7 answers
Hope
Student
Landrum, South Carolina
64
Questions
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How did you become a computer programmer?
I am very shy. #computer-science
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7 answers
Bob Randolph
Consultant
3
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Hi Hope,
I had always been interested in learning how things worked. I got in trouble, a bunch, as a kid because I would take things apart to learn how they worked and then couldn't quite get them back together. I think this type of mentality pushed me towards being a programmer.
When I got my first computer, I bought anything book/magazine wise that I thought could help me learn exactly how programming worked. I taught myself BASIC and everything just kind of took off from there. There are a lot more resources available now to those who want to learn a new computer language than when I was learning. It really all came back to learning how things worked and that's something I enjoy.
The great thing about programming is that you can work on your project and "shut the world out" if that's what you want. I know that personally, I tend to get in the zone when I'm coding something that's complex. It's nice to be able to put on some headphone, listen to the music I like and code away.
I've always looked at programming as a "get away" from the daily grind of things. I can dive deep into my code and take my idea from concept to completion. I've needed help along the way, so don't let your shyness hold you back from asking when you need it. Most of the programmers I've run into over the years have been exceptionally helpful when there's been a concept that I've not dealt with. They're generally glad to share the knowledge they have, so again, asking for help is not a weakness, it's an acknowledgement that you're trying to expand what you know.
It's great that you want to be a programmer, keep your mind open and be willing to forget some of the things that you may already know so that you can learn newer ways to accomplish what you want.
Best of luck with your future.
I had always been interested in learning how things worked. I got in trouble, a bunch, as a kid because I would take things apart to learn how they worked and then couldn't quite get them back together. I think this type of mentality pushed me towards being a programmer.
When I got my first computer, I bought anything book/magazine wise that I thought could help me learn exactly how programming worked. I taught myself BASIC and everything just kind of took off from there. There are a lot more resources available now to those who want to learn a new computer language than when I was learning. It really all came back to learning how things worked and that's something I enjoy.
The great thing about programming is that you can work on your project and "shut the world out" if that's what you want. I know that personally, I tend to get in the zone when I'm coding something that's complex. It's nice to be able to put on some headphone, listen to the music I like and code away.
I've always looked at programming as a "get away" from the daily grind of things. I can dive deep into my code and take my idea from concept to completion. I've needed help along the way, so don't let your shyness hold you back from asking when you need it. Most of the programmers I've run into over the years have been exceptionally helpful when there's been a concept that I've not dealt with. They're generally glad to share the knowledge they have, so again, asking for help is not a weakness, it's an acknowledgement that you're trying to expand what you know.
It's great that you want to be a programmer, keep your mind open and be willing to forget some of the things that you may already know so that you can learn newer ways to accomplish what you want.
Best of luck with your future.
Gerald Paul
16
Answers
Updated
Gerald’s Answer
How can you become a Computer Programmer.
Hi, there are different paths to becoming a computer programmer.
I started out as a computer operator and along the way I was given an opportuning to learn SAS programming.
That is how I became a computer programmer and since then, I've learned other programming language so I can do more.
Your starting point should be what language do you want to program in and for what purpose?
Once you have answers to those two questions, you simply need to put in some work and practice your programming skills.
To become a computer programmer, you must write computer programs and learn what the actual codes or scripts are doing ( input, ouput).
There are tons of free trainings available on google and youtube. Right now C, C++. Java, Python, R are in high demand. Perhaps you can think about learning those...I hope that helps.
Hi, there are different paths to becoming a computer programmer.
I started out as a computer operator and along the way I was given an opportuning to learn SAS programming.
That is how I became a computer programmer and since then, I've learned other programming language so I can do more.
Your starting point should be what language do you want to program in and for what purpose?
Once you have answers to those two questions, you simply need to put in some work and practice your programming skills.
To become a computer programmer, you must write computer programs and learn what the actual codes or scripts are doing ( input, ouput).
There are tons of free trainings available on google and youtube. Right now C, C++. Java, Python, R are in high demand. Perhaps you can think about learning those...I hope that helps.
Dan Adams
Associate Software Engineer
4
Answers
Eugene, Oregon
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Hi Hope!
I am very shy myself. A computer programmer is a good potential option for a shy individual, although there are some caveats. I started my journey into IT as a helpdesk technician. I went to a local community college and got an Associates in Computer Science and, through a referral from a friend, managed to get a job at local company. I worked there for multiple. years and managed to get my Bachelors in Software Development and move into a Software Engineering role.
Through my experience, Computer Science does have aspects of individualism and working alone, so being shy isn't necessarily an issue. However, what I found is that no matter the role in Computer Science, you will need to have interviews to obtain the job, and meetings within the job. In Helpdesk you will need to interact with customers who need assistance and within more engineering-type roles you will have planning meetings, or even a meeting where you demo a feature or update (which is similar to giving a speech in front of a crowd) and this can be distressing.
My advice is to start slow, get education around what you are passionate about and apply for jobs! Start slow - most companies do not expect a new employee to talk up during meetings right away, so there is a lot of time to gain trust and confidence to start interacting with your team and talking up during meetings!
I am very shy myself. A computer programmer is a good potential option for a shy individual, although there are some caveats. I started my journey into IT as a helpdesk technician. I went to a local community college and got an Associates in Computer Science and, through a referral from a friend, managed to get a job at local company. I worked there for multiple. years and managed to get my Bachelors in Software Development and move into a Software Engineering role.
Through my experience, Computer Science does have aspects of individualism and working alone, so being shy isn't necessarily an issue. However, what I found is that no matter the role in Computer Science, you will need to have interviews to obtain the job, and meetings within the job. In Helpdesk you will need to interact with customers who need assistance and within more engineering-type roles you will have planning meetings, or even a meeting where you demo a feature or update (which is similar to giving a speech in front of a crowd) and this can be distressing.
My advice is to start slow, get education around what you are passionate about and apply for jobs! Start slow - most companies do not expect a new employee to talk up during meetings right away, so there is a lot of time to gain trust and confidence to start interacting with your team and talking up during meetings!
Thomas Wolfe
Data Scientist, Manager
7
Answers
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Hope,
Good news! Computer programmers can be either introverts or extroverts. Both are needed and welcome in the discipline. As far as becoming a computer programmer, I started by taking some basic courses in high school and college. I found that I really enjoyed the problem solving, the gratification I received when I solved a problem, and the flexibility it gave me in the type of job I could have.
Other than studying and taking classes, it was being willing to take on additional responsibilities to get the job done. I understand shyness can get in the way of showing your passion in an interview, but in all honesty, that passion is what I look for when hiring more than almost any technical skill. I can teach people new coding languages/how to solve a problem, but I am looking for people who want to learn.
Computer programming is one of those disciplines where your field will definitely change over the course of your career. New programming languages will pop up. You have to be willing to be a 'lifetime student' and learn new things as they come.
Hope this helps!
Tom
Good news! Computer programmers can be either introverts or extroverts. Both are needed and welcome in the discipline. As far as becoming a computer programmer, I started by taking some basic courses in high school and college. I found that I really enjoyed the problem solving, the gratification I received when I solved a problem, and the flexibility it gave me in the type of job I could have.
Other than studying and taking classes, it was being willing to take on additional responsibilities to get the job done. I understand shyness can get in the way of showing your passion in an interview, but in all honesty, that passion is what I look for when hiring more than almost any technical skill. I can teach people new coding languages/how to solve a problem, but I am looking for people who want to learn.
Computer programming is one of those disciplines where your field will definitely change over the course of your career. New programming languages will pop up. You have to be willing to be a 'lifetime student' and learn new things as they come.
Hope this helps!
Tom
Mark Tschetter
Project and Portfolio Management
26
Answers
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Updated
Mark’s Answer
I started programming as a pre-teen with a Radio Schack TRS-80 that was a holiday gift. There was a magazine, Rainbow, that used to have source code (Basic) that you could use to either create graphics or very simple games.
When deciding on a major for school, I took an aptitude test that recommended computer science. I enrolled at Michigan State University and graduated with a CS degree. When I was graduating the job market was very good. Companies were coming to campus to recruit graduating students. I got a job at a consulting company that did custom software development and that's when I started programming as a career.
Eventually I moved out of programming day to day and into leadership roles (project management, then team management, etc).
Programming is an excellent job for people that are shy, though many of today's teams do expect more engagement and collaboration as part of the development process. There is still a lot of alone time as a programmer, and you'll find that IT often has other introverted people that are quiet but still highly valued members of the team.
When deciding on a major for school, I took an aptitude test that recommended computer science. I enrolled at Michigan State University and graduated with a CS degree. When I was graduating the job market was very good. Companies were coming to campus to recruit graduating students. I got a job at a consulting company that did custom software development and that's when I started programming as a career.
Eventually I moved out of programming day to day and into leadership roles (project management, then team management, etc).
Programming is an excellent job for people that are shy, though many of today's teams do expect more engagement and collaboration as part of the development process. There is still a lot of alone time as a programmer, and you'll find that IT often has other introverted people that are quiet but still highly valued members of the team.
Jordan Marshall
Finance Manager
12
Answers
Royal Oak, Michigan
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
You can become a computer programmer all without leaving your house as long as you have a laptop.
You can take free classes online to start learning and even get certified online after taking a certification.
You can then take what you have learned and go out and create your own things or work for a company making things.
I would suggest reading online about educational courses to see if you will enjoy it, then from there you can pursue a real job if you find that you love to do that sort of work.
Very easy and for a shy person a very good choice of job as you would work mostly individually during the day.
You can take free classes online to start learning and even get certified online after taking a certification.
You can then take what you have learned and go out and create your own things or work for a company making things.
I would suggest reading online about educational courses to see if you will enjoy it, then from there you can pursue a real job if you find that you love to do that sort of work.
Very easy and for a shy person a very good choice of job as you would work mostly individually during the day.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1508
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I am delighted that you are interested to be a programmer. There are many different types of programmers whom would do programming on different systems, e.g. web, phone apps, games, operating system, ERP, etc. Different types of programmers would use different programming languages on different platforms.
I would suggest you can take the Computer Science course in the college first. It gives you an overview and fundamental knowledge of computer science. You will also have the exposure of different programming knowledge and platforms. You can then decide on what kind of programming you would like to develop your career.
Having said that, programmers would usually work in teams and may face the users/clients. Communication is an essential. Don't be shy, be confident to yourself!
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
I would suggest you can take the Computer Science course in the college first. It gives you an overview and fundamental knowledge of computer science. You will also have the exposure of different programming knowledge and platforms. You can then decide on what kind of programming you would like to develop your career.
Having said that, programmers would usually work in teams and may face the users/clients. Communication is an essential. Don't be shy, be confident to yourself!
Hope this helps! Good Luck!