How To Get Started as a Self-Taught Software Developer

So you’ve made the decision to become a software developer but you aren’t sure where to begin. With the overwhelming amount of bootcamps, colleges and languages in the software world it almost seems impossible to teach yourself the skills you’re going to need. Despite all the extra whale fat, there is hope for the self taught developer in being highly successful in the industry. This post will lay out step by step the best way to go from knowing nothing about code to having a full time career as a software developer.

Step One: Find out what type of software you want to work with

Before you start learning how to code, you want to figure out what it is you need to learn by deciding what you are interested in. When it comes to being a software developer, there are an unlimited possibilities in what type of software you work with and which industry you work in. You can be a front-end, back-end, full stack or specialized developer in industries like insurance, gaming, e-commerce or really anything else. Nearly every modern company has a deep need for good software developers for both internal and external operations. Basically, if you learn the proper skills you can really go into any industry that interests you. It more so depends on what kind of work you want to do. A front end developer is going to focus on building out what a user sees in applications. A modern front end developer is going to most likely know how to code in HTML, CSS, Javascript and a front end framework such as React, Angular or Vue. A backend developer is going to work on everything that goes on in behind the scenes of any application. This could range from database management to payment processing to general security. Back end developers can use a wide range of languages, such as Python, Java, Javascript, Scala, Go and much more. Most modern high-level languages will work for a backend architecture, it’s more a matter of personal preference. If you are a full stack developer then you will create both the front end and back end of a given application. In 2021 it’s easier than ever to become a full stack developer due to the advanced assisting technologies that make it super simple to build incredibly complex applications. A simple combination of React mixed with a cloud platform such as AWS will allow you to build extremely robust full stack applications that are scaleable with ease. The final route you could go as a software developer is a specialized field such as machine learning or data analysis. These fields will require a bit more research but can also be extremely rewarding. If you are more visual and not as good at math, you should probably be a front end developer. On the other side, if you love math but aren’t great with the visuals, you should be working on the backend. If you find you enjoy both, become a full stack developer. If linear algebra and artificial intelligence is your thing, look into machine learning. The beauty of software is you can decide to work with whatever suits you best. Find out what that is and learning it will be a heck of a lot easier due to enjoyment you’ll find.

Step Two: Learn The Basics

Once you have decided what kind of software development you want to do it’s time to hit the books and start learning. Find out what languages you need to learn and watch videos or read articles that teach you about those languages. At this stage, you really need to focus on understanding what each technology does and how it will help you build things in the future. Don’t feel like you need to master each language before going on and learning about the next. At this point in the process, you’re really just looking to get a taste of what each technology can do for you. Once you can have a simple conversation about the technology and what it can accomplish, you’re ready to move on the the next step!

Step Two: Build Your First Project

This is where the real learning is going to begin. Nothing beats experience when it comes to being a software developer, so it’s best to dive in early. Decide on a simple project that you’ve always wanted to build or something you’re simply interested in and dive in! At first this will seem overwhelming, as you’ve never built anything before and only know the basics of a given language. Don’t let this stop you, it’s all about learning as you go. Your best friend in this part of the process is Google and Stack Overflow which even the most experienced software developers use daily. Break your project down and tackle it step by step. You’ll be surprised how much you can do on your first project and how much you learn during the process. Don’t be afraid to try and fail. We all had to start somewhere and the only way to learn how to build software is to actually do it!

Step Three: Build More, Learn More

So you’ve finished your first project but you’re still pretty inexperienced. Just keep coding! The more you build, the more you will learn and the better you will be as a software developer. There are no limits to what you can build on your own so let your creativity flow.

Step Four: Get a Job

You’re ready. You’ve built out some projects and you’ve learned everything you need to in order to start working. You may not be a master yet, but you know enough to bring value to a company. Put together a little portfolio and dust off your resume. Start applying to software jobs and after a while you’re bound to find something that will work for you!

Woohoo! You did it! You’re now an employed software developer who specializes in their field of interest. You’ll be challenged and will learn so much in the process. Hopefully, you find it extremely rewarding and love your new career in software!