One of the biggest blessings of my life was to decide to study Computing Engineering.
It all started with a visit to my neighbor’s next door. Two siblings, older than me, who were studying computing science. When I saw their computer, I loved it. This was in 1990 before Windows 3.11 came along.

I knew, then and there, that I also wanted to be studying computing engineering. And thankfully I never changed my mind. You might think that it was a rather sudden decision, and it was. I was inspired.

It was the right career choice

In hindsight, I was blessed that I made that choice so early in my life because technology would explode for the next twenty years.

And why am I am telling you this now? Is it for boasting?

No. I want to inspire you, just like my old neighbors inspired me. If you are considering to become a software developer, you must have no doubts that it will pay off. With or without a degree.

I have seen people, who I know very well, who have done exactly that and now they are earning six-figure salaries too. The world is run by technology and that is certainly not going to change anytime soon, especially now with this pandemic.

A reality check

But have no illusions, no one is going to pay you a six-figure salary without experience. You have to start somewhere and you will not want to be too picky about your first-year salary. Consider that as being paid to learn.

You will suffer

And don’t expect it to be a walk in the park. IYou will suffer, from long nights staring at a computer screen trying to figure out why that code doesn’t work or perhaps from mental exhaustion, going through every post in stackoverflow to find a resolution for your problem.

Just know that at the end of that tunnel there is light. And once you are out of that tunnel you will enjoy the rewards of all that hard work.

It is a marathon, not a race

In this day and age, we are all looking for quick results. The problem with wanting quick results is that nature doesn’t work like that. You need to setup your mind for the long term.

There is a plan to get you there

I have helped many to hop on to this career path so I know what works and what doesn’t.

In my next article, I will give you an outline of a plan that you can adjust to your circumstances, and if you follow it, you will get there!

WRITTEN BYArmindo Cachada