How I Started My Journey as a Developer
Recommended for beginners who are planning to start their journey in programming and software development.
If you're thinking about entering the world of programming and software development, this article is for you.
In this post, I'd like to share my personal journey—from being a curious beginner to pursuing backend web development. My goal is not to provide a step-by-step tutorial, but rather to share experiences and lessons that may help newcomers better understand this field and make more informed decisions about their learning path.
How It All Started
I became interested in computers and software long before I started programming professionally. However, my real journey began when I entered university at the age of 18 and started studying Computer Engineering.
University played an important role in strengthening my motivation to become a programmer. It exposed me to many concepts and introduced me to different areas of computer science. However, before I continue, I want to address a common misconception that many beginners have.
You Don't Need a Computer Science Degree to Become a Programmer
Yes, I studied Computer Engineering at university.
But does that mean a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree is required to become a software developer?
Absolutely not.
Many people believe that if they didn't study computer science in college, they can never become professional programmers. In my opinion, this mindset is completely wrong and almost all big famous companies and persons like Elon Musk and ... believe it too. You can search about it by yourself !
Having a degree in Computer Engineering is certainly an advantage. It can provide valuable knowledge and help you build a strong foundation. However, it is not the deciding factor in your success as a developer.
You could have a degree in Political Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or even an entirely unrelated field and still become a successful software engineer.
What matters most is not your academic background but your ability to learn, build, and solve real-world problems.
What University Taught Me
During my years at university, I realized something important:
No university can teach you everything you need to know about programming.
And honestly, that's not the purpose of a university.
Universities provide a broad overview of computer science and technology. They introduce students to various areas such as programming, databases, operating systems, computer networks, software engineering, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and many other topics.
This knowledge is extremely valuable because it helps students understand the bigger picture.
However, it is only the beginning.
If you expect a university degree alone to transform you into a professional software developer, you will likely be disappointed.
The technology industry values practical skills far more than academic credentials.
When employers evaluate candidates, they often care more about:
What projects you have built
Can you do real works
What technologies you can work with
How well you can solve problems
Whether you can contribute to real-world products
Your portfolio, resume with your own built projects and experience frequently matter more than the title printed on your diploma.
This is why I have met successful developers whose university degrees had little or no connection to computer science.
Finding My Area of Interest
As I continued my studies, I realized that relying solely on university education would not be enough.
I started exploring different fields within technology on my own.
One of the most important things to understand about programming is that it is not a single discipline. The technology industry contains countless specializations, each with its own tools, challenges, and career paths.
You are not expected to master everything.
In fact, nobody can.
Every developer eventually focuses on a specific area.
After researching different paths, I discovered that I was particularly interested in web development.
Within web development, there are two major areas:
Frontend Development
Backend Developement
While frontend developers focus on the visual and interactive parts of websites, backend developers work on the logic, architecture, databases, and systems that power applications behind the scenes.
I found myself more interested in the "brain" behind a website than its appearance.
That realization became one of the most important turning points in my journey.
I had found my direction.
Why I Chose Python
After deciding to pursue backend development, I faced a new question:
"What should I learn first?"
Interestingly, university did not provide a direct answer to this question.
So I did what every aspiring developer eventually learns to do: I researched.
After exploring different technologies, I discovered Python.
Python stood out because of its simplicity, readability, and versatility. It is used in web development, automation, data science, artificial intelligence, and many other fields.
I bought books, enrolled in courses, practiced regularly, and gradually became comfortable with the language.
Along the way, I learned another important lesson:
There is no such thing as the best programming language.
Every language has strengths and weaknesses.
The right choice depends on your goals and the field you want to work in.
Discovering Django
Learning Python was an important milestone, but it was not enough on its own.
Modern software development requires more than programming languages. Developers also rely on frameworks that provide tools and structures for building real applications efficiently.
As I continued exploring backend development, I discovered Django.
Django is a powerful Python web framework that provides many built-in features for developing web applications.
The more I learned about it, the more I realized how well it aligned with my interests and goals.
I started building projects, experimenting with new concepts, and gradually improving my skills through practice.
Every project taught me something new.
Every challenge pushed me to learn more.
And that process continues today.
Learning Never Ends
One of the most fascinating aspects of software development is that learning never truly stops.
At first, this idea can feel intimidating.
New frameworks emerge.
Programming languages evolve.
Development practices change.
Technology moves incredibly fast.
However, this continuous evolution is also what makes programming exciting.
As developers, we are lifelong learners. Regardless of our experience level, there will always be new tools, concepts, and technologies waiting to be explored.
The goal is not to know everything.
The goal is to keep growing.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I learned is that becoming a developer is not about earning a specific degree or following a perfect roadmap.
It's about curiosity, consistency, and continuous learning.
Find an area that genuinely interests you.
Choose technologies that align with your goals.
Build projects.
Make mistakes.
Keep learning.
And most importantly, don't let your educational background convince you that programming is out of reach.
If you're willing to learn and practice consistently, there's a place for you in this industry.
I hope sharing my journey helps make your own path a little clearer.
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