Picking a career path is no easy task at all. In this technological day and age there is a mind boggling range of opportunities which are open before any individual based on his or her skills. If you have decided to explore becoming a software developer as a career path, then here is a comprehensive list on how it is that you can go about becoming one as well as what you should do if you are confused about where to begin. The key to success will always be hard work and dedication.
How to Become a Software Developer or Engineer:
1. Ensure that the idea of sitting in front of a computer all day is okay with you:
What many people forget when they are opting for this career path, is that it involves a number of hours in front of the computer. If your eyesight is not particularly good, or the idea of sitting in one place for a while is not something which you can see yourself doing, then maybe you ought to re consider your decision. Initially this will be difficult for you, but gradually you will have accustomed yourself to the long hours of work and immobility while working.
2. Focus your energy on mastering one programming language:
Rather than being a Jack of all trades and master of none it would greatly benefit you, to be acquainted with merely one programming language rather than many. It is of paramount importance for you to be well acquainted with the main concepts, primarily. Once you have been more or less able to master a programming language then you can go on to learn others. Then you will be able to do so much more with ease and speed than before.
3. Google solutions to any problem you might be facing:
If the face of failure, because of an error which you have accidentally made, you need not fret at all. Though self help is the best help, if you are not able to deal with or rectify the problem, then what you need to do is look up Google for possible solutions which you can use because chances are that you are not the first budding software developer facing this particular error. These solutions may not be the best, but they will point you in the right direction.
4. For coding needs you ought to use Notepad ++:
One of the primary keys of being a software developer, and being a good one at that, is knowing what you ought to use and when. Keeping this in mind, though individual prefer to play a large role in deciding how various people function, yet, when it comes to your coding needs, rather than making use of Notepad, it is advisable for you to make use of Notepad++ such that you are able to get your job done in a better as well as more efficient manner, without trouble.
5. Keep thinking about how to model any web applications in your mind:
A great way to help you come up with solutions to problems in a much faster manner is by constantly keeping your mind active. What you can do is keep thinking about how to model web applications in your mind. Try and conceive ways to build this web application right from scratch and when you do so you are inadvertently keeping your mind active. If you get stuck in a particular place you can try coming up with solutions on your own, or even search online.
6. If you hit a wall, it’s time for a break:
When people are in this career path, they are so dedicated to their work and so engrossed in it that they often lose track of time and end up skipping their meals as well. However you should ensure that you maintain a proper work- life balance and if by chance you find that your mind is completely saturated and you are unable to get work done, then this would be a perfect time for you to take a break, by grabbing a meal, a cup of coffee or going on a walk in the park.
7. Be open and seek advice from others without hesitation:
In the face of any crisis rather than thinking you can do it on your own, it would greatly benefit you to seek council from other people who might be able to provide you with useful tips as well as pieces of advice. Trying to be independent is a good thing, yet if you work in an office then you should never shy away from taking valuable insight from colleagues or even seniors. Even if you do not use all their advice you can get acquainted with different approaches to deal with the same issue.
8. Be familiar with the various aspects of what your job is likely to entail:
If this is a career path which you have picked, for yourself then you should be acquainted with the various aspects of the job. With each company you work for, you can expect a varying job description, but here are a few aspects of the job- firstly you will be involved in software release and the activities which follow, second the implementation of the software is your responsibility, and third, active involvement in software product definition as well among many others.
9. Read up about the success stories of other software developers to be inspired:
Motivation as well as inspiration goes a long way when it comes to driving individuals to attain success. A great source of motivation for you, as a software programmer could be to read up on the lives of other software developers who have made it big in this field. Some of the first few names that come to mind include, Peter Norton, Richard Garriott as well as Philippe Kahn. You might be able to identify greatly with some of the struggle they initially dealt with.
10. Know that hard work does pay off in the long run:
In this day and age where there is so much competition between various companies and everyone is trying to remain a relevant part of today’s 21st century business world, what you ought to remember that no career path is a cake walk. Rather if you work hard and are willing to give your 100% at all costs and under all circumstances then things will surely start going your way and you will certainly reap the benefits of your tireless labor in the time to come.
11. Software developer education is very important in this field:
This is one career path that requires extensive knowledge and without sound technical knowledge in programming or computer systems, the work might prove to be too daunting for you. In this day and age having skill as well as ability is not merely enough, you have to have the qualifications as well as the credentials to back you up. However at the same time it must be noted that education and software developer degree, alone do not guarantee sure shot success in this field.
12. Top educational institutions across the globe for software developers:
Now that you know that having the right kind of education is not merely a pre requisite but is a basic necessity to become a good software developer. You must make sure that you go to a good college where the atmosphere is conducive and you will be encouraged to think out of the box and spread your wings. Some for the premier institutions across the world that you could try for include, Berkeley (Lectures in Computer Science), Stanford (SEE Programming for Stanford), MIT, Cosmo Learning as well as Academic Earth.
13. Only practice will really help you gain perfection:
Once you have gained your education and have acquired the technical knowledge, the next step is extensive practice. It is not that once you have the software engineer degree, you get a software developer job but rather it is practice that makes you one. Initially you will find work daunting but over time you will grow used to it and start being able to make breakthroughs no matter how small they might be. You can maintain a log book to keep a track of the progress you are making.
14. Take active part in communities as well as forums:
A great way to both share as well as get information is through various communities as well as forums which you can easily become a part of. These communities and forums are of two kinds real as well as virtual; and based on your convenience you can decide to be a part of either or both. The more people you interact with, the better it is for you as it will help broaden your horizons.
15. Freelancing is also a very good option:
Though working in an IT sector will go a long way in improving your IT skills, yet if freelancing is something your heart is set on, then that too can be a good option. It may be tough but if you have what it takes then you could get a powerful foothold in the industry.
16. Some reference books you could read:
Rather than beginning with C/C++, it would benefit you to start with Java or C Sharp. Trying to bite of more than you can chew, is something you should never do as it is more likely that you will end up in failure. To help you dip your toes in the water you could read some reference books like ‘Learn Python the Hard Way’ or ‘Eloquent JavaScript’ just to get started.
17. Do not be afraid of failure:
There is some truth in the common saying that failure is the stepping stone towards success, so keeping this very attitude in mind you should embark on projects which are thrown your way, remember that you have all the book knowledge which is required, now all you need to do is apply it in your work to yield positive results. Converting your theoretical knowledge to practical areas is a little tiring, but over time and with experience you will be able to get better.
18. The learning never stops:
To become a good software developer one thing you need to remember is that you can never say that you know everything about being a software developer in terms of technical knowledge. In order to have sound up to date as well as relevant knowledge in software development, you have to continue studying and reading up about various new programming techniques, various system updates etc. If you are unwilling to do this, you will not be able to attain success in this field.
19. There is plenty of scope for this job in the present as well as future:
When opting for any career path the chief thing you ought to ensure that this career path is not merely thriving now, but it will continue to grow as well as thrive in the time to come as well. If you know that a career path has no real scope in the future then opting for it is nothing but a waste of your time and energy. However if you opt for a career as a software developer then this is something which you certainly do not have to worry about at all, as not only it is lucrative now, but opportunities are continuing to grow and expand every year.
Primarily speaking there are three main kinds of jobs for best software developers, they are
1. One who develops computer programs
2. One who are involved in software development for applications
3. One who are software developers for system software.
If you have decided to pick a software developer career path, then be prepared for a lot of hard work, yet you can be rest assured as software engineer career path is both thriving and futuristic.
