Why I Want to Be a Software Engineer

Gomni
Gomni
Jul 27, 2017 · 3 min read

Software touches everything in the today’s world. From checking bank accounts, booking flights, talking to loved ones across the country, learning new topics, gathering medical data, and much more, software programming has made our lives better by providing convenient access for the things most important to us. It has started entirely new businesses that wouldn’t have been imaginable just a few decades ago. As the world evolves, the need for software will increase exponentially, and software engineers will be the ones building the world of tomorrow.

Software engineering is an exciting, intellectually challenging field. It requires its workers to be strong problem-solvers, to have the ability to communicate well with developers and non-developers alike, and to possess the passion to constantly learn new things. Software engineers have the unique ability and opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge and better any other field be it in medicine, law, business, government, education, entertainment, science, or, quite literally, any other area of our lives. It is for these reasons that I want to be a software engineer.

Having a career that is focused on solving puzzles that improve the quality of life of so many people deeply excites and fascinates me. So few things can have such a wide impact on so many people for a number of reasons. It is both the means and the ends of software engineering that draws me to this unique profession. Using logic to creatively solve problems that could improve people’s lives from all over the world drives me to be a part of this amazing field.

For the last nine months I have been learning how to program. Using various online resources, I taught myself the basic necessities of front end development: HTML, CSS, and JS. I built a few projects with FreeCodeCamp and Udacity. I even built a portfolio. Even though I’ve enjoyed learning on my own, and I think I‘ve developed some good skills by doing so, I am eager to collaborate and be in an environment with other like-minded individuals working towards a similar goal. In addition, I come from a non-technical background, so my journey has been really hard and this lack of exposure to a technical topic has further pushed me to want to be immersed in a setting of similarly focused peers. This is why Holberton School would be a good fit for me.

I believe that if one wants to enter a new field they must be willing to put in the time, effort, and funds in order to be proficient. I don’t believe that one can learn a totally new subject and then be ready for the hurdles of the real world in as little as three months. The concepts in software engineering are extremely difficult. It takes time to marinate in the logic and abstraction. Holberton School understands this educational philosophy and it aligns perfectly with my own. I don’t want to simply learn a new language or a framework. An aspiring accountant wouldn’t simply learn the balance sheet in hopes of getting a job in a few months. That’s not how one should approach a career change or new field of study, and it isn’t how I want to start my career. I want in-depth comprehension, not a quick-fix. Holberton School differentiates itself from other coding schools in that there is no rush to get a batch of students out the door. Time is viewed as a valuable asset and should be utilized wisely rather than as a transient tool.

Attending Holberton School would lay the foundation that I need to start a career in software engineering. Its project based focus, development of hard and soft skills, and collaborative environment are precisely what I seek in developing myself to become a proficient software engineer.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade