Chapter 1: Pursuing Passion in Programming

The majority of students today aim to enter the programming or IT fields. This ambition stems from various factors such as the opportunity for free learning, a wealth of resources, and attractive salary prospects. While acquiring programming skills can certainly facilitate job placement, it is not the only focus you should have—in fact, it need not be a focus at all.

During my high school years, a senior engineering student introduced us to programming concepts, which sparked my interest in the field. I devoted four years to studying engineering, driven by the desire to secure an internship that would ease my entry into the job market. To achieve this, I delved into emerging technologies like Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Web Development. My love for web development paid off, as I landed internships with various companies by my second year.

Afterward, I was offered a full-time position. Thanks to the remote work opportunities created by the Covid-19 pandemic, I seized the moment, but ultimately found the experience disheartening and left after just a month. With ample time at my disposal during my third year, I began to explore other interests. I invested in stocks, learned about cryptocurrency, created technical content, and even started a few side ventures, all of which broadened my mindset.

This journey significantly altered my perspective on the job market. Companies have become increasingly selective, and I faced numerous challenges in the hiring process. Many of my friends encountered similar frustrations—spending hours on technical assessments only to receive rejections or, worse, no feedback at all.

For instance, one of my friends had a job interview where the interviewer arrived an hour late and introduced two additional rounds of interviews. It left us questioning the organization’s processes. This experience solidified my disinterest in applying for traditional jobs due to the cumbersome interview procedures.

I’ve interned at several firms but ultimately sought a freelance path after realizing the work environment wasn’t conducive to my happiness. I took the opportunity to experiment with various endeavors, like investing in stocks, studying Blockchain, and producing technical content, which all encouraged me to think outside the box.

What about you?

Well, if you have a couple of years—perhaps while studying—you don’t need immediate financial support and can take the time to explore what truly interests you. Here’s what I recommend: if you’re in a position to explore, go for it. Alternatively, if you need quick income, acquire a skill and seek employment. Ultimately, pursue what inspires you.

You could dive into web development, app development, security engineering, machine learning, data science, or even niche areas like Blockchain development. You may discover your passion through experimentation.

So, what are your options? Identify a skill that others haven’t mastered yet and dedicate yourself to learning it. But remember, every skill has its competition. The next step? Learn, practice, and evaluate your interest. If you enjoy it, fantastic; if not, move on. Though it may seem tedious, this process is effective.

Additionally, don’t shy away from challenging skills; every ability requires effort to master.

After this exploration, you can engage in various activities, such as building projects, educating others, or even seeking employment. The choice is yours, but don’t waste all your time job hunting. A job is merely a means to monetize your skills.

Trust me when I say that by offering more value to your audience, you could potentially earn significantly more. For example, I started writing as a side project last year and am now nearing 100,000 monthly views.

Let’s Conclude

My primary aim is to help you uncover unique pathways. Many students, especially in engineering, are focused solely on securing a job. While some positions offer excellent pay, they often come with intense competition and require substantial effort. Instead, consider honing a unique skill; this is the optimal time to do so. Believe me, your chances of success are much higher when you pursue what you genuinely enjoy.

Programmers, Your Life Holds More Value than Just Earning a Salary And here’s how to turn that belief into action.

Bonus: Recently, I’ve been utilizing Locofy.ai to accelerate app and website development significantly. This tool converts designs from Figma or Adobe XD into various formats, including React, React Native, HTML/CSS, Next.js, and Gatsby. Explore more content at PlainEnglish.io. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join our Discord community.