Hello, everyone! If you are reading this article, it’s probably because you are thinking about embarking on the amazing journey of becoming a developer. I know that this journey can seem intimidating at times, but I’m going to tell you something important: don’t give up! In this article, I will share with you my own initial journey, as well as 4 inspiring reasons to keep studying and pursuing your programming dreams. Get ready for plenty of coding, coffee, and of course, memes!
How I Started, or /Tried to Start...
My story began a few months before the Pandemic. To be specific, May/2019. That was when I was introduced to programming for the second time in my life. When was the first? It was in the Technical Course at Senac, with my programming teacher Caio Azevedo, who had a passion for teaching logical reasoning and all the foundational knowledge we needed to soon study Databases and Programming Languages and all their concepts. Back then, when we started studying more complex fundamentals, I felt completely lost and demotivated. I completed the course, but there were still knowledge gaps I didn’t pursue filling, as I felt it wasn’t the right time, and programming wasn’t my “thing”.
Let's return to May/2019. Now working in the administrative area, I met my team partner, Bruno Mendonça, who was a key friend in my development. You know those friends we have that think “outside the box”? Bruno was always looking for innovative solutions to some routines we had. From then on, he taught me that programming can solve a lot of problems in our daily lives: that annoying task of typing the same thing 1,000 times, data analysis, automating complex processes. At first, using VBA. I can say this was my starting point, and I will never forget that day, because it was then that I reflected on an idea I carry with me to this day: What is programming for if not to solve problems and make things simpler? That was the #boost I needed. But as they say, “not everything is rosy”...
1. Challenges? Just potential bugs!
When I started studying development, I faced a series of technical challenges. It seemed like for every line of code I wrote, ten bugs appeared. Frustrating? Definitely! But instead of succumbing to the temptation to give up, I decided to face these obstacles as learning opportunities. Each bug fixed was another step up my climb to becoming a better developer. That’s why something that helped strengthen my foundations was studying Programming Logic and then something related to the type of Development I wanted to delve into, in this case, Front-end. Here are 2 playlists that helped a lot at the beginning:
2. The developer community is amazing!
One of the best things about a developer's journey is the community. Believe me, you are not alone on this journey! There are countless online communities, forums, Slack groups, Discord, events, conferences, and even local meetups where you can find people who are passionate about programming. These communities are full of people willing to help, share knowledge, and even offer moral support when things get tough. So, don’t be afraid to join this bunch, to ask your questions. Oh, of course! Don’t forget to also help others who are on the same path as you.
3. The potential for impact is huge!
Believe it or not, developers have the power to change the world! Think of the countless applications, software, and technologies we use daily. All of these were created by developers. And you know the best part? You can also create something amazing! From apps that make people's lives easier to innovative solutions for major social issues, the possibilities are endless. So, don’t give up, because the world needs your ideas and skills to make it a better place.
4. The learning never ends... And that's great!
One of the most fascinating things about development is that learning is continuous. Technology is constantly evolving, new languages and frameworks emerge all the time, and there’s always something new to explore and master. This means your journey as a developer will never be monotonous. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, expand your horizons, and become a better professional.
There’s a quote that I personally try to remember and apply every day, but especially on those days when I feel more demotivated. It says:
“If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject.”
-- Earl Nightingale
“If a person spends one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be a specialist on that subject.”
This quoted phrase helped me understand how important it is to be consistent and committed to my learning over time. It reminds us that expertise is not achieved instantly, but rather through continuous and dedicated effort. Therefore, if you want to become an expert in a particular subject, remember the importance of investing consistent and regular time, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. For knowledge and proficiency accumulate over time. So: #NeverStopLearning!
Therefore, embrace this mindset of continuous learning and enjoy the exciting journey that lies ahead!
And remember that thing called? meme? There’s nothing like a good dose of code-related humor to relax a bit. After all, who said studying development always has to be serious and formal?
Programming memes are here to remind us that we are not alone in our ? struggles with bugs and unexpected errors. Always take a break to laugh a bit with programming memes. They are like little rewards throughout your journey as a developer.
Conclusion
So, folks, let’s recap: don’t give up!
- Face challenges as opportunities
- Be part of the amazing developer community
- Leverage the impact potential you have and keep learning.
I know this journey can seem daunting, but remember that you are not alone in this. I’m here, the developer community is here, and together we can overcome any obstacle. So, grab your coffee cup, write some code, and remember to laugh at the memes along the way. A developer's journey is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding!
author: Diego Henrique
Front-End | RPA | Systems Analyst and Developer | Instructor at Hcode