6 things that you don't need, to be a programmer
Tags: codenewbie, webdev
Published: 2020-08-04 18:47:16

*TL;DR: You don’t need math, English fluency, a degree, be young or rich to become a programmer!*

Programming in 2020 is getting much more popular than it was two years ago when I’ve just started learning to code.

When you type in Google Search the following sentence: “**how to learn …**”, at the time of creating this post, you will be able to see two terms related to programming.

The first being *how to learn to program* itself, and the second one on *how to learn python*. When you type just one letter of any programming language, the google search will show it expanded to you.

As we can see, it gets **more and more popular**, and that results in many people being interested in programming. But, there are **stereotypes** that a lot of people still believe when it comes to software engineering.

*Stereotypes that can stop many of us from doing something* that we’re afraid of, e.g., not being good enough at something, to do something.

However, **you don’t need to be afraid of learning programming anymore**!

In this post, I’ve prepared some of the things that can trick beginner programmers, and even make them unproductive or feel bad about themselves. **Not anymore!**

# The six things that you don’t need, to be a developer are:

# 1. Math

The most popular fear when thinking of learning to program is math. Let me be honest with you — if you know how to *add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers,* congratulations, you can consider yourself as a programmer now!

In most cases, that’s what it takes to enter the programming world and to work in it. When it comes to *Web Development*, you have **even less** to do with math than usual.

In programming, **you write more rather than calculate**, but if you’re good at math, it will surely help you solve more difficult problems quicker that you will face *when more experienced*.

At the beginning of your journey, *don’t calculate* — **learn**.

# 2. English fluency

*The words used in programming languages are English*. Most of the courses are also in English, but it shouldn’t stop you from programming. It helps a lot if you have a decent level of comprehension.

But, **this shouldn’t be the barrier** that’s holding you back from programming. Most of the web development jobs require at least a **B2 English level**, which doesn’t say anything about fluency.

Some companies want programmers that will *talk with their clients*, and some companies prefer to speak with clients themselves and *leave you only with your coding work*.

*You don’t need to sound like a native*. Just feel **confident using and understanding** English.

# 3. Degree

For some companies, it’s still necessary, and most people don’t know why. I do too. There are a lot of amazing programmers **who don’t have any degree** at all.

I know **self-taught six-figure programmers** that have never cared about *algorithms*, *data structures*, and so on. They just put more work than graduates, and now they benefit from it.

Trust me, **you will get much much more by learning on your own**, and by being a self-taught programmer, as most programmers do. I thank God I’m not in that *rat race* as they do.

**You don’t need a degree to prove your skills**. If you want to succeed, you got to work!

# 4. Be an introvert

These days, some of the companies don’t hire developers with no soft skills, because they want us to talk with the clients, which I mentioned above.

However, you won’t be a worse programmer as an introvert. Moreover, calm people are much more successful these days than extroverts!

If you can **handle the pressure** and you can **keep yourself motivated**, you’re the one!

# 5. Be young

**You don’t need to be young** to become a programmer. Oh, hell, no! There’s no such thing as an age barrier.

If you are not a teenager, I have *good news* for you. Grown people are more likely to get hired even if their portfolio isn’t that good, *just because of the thing that they’re grown*.

Young people in the IT industry **don’t seem to be welcomed well** by companies. But, I see this as **an opportunity to study** in your high school age, and get ahead of others quickly!

Between your *League of Legends* game, I would suggest you **learn to code**.

# 6. Rich setup

A lot of beginner developers think that *they need expensive items* that will magically make them *superb programmers*.

**That’s not the case.**

Not at the beginning of their coding journey, which is just learning. You can learn on the *old machine* the same as you would do on the *new MacBook Pro*!

Trust me, because my MSI laptop knows what I’m saying.

# That’s all, folks!

I hope that my post made you realize that **you don’t need any specialty to be a programmer**. The saddest thing is — coding can be so fun, but most people fear that or avoid it because of the above points.

If you enjoyed it, **please spread this message** to everyone you know that wanted to code but wrongly thought that they are not good enough for that.

Thank you so much for reading, have a productive day!