Are you curious about the software development and IT industry? Uncertain of what to do or what steps to take coming into the IT space? Fret not! Our consultants have got you covered!
Read below for some tips from our Lead Consultants, Guru & Rahul.
Tip #1: Don't Run in the Flow
The first tip that everyone should bear in mind is that no one can do everything. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses. Choose a role which is interesting to you and that you are passionate about - this choice should not stem from any other reason. Do some research about the role and take some time to better understand the role you might be interested in.
Tip #2: Acquiring a Deep Understanding
Having domain knowledge means you can contribute on a conceptual level and make better implementation decisions to improve the quality of the application. As we become more familiar with the functional domain, we can create and run high-quality test cases that successfully imitate end-user behaviour. This depth of knowledge helps the engineer to design test cases with a comprehensive set of data.
At the same time, one should have a thorough understanding of how code functions by reviewing algorithms, syntax, and data structures. An appreciation of how the code “works” enables you to build complex projects and solve problems. You may know all the theories, but if you’re unable to apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems, you won't advance very far in the industry.
Tip #3: Expect Rejections
Most job seekers will face a certain amount of rejection. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to get a job in your desired field. If you are rejected in an interview or haven’t heard back from the hiring manager, try not to take it too personally.
Tip #4: Don't Reinvent the Wheel
Whenever possible, we should always try to reuse existing solutions that we or others have made in order to solve new problems. Developers can take the benefit of freely reusing functionality provided by well-tested and mature third-party libraries and frameworks.
Tip #5: Building Networks
Nowadays, there are forums, meetups and workshops organised across the industry. These events are fantastic opportunities to learn and connect with enthusiastic members of the tech community, so try to join these regularly to establish a network of people. Each event you attend will teach you something new, making them great places to expand your knowledge, pick up new skills, broaden ideas and get inspired. Also, this may help you to understand whether you are heading towards your desired role and may help you in clinching that dream job.
Tip #6: Getting Some Experience
Generally, it may take some time before landing your desired job as you may need to gain some prior experience first. Some ways to gain experience would be through internships, graduate programs or even participating in open source projects where learning opportunities are abound. Getting involved in open source projects also allows you to learn much more about the software/code, which can improve your code-reading skills. Moreover, you will be able to get valuable feedback on your own code while having access to all the expertise of other contributors who might have worked on a similar problem. You can always look over other people's code as well as build something new and show it to people around you.
Tip #7: Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset
Having a problem-solving mindset is a skill that will help you in the long run. Taking a solution-focused approach by making a list of all potential solutions will put you in a better position to weigh your options and measure their effectiveness. Always see the problems faced as an opportunity to problem solve, learn and grow.
Tip #8: Learn How to Debug
One way of enhancing your problem-solving skills is through debugging. Debugging is an essential skill for a software engineer to possess as it aids in honing your skills in promptly determining problems and their causes. Debugging not only enhances your problem-solving skills, but also increases your attention to detail. The practice of detecting the errors made in your written code and promptly correcting them offers an opportunity to learn new tricks and grow your skills to help you debug faster in the future.
Tip #9: Learn to Communicate Well
Good communication is a cornerstone of successful software development. Effective communication of ideas and concepts in discussions is vital. One should be able to explain and justify the decisions they have made in front of their peers.
Tip #10: Keep Learning
One of the most important skills a software engineer must have is the ability to learn new things constantly. The tech industry is highly volatile with things constantly changing. There are numerous languages and technologies that you can choose to learn. There are also resources such as tutorials and books on software development that you can tap on. However, to truly develop and improve your skills and programming proficiency, you should practice every day. Choose a project that challenges you, but is not too far above your skill level. As you build your confidence, you can go bigger and tackle more complex projects. While it might be intimidating, if you have the right mindset and appreciate learning new things, you will enjoy the journey without feeling overwhelmed.