[Non-Computer Science, Surviving as a Developer] 3. Reasons for Wanting to Become a Developer

Surviving as a Non-Computer Science Major Developer

#3. Reasons for Wanting to Become a Developer

Having a clear goal of becoming a developer is important.

In Chapter 1, we explored what developers do and the various fields they work in. Now, it's time to define your own goals and determine what kind of developer you want to become.

Some might aspire to become developers because they find it difficult to secure employment in other fields, while others might be drawn to the fascinating world of development after a chance encounter with it.

Regardless of the reason, it's crucial to have a clear and defined purpose. Without it, enduring the long and challenging journey to becoming a developer can be quite difficult.

In my case, I find the process of analyzing users' needs and developing features to address them incredibly engaging. However, what truly captivates me about being a developer is the interaction with users after the development is complete. I gain immense satisfaction from witnessing users utilize the features and receiving their feedback, both positive and negative, which fuels my goal of becoming a user-friendly developer.

I strive to design user-friendly interfaces and develop features that precisely align with user requirements. I actively incorporate user feedback to ensure ongoing maintenance and improvement.

Similarly, think about the kind of developer you aspire to be. Let's start by setting a goal and putting it into action.

There's a proverb that says, "Though the beginning may be small, the end will be great." What might seem like a small goal now can become the driving force behind your future growth as a skilled developer, potentially even a leading developer in South Korea.

<In 10 years, I will be...>

In 10 years, I will have grown into a ___________ developer.

Important Mindset Before Becoming a Developer

Arguably, the most important skill for a developer is problem-solving.

The process of understanding customer needs, analyzing requirements, designing programs, developing, and testing is essentially creating something out of nothing.

Therefore, it's essential to contemplate how you'll tackle customer requirements, or problems, during the development phase.

To cultivate problem-solving skills, you need to gain a wealth of experience through continuous development. This includes practicing by replicating sample codes found online and making them your own, following along with lectures and typing out examples, and undertaking your own toy projects. The key is to maximize your development experience, and it's beneficial for developers to approach this process with a sense of enjoyment.

Furthermore, IT technology evolves rapidly. Developers who fail to keep up with the learning curve risk falling behind. When working on company projects and becoming accustomed to a specific codebase, it's easy to slip into complacency and a sense of stagnation. However, if you continuously repeat the same experiences without expanding your knowledge, you might find yourself lacking in skills to showcase on your resume when seeking new opportunities.

Hence, developers need to engage in continuous self-development, beyond their company duties, to stay abreast of the latest trends. Thankfully, we live in an era of readily accessible information thanks to advancements in the internet. We can easily access valuable resources through news articles, communities, and online courses. Stay informed about the ongoing changes in the IT landscape outside your workplace, and continuously acquire new skills to enhance your career and technical expertise. Don't feel burdened by the pressure to study every day. After all, developers are lifelong learners. Just take it one step at a time, consistently. These small pieces of knowledge will accumulate over time, yielding significant expertise in the future.