5 Step Roadmap for Beginner Developers

Do you have to take coding lessons right away if you want to be a developer? Actually, no you don't. You can dabble in coding for as long as you like. You can even try alternative programs like Mario Maker or Dreams, or even dabble with WordPress and its CSS code functions. However, once you have picked the language you wish to learn, it is time to hop on the Internet and start learning how to code. Here is a five step road map for people who wish to be developers.

Picture 1 of 5 Step Roadmap for Beginner Developers

1 - Get Really Good At At Least One Programming Code

It sounds obvious, but the point is not to become competent. It is not like learning to drive where a passable grade will get you a job. When it comes to programming, you really want to get good. To learn as much as possible. For many people, programming is a passion, and their passion alone is what pushes them to learn more and get better and better. If you want to compete in any way, you need to get good.

2 - Set Your Sights on Your Big Project

Make sure you set only your sights because your first several hundred attempts are going to fail. However, setting your sights on what you wish to achieve has its benefits. In order to hone your idea and move it forwards, you are going to have to do some work on it.

3 - Fail Faster and More Efficiently

You are going to fail, probably hundreds of its. The sad part is that even your best designed programs will probably amount to nothing within a fairly short space of time. Failing faster is actually a viable method of moving a project forwards. Do what you do, be as perfect as possible, but get to the end point as soon as you can. Once the dust has settled, you will have the objectivity enough to see what a massive failure your project was. You can learn from it and move your project forwards by trying again.

4 - Get a Job or Start a Smaller Project

Getting a job isn't always easy, so keep working on smaller projects. Ideally, look for the sorts of jobs that are being advertised, and work on similar projects. For example, if you are seeing a lot of people asking for intranet software or Smartphone apps for collaborative workers, then dabble in those areas yourself. That way, when the next interview comes along, you can say that you have experience and you will have proof of that experience. If you are going to become an independent developer, then designing programs that you know are in demand is never a bad idea.

5 - Work as a Freelancer, Private Developer or Go Full Employed

There are three paths you can take once you have taken the four steps listed above. You can work as a freelancer, which usually involves bidding on work for very low prices. But, you get paid for working at home and some clients may become regular good-paying clients. Become a private developer if the four steps above lead you to a project or job that actually ends up making you some money. Finally, you can go full employed and work a lot of hours. But you are an in-demand commodity, so even if you have to work a lot of hours, there are always people clambering looking to hire remote developer and give you work, so you will never go hungry.

David Pac

Update 17 March 2022