Getting started in your career is a very important decision of one’s life and requires a lot of careful deliberations before finally taking the huge step. However for those who choose to make huge career shifts, it is important you start on the right foundation so as to have a long-lasting robust career in your chosen field.
A programming career is a bit different from work in other fields. There are times you may find it enjoyable and also times when you may feel like quitting. Initially when I started as a programmer, it wasn’t always positive. There were days I felt like I was on top of the world and other days, just seem depressing.
However, like any successful career path, with determination and the will power to succeed, I eventually aced my challenges and overcame them. Based on my experience and passion to add value to people, I have put together some tips that will help you kick start a programming career, should you choose to follow this path. These tips will help make your transition as smooth as possible. They include:
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Pick a programming discipline/Language
A healthy way to avoid diving into different career paths in programming, is to decide early whether you want to develop mobile apps (Android,iOS,Windows Mobile), web technologies (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript), write desktop applications (.NET, WinForms, C++, C, WPF) or server development (PHP, Node.js, ASP.NET).
In addition, it is important you select a programming language related to your chosen discipline. To avoid the habit of learning too many languages without successfully mastering one, it is best to learn one programming language at a time.
Give your full attention to it.
Like any learning any new skill or ability, it is best to give much of your time and energy towards becoming successful in your programming career. Often at times, you would be tempted to find quick tricks or shortcuts to learning, but eventually it is sheer hard work and diligence that will make you unique in your career.
Therefore in order to make the most of your learning opportunity, it is best you commit your willpower to learning, so you stay focused even when it seems difficult. This will often require a significant amount of discipline and determination.
Get a mentor
The vast nature and diversity of the internet makes the need of a programming mentor a necessity in kick starting your programming career. A mentor serves as a guide in helping you stay focused on your goals, following best practices based on experience.
In addition, a mentor can also grant you access to a pool of possible future opportunities based on the network of people he/she knows. This could be in form of referrals or recommendations.
Start a side project.
The essence of building a side project that you care about is to help you stick with programming when it tends to get hard, as you will be motivated to keep building your project. Also, a side project will serve as part of your portfolio in job search process and interviews.
Generally, most employers tend to be impressed by job applicants who have worked on past projects that they are passionate about. This passion, many believe is the fuel that will make the applicant stand out from others.
Research and hone your craft
Take out time to search every blog, magazine, video, or podcast dedicated to your chosen language and learn. Learning is continuous because changes are constant. Every successful programmer knows this and will seek out new information or research in the fields of their chosen language.
Doing this will help you stay informed of changes in the languages and recent changes in your chosen career path.
Go the extra mile.
In the course of programming, some projects will require a simple solution while others will require an extra push from you. In all, it is important that you go the extra mile in giving your best to what you do. This will also show to potential employers that you ready and diligent in kick starting your career as a programmer.
Pair program with someone more experienced than you.
Another sure way of improving your programming skills is working with a different developer more experienced than you. This is more of an accountability scheme that involves two people in pair programming, with one writing the program while the other person motivates the one writing the program.
Become passionate about becoming better
You should never stop trying to better yourself; both professionally and personally. The best way to become a successful programmer is to remain passionate on being better, coding and experimenting new ways to solve problems. The passion to become better will make your code or program better on newer projects than your last project.
In conclusion, your decision to kick start your programming career is a step that many desire to attain. However, with constant practice and experience, you will definitely become successful in this chosen path.
