How do you track your progress as a programmer in a community?

2 Set goals and milestones

Another way to track your progress as a programmer is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and milestones for yourself. For example, you can decide to learn a new language, framework, or tool, or to build a certain type of application or feature. You can then break down your goals into smaller steps and assign deadlines to each one. This will help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable for your learning outcomes.

3 Use version control and portfolio

A third way to track your progress as a programmer is to use version control and portfolio tools to document and showcase your work. Version control systems, such as Git, allow you to keep track of the changes you make to your code, as well as collaborate with other developers. Portfolio tools, such as GitHub Pages, CodePen, or Glitch, allow you to display your projects, demos, or snippets to potential employers, clients, or collaborators. By using these tools, you can see how your skills and code quality improve over time, as well as get feedback from others.

4 Seek feedback and mentorship

A fourth way to track your progress as a programmer is to seek feedback and mentorship from more experienced or knowledgeable programmers. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as learn new tips and best practices. Mentorship can help you gain insights, guidance, and support from someone who has been where you are and can help you grow. You can seek feedback and mentorship from your community members, online platforms, or personal contacts. For example, you can ask for code reviews, join peer learning groups, or find a mentor on sites like Codementor, Exercism, or MentorCruise.

5 Take tests and quizzes

A fifth way to track your progress as a programmer is to take tests and quizzes that measure your knowledge and skills. Tests and quizzes can help you assess your level of proficiency, as well as identify gaps or areas for improvement. You can find online tests and quizzes for various topics, languages, or frameworks on sites like HackerRank, CodeWars, or LeetCode. You can also create your own tests and quizzes using tools like Quizlet, Kahoot, or Google Forms.

6 Reflect and celebrate

A sixth way to track your progress as a programmer is to reflect and celebrate your achievements and challenges. Reflection can help you evaluate your learning process, identify what worked and what didn't, and plan your next steps. Celebration can help you appreciate your efforts, reward yourself, and boost your confidence and motivation. You can reflect and celebrate by writing a blog post, sharing a tweet, posting a video, or sending a message to your community.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?