The Beginning
I have been interested in coding for some time. I watched YouTube videos and took some free online courses to test the waters. I tried C#, Java, JavaScript and Python.
I learned about the Tiobe index and the Stack Overflow Developer Survey. Python was checking all of the boxes:
- least difficult syntax
- documentation
- community group
- used for several types of applications
- Scripting
- Web Scraping
- Desktop GUI
- Web Development
- Big Data
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
Which path?
There are all types of opinions on which path one should take to become a developer.
- a Computer Science Degree from a university
- a boot camp
- self-taught
I have heard people make an argument for and/or against each of these choices. Each individual must choose the direction that best works for them.
I obtained 2 nano degrees from Udacity:
Intro to Programming
Full Stack Web Developer
After that, I pursued addition online certificates:
FreeCodeCamp Responsive Web Design
FreeCodeCamp JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
Of course, this is no enough.
Next, you need a portfolio. Some argue to use a free Bootstrap template while others say do not use a template, but make a custom site. OK, so I created a portfolio. I have a create, read, update and delete (CRUD) app and apps using 3rd party APIs.
I have had several interviews, but what I continue to hear now is "you need enterprise experience".
I keep reminding myself, everyone's journey is NOT the same.
Hmmm...time to find a mentor!
Keep Going, Don't Stop Now
Some people state you need to know more than one tech stack. People in the other group state learn 1 language really well. Once you know the concepts, it will be easy to pick up another language...it will just be learning a new syntax. You will already know how to "code".
There are some encouraging post on Twitter (like this one)...
codestitcher@codestitcher
@DThompsonDev Learning to code is a journey.
It's ok to feel a little lost. Even developers with decades of experience feel a little lost sometimes when we come face to face with new architectures.
The important thing is to keep going, so you can look back and say "huh, that wasn't so bad".05:37 AM - 06 Mar 2022
You can find helpful articles (like this one)...
Why Learning to Code is Hard – And How to Make it Easier
So, for now I just continue to learn and look for problems I can solve using code in my circle of influence.
The little "coder" voice inside continues to push me forward.
#KeepCoding
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