10 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Software Developer

Have you considered becoming a software developer? You are not alone. This is one of the most popular professions nowadays, and for several reasons: it offers high salaries, the possibility to work remotely, and plenty of job opportunities, to name a few. Sure, becoming a software developer is indeed tempting. But be careful: not everything about this profession is easy and fun. These are ten things to consider before becoming a software developer:

1- You need to learn, constantly.

Tech is fast paced. What you do now, the programming languages and other technologies you use, may become obsolete in a couple of years, which means that learning never ends. Just as some technologies die, others are born, so there is always something new to learn. You may also need to take tests and get certifications, which means you need to study to prepare for them. Working in tech involves continuous learning. So ask yourself, are you willing to spend time, energy and maybe money learning and studying to keep up to date? In this profession, you cannot stay still. Learning becomes a way of life.?

2- You need to be passionate about it.

This is something you should know: working in tech is hard work. The job is intense. You need to like it, otherwise, after a while you may feel miserable. The first things people associate with this job are high salaries, modern offices or the possibility to work from home, and flex time. But the truth is that the job is very demanding. If you are not passionate about it, chances are you will get tired and frustrated soon. Ask yourself what is motivating you to pursue a career as a software developer. Is it the perks, or your passion?

3- You need to be open.

In programming, things can be done in different ways. Sometimes, you have to do things the way someone else wants you to, especially if you are just getting started. You may think that your way is the best way, but you have to understand that it won’t always be possible to do things your way. You have to be open and accept that.

4- Finding and solving problems can take a long time.

You spend a lot of time trying to find and solve problems, so you have to be able to enjoy the process (something that will come easily to you if you are truly passionate about this profession). These problems are not always caused by you, but by your colleagues (not intentionally, of course), and it will take you a long time to read the code to try to discover them.?

5- The job-hunting process is long and difficult.?

You have to do several technical tests. The way in which you have to solve them varies considerably, and that involves a lot of preparation. Look at it this way: preparation before looking for a job is a job in itself.?

6- It is a sedentary job.

You spend a lot of time sitting down. It’s no news that sedentarism brings along health problems. To avoid this, you will have to look for ways to keep active, and thus, healthy. Will you be able to fit some exercise into your schedule?

7- There is uncertainty.

Sometimes, you find a solution, but you don’t understand why it works. Some other times, something that used to work, does not work anymore.?

8- You need to know how to set expectations.

The developer knows things that non-technical people don’t. So it can be difficult to set expectations for people who don’t know about programming. You’ll need to communicate with non-technical people, like customers and supervisors. It can be frustrating to try to explain to them why you need more money to finish a project on time, or why a project will take longer than expected. You can’t use your technical jargon here. Think about your communication skills. How well can you communicate with non-technical people?

9- You have to race against the clock.

Very often, the time you have won’t be enough to do what you have to do. For that reason, you need to be able to decide how to do things, to do them right and within the time frame you are expected to.?

10- You have to work under pressure.

It’s common for software developers to be working on several projects at once, to work overtime to meet deadlines and to be on call in case something in their code breaks (which means working at strange hours). How comfortable do you feel about this?

Whatever you do in life, you’ll find things you can control, things you can influence, and things you can’t control. Knowing this helps you focus on what you can control and influence, and not stress about what you can’t. Why am I saying this? Because before you embark on a journey, for example, becoming a software developer, it is important to identify what you can control and influence to be able to prepare well and make informed decisions.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with food for thought. Think about the ten points I mentioned. Can you control or influence them? If so, prepare, get ready, do your best. Don’t let any of them take you by surprise. Become a software developer knowing what to expect.