How to become a developer

Associating the word ‘developer’ with a white nerdy man wearing glasses, sitting in a dark basement and tapping on a computer keyboard at an unrealistic speed, is a long gone stereotype.

The IT sector has become diverse and welcoming to anyone, and I think one of the greatest things about web development is the accessible and available knowledge out there for those willing to learn.

Getting a university degree - which, for me personally, was an incredibly valuable and beneficial experience - is not the only way to become a developer. However, it can also be a difficult and overwhelming task to start, when there is so much choice and a vast number of paths to take.

So how do you become a developer? 

1. Think

Before diving head first into the code, familiarise yourself with the most popular routes. Front end or back end? Ask around, maybe join an online group. It’s always easier to learn stuff we enjoy, so instead of thinking what’s the easiest way to become a developer, or which path will make you the most money, think about what you would like to do in the long term.

I chose the front end path as I’ve always had a creative mind and eye for detail, therefore a visual aspect of front end development was the most appealing to me.

Don’t spend too much time thinking though, as nothing is set in stone and you can always change your mind in the future! All you want to do is get to know your possibilities and preferences. 

2. Learn basics

Before you run you have to learn to walk, so although this step might not be the most exciting, it’s one of the most important ones. Good fundamentals will help you out later on in your developer journey.

A lot of online resources are available, either for free or for a small subscription fee. Many are gamified - making learning fun, easier to digest and less overwhelming.

3. Get a mentor or a learning buddy

The journey is always more enjoyable when you have company, so if you can, get yourself a mentor who can help you out on rough patches or navigate through the more complicated topics. If this option is not possible, finding a learning buddy is also great.

Join an online group or start your own. Having someone with similar interests and goals will also help you to stay motivated and can push you to accomplish more.

4. Sign up to GitHub

GitHub is a great hosting service to store your projects, learn version control and, later on, showcase your learning.

5. Build

The best learning happens when you try to use your knowledge to build something from scratch. This is usually the hardest part, so start small - perhaps focussing on one feature instead of an entire website.

If you're not sure what to code, JS30 challenge by Wes Bos is an excellent way to learn and improve your JavaScript skills by creating 30 little projects in 30 days.

For those on the backend route, Laracasts tutorials are great.

6. Level up with frameworks

Here our paths are branching out again into multiple different routes. Don’t try to master them all at the same time. Focus on getting to know one really well.

After that, adding another framework to your portfolio will be a lot easier, as the principles in most of them are similar. 

7. Network

I can’t emphasise enough on how important it is to get yourself out there and show off your projects. With so many events happening online, it has never been easier to do so.

Depending on the event, you could learn something new, meet like-minded people or maybe even find your future employer!

8. Solve a real issue

Being a developer is not about the code, but solving a problem through coding. And the more you practice, the better you will become at it. So find a problem and think of a digital solution for it.

Don’t forget to show it off to the world!

9. Never stop learning

Development is a very fast-paced sector and with so many new technologies emerging all the time it’s important to stay in the loop and improve your skill set.

It’s easy to burnout, so just remember that you can’t know it all, and there will always be someone who knows more than you in a specific subject.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself with you from yesterday. Progress is progress no matter how fast or slow you go!

Enjoy the journey and happy coding!