Tips to Turn Programming into a Profession
Is it me or do programmers look really cool? In a nerdy way of course. There is a style that is associated with programmers that no other profession can hijack. Doctors cannot pull it off, and neither can lawyers or engineers.
This is however just one of the minor reasons why we have people who are attracted to programming each and every day. We have those who leave their careers to be programmers, and those who advance themselves at work just because they are able to run code.
I cannot claim to know whether programming is easy or not, but I know that we have billionaires courtesy of a few difficult codes. We all want to get there, but for the beginners who have no idea where to begin, how about we start with a few tips on how to turn your passion for coding into a full-time and well-paying job?
- You should never stop learning.
The thing with coding is that it is dynamic and it changes each and every minute. To be able to comfortably survive in the job market, you need to learn new and easier ways of programming every day.
- Learn new codes.
As a beginner, you will probably not be familiar with every code and coding methods. Each and every day, teach yourself new coding techniques like python and java.
- Code each and every day.
To borrow an old phrase, practice makes perfect. Just like touch typing, every day you commit yourself to coding, you get better. Coding everyday allows your brain to memorize, just like a song that you have heard several times gets stuck in your head.
- Code with a group of friends or colleagues
The thing with coding as a team is that when you are stuck, you ask your team members. They might be able to help you in a code that you might have been stuck in if you had been alone. To borrow yet another phrase, two heads are better than one.
- Gain exposure
Attend seminars and conferences to do with programming. During these seminars, carry a business card or two, and give them to two people while explaining what you do.
- Specialize in something that you are good at.
The thing with a subject that you are interested in is the fact that you will always try doing great in it. Pick a specialty, whether web development, mobile development or data visualization. Then work on it.
- Find new ways of solving problems in your specialty.
Whatever your specialty is, there is a big number of professionals there already. Therefore, ensure that you find new ways of solving the traditional problems.
- Be innovative and creative.
Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, among other kinds of technology were created by people with great innovative capacity. Be innovative and the world is yours.
- Find a mentor
As I mentioned above, in this market, we have a wide number of professionals. Pick one of the older professionals to mentor you through the world of coding.
- Start a website
Your website is the first method through which you can advertise yourself. Ensure that the website is well-designed, preferably by you.
- Wake up earlier, sleep later.
By waking early, you are able to get a head start on the day, and by sleeping late, you should be able to catch up with all your work for that day.
- Do some free gigs.
Before being established as a developer, do some coding and web and mobile development for free. These jobs aim to help you with advertising yourself.
- Ensure that you are confident.
Confidence in your abilities enables you to do your work in the best way possible. Therefore, even if you feel that your code might not work, just stay confident in it.
- Get active online.
Join a couple of programming communities. The beauty of these communities is that in case of jobs and gigs get available, as a member of the group, you have access to it.
- Teach others.
If you feel that you are skilled in a particular genre of programming, take a student or two. Teach these students coding. This way, you are able to indirectly gain experience.
- Use social media to advertise.
Social media hold the largest market in the world. Find a way to tap into social media in order to get clients for yourself.
- Combine your career and your passion for coding.
You might be skeptical about completely leaving your present job. Instead of wasting a degree, if that is what you feel, find a way to combine your degree and your passion for coding.
- Work on that big idea.
The thing about the tech industry is that the biggest idea stands out. We saw Facebook rule within a few months of being invented. The trick to standing our as a programmer is that you have to start working on that big project early.
- Dress appropriately.
Weird, I know. By dressing decently, appropriately and neatly, you give off the impression of a person who cares about his job. You just might stand a chance when applying for a job because of the way you are dressed.
- Surround yourself with positivity.
Some people may discourage you in your new career with codes. However, stay away from such people. Surround yourself with people who encourage rather than discourage.