The Untold Struggle of Programming and How to deal with it

Mrinmoy Arnob — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 11:10:30 +0000

Learning to code is accessible and can be done by anyone. Basic computer skills, such as operating a computer and installing software, along with a stable internet connection, are all you need to get started. But the question is, where should you begin?

There are various options available, such as purchasing a Udemy course or learning through YouTube tutorials. If you search for "How to become a software engineer in 6 months" on YouTube, you will find numerous videos. Once you start learning, you will realize that coding is not as difficult as it seems, especially when you write your first "Hello world" code. After a month or two, you will gain more confidence and may even dream of landing a job within six months.

However, the reality is often different. In most cases, it is challenging to secure a job within six months, regardless of how hard you try. The tech field is highly competitive, with many individuals pursuing similar goals. Additionally, companies typically prefer to hire experienced professionals over beginners. Unless you have achieved something extraordinary, it may take even longer than six years to establish yourself.

Patience is crucial on this journey. Consider my personal experience, which is common among those starting with web development. Many choose this path because it is relatively easier to learn. HTML in the first week, CSS in the second, and JavaScript in the third – and you are ready to build your first website. However, I personally struggled with HTML and CSS for almost a year. As a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) student at the time, I felt ashamed and doubted my ability to graduate. However, I persevered and eventually succeeded. That is a story for another blog post.

So what should you do now? There might be several ways, but from my experience, these are the things that you should focus on:

Find something that motivates you to keep going, something that comes from within yourself.
No one is going to fight your war. To conquer, you have to find your own way.
Improve your communication skills. If you do not know how to communicate in English, you will face a lot of problems in the near future.
Take your time. You cannot rush in this field.
Do not focus on easy things or things that you have already learned. Always try to learn something new.
Continuously challenge yourself and work on personal coding projects. Building your own projects will not only give you valuable hands-on experience but also demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the programming world. The field is constantly evolving, and being knowledgeable about new tools and frameworks will give you a competitive edge.
Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow programmers. Join coding forums, attend meetups, and engage in online communities where you can ask questions, share knowledge, and receive support.

Remember to celebrate your small victories along the way. Programming can be frustrating and challenging at times, but each milestone you achieve is a step forward in your journey. Keep pushing yourself, stay curious, and never stop learning. Embrace the struggle and use it as fuel to become a better programmer. With dedication, persistence, and a growth mindset, you will overcome the obstacles and achieve your goals. Good luck!

Personal Roadmap for becoming a better software developer in 2024

Mrinmoy Arnob — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:10:26 +0000

So, it has been a while since I last focused on self-improvement and building confidence. Despite coding for almost two years, I still struggle with imposter syndrome - that deep feeling of not being good enough. Now, what am I missing out on? I have watched countless videos and attempted to start numerous projects, but I have failed to complete them. During my seven-month internship, I used ChatGPT for most of my tasks, which is not that bad I guess. While some things worked, others did not, and I know I did not put in my best effort. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity and will always be. Did that job help me? Yes, to some extent, but I was always fearful of new tasks and not fully committed to the job. In short, what should I do now? Currently, I lack motivation to learn something new, but I hate this version of myself. I believe I have been approaching things the wrong way. So, here is a roadmap to start fresh and learn everything from scratch.

First, I need to address the fact that my foundation is not strong enough. I will start by focusing on the basics and learning data structures and algorithms. How will I do that? Simple, by watching YouTube, but not excessively. I will primarily follow three to five channels.
I will also review my skills in vanilla JavaScript and create new projects using only JavaScript. Additionally, I will learn DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) with JavaScript.
I will make an effort to improve my communication and writing skills.
I must start solving problems on LeetCode and HackerRank as soon as possible.
I will try to be more active on LinkedIn.
Once I am comfortable with DSA, I will build new projects to enhance my frontend skills. I will dedicate my focus to frontend development, as I am more comfortable with it and have experience with React from my internship.
I will also create a new portfolio, possibly using Next.js/React.
I will invest in courses and books when I am financially stable.

Now that I have identified what I need to do to improve myself, the list above will serve as my personal roadmap. However, most importantly, it would be great if I could become more disciplined. After wasting so much time, I have come to realize that consistency is the key to becoming a better software developer. It can be achieved through having a job or coding and learning almost every day. There is simply no other way. So, my suggestion to myself is to prioritize consistency and discipline.

Happy Coding.

DEV Community: Mrinmoy Arnob

The Untold Struggle of Programming and How to deal with it

Personal Roadmap for becoming a better software developer in 2024