[Get Your Dream Job] How to Become Successful Programmer?

The tech industry has grown rapidly in the last few years. By learning how to program computers or write code, you can make yourself a valuable asset to an employer.

With the coding and programming industry exploding, you are also able to strike out on your own and work as a freelance developer.

Offering both job security and a decent salary, a career choice in computer programming could be what you need to find career success.

1. How to Become Successful Programmer

When you work as a programmer, you will learn how to create, modify, and test lines of code that create the script or forms that operate computer applications.

Your job will be following the designs or software specifications of software engineers. Although, you may end up working with a software developer with user needs analysis and assisting with software solutions.

The computer programs that you create are to store, retrieve, or locate specific bits of data, files, documents, or information.

Since potential employers want a variety of well-honed skills in their developers, getting formal training in the area of coding and programming is highly advised by career placement experts.

Before you start learning anyone programming, go through the top programming languages.

2. How to Get Started

There are many ways to pursue your goal, the most comprehensive training will come through a computer science degree.

There are several levels of degrees in higher education. You are just starting out, you could work to earn a certificate in a specific programming language.

A certificate may help you gain entry-level employment. A certificate course lays out the basic foundations of development, testing, and maintenance with the most commonly used programming languages. These could include Python, Visual Basic .NET, Java and C++.

Course work completion typically prepares you to take the industry certification test in the corresponding language areas.

Beyond the introduction of the initial language, you will begin to develop the logical and analytical processes needed to understand a problem and formulate a solution.

Acute attention to detail will give you greater efficiency as you attempt to isolate errors in code, whenever the application doesn’t run as designed. These skills are put to the test in an associate or bachelor level programming degree.

3. How to Earn Your Degree

Do you have the resources available and time to work on a more advanced degree? If yes, Earning a two or four-year computer science degree will open more than just entry-level career options.

Though the first few courses are elementary in nature, learning programming fundamentals shouldn’t be undervalued or sloughed off as needless.

Advanced coding skills rely on a meticulous and accurate synthesis of fundamental skills with complex algorithms. Mixed in with these technical coding courses are additional classes that deal with theory related to information or computability, handling version control systems, software engineering, and artificial intelligence analysis.

A four-year degree can be a big commitment, but the option to specify an area of interest or more deeply immerse your abilities in a specific programming language can be invaluable in the job market.

Employment needs for software developers are projected to grow three times faster than all the other occupations. This is due in part to the general demand for smartphone applications, the advancements made in AI, and the increasing prevalence of devices connected to the Internet of Things.

4. How to Find a College

For some, the commitment to a four-year degree isn’t the concern. There may be logistical challenges that interfere with classroom learning opportunities, or their current job schedule or domestic priorities don’t allow much free time to be headed to class.

Fortunately, a degree in computer science doesn’t have to be earned through a traditional brick-and-mortar institution.

The nature of coding and the instructional methods commonly used lend well to online learning. There may be a bit more a snag with trying to ask questions or seeking specific feedback from an instructor, but there are several colleges that offer computer science degrees that can be completed through a distance learning, or online, format.

If you are able to look at a local college or a more traditional institution for your degree plans, always look at the career placement options available through the school. This could be one of the most efficient ways to transition from classroom learning to a career.

5. How to Find Work

If you are looking for a job as a programmer, you need specific software development skills.

In order to take your skills to the workforce, you need to be capable of a wide range of activities that show proficiency in coding. Simply having your degree won’t be enough.

You may get your foot in the door, but many employers administer coding tests or request portfolio samples that reveal how much you know.

Your collegiate experience will have given you some direction with a programming discipline. And it will be your skill level and interest that narrow your career choices.

• For web development tech services, you will want to know either CSS, HTML5, or JavaScript.
• While, server development needs a strong background in Node.js, PHP, or ASP.NET areas.
• For full-stack web development, you have to learn both front end and backend technologies.
• If your field is mobile apps, you should know how to work across either Windows Mobile, iOS, or Android.
• Writing desktop applications requires either WinForms, WPF, .Net, C/C++ coding skills.

6. How to Keep Going

Whether using career placement services or striking out on your own, don’t stop learning once you find a job.

Tech is continually changing, and you can stay aware of the changes by reading magazines, blogs, or articles related to programming and your specific coding language.

Listen to podcasts or find a mentor to give you feedback on your work.

Once you have one programming language under your belt, work to acquire another and further your career potential.

Keep learning and practicing. This is the only way to become successful programmer. What are other skills you would recommend to learn for a programmer? Let me know your take on it by commenting below.

Aniruddha Chaudhari

I am a Python enthusiast who loves Linux and Vim. I hold a Master of Computer Science degree from NIT Trichy and have 10 years of experience in the IT industry, focusing on the Software Development Lifecycle from Requirements Gathering, Design, Development to Deployment. I have worked at IBM, Ericsson, and NetApp, and I share my knowledge on CSEstack.org.