Time and time again, I see people wanting to learn how to “program” or become a “programmer.” They want to become the idea of what they believe is a developer. They take courses and read a couple of books, then think, I can do this! Don’t get me wrong, you can do it, but it’s not THAT easy. Becoming a developer or a programmer takes time and commitment.
Idea
First, my idea of a developer. A developer can write an application, build a webpage, create a script, or work on a database. There’s no shortage of possibilities. Building something from scratch or using a template to help make your foundation is how you learn and grow.
Take the time to invest in yourself. Build something that helps drive you to become better at doing what you love. It doesn’t need to be perfect. The thing you build will grow and become something better. Over the last ten years, my journey has guided me to join the open source community building, KTweet (Twitter Kotlin Library), and DisTweet (Discord Bot).
Becoming
Second, to become a developer, one must follow their path. Learn from those willing to teach and grow with their help. Don’t think twice that anyone MUST help or MUST teach. Nothing is ever a must. Put the work forward, and the rewards will come.
Becoming a better developer starts with being a good learner. Take the time to understand something, and don’t blindly follow. This will give you the art of becoming something more than “just a developer.”
Third, each job, each position, and everything you do differs depending on external factors. Every boss, leader, product owner, and manager has different working methods. It is up to you to navigate through this in the most efficient way possible. So you will prevent burnout.
The Idea of Becoming
Finally, the term developer is coined to help companies simplify something more complex. Don’t be boxed into only a single term; define yourself and what the idea of a developer is. Believe in yourself. This is only a guide.