#ProgrammingStruggles #ImposterSyndrome #CareerDoubts
Hey there, fellow learners! 👋 Let me share a little story with you to give some context to the burning question I have in my mind. I ventured into the world of programming during the pandemic, with the guidance of a friend who believed in me. I dabbled in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even delved into React. But here’s the twist – I didn’t go all in because I had other commitments like exams and thesis writing.
Fast forward to today, I find myself at a crossroads. I completed an internship and even landed a job, but I constantly doubt my abilities. I feel like a fish out of water when compared to my peers. The nagging self-doubt is creeping in, making me question if pursuing a career in programming is the right path for me.
So here I am, contemplating whether I should continue down this challenging road or explore other avenues. Should I keep pushing myself to grasp the complexities of this field, or is it time to throw in the towel? 🤔
I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and advice on this matter. Let’s spark a conversation and support each other in this journey! 💬✨
Let me note that _you were accepted_, even if later layed off. Every person’s first steps are hard.
If you kinda like it when the project is running and you achieve what you were supposed to do, then the answer is a sounding YES! Keep trying, and with practice you’ll surely get better at it. The brain is a muscle that must be trained, and the continuous stopping and starting is not helping you. When you don’t have time, just try something small, but keep doing it.
If you don’t really like coding, and you only try because it’s a way of getting money, then that’s harder to say. If you have no better alternative, then a weak yes, I suppose…
It depends on how much you enjoy programming? If you really like it, then YES, keep going for it. But if you don’t really enjoy it then you could start looking somewhere else.
I think that you maybe just have been exposed to some tasks that were too difficult for you at the time, and that you might benefit from solving tasks that fit your current skill level.
Let me know if you would like to get some help with that 😀
Programming is not easy, and it takes a lot of time and practice. If you keep on putting in time and effort then you will get good at it.
You will continuously feel stupid the more new challenges you face and it’s a sign that you’re learning and being exposed to new problems. Nobody knows everything from the get go, a lot of the other people you’re comparing yourself to have more experience and studied much longer than you did (e.g. CS degree holders).
>feel like I can’t accomplish a simple task without using Google
That’s normal, you won’t find a dev who doesn’t use it often. You don’t have much experience yet and don’t have the confidence in yourself. Over time you will become more confident the more you learn, so keep going at it.
>I feel like I forget everything I learn after closing my laptop
This is also quite normal, hence why it’s important to revisit contents you’ve covered frequently. Documentations exists for this reason (as well as others), so don’t be ashamed to use it along with any other notes.
As long as you’re liking your job and gain satisfaction for it, I don’t see a reason to drop it.
> I am also wondering about my chances, because without a degree in Computer Science, employers would ignore me in favor of college graduates.
Many companies would generally prefer CS grads, as they are far more likely to have the skills they’re looking for. That doesn’t mean others won’t hire non CS grad as there’s many who will give you a chance as long as you show the right attitude.
As you did before, start asking around for opportunities and have your friends/connection give you some tips for your resume.