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How I Became a Programmer within a Year and How You Can Too
This post is meant to help at least one person out there that is in my shoes about a year ago. The advice here is most valuable if you are serious about becoming a software developer full-time but may still be of value if you’re simply looking to expand your skills or just curious about learning development. This is not about the technical stuff but the higher-level, important stuff.
About a year and a half ago, I was faced with the difficult decision of where to take my career next. My work as a contracted project manager came to end with no extension. The job market for project managers is tough and competitive but the larger problem was within. Although I had worked for great teams and organizations big and small, I wasn’t having as much fun as I expected. I felt like I was flowing against the current, not doing what I was meant to do.
I made the most difficult decision to pursue programming which was a bit crazy given the circumstances. I had a business degree and no real programming experience aside from a few HTML/CSS workshops. I was in large amount of personal and university education debt. All I had was a small amount of savings, a belief I could make it work, and (thankfully) a very supportive partner. I once read a book that stated your mind will sell you out but your heart never will, it simply can’t. So I…
