How an ordinary programmer can become successful at work

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A programmer by day and a creative writer by night, I am the owner of the website CodingToFreedom. My experience in programming and a passion for writing allow me to create unique content that combines technical knowledge with a creative approach. At CodingToFreedom, I share my knowledge by offering useful resources and articles for developers and creative people. My goal is to inspire and help those who strive for freedom in coding and self-expression.

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How to Succeed as an Average Programmer

Many programmers consider themselves average, but this doesn't mean they can't succeed in their careers. It's important to understand that success in programming isn't always measured by skill level. Instead, focus on developing your skills and building professional relationships.

The first step to success is continuous learning. Programming is a rapidly evolving field, and new technologies appear daily. Take the time to learn new programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Online courses, webinars, and professional communities will help you stay up to date with the latest trends.

Another key aspect is practice. Participate in real-world projects, create your own applications, or contribute to open-source projects. This will not only improve your skills but also give you the opportunity to showcase your achievements to potential employers. Networking also plays an important role in a programming career. Build connections with colleagues, attend meetups, and conferences. Connecting with professionals in your field can open new opportunities and help you gain valuable advice. Don't forget the importance of soft skills. Being able to work in a team, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts will make you a more valuable employee. Employers look not only for technical skills but also for the ability to interact with others.

By focusing on training, practice, networking, and developing soft skills, you can not only succeed as an average programmer but also become a sought-after programming specialist.

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It's hard to admit, and you won't find these words on my resume, but I consider myself a mediocre programmer. I understand code, but I can't say that I dream of projects in .NET Core or Ruby. My income is also not high, since I don't program full-time. I haven't yet developed my own framework and often use cheat sheets to switch between different programming languages.

I'm not against programming. I truly love my work, although sometimes I have the desire to change professions. I don't like the Agile methodology. It's a modern development approach that many consider mandatory to master, and that's exactly how its proponents present it. I could go on and on about what's wrong with my digital world, not to mention the problems in society as a whole.

I go to bed feeling happy because I'm doing what I love. It helps me stay mentally clear and relaxed, allowing me to enjoy every moment of my life. I don't experience depression or burnout, and I definitely enjoy life. In this article, I'll share how I achieved this state and also talk about my journey to becoming a qualified specialist in my field.

Stop Hating Your Job

Loving your profession doesn't happen overnight, but you can take steps to get rid of negative feelings about it. By gradually changing your attitude toward your work, you can find something positive in it and start enjoying what you do. Focus on your accomplishments and growth opportunities to create a more positive outlook on your professional life.

Software development was an unexpected choice for me. I've always been interested in computers, and after submitting my resume to several companies, I accidentally landed an internship at a large firm, despite having no programming experience. This incident marked the beginning of my journey into the world of technology. Since then, I've strived to develop my skills in development and deepen my knowledge to become a professional in this field.

I trained with people who were genuinely passionate about programming and strived to achieve high results. Incidentally, they still surpass me in this area. However, the professional life of a programmer involves much more than just code and symbols on a screen; there are many other aspects to it. There's sure to be at least one area in this field that will catch your attention and open up amazing opportunities.

During my internship, I had the unique opportunity to work with a large client base, which was a real revelation for me. I began studying interesting data, analyzing which services were most popular among our customers. I was interested in how many emails the average customer sent per day and what questions were asked most frequently. This experience immersed me in the fascinating world of statistics and data analysis, which allowed me to better understand customer needs and improve service quality.

Over time, I became confident in these matters. I quickly provided assistance if someone needed statistical data, and significantly saved the support team time by regularly updating the customer database. Although this was not part of my job responsibilities, I knew that my colleagues would appreciate it if I made their lives easier in my free time.

Statistics was the only aspect of my job that evoked positive emotions in me. I even felt an interest in the subject, especially when chocolates appeared on my desk as a token of gratitude for help provided. These small pleasant moments helped me begin to enjoy my profession as a whole, although, frankly, chocolate is not my favorite treat.

Do it right - it will be right

I am of the opinion that it is more useful to have broad knowledge in various fields than to be an expert in only one. This is especially true in the field of programming, where a broad outlook can significantly increase your competitiveness and adaptability in the job market. A variety of skills allows you not only to solve more complex problems but also to find creative solutions in non-standard situations. In today's world, where technology is constantly evolving, versatility is becoming an important advantage.

Quality work can be done in many ways. In some cases, effort and persistence are required, while in others, experience and the ability to quickly fix errors that may take beginners much longer to correct are enough. The key to mastering any business is patience and the ability to stay afloat over a period of time. Over time, you will begin to notice progress. Your horizons will expand, and you'll gain a better understanding of the system, allowing you to effectively and quickly solve problems that might otherwise trip others up.

A significant portion of my work involves production database testing, which is a real challenge. I have to be persistent and resourceful to identify and fix critical bugs that aren't always easy to test. Database updates only happen once a week, and usually at inopportune times. I often call this task "try it and hope for the best." It's a serious challenge that requires patience and professionalism.

For perfectionists, this work can be a real challenge. I eventually started doing unit testing directly on the master branch because I was the only developer and no one could approve my pull requests. It took me a while to overcome the restrictions that prevented this approach, but I'm proud that I managed to achieve it. When time and resources are limited, it's sometimes necessary to make unconventional decisions.

In programming, there are many nuances associated with the concept of "normal." You don't necessarily have to achieve the perfect result right away. It's important to choose at least a roughly suitable algorithm for solving the problem, and then, using trial and error, gradually move towards your goal. I adhere to the approach of "chaotic pursuit of perfection" and find comfort in it. You may have a different style, which requires clear organization and detailed documentation, allowing even a novice to complete your work. Each approach has its advantages and can be effective depending on the specific situation.

Achieving your goal does not depend on the path chosen. The main thing is to create your own unique success story and maintain order in an environment where it is often lacking. This will make you the ideal candidate for any team lead, regardless of your gender or sexual orientation. The ability to maintain control of a situation and demonstrate stability in a team are important qualities that will set you apart from others and help you advance in your career.

Turn a skill into fun (and learn something new)

The life of a simple programmer may seem difficult and monotonous, but even it has its small joys. In the daily routine, you can find moments that bring satisfaction and inspiration. For example, successfully solving a complex problem or writing code that runs without errors can become real sources of pride. Moreover, interacting with colleagues, exchanging ideas, and participating in team projects create an atmosphere of cooperation and support. Thus, even in the challenging profession of a programmer, you can discover pleasant and inspiring moments.

Today, using programming languages and available free tools, you can create almost any application or website. These technologies are easy to learn and can become an exciting hobby. Use your skills to improve yourself and implement interesting projects. Programming opens up many opportunities for creativity and professional growth.

You can create a simple random quote generator to entertain users. However, there is also the opportunity to take on a larger project, such as a complex website that can solve significant problems and generate revenue through subscriptions. You can also participate in other interesting projects that will help you develop your skills and experience in web development.

I once spent a lot of time developing an erotic story generator in PHP, which I didn't like. However, I didn't abandon the project - it seems my inner desire for self-improvement drove me to delve into learning a language I didn't like. This experience became a valuable lesson in how to overcome difficulties and find motivation in challenging tasks.

In most cases, interesting projects don't require money - just time and desire. There are many tutorials and guides available online to help you move forward. Use Google to find information and ideas to start your path to success.

Programming is more than just code

Learning my current skills took me more than just one day. I write a limited amount of code—just enough to remain a programmer. However, I manage a complex and mission-critical system for the company, as well as all the related infrastructure. My work involves organizing processes, interacting with the team, participating in meetings, and sharing experiences. My experience and knowledge allow me to effectively solve problems and participate in project development, which significantly impacts the success of the entire company.

Working in this field can indeed be stressful, but it brings me satisfaction. I have encountered various challenges, from minor mistakes to tedious meetings that sometimes seem redundant. However, it is these aspects that make my profession varied and exciting. Every challenge provides an opportunity to learn something new and develop in my field.

I enjoy spending late nights in the office with other workaholics. This creates a unique atmosphere: everyone is focused on their computers, time flies, deadlines approach, and collaboration helps them overcome professional challenges. This team spirit promotes productivity and motivation, which makes work more efficient and fulfilling.

Understand your company's architecture and ecosystem

Last week, there was a serious system failure. Unfortunately, at that moment, all the specialists with the necessary knowledge to solve the problem were absent. Some were on business trips or on vacation abroad, others were on sick leave.

I had a general understanding of how the system worked, but I decided to take on the problem. Later, two more people joined me, who also had no experience in this area. Eventually, we discovered that the cause was a server error. Working with the vendor we purchased the system from, we were able to fix the issue and get it up and running by Saturday morning.

Time spent at a company can sometimes be ineffective—perhaps half the employees wasted their day. This was one of the most difficult, yet also fun, moments in recent memory. I even received an email with the subject line "Good job" from the head of one of the departments. We met while trying to troubleshoot technical issues together. Luckily, such glitches usually resolve quickly, and now I can remain "virtual anonymous" again. This allows me to focus on work and improve my efficiency.

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More than once, I've found myself on the verge of being fired for failing to fulfill my direct responsibilities, or more precisely, for performing tasks that weren't part of my responsibilities. Ironically, it's precisely for these actions that I'm praised and appreciated today.

Nevertheless, it's worth noting that my communication style has had a significant impact on how others perceive me and my work. This underscores the importance of communication in a professional environment and its role in shaping relationships with colleagues and clients.

Don't forget the importance of thank-you notes, responses to comments, and explanations of errors and how to resolve them. These seemingly small details can significantly impact your interactions with clients and partners. Many appreciate attention to such details. Send emails regularly, devoting at least an hour a day to this process. Being polite with people helps strengthen relationships and build trust in your brand.

I have my own saying: "Just explain everything to these people, and you'll see how they begin to understand their humanity."

A Few Final Words

I hope you found this material interesting and useful. In the past, these tips have repeatedly helped me avoid getting fired and retreating into isolation, away from technology and programming. Use them to improve your professional life and increase your productivity.

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