In the constantly evolving world of technology, a developer's journey is often marked by moments of uncertainty, decisive crossroads, and surprising revelations.
This article is the first part of a series titled 'LOST DEVELOPER,' shedding light on the challenges and triumphs that dot a developer's career.
Whether you are a passionate beginner or a professional programmer in the midst of questioning, this story concerns you. It is an introspective and informative exploration, born from my own experiences, those of other developers, and observations over the years.
Introduction
My own adventure in the world of development began in college, where my initial interest in mathematics was quickly captivated by the magic of programming. This was a time of discoveries, challenges, and a budding passion for web development that I discovered starting with HTML.
Beyond my own story, 'LOST DEVELOPER' focuses on universal themes: the illusion of competence brought by tenure, the quest for professional identity in a multifaceted field, and the trap of routine in an industry that is constantly changing.
The Discovery of Programming and the First Challenges
The Awakening of a Passion
Ever since my childhood, I was fascinated by computer fiction movies and TV shows where hackers did incredible things with their computers.
My journey into the world of programming began in college, a place where my fascination for mathematics found a new playground. It was in 2016, a time when I was still a novice, exploring the complexities of computer science.
My discovery of programming started with HTML, which, unfortunately, was only a small chapter in the Fundamental Computer Science course, which didn't allow me to learn more at the university.
To broaden my knowledge in web development, I had to teach myself, which I will discuss in the following section. Self-teaching is good, but also dangerous without a solid plan and specific goals. To break through the learning limits presented at the university level to become a web developer, I had to self-train with online courses. The first course was the famous one by Mathieu Nebra titled 'Create your website with HTML5 and CSS3.'
After acquiring a solid base in HTML and CSS, I decided to start learning PHP, again with Mathieu Nebra 😊, in his course 'Design your website with PHP and MySQL,' through which I learned all the basics of PHP.
After that, without having a clear vision for my career, I started to lose myself by touching everything Python, C++, Visual Basic, Javascript... I was swept away by every wave of technological trends.
As a result, I was lost 😔😔.
To get back on track, I needed a mentor, someone experienced in the field who could show the different steps to follow and respect.
The Importance of Having a Mentor
After I was lost, my friends and I found a mentor. Our good foundation in programming logic was a major asset for us. This mentor helped us to have a precise goal and to stabilize our choices. His advice was to focus first on mastering a single language, being able to work with it on a project from start to finish.
To manage this, he suggested we work with him on an e-commerce project, where we did Full Stack with JavaScript, Node.js, and MySQL.
Most people who get into development get lost.
Some waste a lot of time before finding a good direction, simply because they don't have a guide like a Roadmap to help them follow the right steps, or a good mentor to accompany them for a while to turn them into good developers.
Today, with the evolution of technology and easy access to content on the Internet, one can learn everything alone. But it is still very advantageous to be accompanied by an expert in the field, as they will help you not to make the same mistakes as they did, and they know many mechanisms to help you learn more efficiently.
There are sites like https://roadmap.sh/ that offer roadmaps for the type of career you envision as a developer, whether in Frontend, Backend, Full Stack, DevOps, Mobile, etc.
However, it is not easy for a beginner to understand how to follow this program and practice each point properly to acquire enough skills to qualify as a developer.
What to do to not get lost, especially as a beginner ?
- Know Who You Want to Become
It's often not easy to know what you really want to become when starting in computer science. The field is so vast that it's difficult to choose a specific path. However, studying computer science can be advantageous, as your faculty can guide you in the right direction.
Knowing what you want can be based on your needs. Personally, since high school, I wanted to create mobile applications, but oddly, my university steered me towards web development. Having a mentor, however, can provide you with better direction.
- Find a Mentor
As mentioned above, having a mentor is highly advantageous. Your mentor could be an experienced developer or an academy. This means someone or an organization with whom you can set clear goals and establish steps to achieve these objectives.
There are several platforms on the internet that organize Boot Camps, Coaching, and Mentoring both online and in-person. Some examples include Microverse, MentorCruise, and Pelion App.
- Working on Real Projects
It's important to learn and receive guidance, but to develop more skills, you need to work on real projects. This exposes you to numerous challenges that enhance your development level. It's an excellent way to put into practice all the concepts you learn.
In my case, my friends and I decided to create a social network, which allowed us to explore various software development concepts. I also worked on a few Open Source projects.
- Join a Community
Engage in developer communities, whether online or locally. These communities provide support, resources, and networking opportunities that can be invaluable.
They also keep you updated with technological advancements. Choose a community related to your development field, a decision best made with your mentor who can guide you based on your ambitions and what you need to learn and master.
Some recommended communities include Stack Overflow, where professionals ask questions, share solutions, and discuss various development topics, and Dev.to, where developers share articles, tutorials, ideas, and engage in constructive discussions.
There are many more; consider joining communities related to the technologies you're mastering or learning, or local communities in your city or country.
- Find an Internship or Job as a Developer
A common mistake many people make after training as a developer is falling into the trap of working in positions where they don't truly function as developers. Just because a job is related to IT doesn't mean you should sacrifice the career you've embarked on.
Development requires continual practice, and being in a role that doesn't involve actual development work can render your skills obsolete. Even when working as a developer, ensure you stay updated, as sticking to routine tasks that don't evolve with rapidly advancing technologies can hinder your growth.
The Trap of Routine and Professional Stagnation
The Reality of Routine Work and Stagnation in a Changing World
⚠️ One of the greatest ironies in a developer's career is that, despite the rapid evolution of technology, it's easy to fall into the trap of routine and professional stagnation. Working in an industry where innovation is constant, settling for what you already know means depriving yourself of opportunities for growth and learning. Professional inertia is not only a barrier to career advancement but also to active participation in the ever-evolving tech community.
🤔 Money or More Money and Career?
This question is often overlooked, and in most cases, people eventually realize they have to make a choice. Some even fail to realize this at all. Are you working just to earn enough money to satisfy basic needs, or are you working to earn more and secure your career as a developer?
What Do I Mean by That?
After learning to code, whether through a Boot Camp or engineering studies, some aspire to apply their knowledge in a corporate setting, while others, especially those changing careers, are primarily motivated by compensation. However, even when choosing what seems wise, one often finds themselves caught in the routine of work, where repetitive tasks prevail and career concerns are secondary, often overlooked by the employer.
🤷🏽 Where is the Trap, Exactly?
The trap lies in finding yourself in a kind of exploitative and dead-end situation 😌. It might seem like a win-win at first, but it's not really.
Let me Explain👂🏽
At the beginning of my career, I worked under contract, performing repetitive and intensive tasks that left me no opportunity to develop my skills or improve myself. Stuck in this routine, I found it very difficult to learn and master new things. Gradually, I realized that I had become obsolete in a constantly evolving technological world, with new paradigms and practices that I was unaware of. Unable to contribute to professional discussions with other developers.
I had realized that if I left my position, I would be unable to find a better job as a developer. I would need to triple my efforts to catch up, not to redirect my career, but simply to break out of this routine and be competitive in the job market.
Okay, you might be thinking, "😑 so what, I still don't see what the real problem is?"
When you are hired, especially, it's a big trap to work as a "Full Stack Developer" (I'll talk about this in another part of this series).
The problem is that employers exploit your skills in a context where innovations are rare, and even worse is if the company does not plan skill development programs for its teams. After a few years, this stagnation can affect your economic situation and limit your opportunities for better-paying jobs, leaving you trapped in your current position.
🤷♂️ So, how can you earn MORE MONEY and Secure your CAREER?
I'll talk about it in Part 2 of our series 'Lost Developer' 😊
What do you think of this article?
Leave me a comment to let me know and share it with friends to prove that you really want to know what comes next 😊and to help them as well, maybe they are lost too 😅.
🙏🏽 Don't forget to subscribe and follow me on LinkedIn (Don de Dieu Bolenge) to stay updated on upcoming articles.
Top comments (0)