How to learn coding online with a mentor

How to Become a Developer by Learning to Code

Becoming a developer is quite easy and has a straight path. However, before you decide to start learning, you should ask yourself: Are you cut out for coding? If your answer is yes, then here are the other steps to becoming a developer.

Learn Coding Fundamentals

The most popular and preferable first step to becoming a software developer is to learn the web fundamentals. Most web development enthusiasts use coding boot camps to expedite their learning process. These boot camps are immersive, short, and focused on outcomes and making the learners employable.

Choose a software development specialization

As you grow your skills, you’ll need to choose your area of specialization. These specializations are

Front-End Development

Front-end developers work on the part of the site or app users interact with. This is known as the client-side and includes the design, layout, and the way users interact with the site.

Back-End Development

Back-End developers work on the way the site functions including servers, databases, hosting, networks, and others. This side of web development is known as the server-side of a website.

Full-Stack Development

Full-stack developers are knowledgeable and work with both front-end and back-end development.

Learn Key Programming Languages for becoming a developer

No matter your area of specialization, you will need to learn to code different important programming languages. These languages include (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript. There are many languages that you need to learn depending on your area of specialization but these are the essentials for every web developer.

Build Projects to Enhance Your Web Development Skills

With an understanding of the basics of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and other foundational programming skills, you are set to build projects. As you build projects, you will gain experience using different sets of web developer skills. Some of these skills include programming in SQL, Python, etc. The best way to get better is to work on projects because the more you use your skills, the better you’ll become.

Build a Portfolio

Building a portfolio shows off your strongest skills and sets you apart when applying for jobs. To build a portfolio, you should only include the projects that put you in the best light. You should not include every project you’ve worked on. Your professional portfolio should highlight your versatility.

Reasons You Should Learn Coding With a Mentor

There are various reasons a mentor can help you in your coding journey and here are some of them;

A Coding Mentor Can Teach You the Best Coding Practices

Through their experiences and expertise, a coding mentor can teach you how to code like a professional. As s junior developer, it can be a bit difficult to understand industry standards when coding, especially when you’re also learning the basics. However, with a coding mentor, you can improve faster. This happens with regular reviews and revisions of your codes. 

By having your mentor review your codes regularly, you learn how to write code that works, and is easier to understand. Coding mentors have been through the same experience and that gives them the best platform to provide sound advice. Also, if you work in an organization where there are many team members, then there will be different preferences and with a coding mentor, you can have a strategy to fit everyone’s needs when you’re actively learning to code.

A Coding Mentor Can Show You Where to Improve

Having someone on your side that can honestly point out your inefficiencies and areas in need of improvement. When self-evaluating, we are more susceptible to blind spots and tend to overlook the areas that we should make adjustments and truth is, we don’t know what we don’t know.

A Coding Mentor Can Help You Find the Right Resources

Given a mentor’s experience, they can point you in the right direction as regards resources. considering they’ve been where you are, they are better positioned to show you the pathway you should take when learning a new skill or trying to solve a problem. In some cases, your mentor can be the resource you need to overcome your problem, and other times, they’ll know the classes, boot camps, programs, and other skill-building exercises that will get you to your goal.

A Coding Mentor Can Offer New Perspectives

A coding mentor’s depth of experience can serve as a shining light in times of confusion or dimed hope. Sometimes, opportunities are disguised as problems and when you’re just starting to learn to code, you won’t recognize these opportunities. And even if you recognize these problems, you won’t know how to navigate through them. A coding mentor can enlighten you on the various opportunities you are presented regularly. Also, given that they have failed and succeeded in many endeavors, you will be in a better position to see things in a different light.

A Coding Mentor Can Help You Grow Personally

Apart from being a professional, a coding mentor can help you develop the non-technical skills needed to succeed as a developer. While it is recommended to be an expert in various programming languages, other skills will set you apart when being considered for jobs and projects. A coding mentor can help you grow personally into an employable person, and even more, a leader in your field. Also, a coding mentor can serve as a ladder when you start to work professionally as a coder. You can ride on their shoulders to secure opportunities you never would have had to access.

Other ways a coding mentor can help you are;

• Resume feedback or Portfolio review
• Switching careers
• Finishing a project
• Becoming the best senior developer you can be.

Job Opportunities & Careers for Developers

There are many career paths for coders and here are some of them, alongside their average salaries. 

Software Application Developer

 A software application developer creates and enhances applications for mobile devices like cell phones and tablets. If you have a big picture mentality, then this coding career is for you. Being a software application developer will enable you to collaborate with others to bring ideas to life. To be a software application developer, you need to have a basic understanding of math and coding.

As a software developer, you will work with common programming languages like java, javascript, and python. The average salary of a software application developer is $105,590 and although you don’t need a degree to become one, most companies require a bachelor’s degree as an entry requirement. The projected employment growth for software application development is 21% by 2028, which means more companies will be looking to hire more software developers.

As a software application developer, your responsibilities include designing, coding, application management, looking out for possible security threats, providing user support, and monitoring updates.

Web Developer

A web developer is a major reason for how a website functions and looks. Although most programming careers require time and patience, web development provides instant gratification. Web developers are responsible for listening to their client’s needs. Then they solve these problems or cater to these needs by giving the best possible website for their business. Being a web developer provides instant gratification because, at the end of the project, you have a website to justify your hard work. Being a successful web developer requires that you have a portfolio and a broad understanding of coding.

The responsibilities of a web developer include using authoring and scripting languages to build websites, directing or producing website content, and identifying and solving problems through testing and user feedback. Also, a web developer is responsible for converting written, graphic, audio, and visual components to compatible web formats.

The average salary for a web developer is $77,200.

Computer Systems Engineer

The responsibilities of computer systems engineers cut across identifying solutions to complicated application problems, network problems, and systems administration issues. Computer systems engineers work closely with internal stakeholders or clients to understand system needs. They also collaborate with developers to develop the appropriate solutions. If you’re business savvy, then this coding career is ideal for you.

As a computer systems engineer, you need to learn python, java, and c++. The average salary for a computer systems engineer is $88,550.

Database Administrator

Database administration is another good coding career and the responsibilities of a database administrator include organizing, securing, and troubleshooting storage for information for companies online. Mostly these companies have large amounts of information. This coding career is ideal for people who love analyzing and recovering information. Also, if you have a knack for solving problems fast, then you should consider a career in database administration.

Database administrators are highly needed by data processing and hosting companies, and insurance carriers. They are also needed by local, state, and private educational services.

The median salary for database administrators is $98,860.

Computer Systems Analyst

A computer systems analyst is ideally a strategist whose primary take is to merge a company’s information technology and its business initiatives. They evaluate computer systems and suggest upgrades to meet these needs. To be successful as a computer systems analyst, you need a deep understanding of coding and the business of coding.

The primary coding skills required to excel in this career are java, javascript, and python. The median salary for a computer systems analyst is $90,920.

Software Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer

A software quality assurance engineer is responsible for the documentation of defects, design of scenarios and tests, and creation of manuals for new software. They are also responsible for reviewing software designs for functionality and potential problems. The common programming languages software quality assurance engineers need to learn are java, python, and javascript. As a software quality assurance engineer, your average salary is $88,550.

Network System Administrator

Network system administrators are responsible for maintaining computing environments in their networks. They are also tasked with preventing disasters by backing up data. Other major tasks include providing network security, avoiding viruses, making sure codes are error-free, and protecting both the hardware and network on the computing systems. As a network administrator, you will have to keep your organization’s computer network updated and operating as required.

Mostly, organizations that use multiple computing or software platforms need a network system administrator to coordinate and connect the entire network of systems. The vacancy for a network systems administrator is supposed to increase by 5% and the average salary for this profession is $83,510. This average salary depends on education, location, and experience. Technical skills in demand are system administration, technical support, SQL, Cisco, Windows Server, Linux, VMware, Microsoft active directory, hardware, and software installation.

Other non-coding skills you should have

Other non-technical skills needed are time management, analytical and critical thinking, curiosity, and interpersonal skills. As a network system administrator, you can work in employment services, architectural and engineering services, colleges and universities, national security and international services as well as computer design services.