AJ Major: Web Developer, Outdoor Enthusiast, Dog Lover
Sharing experiences of life and work.
Gaman, a fundamental principle deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, encapsulates the concept of endurance and perseverance in the face of adversity. Rooted in resilience and patience (rather like stoicism), Gaman serves as a guiding principle, encouraging us to endure hardships with grace and fortitude.
Continue reading “Gaman: The Japanese Principle of Endurance and Perseverance”It may seem obvious that web development is the way to go if you want to learn coding. Certainly it is a hugely in-demand skill, but it is by no means the only path available. The safest course is to investigate the plethora of options in a bewildering array of industries before honing in on one as a career path. Ultimately it will have a significant impact on choosing your first programming language to learn.
You may, of course already have an idea of a particular target industry to work in. If that is the case you should probably begin by:
When choices seem scarce,
Don’t fear to grasp the nettle;
If indeed you must.
From out of the blue,
You didn’t see it coming.
Take stock and move on.
Show your gratitude;
Reciprocate the good will,
Kindness for kindness.
Be more than before,
Do not choose the lesser self:
Fulfil potential.
When the road is long:
Patience and steady effort,
Tools to win the day.
People choose to learn to code for a multitude of reasons. This article aims to assist those with little or no prior experience in computer programming who want to learn to code and are not sure where to begin. It may also be of use to those who, like me, had taken a long period out of the industry and decided to return. It is part of my series on starting a career in coding, which can be found here. In any case, whether you’re just starting out in your career, returning to the workforce after some time out or just feel it’s time for a change in direction, you should take the time to consider a few important factors up front.
Before we begin in earnest there are a coupe of points I would like to make.
Firstly, although in my case I did have plenty of coding experience, it was in outdated languages and architecture which were no longer in high demand. This meant that I would need to re-invent my skillset. This is not in itself an insubstantial undertaking. There are however fundamental principles of coding which apply to almost all languages with which I was already familiar. The newcomer will be introduced to many of those as they learn their first programming language. After this, the learning curve tends to reduce with subsequent languages.
Secondly, I should point out here that there are many possible ways to learn to code. The path I set out here may not resonate with everyone; that is perfectly ok. I am just trying to set out some helpful markers to get started on what can be a long and complicated journey.
Begin by asking yourself…
Only you will know what you are hoping to achieve when you choose to learn to code. If you want a new hobby, you may choose to invest less time and effort in the process. You will still want to be thorough, but may not be on a particular schedule to learn. Those seeking a career-change may have set deadlines by which they want to move. This may require more of your free time and dedication to achieve.
Either way, you should prepare yourself accordingly for the effort ahead, and set aside appropriate amounts of time for the purpose.
There are opportunities to write code in almost every industry out there, but some of them may align more with your interests and passions. We spend so many of our waking hours at work. It seems unthinkable that we should do so in settings that don’t inspire us, and yet…
Aside from this important consideration, there may be implications for which language you learn first. If you have a strong desire to work in a particular field, the in-demand skills for that field will guide your choices.
At the risk of getting too deep, this is an important consideration. I do believe that most people have the ability to learn to code, and to do it well. As with most professions, the quality of teaching and mentoring will have a huge impact on your eventual success. But some will still find it easier than others to learn to code, and to move forward from there. To avoid setting out on a path to frustration, consider…
The type of mindset that lends itself well to coding has:
As you progress in your career:
A career in coding will most likely require:
As you progress in your career:
Try not to wade in too quickly. The last thing you want is to invest your time in learning skills which don’t directly translate to achieving your goals. With some careful thought up front, you will not just be able to learn to code, but to do it well in an environment that inspires you.
The time you spend at this stage will help you decide what you want to achieve when you learn to code; look on it as a worthwhile investment in yourself. The next article in this series takes a closer look at choosing your first programming language to learn; you can read it here.
There will still be faults,
Even when you try your best;
Look to learn, not blame.
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical principle, offering a unique perspective on the beauty we can find in imperfection and transience. Rooted in traditional Japanese culture (and the tea ceremony), it celebrates the simple, modest, and unpretentious aspects of life.
Continue reading “Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection and Transience”