How to become a professional in programming: Starter guide

Eventually, every student planning to become an IT specialist hears very sound advice: “Learn to code.” Sometimes this phrase becomes an excellent idea for starting a career, even at an early age. For example, a famous programmer and Co-Founder of the Ethereum project, Vitalik Buterin, at the age of 10, became interested in writing video games. Soon he began to develop the ideas of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, which subsequently brought him considerable capital. Nevertheless, the guy was developing his technical skills, mastering new knowledge, and learning trends that allowed him to dominate the tech-forward workplace. The same goes for any other profession, where coding is a practical way to get ahead in multiple career paths since so much of the world now relies on technology.

The educational program is not always up to date, and to master new tools, it is critical to find reliable resources. In addition, out of the world, approximately 20% of the world speaks English. That means that most of the latest information can be obtained from English-language sources.

Think like a mathematician

Think about it: the programmers operate with abstract concepts, just like in mathematics. We build a decision chain or project architecture based on generally accepted algorithms. However, if you don't consider yourself naturally gifted in math or science, you may be surprised that your brain is designed to do complex calculations. Everyone has a flair and aptitude for math and science. Therefore, you have to learn the terminology and the culture.

Think of Thomas Edison, who was one of the most phenomenal inventors. His creativity was unlimited: he was constantly designing something excitedly, even in extreme situations (like when his lab was on fire). The secret of his fruitfulness was to switch from focused to scattered thinking. Once you take your mind off the task, your thoughts go into a vast space where you're sure to stumble upon a solution. This intuitive, whispered solution is one of the great pleasures of mathematics and the natural sciences. By alternating between focused thinking and distracted thinking, you can get better results.

Knowing what you're doing and why becomes easier once you understand how all the processes are built. I would never recommend everyone learn to code because that might not be someone’s strength. In addition, trying to learn how to code can sometimes take years, which might be more appropriately spent on activating existing resources. Therefore, the motivation to gain new knowledge is a trigger for career advancement and, accordingly, for greater rewards.

So, if you're making plans to move into the IT industry based only on material benefits, it's probably not yours. In this case, you will stop at a certain point: the stress level will increase; the work will not be enjoyable, which will eventually be followed by dismissal. Another critical aspect of working in IT is knowing English. As I wrote earlier, you can learn new things using the language of international communication.

How do you become a valued professional?

If you have a strong command of the English language, a good understanding of mathematics, and great motivation, you have a good chance of getting a job at an IT company. You will have to work hard to be noticed in the new place. There are several approaches to this.

• First, you need to go beyond the boundaries of the task.

The best piece of advice I can give is that you should analyze and compare the work of your colleagues and don't be afraid to ask questions.

• Secondly, you must get practical knowledge.

As a rule, students start working after the third year of university. They begin as juniors, acquiring crucial practical knowledge. The newcomers will have to demonstrate soft skills or their natural ability to get along with people. It is about cooperating with others, adhering to a work ethic, and benefiting the organization while becoming part of its corporate culture. These traits are far more important than technical knowledge, certifications, and any other indicators that allow us to quantify an employee.

Best practices for communicating with colleagues

As a seasoned IT professional, I would like to share established and effective methods of communicating with colleagues. Let's look at them.

Own research of all processes in the project

Starting work on a new project, imagine yourself in the clients' place, who care only about the result. Analyze their needs. What are the risks of the project and possible solutions?

Consultation with practicing developers

Advice from experienced programmers can dramatically change the course of the sprint backlog. Therefore, any experience, even at a cost, will be a valuable investment in yourself.

A constant search for free information

The modern technological world allows you to get all the skills you need for free. Suppose you do not consider the fees for the Internet, utilities, maintenance of life, and other things. Then, of course, it turns out that nothing is free in this world. In general, without going into philosophy, I want to emphasize checking information.

Why are your grades at university important?

Every student is learning to achieve a better future. Sometimes poor academic performance indicates gaps in knowledge or a lack of interest in the profession.

That is primarily because the level of modern educational programs does not always keep up with the realities of the market. After all, the further we get into the technological world, the more interesting it becomes. In addition, a good knowledge base increases the chance of getting a good job, helps you stand out from your peers, and accelerates your career growth.

Related specialties in the IT industry

In addition to developers, many specialists in IT have nothing to do with programming. They may even have a liberal arts education but are distinguished by critical thinking and a cold, pragmatic mind. Some of these jobs don't require English, but they are essential to product development.

All of these people we talked about above must have excellent communication skills and be quick to absorb information. Of course, it is impossible to enjoy the work done without the motivation to learn something new. After all, the result will be a kind of halo over your head, stimulating you to do more and better.

Conclusions

When starting in IT, a beginner should learn to think like a mathematician and understand English. If you don't have a problem with that, think about the intrinsic motivation that will lead you forward. If you have well-developed soft skills, you will be able to go beyond your limits and learn all the necessary information in a short time. It will make you free!

This introductory article is intended to be a little motivation for anyone who has decided to take a severe step in their life - a change of profession or to obtain the first technical skills. After all, to become a luminary in the universe, sometimes cosmic dust has a long way to go to rebirth and explosions.