Your Parents always want the best for you and they will push you to a successful career no matter what. In my younger days, I used to love playing with electronics, fixing radios and game consoles etc. However, I never had a passion for computers. Even after I left school, I had no interest in learning how to use a computer. I decided to study sales and marketing and it went ok, I got my first job at my local gym selling gym contracts. I was still young and carefree. I decided to upgrade my job a few times and at last joined a large corporate IT company as one of their Account Managers. In the beginning, money was good and life was good and monthly sales were exceptional but then I met a group of new friends. They were all computer programmers – GEEKS in other words. I asked them one day to show me what they do. At first, it was all new to me and I did not have a clue what programming was all about.
The Change
I decided to learn this funny looking language and syntax starting with C++, (“The hardest Language out there”). I was really starting to enjoy it, and even though it was tough, I could not and would not give up. I started losing interest in my sales and marketing career and I realised that I hated it from day one. I still do and forever will. I realised that I was in the wrong career and needed a change.
The Challenge
I had a huge challenge at hand. I had to find a way to get into programming even though it was too late in my life, but I knew if I did not do it now, I wouldn`t ever get to do it. My first approach was to buy books and get as much info as possible sitting every night until early hours learning to code. It took me about two years to get to a stage where I felt confident enough to apply for programming jobs.
Learn to Program
A common problem beginners face is figuring out which programming language is best to learn first. Choosing the correct language does not matter but understanding data and control structures and design patterns does. Choose the kind of development you want to do, and just get started using one that works. There are several different kinds of software frameworks you can use for various platforms, from the web to your desktop to your smartphone. Following beginner`s tutorials will make a huge impact on your ability to understand how syntax gets used and implemented for any language. One very good programming tutorial site to visit and join is http://www.pluralsight.com/.
Desktop Development – Microsoft is in my experience the best option to choose if you want to learn desktop development for beginners. They have a few options to choose from, namely WinForms and WPF, each a technology on their own. It can be coded using C#, Visual Basic and for people who really like a challenge and like working under the hood, there is C++.
Web Development – This platform is by far the biggest on the market with too many technologies to choose from, but I would recommend you start with the basics. Learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript. When you have this under the belt then I would move on to JQuery and server side development such as Microsoft ASP.Net MVC or PHP, which are amongst the most popular at present.
Mobile Development – Mobile development is one of the biggest growing markets and going into this direction will not let you down. Two of the top Technologies used to develop mobile applications are Google`s Android platform and IOs Development (IPhone). There is also windows mobile that recently started and I am sure we will see a huge growth in the Microsoft mobile development stack.
Database Development – My managers always say understanding SQL will have a huge impact on how good a developer you will be and this is a fact. When you develop applications that are database driven, understanding your database language and environment will not only make you a better skilled programmer but also being able to work with the data under the hood a pleasant experience. Two of the main database technologies in use today are Microsoft SQL and MySQL. There is also Oracle DB, which is used more in the enterprise application space.
Last Words
Good developers are persistent problem-solvers who are addicted to the small victories that come from a long path of trial and error. Learning how to program is very rewarding, but it can also be a frustrating and lonely experience. If you can, get a friend to work with you along the way. Getting good at programming, like anything else, is a matter of sticking with it, trying things out, and getting experience as you go and never giving up no matter what. Make the right choices. You are never too old to learn.
PS
If you believe the doubts in your mind you won’t achieve the dreams in your heart. ~ Marinela Reka
Pretty nice article, I felt extremely identified with this, though I chose Software engineering from the very beginning I was looking for another options: meteorology, mathematics, and some other careers.