What does it take to become a Programmer?

The technology is changing at a rapid speed. Gone are the days when software developer career path was so easy for anyone learning the career. In the coming days, it will be quite tricky for great programmers to secure job opportunities and still maintain it.

So, if you are focusing on the software developer career path, it is high time you learn the real truth about programming. There are many things you need to learn about becoming a programmer so that you don’t get surprised in the end. Below are some of the questions you should consider:

  • What do you anticipate with programming?
  • Is there an alternative in case things don’t work out?
  • How is my future as a programmer?

To some extent, a programmer can be a leader or a manager if things go wrong. However, most programmers can’t figure out what it takes to be a leader or a manager.

A lot of careers, programming included reaches a point, and when they don’t have the value. In such instances, professionals from different fields can go for management or leadership. The problem is that some people can’t handle the tasks that come with management and leadership. There is a phase when you hate management. However, it reaches a point in life when you can no longer focus on your preferred career. But, then, always stay ahead of everything. Be ready for any outcome in case everything doesn’t work out as planned.

We have highlighted below some of the opportunities in the field of programming with the cost.

Junior Developer

A junior developer is typically any individual, fresh from college. They perform the following tasks:

  • Understanding the apps and database services
  • Writing basic scripts
  • Evaluating the life cycle of an app.

It is always tricky to the point of giving up when you are starting your journey in the career. For programming, you can reach a point where you feel like you can’t pull through the programming career. You aren’t given hard applications, and it takes ages to get promoted.

You wonder why you are stuck at a certain point when you do almost the same jobs to those ahead of you.  The reason behind this is inadequate experience. You must take time, make mistakes, and write as many codes as possible, some good and some bad for you to reach a better position.

Senior Developer

The second level after junior is senior developers. To suit this category, you must have four to ten years of experience in the field of programming. The tasks a senior developer can handle include:

  • Writing complicated apps
  • Handling the whole process of the lifecycle of an app.
  • Handling apps and database
  • Developing any task of an app

When you are a senior developer, it means that you can build the entire app without difficulties. This is the stage that takes most of the developers’ career life before they can move to the next stage. However, at this stage, you can comfortably start a CTO because you have all the knowledge and skills required.

Architect or Lead Developer

At this level, the programmer must have a programming experience of seven to ten years. The tasks performed and the skills required at this level are similar to the ones for senior programmers.

At this point, if you hate management, the only option left for you is being an architect. The purpose of architects is to design the hardest systems so that junior and senior developers can work on them. However, architects also write codes, but not always.

Lead developers, at this point, use the skills, knowledge, and experience gained all the previous years while programming to ensure they come up with amazing software projects. They have to come up with different strategies on how to handle a given task, no matter how hard it may look.

Also, senior and junior developers depend on lead developers for directions when they are stuck and when writing codes. Also, they plan how tasks will be done and when they will be done.

Mid-Level Manager

At this stage, you are the boss. You own titles such as project manager, project director, product manager, or product director. A mid-level manager has the power to hire or fire employees, and they report to the senior leader.

The remaining part is management. This stage applies to those who embrace managerial tasks such as keeping the details and track of projects in order.

For programmers, the managerial task they can become is developer manager. They connect the project managers and product managers in case of a misunderstanding in the development team. They have powers to hire and fire developers.

Senior Leader

This are the CEOs, VP, or CTO of a company. They report to the board of directors, and they are responsible for hiring and firing mid-level managers. The main role of senior leaders is to make high-level decisions and motivate other workers.

Conclusion

It is evident that the journey of becoming a top programmer is long. It requires passion, dedication, and hard work. There are lots of opportunities for developers out there. But then, what does it take to get promoted from one phase to another? Well, it is experience. The more experienced you are, the more opportunities come your way. So, if you want to become the best programmer, tighten up the belt, stay motivated, learn new skills, and ideas, and then work hard. Your dream will become a reality.