Since employers all over the world are looking for people who can program computers, now is a great time to learn these skills. As you begin, you may wonder how to learn to program, and where you can build the practical experience you’ll need to impress recruiters. In this post, we’re going to demystify the process and show you how to successfully become a computer programmer, with a simple, five-step approach.
How to become a computer programmer in five steps
1. What is a computer programmer?
You need to know what the job entails before you decide to become a computer programmer. Doing this: Visit Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor. Search for terms such as “computer programmer”, “developer”, and “coder”, and set yourself the goal of reading a minimum of 10 job descriptions. Take note of what is common to all ten roles and what is unique to each one. You will begin to acquire a deeper comprehension of the field and the projects that various programmers work on each day. Take a look at Medium, a leading platform for publishing that professionals frequently use to share insights about their work. Look for phrases like “How I learned to be a programmer” and “first steps for a computer programmer.” Programmers of all skill levels and levels of experience contribute some excellent works to this collection. Start with Brad Crispin’s excellent illustration of how he learned to code in his 30s. Engage with working programmers. Networking, learning, and connection opportunities abound through professional events, social media, industry forums, and other venues. Join a LinkedIn group for programmers, where you can ask questions and interact with other members. Find local events where you can meet programmers face to face by using online conference directories like Conference Alerts and Conference.city.
2. Develop your abilities as a computer programmer
Most working programmers specialize, and different industries and roles require different skillsets. Because your initial interests will determine your future learning path, it is essential to begin considering the direction you want to take as soon as possible. Web Development
For web developers, there are generally three types of concentrations: Front-End: Working on a website’s user-facing side Back-End: working on a website’s back-end components Full-Stack—building and maintaining entire sites
Web development roles suit people who enjoy solving problems, are results-oriented, and like to think creatively. Learning programming languages like Python, HTML, and JavaScript is necessary for these positions. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning New opportunities will present themselves as you acquire the computer programming skills that are in high demand. There are currently a lot of programmers moving into transformative fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning. If you’re interested in working on cutting-edge technology, make sure you optimize your learning plan for subjects such as probability, algebra, and calculus.
Science of data Analyzing huge amounts of data for the purpose of resolving business issues and supporting strategic decision-making in almost any industry is known as data science. Data scientists are highly compensated for their ability to assist businesses in visualizing and comprehending the significance of their data, making it a rapidly expanding field. Programmers in this field must be enthusiastic about analysis, problem-solving, and working with statistics in addition to being able to use tools like Python, SQL, and Tableau. Computer programming can be applied to a wide range of other endeavors, including the creation of smartphone apps, virtual reality (VR), and games. You can look through Udacity’s catalog to find out more about the potential uses of programming skills. It has a lot of free programs that let you try new things.
3. Build a computer programming portfolio
To land a job as as computer programmer, you need a portfolio, so recruiters and hiring managers can review your work, see evidence of your skills, and assess your commitment. If this is your first programming job, you won’t have a work portfolio yet. However, you can make one for yourself and add your own projects to it. There are numerous approaches to beginning your own portfolio, including: Independent projects
Working on your own idea for an app or program is a great way to showcase your talents. It demonstrates your technical skills and drive to complete a project successfully. You can also acquire experience by working on other people’s projects on platforms like GitHub. Coursework
Courses such as Udacity’s Intro to Programming Nanodegree Program include projects that enable students to practice their new skills, and build an amazing portfolio of work while they study. Practical projects reinforce each stage of learning, from using HTML to create your first web page to creating a mobile virtual reality puzzle game. Internships
Internship opportunities are frequently advertised on company websites and social media; consequently, you should ensure that you set alerts to receive notifications of updates from businesses whose offerings you are interested in. You can also contact recruiters in advance. On LinkedIn, you can find a contact for a company’s HR department, or you can call the company and ask for the best person to talk to. Then reach out, presenting your experience and your motivation for wanting to intern. Udacity students and graduates can also use our recruitment events, and Careers Team support, to help find an internship.
4. Successfully complete the interview
When applying for positions in the industry, it is of the utmost importance to convince recruiters of your abilities and enthusiasm. You ought to endeavor to: Highlight your resume. The most crucial component of any job application you submit is still your resume. As you can read in this post, it’s still essential that you get the fundamentals right—so make sure your resume is up-to-date, simple to read, and free of mistakes. The Udacity Careers Team offers resume reviews to our graduates, helping ensure you’re presenting your programming skills to recruiters in the best way possible.
Practice for every interview
You should prepare for each job interview by: Read the “About Us” section on the company’s website. Make sure you can respond to inquiries like “Who is the CEO?” and, “What is the vision of the company?” Make use of the products manufactured by the company so that you can form an educated opinion about what they do. Play at least a few of their most recent games if they make them. If you are going to be working on their website, look into how it looks and works. Prior to the interview, spend at least a week perusing the most recent industry news on a site like TechCrunch. You should be able to talk with some knowledge about the company’s own announcements, the competitors they have, and major trends in their sector.
Computer programmers may be asked “technical interview” questions related to code. To prepare for these, Udacity offers a free program to help students understand some of the common types of question.
5. Keep learning!
Learning the right skills, engaging with professionals in the field, and getting up-to-speed are how you get the job, but your efforts shouldn’t stop once you land the role. You should immediately adopt a mindset that encourages lifelong learning, as successful computer programmers do. You ought to: Check out Meetup, GitHub, or Reddit to see if there is a thriving programming community in your area. Set one up if you can’t find one! Develop a voracious appetite for industry news—TechCrunch, CNet, and The Verge are all excellent sources of general technology news. For information and updates from computer programmers, try Stack Overflow, Hacker News, and Slashdot. Always check the websites of training providers for new courses that will help you improve your skills. Udacity’s own website is a great place to start!
You will always be able to take on the most exciting programming challenges if you make this commitment to learning, and your programming skills will keep up with technological advancement. Explore the courses offered by Udacity’s School of Programming to learn more about how to break into this industry.
