7 Lessons From My First 6 Months as a Developer

Igor Houwat, a 38-year-old career switcher, landed his first full-time job as a developer six months ago. He learned a lot during his first few months on the job, including navigating new codebases and finding his voice in meetings. Igor attributes his job success to networking, which started with a conversation that led to guidance and feedback from someone in the industry. He also emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics of programming, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, before moving on to more advanced topics. Igor shares five valuable lessons he's learned on the job, including the importance of having a "getting started" plan, asking questions early and often, finding mentors, and not letting age or background hold you back. He also stresses the need to keep learning and improving skills, even after landing a job. Igor's journey began with a conversation, and he encourages others to reach out and build connections in the industry. He believes that having a strong foundation in programming basics and being open to learning and growth are key to success as a developer. Igor's story is an inspiration to others who are looking to switch careers and pursue a career in tech.