CHAPTER 1 | You should ask yourself first: Do you want to become a software developer? For what purpose?

“To be, or not to be, that is the question”

Before starting any study, you should ask yourself: "Do you want to become a software developer?" And for what purpose?" It is the purpose that determines the selection of the method, means, and even the stages of any study.

The first step starts with these questions. Whether you want to get a job in IT, or you want to gain knowledge and skills to develop your own applications, or maybe you see programming as a potential hobby, in each of these cases there is a solution, there is a path.

There is no doubt that you will have to do some studies, such as an introductory course in Computer Science, in order to gain knowledge and acquire practical skills. This can be done in several ways, and we will discuss it in more detail in the following chapters. But now I would like to present 3 case studies of different people who asked themselves this question. They had different desires, but a common goal: they wanted to become software developers.

As John aspired to pursue a career in IT, he chose a faculty with a profile and specialty in informatics. However, after the first year of studies, he realized that not all the subjects taught were understandable to him. Sometimes at university, the subjects are taught in a hurry, too meticulously, and some gaps can only be filled through self-study or optional courses. John enrolled in an optional C++ course for a month and a half, and that's how we met. I had an affiliate contract with that private training center at that time, and I practiced mentorship and private consultations.

It took me a month to clarify to him all the things he hadn't understood for a year, mainly because we were using a method of teaching that was totally different from the methods used in universities, plus the advantage that we were working with a small group of people 3-4, so I could pay more attention to each of them.

John followed my recommendations, plus the introduction guide I gave him. Four years after that, when I last chatted with him, he told me he was working for a foreign-funded company as a Web Developer. He was grateful for the recommendations I gave him at the right time.

The goal was achieved, he became a software developer and was on the way to a promising career.

While John's case is suggestive, it cannot be taken as a concrete model. While the university and his perseverance played a significant role, a university degree isn't always enough to guarantee IT employment.

The following case can serve as a concrete example to support this statement. Mark was working in the HORECA field, on the management side, and he was really fed up and tired of this profession. He wanted a total change, a reprofile. He aspired to become a programmer, an idea supported and encouraged by several of his friends. So he decided to give it a try.

He applied for an introductory course at a private studies center, where we met. It was enough to take a few courses in C++, C#, SQL databases, create a small portfolio, and thanks to a successful application for an internship to which he was accepted, he boldly stepped on the threshold of an IT career. Thus, in an optimal time of 6-8 months, he was accepted as a junior developer in an IT company.

Succeeded! So it's possible!

In Alex's case, things are different and more specific. Due to his experience in the field of accounting and the fact that Alex had a small business in this profile, suddenly he realized the need for customized software to serve his company. The solution was to develop its own software, specific to its internal needs.

He called on some IT companies and subcontractors to develop this software, but they were too expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, there were still problems with the confidentiality of the company's internal data that he had to divulge willy-nilly during development. After two months of searching and hesitation, Alex decided to enroll in programming courses and develop his own software.

He took some web programming courses at a private tutoring center, where I also taught. After this, he called me requesting some private meditations, which he needed to develop his application. The consultations I gave him were helpful and in 4 months he developed a customized application, small but functional, so necessary for his own business.

***

Despite their different needs, all three shared a common goal, to become software developers. They all achieved their goals because they wanted. There is nothing impossible in the IT field, the only question is how long it will take to accomplish it.

Defining goals, such as career, qualitative studies, professional advancement, and going toward these goals with confidence is a noble thing. However, you need to plan your studies from the beginning, so you need to have the necessary information. And I will bring some pro arguments and some statistical data about the software developer profession.

The arguments that support the software developer profession are well known today to everyone, mainly the large number of employment opportunities and fairly good salaries. The average annual salary of a software developer is often higher than that of a chief accountant or administrator, making many aspire to an IT job and even change their careers.

It is predicted that the demand for software developers will increase by 22% by 2029. Moreover, the software development industry is growing rapidly, with a global market size of USD 429.59 billion in 2021, which is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7% from 2022 to 2030. So these are good arguments for you to give it a try!

In case you are uncertain whether programming is worth studying, I can help you with the SWOT matrix that explains the pros and cons. Below you can find an example of my case (Table 1) and attached to the appendices you will find a form for yourself.

Good luck!