How I Took the First Step Towards Learning to Code
As a full-stack developer and professional coder, I often get asked how I got started in this field. People are curious about what drew me to programming, what challenges I faced as a beginner, and what advice I have for those looking to take the leap.
The truth is, my journey into coding was a gradual one, filled with plenty of doubts, false starts, and "aha" moments along the way. But looking back, I can pinpoint the exact step that set me on this path – the moment I decided to stop making excuses and start learning, even if I didn‘t feel "ready".
Confronting the Stereotypes
For a long time, I held myself back from pursuing coding because I didn‘t think I fit the profile of a "typical" programmer. I had this image in my head of coding being the domain of math whizzes and computer science prodigies – two things I definitely was not.
It‘s a common misconception, one that prevents a lot of potentially great coders from even trying. We imagine that programming requires some innate genius or highly technical background. In reality, coding is a skill that can be learned by anyone with a bit of patience and persistence.
As Reddit co-founder Steve Huffman puts it: "Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think." Coding isn‘t about being a genius, it‘s about learning a new way to solve problems.
Still, the stereotypes and self-doubt held me back for years. It wasn‘t until a web developer friend of mine casually mentioned that anyone could pick up the basics of web development in a few months that I started to reconsider my assumptions.
Taking the First Step
Hearing that offhand comment from my friend was the push I needed to finally take action. I realized that my biggest barrier to entry wasn‘t my lack of skills or smarts, but my own hesitation to try something that seemed intimidating.
So I decided to start small. I found a beginner-friendly online tutorial for HTML and CSS and began working through it in my spare time. I told myself I was just exploring, getting my feet wet. If it ended up being too hard or boring, I could always stop.
But a funny thing happened as I worked through those first few lessons. The concepts started to click into place. I was actually understanding the code I was writing, and even more surprisingly, I was enjoying the process. Each little styling tweak or tag I added to my practice web page felt like a satisfying puzzle piece snapping into place.
It wasn‘t always easy. I‘d get stuck on a concept or error message and want to throw my laptop out the window. But I found that by searching for answers online, tinkering with the code, and reaching out for help when needed, I could push past each obstacle. The feeling of finally solving a problem I‘d been stuck on became addictively rewarding.
Gaining Momentum
As my skills and confidence grew, I began to branch out and apply what I was learning to my own small projects. I made a simple personal website, then a basic JavaScript quiz game. They were clunky and ugly, but they worked, and that was thrilling to me. I felt like I had superpowers.
Spurred on by those small wins, I started spending more and more of my free time learning and practicing code. I supplemented my online tutorials with coding books, podcasts, and local meetups. I became active on coding forums and social media, connecting with other developers of all skill levels.
The more I immersed myself in the world of programming, the more I began to see it as a creative pursuit, not just a technical skill. As Steve Jobs famously said, "Everybody should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think. I view computer science as a liberal art." Coding was changing the way I looked at problems and possibilities.
The Power of Code
As I dove deeper into backend languages like Python and databases like SQL, I started to grasp the incredible potential of code to shape our world. Everything from the apps we use daily to the systems that power businesses and governments runs on code. By learning to program, I was gaining the ability to not just use technology, but to create and influence it.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to a 2021 report by Burning Glass Technologies, the number of jobs requiring coding skills has grown 28% since 2016, and is projected to continue rising. The median salary for jobs that require coding skills is $24,000 higher than those that don‘t. Learning to code, even at a basic level, opens up a world of career possibilities.
But beyond the practical benefits, coding has been a deeply empowering and rewarding journey for me on a personal level. It‘s taught me to embrace challenges, to break down big problems into manageable steps, and to constantly push the boundaries of what I think I‘m capable of.
As I‘ve progressed in my career as a full-stack developer, I‘ve worked on applications and systems that impact thousands of users. I‘ve collaborated with brilliant teammates to tackle complex engineering challenges. I‘ve had the opportunity to mentor newer coders and help them find their own breakthroughs. None of it would have been possible if I hadn‘t taken that scary first step and decided to start learning.
Becoming a Lifelong Learner
One of the most important things I‘ve learned as a professional developer is that the learning never stops. The world of technology moves incredibly quickly, with new languages, frameworks and best practices emerging all the time. Becoming a coder means committing to being a lifelong learner, always staying curious and open to new ideas.
It can feel overwhelming at times, trying to keep up with the constant change. Imposter syndrome is real, even for experienced developers. But over time, I‘ve learned to embrace the discomfort of not knowing something as an opportunity to grow.
I make it a point to carve out dedicated learning time each week, whether it‘s experimenting with a new technology, contributing to an open-source project, or taking an online course. I‘ve found that the more I lean into the learning process, the more energized and engaged I feel in my work.
One of my favorite resources for ongoing learning as a developer is the coding challenge site Frontend Mentor. They offer a wide range of projects to build, from beginner-friendly HTML/CSS designs to advanced full-stack applications. Working through their challenges has helped me sharpen my skills and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends.
I also make it a priority to surround myself with other developers who are passionate about learning and growth. I attend conferences, participate in online forums and local meetups, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Having a supportive community to learn with and bounce ideas off of has been invaluable to my development as a coder.
You‘re More Ready Than You Think
If there‘s one message I hope to convey to aspiring coders, it‘s this: You‘re more ready than you think you are. If you‘re even a little bit curious about coding, you owe it to yourself to give it a try, regardless of your background or skill level.
Start small, be patient with yourself, and don‘t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Most importantly, build things constantly, even if they‘re simple or imperfect at first. The act of creating is what will keep you motivated and progressing.
Remember, every expert developer was once a beginner. They all had moments of doubt and frustration, but they kept going. With time and practice, the concepts that once seemed hopelessly complex will start to feel familiar and even intuitive.
And before you know it, you just might find yourself inspiring the next wave of coders to take their first tentative steps. Because in the end, that‘s how this field grows and thrives – one brave beginner at a time, each paving the way for the others that will follow.
So what are you waiting for? Find a tutorial, open up a code editor, and take that first exhilarating, terrifying leap. Trust me, your future self will thank you.