Starting a career in programming can feel overwhelming. Many aspiring programmers are unsure where to begin. If you’re asking yourself, “How To Begin Career In Programming?”, you’re in the right place. This guide will provide a clear roadmap to launch your journey into the world of code.
Many beginners wonder if programming is too complex to learn. While it’s a challenging field, it’s absolutely beginner-friendly, especially if you start with the right language and approach. Forget the myth that you should begin with Python – while powerful, it can be vast for newcomers. A more accessible and versatile starting point is JavaScript.
JavaScript is beginner-friendly, much like Python, but it offers a unique advantage: you can immediately create interactive and visible projects, especially in web development. We recommend starting your programming journey with front-end web development using JavaScript. Python often finds its niche later in areas like data science and backend systems.
Before diving into code, it’s beneficial to grasp the bigger picture. Spend some time on YouTube exploring topics like “What is computer science?”, “Top programming languages for beginners”, “What is a programming language?”, “What is full stack web development?”, “How to start as a front end developer?”, “Front end developer roadmap”, and “What is back end developer?”. These introductory videos will provide valuable context.
Once you have a foundational understanding, it’s time to get hands-on. We recommend a structured learning path using popular online resources. Start with the fundamentals of web design using HTML and CSS. A highly recommended course is “Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3” by Jonas Schmedtmann on Udemy. Complement this course by earning the Responsive Web Design Certification on freeCodeCamp, completing their practical projects to solidify your skills.
After mastering HTML and CSS, dive into the dynamic world of JavaScript. Take “The Complete JavaScript Course 2020: Build Real Projects!” also by Jonas Schmedtmann on Udemy. Alongside this course, enhance your JavaScript knowledge with the JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certification on freeCodeCamp.
With basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript under your belt, shift your focus to more advanced JavaScript concepts. Explore ES6+ features, object-oriented programming (OOP), and advanced DOM manipulation techniques. Crucially, start building real projects. Apply your JavaScript skills with HTML and CSS to create tangible web applications. This practical experience is invaluable.
Remember, this is just the beginning! After mastering JavaScript fundamentals, you can specialize. Choose to focus on front-end development, back-end development, or become a highly sought-after full-stack web developer by mastering both.
For front-end specialization, consider “Advanced CSS and Sass” by Jonas on Udemy to deepen your styling skills. Then, explore modern front-end frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
For back-end development, “Complete Node.js Developer Course” (again, Jonas Schmedtmann is a great resource) is a fantastic starting point. Supplement this with back-end certifications on freeCodeCamp and build projects. Think about creating projects like a simplified Netflix clone, a content management system (CMS), single-page websites, multi-site platforms, or even a Twitter clone or a poker game. Advance your skills in Node.js, Express.js, and learn database technologies like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB – databases are essential for most applications.
Finally, strengthen your programming fundamentals by taking an algorithms and data structures course with JavaScript on Udemy or through books.
If you successfully build some substantial projects independently, congratulations – you are a programmer! From this point, continuous learning is key. Web development provides a strong foundation, and you can later transition to other exciting fields like C++, Java, Python, data science, game development, or any area that sparks your interest. The possibilities are vast once you’ve taken these crucial first steps.
