Coding Careers for Beginners: How to Pursue a Programming Career?
Technology keeps advancing, so the industry needs even more experts in IT. Coding careers open multiple doors in front of experienced and aspiring developers. Developers can learn basic skills and try different career paths.Developers have to keep acquiring new skills as the digital industry grows and improves. But it’s almost a guarantee that a job of a developer won’t be replaced by AI like it often happens nowadays in other industries.Working on a career in development is a way to secure one’s future. But how to get a programming job when you are a beginner? Is it even possible for companies to hire someone with little to no experience or even someone without a degree?The answer is yes. Quite a lot of development companies hire inexperienced coders and teach them. Companies have different requirements and approaches to work, so sometimes they prefer to teach experts, so they meet these requirements. But still, it’s essential to work hard to get a dream job.Read further to learn how to start a coding career when you’re a beginner. In this article, you can learn where to start, specifically, what career paths to choose. Don’t forget to check out tips on how to increase your chances of getting a job without experience or even a degree.
What Careers to Consider?
In this section of the article, learn about in-demand developer careers. Typically, companies prefer hiring experienced developers for these job positions. But it is possible to find some entry points by starting as an employee in one area and then transferring to another.
Software Developer
Software developers create computer and mobile applications. It’s one of those careers where it’s possible to get a job even without a degree. Software developers do need a lot of skills. For example, understanding JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby, and other programming languages is a must. Demonstrating a certificate received in a coding school (online courses work too) and a portfolio with works can get an applicant the job.
Computer Network Architect
Network architects, or network engineers, design and create data networks used for communication between offices. In some cases, network architects build extensive infrastructures for multiple customers to use. An applicant for a network engineer’s position is required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or/and information systems.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
A computer and information systems manager has to manage, plan, coordinate and direct most computer-related activities in the company. Typically, companies prefer hiring applicants with a bachelor’s degree in software development or in related fields. It’s a high-paid job worth considering if you are planning to get a bachelor’s or major degree.
Data Scientist
Today, data is extremely important since it gives an insight into consumers’ needs. Data scientists have to analyze, process and interpret received data. It’s also a high-paid job worth considering. To become a data scientist, one must have a master’s degree in data science.
Cyber Security Developer
An individual working in cyber security development won’t have to worry about not having a job. Cybersecurity is always an issue because of cybercrimes. Cyber security software developers implement and test organizations’ software solutions to find flaws in the system that may be abused by hackers.To get a position as a cyber security software developer, one must have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science. But the job is worth considering as it’s promising and offers significant income.
4 Beginner-Friendly Programming Careers
Now you know more about the most in-demand careers in the IT industry. But it’s possible for an inexperienced coder to find an entry point and become a successful developer. Check our list of the best beginner-friendly coding careers if you want to become a developer.
Junior Web Designer
It’s one of the most interesting jobs in the IT industry. It requires having technical and creative skills to create projects. It’s a perfect choice when someone loves creative jobs and isn’t against learning new skills. The job requires creating websites according to the client’s requirements. Web designers often work in teams.To be a junior web designer, one must understand different programming languages, for example, HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript. It’s also a requirement to work with graphic design programs. The good news is that many companies hire inexperienced candidates.Nore, “inexperienced” means someone who hasn’t been working for a company yet. The interviewer will most likely ask an applicant about different personal projects. But it’s possible to get a job only by going through online courses and providing a potential employer with a portfolio of works.
Junior Front End Web Developer
A front-end web developer is an expert responsible for creating and implementing a user interface. It takes creativity and understanding of consumers’ needs to create a user interface that will lead to a positive user experience.The job requires creating a website interface so that users can access the necessary features. Usually, web designers and front-end developers work as a team. A web designer has to come up with a design, and the front-end developer creates a code so that everything works as planned.To be a front-end developer, one must understand coding languages such as HTML 5, CSS, and JavaScript. It’s possible to land a front-end web developer job without a degree. An applicant can consider online courses and create several personal projects for a portfolio. Learning HTML 5, CSS is a rather easy task, although most people find JavaScript a bit difficult.
Help Desk Specialist
A help desk specialist (or help desk technician) assists when employees are experiencing problems with software, hardware, or a network at work. The responsibilities of a help desk specialist include maintaining, installing software and hardware, as well as troubleshooting in case any issues occur with equipment. Overall, the specialist has to help resolve most issues related to work networks.It might not sound like something a developer would choose to launch a career, but in reality, many IT professionals started as help desk specialists. The idea is to dive into the IT industry and observe different career paths. This job requires knowledge of computer systems and troubleshooting.
Systems Administrator
A systems administrator (a computer administrator, sysadmin) is an employee who takes care of installing, configuring, and maintaining multi-user systems or servers. A computer administrator needs to use their skills and knowledge of hardware/software to make sure that all processes related to the system work smoothly.The job requires constant learning and keeping up with trends in network technology. The best thing about this never-ending learning process is that you can advance to an engineer or systems architect through hard work. The job opens the opportunity to learn how networks work so that you can apply these skills in the future when working as a systems architect.
How to Get a Coding Job without Experience or Degree?
As mentioned, it’s possible to land a job without experience or a degree. And here are some tips on how to succeed and launch a developer career.
Choose a Programming Language to Learn
Begin your journey by learning something relatively easy. If you are interested in front-end development, consider HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript. If you want to advance in back-end and software development, consider learning Java, Python, Script, etc. Subscribing for classes might make it easier to learn how to work as a developer.
Consider Online Courses
Obtaining a degree might be a good idea, but such an option might not always be available. Consider learning courses as an alternative. Some of these courses might even be free of charge. The important thing is to obtain a certificate to prove that you have the required skills.
Work on a Personal Project
Whether you subscribe to coding courses or learn coding languages by following tutorials, it’s important to create personal projects. Even if you don’t have a degree, having a portfolio with personal projects may help a lot to land a job.
Get Experience by Participating in Open Source Projects
One of the most effective ways to get a job even without a degree is to contribute to open-source projects. Employers often hire coders contributing to these projects, so you might not need to put in a lot of effort to find a job. Find popular websites that offer access to open-source projects and find something you like and may help to develop.
Consider Freelance
To start as a freelancer, an applicant has to educate themselves. It’s possible to become a freelancer even without a degree. The most in-demand specialists are web designers, front-end and back-end developers. Taking freelance jobs allows you to build a portfolio and eventually land a full-time job.
Final Thoughts
As you now know, there are several entry points in the IT industry. Most companies require applicants to have a degree in their respective fields. But some businesses need specialists who have the skills to develop projects according to their requirements.
