How to Become a Computer Programmer | 9 Best Steps

Are you a beginner and your goal is to be a computer programmer but don’t to from where to start and what to do?

Wondering how to become a computer programmer? If so, then this guide is for you.

I’m pretty much sure that after reading this guide you will be able to answer how to become a computer programmer.

In this guide, you will learn, what a computer programmer does and the ultimate guide to becoming a computer programmer. Moreover, you will also learn bonus tips that will help you to build a successful career in computer programming.


What is Computer Programming?

Nowadays, In every field different kinds of applications, software, websites, operating systems and other computer applications are used to automate work. All of these applications and software are developed using programming languages.

Computer programming is the process of writing code that tells the computer or software what to do and how to perform a specific function.

To write code, different kinds of programming languages are used such as C, C++, Java, Phyton, Javascript and many more.

Computer programming is a very vast and continuously growing field if you’re thinking to make your career in this field then it’s really a very great idea!

What Does A Computer Programmer Do?

A computer programmer writes the coding for a program, application, website or operating system to tell the software what to do and which function to perform, when to perform and many more things.

Computer progammers are experts in differnt programming langauges. So, a computer programmer is a collaborative word that we generally use. But in actuality, there is various kind of programmers and it depends on what kind of coding they do.

Here is a list of tasks the computer programs generally perform:

  • Write codes to tell the computer what to do and how to perform a function.
  • They write code according to the software design and tell how to execute that design properly.
  • Computer programmers write codes to develop and design websites and the programmer who is specialized in developing websites is called a web developer.
  • Write programmes to develop the operating system.
  • The coding of all applications that we use is done by a computer programmer.
  • Any kind of function that is performed by computing devices is coded by a computer programmer.

Now, you’ve got an idea that what is computer programming and what computer programmers do. Now, let’s dive into how to become a computer programmer step by step.

How to Become a Computer Programmer: 9 Steps For Beginners

The goals come true only when you follow the path step by step. To become a computer programmer you can follow these steps:

  • Make your mind
  • Choose a way to be a programmer
  • Decide your specialization
  • Start learning
  • Practice, analyze and improve programming
  • Develop your skills
  • Build a resume, cover letter, and portfolio
  • Decide you career
  • Keep learning and keep growing.

Let’s discuss these 9 points to know how to become a computer programmer and why these steps are important to follow.

Make Your Mind

No doubt, programming is the most demanded field and you will get lots of career opportunities with a decent amount of salary as well.

But you have to do lots of hard work to achieve that point. So, lots of patience, hard work and consistency are required to learn to code. Programming is hard for beginners but if you’re passionate then it would not that much difficult for you.

Next, it needs time because there are no such programming languages that you can learn overnight.

If you’re ready to put effort and have time & patience then go with the programming career option.

So before moving to the next step. Ask a simple question from yourself i.e Am I ready to start programming as a career?

If yes! then move to the next steps that you’ve to follow to become a computer programmer.

Choose a Way to Be a Programmer

When you decided to get into the programming field, next you’ve to choose the proper way.

There are two ways which you can follow.

First, you can pursue a professional degree or course relevant to computer programming and second, you can just learn programming skills from online courses.

Both ways are great to become a computer programmer.

To become a programmer you can degree courses such as a bachelor of technology in computer science & engineering, a bachelor of technology in information technology or you can also choose BCA(Bachelor of computer application).

But there are a few things you must know before choosing your path. Let’s explore these things so that you can decide easily what is the perfect way for you.

  • IT companies and MNCs hire only graduate students. If you want to do a programmer job in the IT industry or MNCs then you must have a professional degree.
  • Otherwise, if your dream is to be a freelance programmer then you can only learn programming skills means no requirement for any degree or course.

In freelancing, you get the project on the basis of your skills only. But for a job both degree and programming skills are required. I would suggest you do a degree course and start learning programming skills side by side but again the decision is yours which way you want to follow to be a computer programmer.

Decide Your Specialization

The programming field is very vast hence there are many kinds of programming jobs available. So, there are different types of programmers for every job role and they are specialized in relevant programming languages.

On the basis of job role, the following are the main types of programmers:

  • Web- Developer (Front end & Back end )
  • Mobile App Developer
  • Game Developer
  • Data Scientist
  • Software Programmers
  • Programmer Analysts
  • Full Stack Web Developer
  • UI/UX developer
  • And many more

Now you decide your specialization whether you want to be a web developer, mobile app developer, full stack web developer or anything else.

Start Learning

Have you decided on your specialization or field of programming? Yes! then great. if not then you’ve to decide your specialization before moving to the next step i.e how to start learning to code. Because your job title or specialization will decide what programming languages you need to learn.

If you want to be a mobile app developer then you can learn programming languages like Java or Swift. For front-end development, you can learn HTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP. And for other specializations, you have to learn other programming languages like python, XML, Ruby and many more.

From Where and How to Start Learning Coding?

We are living in the digital world and now you can learn everything from the comfort of your place. All you need is an internet connection.

Google and Youtube are two main resources from where you can start learning coding for free. You can set your schedule to start learning coding.

There is a number of websites on Google that will help you to learn to code. Another great option is by watching videos tutorial on Youtube.

Apart from this, you can enrol for online courses and they will also provide certifications. If you want to be a certified programmer then online courses can be the best fit for you.

Practice, Analyze and Improve Programming Skills

Practice is the key to success to become a computer programmer. Because programming is not a theoretical concept, it is a practical thing which you can only learn by practising it.

The more you practice, the more expert you will become in programming. To practice programming language download the code editor on your desktop or laptop. In the code editor, you can write programs and run them. Find bugs in programmes and try to fix bugs on your own.

Programming will become interesting for you when you start practising it daily. Don’t panic if you’re not able to understand the concepts of programming initially. Because learning programming for a beginner is a difficult and time taking process.

Do practice, analyze your programming skills and check the weak parameters. Work on your weak programming parameters to improve them. This is how to learn to be a programmer.

Develop Your Skills

Do you want to know how to become a successful computer programmer?

To be a successful programmer start developing your skillset along with programming skills. There are many other skills which can help you to become a successful computer programmer like communication, a positive attitude, and creative and presentation skills.

Learn and practice programming skills and side by side also improve your basic skill set to get placed in top companies.

Build a Resume, Cover letter and Portfolio

The three things resume, cover letter and portfolio can help you to land your first programming job.

These three things will help you to represent your skillset to the person who is interviewing you.

  1. A resume is a document that includes your basic personal information, contact details, education, hobbies, skills, training & certifications, experience (if any), and other related information. You can use Microsoft Word to create your resume but if you want to make a highly professional resume then use designing software like Canva.
  2. A cover letter is a proposal for a job and in this, you’ve to write how efficiently you can perform the job and why you’re the best fit for this job. If you’re applying for a job in the IT industry then a cover letter is not required but for freelancing and remote jobs, it is necessary.
  3. A portfolio contains your work samples. To make your portfolio you can simply add your coding samples and results in one place to show to the interviewer. It will put a highly positive and trustworthy impact on the interviewer. For a job, a portfolio is not necessary but if you want to be a freelancer then it is required.

Decide Your Career

Now you reached so far in the journey of how to become a computer programmer. You’ve learned various things like what are the ways to be a programmer, the job role of a programmer, how to start learning coding, practice programming, what other skills are required and what are necessary documents like a resume and cover letter.

Now, What is Next?

Well, it’s time to choose the perfect career opportunity for you. There are various career options for a programmer and you can choose one as per your interest.

Here is the list of different career options for a computer programmer.

  • IT companies
  • MNCs
  • Public and government sector jobs
  • Start your own business.
  • Remote or work-from-home jobs
  • Freelancing
  • Teaching professions.

Keep learning, Keep Growing

The last but not least step of how to become a computer programmer is to keep learning and keep growing.

Computer programming is a technical field and technology is getting developed day by day. To keep yourself up to date with programming language always keep learning. Continuous learning will help you to make a successful career as a programmer.

Now you’ve successfully learned 9 steps of how to become a computer programmer guide. Let’s move further to know some other tips that will be helpful for you!

Bonus Tips For How To Become A Computer Programmer

You’ve reached the end of this article and it shows that you are really passionate about your dream to be a computer programmer. I would like to give you some bonus tips that will help you throughout the programming journey.

  • Programming is a great field to make a successful career but it requires lots of effort and patience. So never give up and invest time to learn programming languages.
  • Don’t be dependent upon your university or college to learn programming. Be a self-learner and passionate to achieve your dream.
  • If you’re not able to pay lots of money for online courses then don’t worry. Lots of free content is also available all you need to do is start learning.
  • Practice is the key to success so keep practising to be a computer programmer.

I hope this career guide will help you to understand how to become a computer programmer. If you’ve something in your mind then feel free to ask in the comment section.

Happy learning!

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