Can anyone be a programmer?

Anyone, it depends on YOU

Let me preface this by saying that I am a firm believer that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it.  I have learned many skills I never thought would be possible, and I did it just because I believed I could learn it.  And that is the key, believing you can do it.

It will be harder for some

There are some skills that are needed to be an effective programmer.  Not all people inherently have those skills.  You need to be able to think logically and be a problem solver.  The good news is, those are skills that can be learned!

Think Logically

If you don't normally think in a logical fashion, it will be harder for you to learn programming.  Some people can think logically naturally, and some people just don't.  Again, you can learn how to think logically, but you must want to learn.  Just Googling 'learn to think logically' will get you started.  A side note, learning to search Google is also a great skill to know to be a good programmer.  You will learn that skill on your quest to become a great programmer.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the most critical skill in programming.  If you are not a strong problem solver, then you should be learning how to problem solve.  It is a skill that can be learned, and you should have a powerful desire to learn how to problem solve.  You can learn this on many websites, including brilliant.org.

Programming doesn't care who you are

I have met people from all walks of life and seen many diverse types of people on social media that have either taught themselves how to code or have college degrees in Computer Science.  I personally know someone who had the odds stacked against him and succeeded beyond all expectations.  

Model Programmer

I have seen a wonderful young woman on YouTube who went from a modeling career into programming.  Check her out on Tiff in Tech

In a nutshell, she took a bootcamp and focused on getting a job.  She has been working pretty consistently since she got out of that bootcamp.  I have seen many stories like hers, and it is great to know that there are so many resources to learn how to program.

Destitute

I also know people who have been on their last thread of hope.  They took everything they had and poured it into learning programming.  After they went through a bootcamp, or self-taught, they got their first job.  That job led to better jobs.  This is not just one person, there are several who have done this.

Is this for you?  Only if you are a hard worker and are willing to take aa substantial risk  I must reiterate; YOU have to WANT to do this.  It has to be the focus of your life for a year to see any results.  It is not an overnight success.  Nothing worthwhile is overnight.  Unless you win the lottery, good luck with that. 

Against all Odds

In my opinion, the most impressive programmer I know is a good friend of mine who grew up in the worst part of Chicago in the 1960/1970s.  The odds of him getting out of the area were stacked against him.  When he was in High School, he had the opportunity to go to a university far enough away that had a good Computer Science program.  He had the foresight to see that computers were the future, and a way to get out of a tough situation.

He went to the university and got his degree.  Being a minority at the time, it was more difficult for him to get a job, as he had to prove himself more than anyone else that he could do the job.  And he was MORE than capable of doing the job.  I met him when he came in to take over a project that I was on but had to leave for personal reasons.  He finished that project with flying colors.

He jumped around with a few different companies doing contract work for them.  After all of his great experience, he finally got an interview with Microsoft, yes, THAT Microsoft.  He worked for them for several years, and has been able to finally retire from them on great terms.

On top of his great career, he has also managed to mentor some younger under-privileged kids and guide their careers.

Yes, ANYONE can be a programmer

It doesn't matter where you come from, who you are, or anything else about you.  It solely depends on you and whether or not you are willing to put in the work.  You may have a longer timeline than others, or you may pick it up immediately.

Another good friend of mine would make a great programmer.  He actually started to learn early in life.  Some life things happened that interrupted his course, and he now thinks he is too old to learn.  I disagree with him.  He is not too old to learn, he simply doesn't have the desire.  I don't blame him at all, he is getting close to retirement, and he is tired of working.  I can totally understand and relate to that!  

Thanks for reading!  Happy coding,

Brad Simon (Coder B)