By: Hamed Jimoh
Exploring the world of programming-related careers can be very confusing to newbies especially one without a technical background. It can be very easy to get confused, become overwhelmed by the varied paths and resources available, or even simply procrastinate. I had first-hand experience of these struggles when I was starting out too. At the time, I had no proper study guides or roadmaps that could have helped streamline my learning, and this contributed immensely to my slow-paced development journey.
While I am by no means an expert in programming, I have been able to teach myself how to code over the years and I have been able to apply my knowledge in my professional work, as well as in personal and collaborative projects. Therefore, in this article, I’ll share some insights and tips to help you start and excel in your own programming journey.
Some caveats
For conciseness, I will not be providing disclaimer about how certain things are my opinion elsewhere. I may omit some things. I may also be inaccurate or flat-out wrong about some things. I’m not perfect, and neither is this guide. Reader discretion is highly advised.
Have a clear goal
Just as having a clear goal is crucial for starting anything, it’s even more important when embarking on a journey to become a software developer. Why do you want to learn to program? Of course, everyone has their own unique reasons for diving into the world of programming. For me, it was borne out of the sheer fascination and excitement of creating something new, to the tangible rewards and career opportunities it brings. Yours might be different but it’s important to have it spelt out. Have it written in a sticky note and place it in the most visible spot in your environment or workspace? This is because, once you start learning to code, you’re going to run into problems that you don’t know how to solve. This has the tendency to shape your mindset positively or negatively. Programming in particular tends to foster self-doubt and impostor syndrome, making even experienced developers question their abilities. When you find yourself in this situation, remembering the reason you started—whether it’s fascination, creativity, or the rewards—will keep you motivated and push you through the challenges.
Pick a niche
Choosing a programming language can be a tough decision, largely because the field of software development is vast and diverse. It can seem overwhelming as there are so many areas of specialisation and when you are told it can take months to years to attain proficiency, making the right choice early seems critical. After all, you don’t want to waste months focusing on the wrong path or even learning the wrong programming language. It becomes important to ask a salient question like: What do you want to achieve with being a software developer? Be specific. Do you want to build mobile apps? Are you interested in web development and web applications? Code is everywhere and that presents you with many options. There is the option of exploring front-end development, which focuses on the visual aspects and user experience of websites and web applications. On the other hand, back-end development involves working with servers, databases, deployment and application logic.
If you would like to explore both, then full-stack development; It includes all the elements and procedures for both the frontend and backend development. For those inclined towards ensuring the stability and efficiency of software environments and infrastructures, DevOps offers a blend of development and IT operations, focusing on automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery.
Mobile app development is another exciting niche, where you can specialize in creating applications for Android and iOS, by leveraging programming languages like Kotlin and Swift, or implementing cross-platform solutions using frameworks like React Native or Flutter. Each niche has its own set of languages, tools, and frameworks, which can seem overwhelming at first.
In order to make an informed choice, consider what excites you the most. Do you enjoy creating interactive and visually appealing interfaces? Are you fascinated by data and how it’s managed and transmitted? Do you want to build applications that run on smartphones? Research the languages and technologies associated with each niche, and explore the job market to see which skills are in demand.
It is important to remember that your first choice doesn’t lock you in forever. As you grow and learn, your interests might evolve, and that’s perfectly fine. I started with frontend development because I’m always thrilled by the swiftness with which I get to see the results of the code I’ve written. After getting comfortable with frontend, I decided to dive into backend development and I have been writing backend code consistently for the past year as the sole maintainer of my company’s code base. Also, a few months ago, I delved into mobile app development because my company needed to build an app for the sales team. I undertook the task and developed the app with all required features and functionalities. The app is now in production and currently being used by the sales team. Seeing how significantly productive and efficient the app has made the sales representatives, I was subsequently tasked with creating another mobile app tailored for our company’s customers. This app has now been created with all stipulated requirements. It is also now distributed on both Android and iOS stores. The essence of this tell-tale is to say that the most important thing is to start somewhere and gain a solid foundation. Over time, you can branch out and explore other areas of software development.
Choosing a niche can guide your learning journey and help you set clear, achievable goals. It will provide direction in choosing courses, books, and projects, making your learning journey more focused and less overwhelming. So, it is important to take your time, explore your options, and choose a niche that aligns with your interests and career aspirations.
Choose a programming language
As a beginner, choosing the right programming language to start with can make a significant difference in your learning journey. Although, the belief I always hold firmly is that a good developer is a good developer regardless of the language. Learning any language will help you understand the core concepts of programming. However, you need to start somewhere, and if you pick your first language wisely, you’ll significantly shorten the time to hit your goal. Different programming languages are designed for different tasks, and choosing the right one depends on your goals and interests.
In essence, choosing a programming language is a critical step that will shape your early learning experience and career direction. Consider what excites you, research the languages relevant to your niche, and start writing some codes. Your journey as a developer is a continuous learning process, and the language you choose will be your gateway into the world of software development.
Learn the fundamentals
Understanding the fundamentals of programming is essential for anyone starting out as a software developer. Think of it as learning the alphabet before you can read and write sentences. The fundamentals form the foundation upon which all your future coding skills will be built. The thing about the fundamentals is that they are language-agnostic. They are not specific to a particular programming language. The knowledge of these concepts is transferable between a multitude of programming languages, albeit with variations in their written syntaxes. The fundamentals are but not limited to variables, data types, operators, control structures (loops and if-statements), functions, arrays and objects and the host of others. Just like building a house, you need a strong foundation to ensure stability. Without a solid grasp of the basics, it will be difficult to understand more advanced concepts and to troubleshoot problems in your code. The fundamentals are more like your toolkit – take mastery of them very seriously, and you’ll have the confidence to tackle more complex challenges as you progress in your programming journey.
Choose the Right Resources
There are a ton of resources to learn to code out on the web. How do you sift through the chaff and find the real gems? Most resources fall into the categories of Books, Online Courses and Tutorials, Documentation and Official Guides, Community and Forums, Blogs and Articles etc.
Books are often the traditional go-to resource. They are excellent for deep dives into subjects. If you have a strong leaning towards books as your preferred learning resource, it’s pertinent to look for books that are well-reviewed and recommended by the developer community. Make sure that any books you’re considering are new. Languages change and older books could slow down your progress.
Online courses are the newest resource on the scene. Platforms suchas Codecademy, Coursera, Udemy, and Pluralsight offer a wide range of courses for different skill levels. Free resources like freeCodeCamp provide comprehensive, self-paced learning paths.
Documentation is the first and major source of truth for any language-related framework or library. Personally, I have found love in reading great documentations. When I have a question and the documentation explains the answer, it is almost as though the author has magically anticipated my problem. Websites like MDN Web Docs for web development, the Python documentation, or the React documentation offer detailed, authoritative information.
In addition, engaging with the developer community can provide support, inspiration, and valuable insights. Join forums like Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, Github issues’ discussions or local meetups. Participate in online communities like DEV.to, Hashnode or freeCodeCamp to connect with other developers and share your learning journey.
Practice Regularly
The old adage “practice makes perfect” has been applied to many kinds of learning, from programming to creative writing, music, sports and other spheres of human endeavours. While constant debates still ensue on the optimal number of hours to achieve success in a particular field, one major thing that has constantly been established is that training improves performance and ultimately improves brain power. The field of programming is a highly monotonous one and a lot of repetitive actions are required to attain mastery. While learning the fundamentals and understanding concepts are crucial, regular practice is what truly transforms knowledge into skill. Programming is a skill that improves with use. The more you code, the better you become at thinking logically, solving problems, and writing efficient code. Some of the ways this can be achieved is by coding on a daily basis, solving coding challenges, working on projects, contributing to open source and a lot more.
Work on projects
The secret to becoming an efficient software developer is to build projects. Projects allow you to apply the concepts you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. It provides hands-on experience that is invaluable in solidifying your knowledge and building your confidence. However, you don’t have to jump at any project as a beginner; instead start small. Build your confidence and subsequently expand the scope of that project. This can be an app, a website, or whatever is relevant to your chosen niche. Also, remember that coding is a means to an end. Your end goal should not be just to learn to code, but to actually build a product. Doing this will give you the experience you need to become proficient at writing efficient, scalable and performant code, while also giving you a result you can be proud of.
Join a community
One of the many mistakes I made when I set out to learn how to program was learning in isolation. I would spend hours, sometimes days, beating my head against the keyboard trying to solve a problem that could’ve been explained to me in a few minutes. I came to know how much behind innovation and trend I was, and how much I had been missing when I eventually joined a community. Communities provide support, foster collaboration, and offer a wealth of knowledge and resources that can significantly accelerate your learning and professional growth. Someone with a lot more experience in the industry can advise you on how to sell your skills in an interview and which programming language is best to use in a coding interview, depending on the job description and your level of proficiency. Online forums and discussion boards like Stack Overflow, Reddit, and Dev.to are valuable platforms where developers can ask questions, share knowledge, and engage in insightful discussions. Social media groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter facilitate networking and staying updated on industry trends through active participation in group discussions and following relevant hashtags. Local meetups and events, often found through websites like Meetup.com, provide opportunities for in-person networking and learning from peers and industry professionals.
Joining a community is not just about learning and growing as a developer; it’s also about building meaningful connections and contributing to the collective knowledge of the field. Whether online or in person, being part of a supportive and dynamic community can greatly enhance your journey as a software developer.
Seek Feedback and Mentorship
Seeking feedback and mentorship is a crucial part of your journey to attaining proficiency in the field of software engineering. Engaging with more experienced developers can provide you with valuable insights, help you overcome challenges, and accelerate your learning process. To get valuable feedback and mentorship, you should start by engaging in code reviews and pair programming sessions with peers or senior developers, as these practices provide immediate and constructive insights. Utilize online platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, Reddit and programming related channels on Discord to share your code and seek broader community input. Explore online mentorship platforms such as MentorCruise, CodingCoach, Black Valley and host of others to find mentors who align with your career goals. I met my mentor when I got into the Black Valley mentorship programme. I was paired with a Full Stack developer from Wise. Through this mentorship, I acquired invaluable knowledge and skills. In fact, my mentor’s guidance and recommendation ultimately led to my current employment.
In addition, reach out to experienced developers on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. These platforms serve as powerful tools for finding mentors due to their networking capabilities and community features. It’s noteworthy that I secured my first role as a software developer through a recommendation from a contact I made on Twitter. I sought his guidance through direct messages and he invited me to collaborate with him and other developers on a side project, which led to his recommendation for my first paid employment. In essence, proactively seeking feedback and building strong, respectful relationships with mentors will significantly enhance your development journey.
Have strong online presence
In today’s digital age, building a strong digital footprint is essential for any software developer. In order to excel in your career as a developer, you should have control of how you are perceived online. You may turn out to be very skilled, but if you are not perceived as such, and no one knows about your abilities, then you may never achieve your full potential. You will never be offered that job you really want, and you won’t get to contribute to that software project you really believe in. To build a strong online presence, start by creating a personal website or portfolio that showcases your skills and projects. Maintain an active GitHub profile by regularly pushing code and contributing to open-source projects. Engage on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Dev.to to share your knowledge and network with industry professionals. Participate in online communities such as Stack Overflow and Reddit, answering questions and contributing to discussions. Start a blog to document your learning journey and share insights, positioning yourself as a thought leader. Attend tech meetups, conferences, and hackathons to network and collaborate, and share these experiences online. These steps will significantly enhance your online visibility and open up numerous professional opportunities.
Never stop learning
The field of software development continuously evolves and adopting a mindset of lifelong learning is crucial to staying relevant and competitive. In fact, when you become a software developer, people are typically paying you to teach you something new every day. This is not a bad deal if you enjoy learning new things, but you will need to put in the work. Stay updated with the latest trends by following industry news and attending webinars, while expanding your skill set by learning new languages and frameworks specific to your niche. Engage in continuous learning through practical application in personal projects or open-source contributions to enhance your problem-solving skills. Engage in continuous learning through practical application in personal projects or open-source contributions to enhance your problem-solving skills. This commitment to never stop learning will enhance your growth and career prospects, and also keep you motivated and passionate about your work.
In conclusion, becoming a software developer can equally be challenging and rewarding. Having a clear goal, choosing a programming niche, picking the right programming language and learning the fundamentals, you lay a solid foundation for your learning path. Following the highlighted steps is crucial in developing technical skills necessary for a successful career in software development. The tech world is vast and full of opportunities, and with dedication and commitment, you can achieve great things.
Thank you for reading, and happy coding!
Hamed Jimoh, Software Developer at Brand Central
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