Signs That You Are Not Meant To Be A Programmer

6 Signs You Aren't Meant to Be a Programmer

Now is the time to be in tech. So many young people aspire to tech careers. Many of them succeed only to find their hearts elsewhere.

Is coding for me? Like coding? Asking and answering these questions honestly may cause you to pause. Truth: some people despise coding.

Here are six signs that you're not meant to be a programmer.

1. No Experimental Creativity

Despite its logical foundations, programming is a creative art. A new program is a new canvas. Languages, frameworks, and libraries are your paintbrushes. You need a creative vision and the ability to execute it.

Coding purists claim there is only one way to write good code, which is false. No more than a single way to build a house, write a novel, or bake a cake. You should be willing to experiment with software coding.

You'll develop tunnel vision without natural curiosity. You'll struggle to think of new ideas. So programming loses the thrill that drew you to tech in the first place.

2. You lack self-motivation

You can't succeed in anything unless you're driven. In programming, this is especially true.

A good programmer can self-motivate. Peel back the layers; programming is fundamentally repetitive. If you can't invest yourself in the work required of a developer, you'll struggle and likely burnout.

You must be able to solve problems on your own. Many new issues will be similar to those from last week. In most cases, a plumber will not request a new sink when visiting a client. They just solve the issue and move on to the next.

As a result, some problems require solutions from others. Over time, experienced programmers become a knowledge bank. You must be driven to seek out these recurrences and patterns at every opportunity. As a result, tomorrow will be easier.

3. You Can't Stand Logic Problems 

It's a common misconception that programming requires a mathematical genius. You aren't at a disadvantage if you didn't get an A+. You must be able to think logically and algorithmically to solve problems.

Do you naturally enjoy puzzles? Are you curious about how our digital world works? If not, you'll be frustrated when you run into these craft pillars. They should entice. If they don't, think twice.

Programming is a lot like solving a puzzle. The more difficult the puzzle, the more satisfying it feels when solved. If this doesn't excite you, programming will be a never-ending cycle of frustration and disappointment.

4. You Hate Research

Any coder will tell you that there is always uncharted territory. Maybe you're building a web app and a framework is refusing to cooperate. Maybe you've been given a Python project after ten years of Java.

How do you overcome them? There's no master guide to consult; you must seek out the answers on your own. You only have code documentation, Google, and the desire to learn.

A career in programming requires you to be comfortable in the weeds. The smartest developers aren't always the most successful. They know how to deconstruct problems and reassemble them into solutions.

5. You Prefer Regular Hours

Jobs in programming are versatile. Some tech jobs require you to work in an office. Some allow remote work. You can work as a freelancer for a start-up or for an FAANG company for a more traditional corporate career.

A successful programmer is dedicated in both cases. In either case, late nights, long coding sessions, and a compromised work-life balance are common. Meeting deadlines in software development isn't always possible if you need to leave by 5 p.m. Developers often devote a lot of personal time to their work to complete it all. Even freelancers must work long hours to stay competitive.

When do you get off the clock? You'll likely spend long nights lying in bed, your brain rattling off syntax and possible workarounds. Coding is a passion. You enjoy having a constant companion, even when you're supposed to be sleeping.

6. You Only care about money

Let's face it, programming can pay well. Maybe you were browsing job boards and noticed how all the top companies in the industry entice entry-level developers. You are not the first or the last to try your hand at coding to earn a living.

As the market becomes saturated, you'll need to continually invest in yourself to stay competitive. A bachelor's degree is usually required, but master's degrees are becoming more common.

Can a programmer make a fortune? Yes, but it won't be easy. If you want to get rich fast, you should play the lottery.