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Computer programmers are well-paid and may require less education than other technical positions. If you like to write code, pay attention to detail, and have a keen analytic ability, you may have a future as a computer programmer. Computer programmers write computer software at the most basic level. Nowadays, there are so many different types of software and so many different applications for that software that can work in different capacities. Programmers develop mobile apps, video games, computer programs (such as Microsoft Office), websites, and company-specific software (for sale or internal use).
There are also many options for the preferred work environment. You can work hard at a major company or be creative and patient at a start-up company. If you're worried about repetitive work or a rush of work, you can even fly between projects as a freelance developer and control your schedule.
Not all programmers have the same job. When drawing a career path, it's a good idea to consider your desired career track. This way, you can better coordinate your education to support your chosen area of expertise. Beginner web developers can generally choose from three main tracks: front-end development, back-end development, and full-stack development. Now take a more intimate look at these roles.
Front-end development
Front-end development focuses on the aspects of a Web site that users
can see and interact with (that is, the front-end). Professionals in this
area design, build and manage a website's client-facing features, including
menus, color schemes, content, and interactivity. Front-end developers
often become experts in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript and use these technologies
to design websites.
Back-end Development
Back-end development focuses on the invisible parts of your website visitors,
called the server side. Check the operation of complex Web applications,
link to databases, speed up Web sites, etc. Back-end designers usually
use languages such as Java, Ruby on Rails, and Python to create responsive,
speedy Web applications.
Full-stack development
As you can probably guess, full-stack development encompasses front-end
and back-end development, providing an excellent platform for those who
want to start a programming career without getting a degree in computer
science.
If you are planning to participate in a coding boot camp, you may want
to choose a course that focuses on full-stack programming. You can build
a solid foundation for both the highly visual and interactive aspects
of front-end development and the important basic back-end development
skills. In that case, you can expand your skills during the job search
and further improve your skills through your work experience.
For those who want to be professional, you need a portfolio. A resume is enough, but what employers need to explain your skills and abilities is a portfolio. Portfolios are carefully selected collections of the best work you submit for interviews and applications.
The computer programmer accumulates the first portfolio project during the educational period. For example, in a coding boot camp, you'd work on some class assignments, polish them and save them in your portfolio. You can further strengthen your portfolio by building your projects and websites.
What are the other skills of software developers besides computer programming? Software development, like many other professions, requires soft and hard skills. Developers must work well with others, pay attention to detail, and solve complex problems.
Communication:
You must communicate effectively with your customers, colleagues, managers,
and non-technical employees to complete your work.
Teamwork:
Software developers usually operate in teams to plan, plan, and develop
projects. Developers must effectively collaborate with others, get constructive
feedback and participate in meetings.
Problem-solving:
A software developer's job also involves solving problems found by computer
programmers and users. You need good problem-solving skills to ensure
that your programs work properly.
Attention to detail:
The best software developers are sensitive to detail to identify and track
small code problems. You also need the ability to switch focus from the
big picture to the little details.
Novice programmers use software programming languages to create and maintain
applications for internal or customer use. After joining the company,
you will learn about the company's code base and software development
process. Team with other programmers and developers to write code for
developing software according to required specifications, test and debug
code, create and roll out patches, and publish completed code to the production
server. You'll be more autonomous and responsible as you gain experience
and broaden your skills.
Many coders have started working as freelancers to learn about different work environments. Freelancing can be difficult, especially for inexperienced people, to get a coding gig. Once you've built your coding portfolio, you can start to look for work for software developers by creating profiles on websites.
Use your coding boot camp experience and a variety of coding projects to show your employer what you can do. You can also talk to your boot camp buddies and contacts to promote that you are willing to work and want to get a coding job. Remember that most companies need coders, so you should put yourself there to find your first coding job.
Networking in the industry is one of the best ways to learn how to get a coding job. Connecting with schools, coding boot camps, or online peers can help you build credibility and access more opportunities.
It's hard to get a coding job without an acquaintance in the industry. Once you've started networking, you'll be able to find out about your work opportunities and use your connections as a recommender. That way, it's much easier to get a coding job.
Knowing more about the companies you are applying for is basic. By understanding your business, you can create attractive cover letters for recruiters and prove that you are interested in the company. You can also prepare answers to questions you may be asked during the interview. It is an important step in getting a job as a coder.
Programmers are, in a way, digital architects who devote their careers to designing the technical features and functions we take for granted. It's a great profession. There are many great opportunities, but they are often difficult to find, especially for developers looking for a first job. When you think about becoming a programmer, the first step is to determine the general direction of your career path.
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