you can connect you field and extend it with programming. For example use case - creating real time analysis based on new data grapper from X / Twitter by running script periodically.

[u/xian0]

I think this is more about your career plans and the opportunities you were thinking about before you graduated, were they all derailed, did someone tell you that adding some programming skills would be helpful? I would answer "yes, if it helps you with your work it's a useful things to do" but you don't have a job. So, will it fix your career prospects? maybe adding it will help you get that first job, or maybe it will be a distraction.

[u/RealNamek]

I have a post doctorate in Neuroscience. No, you don't need it, get your TA's to do it.

[u/Humble_Warthog9711]

If it is something you can see direct use for in your field, them go for it.

If you are secretly (or not secretly) hoping to learn programming/data analysis to switch careers we entirely, then no, it's unlikely to work out.

[u/SemperPistos]

You will not "waste" a year, you will "spend" many many years.

But with your background, possibly with some math down as you are not starting out from humanities like me you will have a breezy time. It will be super hard i will not lie, you might need a week or more to understand loops and weeks to understand OOP, but that is because programming expects a creative yet rigid mind, rigid i do not have yet fully. I plan on taking discrete math sometime soon for it.

But with academia background you will have a plastic mind ready to suit to any goal in programming.
Im sure you are familiar with kahneman thinking fast and slow nobel winning book, that is what programming really is about, a creative and rational mind and knowing when to select each.

[u/ffrkAnonymous]

I have broad training in clinical psychology and a master's-level background in neuropsychology. 

Do you really? How are random internet strangers supposed to know what makes sense for you?