Starting a Successful Career in Software Development

Starting a Successful Career in Software Development

Table of content

  • What is Software Development

  • Starting out as a beginner

  • Impostor Syndrome

  • Working as a beginner

  • Remarks

What is Software Development

Software Development is the overall process of planning, designing, implementing, testing, debugging(if necessary), deploying, and maintaining software. Software Development can be broken down into the following branches:

  • Software Engineering

  • Computer Programming

  • Video Game Development

  • Web Development

  • Web Application Development

  • Mobile Application Development

Software Engineering:

Software Engineering is the branch of software development that involves the development of both system and application software. Systems software consists basically of Utility Software and Operating Systems.

Computer Programming:

Computer programming deals with the process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific computing result or to perform a specific task.

Video Game Development:

As the name implies, it is all about creating a video game, video games help a lot from relieving stress to informal learning, so this branch can not be underrated.

Web Development:

Web development involves the development of websites or web pages for different uses that cut across all walks of life.

Web Application Development:

Unlike web development, web application development entails the development of websites that requires input from the user. An example of a web application is an e-commerce web app, where the user gives input about what they want to buy.

Mobile Application Development:

Mobile application development is the development of mobile apps, both iOS and Android which we use on our mobile devices.

Starting out as a beginner

  • Every Software Developer has a reason to join the train. The first step every beginner should do is to try to define that reason and know why you want to do it because that will be your initial motivation. One major reason why many people don't usually succeed in Software Development is they don't have the needed drive to do it, so having great motivation helps.

  • The next thing you need to do is to choose a branch of Software Development you want to go into. When I started learning Software development, I was confused about which field I should go into, so I tried to learn it all, but I ended up not knowing any as I only did get some foundational knowledge. It is not impossible to know it all, but the best way to even learn it all is to do it one by one. Also, you need to get the needed devices to start with, the good news is that you can use your mobile phone to do most of this, though it would not be as fast and easy as using a computer, although it is a great start.

  • After that, you need to choose a learning scheme that fits you, but I will advise using both video and text-based materials, some sites that offer free text-based learning materials are w3schools.com, educative.io, codecademy.com, freecodecamp.org. Some sites that offer both free and paid learning videos are udemy.com, udacity.com, alison.com, and coursera.org, you can also get great videos from youtube.com.

  • I will advise that as you learn, go over the materials over and over again, also do a lot of practice, it is okay using many resources, but make sure you're making progress each week. Set a timetable for your learning and be committed to it, don't try to learn everything in a day or two, take your time.

  • Join a great community that can help to build you and be active on it.

  • Try many project challenges, sign up for coding challenges/competitions, hackathons, code sprints, meetups, workshops, and also other programs where you will get to meet other people. One of my role models will always say that "your network is your net worth", in as much as you have many friends, make sure you also have people that can help to build you.

  • Keep a track record of all your progress, every little thing matters.

  • Showcase your work on your social platforms, it is a great way to market your skills.

  • Develop your resume and portfolio site, it helps your prospective clients know what you can do.

Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is the feeling of being fake and not good enough, it happens when you doubt your skills and fear that people will think that you are not capable. As a beginner, even as you continue in your career as a Software Developer, you will surely have the Impostor Syndrome, and these are some ways you can handle it:

  • Do not compare yourself with another person, no two people are made the same, you can not be like that person and that person can not be like you.

  • Always appreciate your work, no matter how bad it seems, and don't get discouraged because that is just the stepping stone.

  • Have a great person with whom you can share your work, give great reviews, and also commend you.

  • As soon as you feel you don't know enough, make do with what you have, believe in yourself and you will be shocked by how much you can achieve and how little you need to know before you make something worthwhile.

  • When you see people younger than you or even your mates, doing great things, you can find out about them, and you will see that they were in your shoes before, even if they brag, let them enjoy the fruit of their labour.

  • Remember that it is not how complex, what you do is, but how useful it is, but also keep in mind that the way you lay your bed, you lie on it.

Working as a beginner

As a Software Developer, you can work as a freelancer, remotely (at home, at a tech hub, or at a personal office), or from the company's office. As a beginner, you are open to internship opportunities, both paid and not paid.

How to get Internship opportunities

  • You should join a tech community, especially based on your Software Development field, that is one of the best places you will find such opportunities.

  • Also, you can get an internship opportunity from Job sites like LinkedIn, Jobberman, and the like.

  • Social media, especially Twitter, is another great place to get internship opportunities.

  • Once you apply for the internship and you get it, don't just rush into it, weigh it. Some companies, especially start-ups, can try to exploit beginners all in the name of internships. If you get an internship offer where you have to cover all costs incurred(could be data or transport) and know you have the means to sponsor yourself and the experience and connections you will get is good, you can join. Sometimes you will find companies willing to pay for internships, but don't be blinded by money, read the requirements before jumping into it so that you don't end up being used as cheap labour.

  • Once you are okay with the internship requirements, make sure that a contract is drafted, especially if you will be paid, and make sure you read, understand, and are okay with the contract.

  • Once you start, put your time and effort into it, let your supervisors know you, be very consistent and let them be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that you are a great person. Do not focus solely on impressing them, but make sure you do everything you are assigned and even more, let your work speak for you.

  • Look for and cherish all opportunities to learn from your supervisor and mates.

  • Do not try to hide your errors or mistakes, make sure you look for help and be willing to make corrections.

  • One important thing to do is to leave on a good note and make sure to leave the company and your supervisor on good terms because what you need can be at their disposal.

REMARK

Remember that constant learning is required as Software Development is dynamic.
The sky is big enough for everyone to shine, the more the stars, the more the light, so don't make it your goal to outshine everyone, but to be unique and add value, be ready to help others, though you can try to be better than the other person(healthy competition), don't engage in dubious means just to win.
I wish you success in all you do. Fighting.
You can learn more from Wikipedia.

Photo by Pakata Goh on Unsplash