Anyone here who works in software/web development to share the story?

Question

Hi, is there anyone here who currently works as a programmer in real life?
Can you share your story, please? It's always inspirational for new starters like me.

I currently struggle with time, big day. I've got to toddlers to look after and challenging job. It pushes me to the edge of giving up.

Answer 1

First off, don't give up. It's rough climbing mountains, but when you reach the top and are able to look back down at what you've pushed through to get there, there is no better feeling in the world knowing that you stand as the victor.

Currently, I work for a telecommunications company doing various work with business intelligence, automation, and software development. I'm 100% self-learned with that stuff and don't have a degree, but I work alongside people that have degrees. So if you apply yourself and take your learning seriously, you can accomplish what you set your mind to if you keep moving forward. In my free time, I'm a game developer and plan to fully transition into that field sooner than later.

Since you struggle with time, it's important that you learn and utilize time management systems so that you make the most of your time each day. Spend less time on distractions (phone, tv, games, friends, social media, this discussion, etc...) and more time on the things that compliment the goal you're trying to reach in your life. There will be plenty of time to goof around later. Our dreams of tomorrow are built on our backs of today.

Best of luck! Life doesn't give us brick walls to keep us out, but to keep out those who don't want it badly enough.

Answer 2

I just graduated in software development in the Netherlands. Have been and will be working as a developer for big companies. Just remember: never give up and learn from your mistakes.

Answer 3

@Pawel P.

You're welcome! To put my situation in perspective for you, I'm married with 3 children and have a full-time job, so I understand completely how rough it is with managing your time and fitting it all in to the time you have available to you.

A technique that I use is called the "Just One" method. Basically, my ONLY goal is to read JUST ONE chapter each day. Usually you can push through just one chapter in a short amount of time, so it's a relatively easy goal to reach each day. If you stay consistent with that rule, you'll inevitably progress at a nice rate and finish it. This ensures that you're always moving forward each day and you reach small goals that help motivate you each day. Most of the time, I end up being able to read multiple chapters instead of just one, which is a bonus to the system. If the book has 20 chapters, you can easily accomplish all of it in 20 days or less. See what I mean?

To further master the subject, I use this technique. Read through the entire language once even if you don't understand it fully yet. Then practice what you remember. Afterwards you'll want to read through the language again, but this time write down notes of anything you still don't fully understand. When you're done you'll use your notes to extensively research all of the concepts and then practice them to solidify your learning. Repeat this process over and over until you're no longer having to write down anything on your notes.

I can't speak for Boem, but for myself, most of what I've learned came from gaining raw experience through programming and running into problems that I had to debug or figure out.

Answer 4

Boem Shakalaka did you rely mostly on your studies or did you need to learn more on your own?

Answer 5

Fata1 Err0r thank you very much for advice. Much appreciated. I've started to use SoloLearn again after few months to utilize more time. To learn in small bits, more often.

Answer 6

Fata1 Err0r I usually use this technique to push myself forward, step by step. I've managed to read few Python books for beginners. I know it works well. The problem with programming is that it requires shed loads of time to simply code and solve problems. There are days when I am so drained by work and babysitting that my brain doesn't let me to learn anything. I just stare on my phone's screen looking at useless news or pages like Reddit.
I struggle a lot when I am overtired.