how to become a computer programmer

Life coaches are problem-solvers. More accurately, they can help you identify something in your life that was not a problem until they let you know it was, and then they can solve it for you. They can, for example show you how to become a computer programmer. This is actually very easy. Get a good education as a computer programmer, apply for a job over the internet, and then buy several bags of sprouts and cans of diet soda. In mere femtoseconds you could land a great job at a fantastic salary.

For realists though, a better path to becoming a computer programmer might involve a few more steps and few fewer sprouts.

Not Your Grandfather's Computer

All props to Ada Byron Lovelace, who is often cited as the first computer programmer, but computers are not reel-to-reel behemoths and computer programmers are not wearing high-and-tight haircuts, white short sleeved shirts, and narrow ties anymore. Computer programming must answer to multiple platforms and deliver high quality, interactive experiences for everyone from casual users to tech-savvy teens.

Computer programming today has evolved and branched into specialties. Going into an educational institution for a computer programming...er...program...really requires you to know, at the outset, what type of programming you are interested in pursuing:

Core programmer
Web programmer
Programmer of desktop applications (focusing either on a particular operating system or creating programming independent of OS)
System programmer (compiler, driver, kernel programming)

Programming for the Web

The internet is today's leading edge platform for programming. This is partly true because new programs can rise and through distributed computing, improve or be tweaked countless ways. It is also true because the internet is where today's money is.

Today's successful computer programmer knows the biggest programming languages:

SQL
Java
JavaScript
C#
C++
Python

...and so on.

Programming languages—and there are hundreds of them—are a lot like human languages. Often if you know are fluent in one, you can decipher the basic structure of another. And, like human interaction languages, programming languages tend to dominate in different parts of the computing world. The top five languages year to year are versatile, pervasive, and efficient. Having fluency with Java, C, C++, Python, and C# may always be an asset for a computer programmer.

Groom Yourself for Working in Programming

Many computer programmers telecommute and work quietly by themselves from the comfort of their own homes, away from people. You can groom yourself to have a few good qualities:

Analytical skills—Translating the dreams of a client or boss into functioning code is tough work, calling for excellent analytical skills; practice for this by assembling imported furniture exactly according to the manual
Concentration—Disabling Candy Crush Saga on your netbook is a great way to increase concentration on writing programming code for hours at a ti—oh look! a squirrel!
Being detail-oriented—Since you have to examine lines of code for the smallest error, practice by unstringing a 16-inch pearl necklace onto the floor, then finding all of the pearls
Diagnosing problems—When your friends and acquaintances try to unburden themselves on you with their life crises, go ahead and offer solutions. It will not endear you to your buds, but will sharpen your troubleshooting skills

If you worry that you really will have actual contact with actual people, you could also groom yourself. We mean, as in actual grooming. Stop eating sprouts and caffeinated colas, give up the band logo t-shirts, and buy a nice dress shirt or blouse. Ask a life coach—she'll tell you. You want to look nice for your Skype interview for the programming job.

Get with the Program – Make that Money!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses its own computer programs to track nearly every job in the United States. Computer programmers are richly rewarded for their skills and educations. The BLS's data on median annual wages for the entire industry and some select groups, as of May, 2014 prove this:

For all computer programmers—$77,550
For administrative and support services computer programmers—$79,780
For computer programmers working in finance and insurance—$84,260
For computer programmers working for software publishers—$99,580

Considering the lack of heavy lifting and comfortable work environment, the job pays well and demands only accuracy, mad computer skills, and decent math ability.

Learn Software Development

The start on your road to riches (seriously, a decade of computer programming at a software publisher and you could have earned a million bucks) may be to get a solid education as a computer programmer. Attend ECPI University for the institution's Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Software Development. Through our year-round, accelerated program, you could earn your bachelor's degree in as little as 2.5 years. And life coaches will tell you, education is key to a successful future. Of course, they will charge you $1,000 for that tidbit, but here you got it free. Contact ECPI today—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make !

There's a reason why people want to work at @qonceptual. Read about Scott's journey. @CHSOpenSource @ECPICCS https://t.co/t8kl4REZxm

— Mindy Taylor (@mindyetaylor) October 19, 2015

Learn more about ECPI's College of Technology TODAY!

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Gainful Employment Information – Software Development - Bachelor's

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