u/lawschoolredux wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hello again, Michael, thanks for this! I recently shifted to self-studying via Jonas Udemy for the Javascript course, but I just have to ask to be sure.... as I keep getting mixed ideas now, in 2026, in the dawn of AI automation and layoffs... 1) Is it still worth it to learn J
u/michaelnovati replied · ★ FEATURED
1. Both are good languages to learn the common programming concepts without too much language specific unique things that could distract. AI is making languages less relevant over time.
2. Either. JavaScript is used in all parts of the stack so I would choose it as my first language.If I was more on the data side/analytics and wanted to superpower my job I would do Python.
3. It always depends on you and your situation and I don't blank recommend a bootcamp for everyone. Heck even after all the crap I've been through with Codesmith, there are specific people for whom it could be a good fit still, and I would recommend it to people if it's the right choice for them. My main advice in 2026 is not read too much into past reviews and performance because most bootcamps have changed unrecognizably... whether notable staff changes or changing programs (where reviews apply to older programs), or bootcamps on the verge of collapse that are over-marketing not presenting reality clearly.
4. It depends on you so you should try things:
\- Build something from scratch using React docs with the goal of shipping it live and iterating on it
\- Odin Project
\- Launch School Core
\- [Boot.dev](http://Boot.dev) (interesting style)
\- One off courses via Stanford (they cost about $6K!!)