The tech landscape has transformed dramatically since the early 2000s. Back then, writing code felt like exploring uncharted territory. I still recall the thrill of typing my first lines of Python in high school, on a machine with specs dwarfed by today’s smartwatches. It was fun, novel, and a bit mysterious to those around me.
Is Programming a Good Career? Exploring Software Development in 2024
Fast forward two decades, a computer science degree, 15+ years in software engineering across diverse companies, countless websites built, and my second startup underway – and the question I hear most often echoes from the past: “Is Programming Still A Good Career?”
My answer, much like it was years ago, isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s more nuanced than that because the reality of a programming career is multifaceted.
The Evolving Perception of Programming Careers
When I started, the image of a programmer was often confined to dimly lit labs or university halls. My initial coding experiences weren’t in trendy startup lofts, but in computer labs, wrestling with homework assignments. Building complex stock trading bots or AI image generators was far from my student reality. Instead, it was about grasping class structures and inheritance, often through long hours of trial and error. “Fun” wasn’t the first word that came to mind during those intense study sessions. Passing exams? Yes, that was fun. The process? More stressful than exhilarating.
My first job shifted the definition of “fun” again. It was the most stressful professional experience I’ve had. Imagine jumping into complex database queries for a massive warehouse automation system as a junior programmer – a far cry from anything learned in college. The fun became seeing those queries finally work and the relief of leaving work on time – a sometimes elusive reward. The daily commute home in traffic? Definitely not fun.
When Does Programming Become “Good”?
Here’s the turning point: the better I became at programming, the more rewarding it became. Tasks became less daunting, I gained more agency over project selection, and collaboration with experienced developers enriched the experience. Crucially, my salary began to reflect the effort and expertise I was investing. That financial recognition, coupled with growing competence, significantly boosted the “good” aspects of the career.
Beyond the day job, my expanding skillset opened doors to personal projects – this blog, music fan sites, and consulting opportunities. This is a common trajectory in many fields; increased expertise leads to greater efficiency and more control over your work.
However, even with mastery, certain aspects of professional programming can detract from the “good career” narrative. Repetitive tasks, features that never see the light of day, and hours spent deciphering cryptic error logs are all part of the package.
Programming Today: Still a Viable Path?
Now, as CTO of a thriving startup, almost two years in and built from the ground up, I can genuinely say that programming, in many ways, is still incredibly fulfilling. I often wish for more hours in the day to actually code!
Yet, even now, the truly “good” moments are often fleeting. Developing a groundbreaking feature for a nascent company is undeniably exciting. But troubleshooting a critical payment system failure or battling database-slowing bot attacks on a live site? Far from enjoyable, especially with real users impacted and demanding immediate solutions.
These high-pressure situations are inherent to the field. Solutions must be swift, well-documented, and data often needs immediate manipulation to rectify errors. Deadlines loom, irrespective of your experience level. External factors are always at play, and systems inevitably break, requiring urgent fixes.
Perhaps “good” isn’t meant to be a constant state. Maybe it’s designed to be intermittent, like waves. The goal, then, is to maximize those positive waves – to refine your skills, streamline processes, and carve out more time to genuinely enjoy the craft.
So, is programming still a good career? Unequivocally, yes. It offers intellectual stimulation, problem-solving challenges, and tangible rewards. It’s a career path with strong demand and significant earning potential. However, it’s also a career that demands resilience, continuous learning, and the ability to navigate stressful situations. Embrace the satisfying moments when they come, and be prepared for the inevitable challenges. Knowing that after every troubleshooting session, the rewarding aspects of programming will likely return – even if just for a while – is part of what makes it a consistently engaging and ultimately, a “good” career.
Walter Guevara is a Computer Scientist, software engineer, startup founder, and former coding bootcamp mentor with two decades of software creation experience.
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