The tech industry has experienced massive growth over the years. It Advancement has revolutionalized various sectors including Health, Education, and Entertainment, among others.
This rapid growth and innovation have led to a surge in opportunities within the tech space. Startups and established tech companies alike are constantly seeking talented individuals with skills in programming, and other technical areas.
The demand for skilled professionals has attracted many people to pursue programming as a career, including those who have decided to switch their career paths. However, a lot of people struggle with getting started in programming, they spend several months doing things the wrong way and eventually conclude "programming is not their thing". In this article, I will be showing you how to do things the right way, I will be helping you get started in the field of Programming.
Whether you want to get into programming because you want to earn a lucrative salary, or you are just that passionate guy looking to build the next unicorn, you're in the right place. I would be showing how you can take your programming career from Zero to One, And from a Novice to a Pro. Let's get started. First, the basics.
Know what you want.
Programming as a field is quite broad, with different areas of Specialty. You can't be everything at a time or at least, you can't be everything in a day. Choosing a path and focusing on it would minimize your learning time and help you get running as quickly as possible.
Some major areas in programming include:
Blockchain Development, etc.
You should make thorough research on major areas of programming and choose where you want to specialize. This would inform the programming language you learn, the kind of courses and books you read, etc.
Choosing A Programming Language
As you kickstart your programming journey, you need to pick a Language you would Learn with. Most times, there is a temptation to hop from one programming language to another based on trends or peer pressure.
Desist from the temptation of trying to pick multiple Languages at a time, that would only get you confused and lengthen your learning period. Thoughtfully pick a Language and master it. When you've done that, it becomes way much easier to pick up other Languages.
That said, what programming language should you choose? Which Language would be best for you? Well, it depends. It depends on the area you choose to specialize in. For example, someone who wants to specialize as a web developer would easily choose JavaScript because it dominates the modern web and most web frameworks are written in JavaScript. On the other hand, someone that wants to specialize in Machine Learning would go with Languages like Python, because it is the major Language used in Machine Learning.
Depending on your area of Specialty, there may be two or more options you can choose from. When that happens, there are other factors to consider. They include:
Job Availability: Are there and will there be Job openings for this Language I am learning?
Community: Can I find an active community for the Language I am learning? Where do I go when I am stuck and need help?
Learn the Basics
Don't be so much in a rush to learn that you forget to learn the basics. Take it a step at a time, stay calm and master the basics. You're building your foundation. If you skip or rush the basics, you may have issues understanding some concepts as you grow. Understanding the basics would give you depth as a programmer, it would help you understand the underground workings of many things you would get to use as you grow. So, master the basics. Have a solid understanding of basic concepts like Variables, data types, conditional Statements, Loops, Data structures, Object Oriented Programming, e.t.c
Build Projects
Now that you've known the basics, you can start building projects to put into practice all that you've learned. Building Projects is one way you quickly solidify and amplify your skills as a programmer. Don't learn without practicing, and don't continually watch tutorials or read books without building projects. If you don't build Projects, you would always be learning but would never be able to master or perfect what you have learned. Build simple projects and also complex ones, they would amplify your skills in no small way.
Be Visible
Don't be a low-key programmer, let the world know you for what you do. Your Journey would be frustrating if you cannot find a Job or show to the world the value you offer. Being visible is one of the easiest ways to land a Job as a programmer. Use whatever platform you can access to let people know about what you do.
Post your projects on your social media space
Share your progress as you learn.
Write blog posts and record tutorials.
Write applications and sell them to organizations around.
Have a strong network of Programming professionals. By all means, show off your skills.
As you do these, you're registering your name in the minds of people. The next time they need a programmer, your name would easily register on their minds.
I trust this article has been of so much value to you. Now, go and win. I am rooting for you, champ.