how to become a computer programmer

The Business of Code: How to Become a Computer Programmer

Life coaches are professional problem solvers. They identify the root cause of recurring issues and help you work through it. You may not ever have made the connection, but objectivity can work wonders. 

There are many professions which attract natural problem solvers, including computer programming.

Not Your Grandfather’s Computer

All props to Ada Byron Lovelace, who is often cited as the first computer programmer, but computers are not reel-to-reel behemoths and computer programmers are not wearing high-and-tight haircuts, white short sleeved shirts, and narrow ties anymore. Computer programming must answer to multiple platforms and deliver high quality, interactive experiences for everyone from casual users to tech-savvy teens. 

Computer programming today has evolved and branched into specialties. Going into an educational institution for a computer programming...er...program...really requires you to know what type of programming you are interested in pursuing: 

  • Core programmer
  • Web programmer
  • Programmer of desktop applications (focusing either on a particular operating system or creating programming independent of OS)
  • System programmer (compiler, driver, kernel programming)

Programming for the Web

The internet is today’s leading edge platform for programming. This is partly because new programs can rise and through distributed computing, improve or be tweaked countless ways. It is also true because the internet is where today’s money is. 

Today’s successful computer programmer knows the biggest programming languages: 

  • SQL
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • C#
  • C++
  • Python

...and so on. 

Programming languages—and there are hundreds of them—are a lot like human languages. Often if you know are fluent in one, you can decipher the basic structure of another. And, like human interaction languages, programming languages tend to dominate in different parts of the computing world. The top five languages year to year are versatile, pervasive, and efficient. Having fluency with Java, C, C++, Python, and C# may always be an asset for a computer programmer. 

Groom Yourself for Working in Programming

Many computer programmers telecommute and work quietly by themselves from the comfort of their own homes, away from people. You can groom yourself to have a few good qualities:

  • Analytical skills—Translating the dreams of a client or boss into functioning code is tough work, calling for excellent analytical skills; practice for this by assembling imported furniture exactly according to the manual
  • Concentration—Disabling Candy Crush Saga on your netbook is a great way to increase concentration on writing programming code for hours at a ti—oh look! a squirrel!
  • Being detail-oriented—Since you have to examine lines of code for the smallest error, practice by unstringing a 16-inch pearl necklace onto the floor, then finding all of the pearls
  • Diagnosing problems—When your friends and acquaintances try to unburden themselves on you with their life crises, go ahead and offer solutions. It will not endear you to your buds, but will sharpen your troubleshooting skills

If you worry that you really will have actual contact with actual people, you could also groom yourself. We mean, as in actual grooming. Stop eating sprouts and caffeinated colas, give up the band logo t-shirts, and buy a nice dress shirt or blouse. Ask a life coach—they’ll tell you. You want to look nice for your Skype interview for the programming job. 

Learn Software Development

The first step on your professional journey may be to get a solid education as a computer programmer. Attend ECPI University for the institution’s Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Software Development. Through our year-round, accelerated program, you could earn your bachelor’s degree in as little as 2.5 years. And life coaches will tell you, education is key to a successful future. Of course, they will charge you $1,000 for that tidbit, but here you got it free. Contact ECPI today—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's College of Technology TODAY!

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.