How I Went from Commerce to Coding: A Self-Taught Programmer’s and Mistake's

Introduction

Hey everyone! Welcome to my first blog. I’m excited to share my coding journey with you today. I’m a 100% self-taught programmer with a background in commerce(B.com) and finance. If you’re interested in coding or are currently navigating your own learning path, this blog post is for you. Let’s dive into how I transitioned from studying business to becoming a self-taught developer, and the Lessons I’ve learned along the way!

Section 1: The Beginning

My coding journey began during my third year of college when I was introduced to MySQL databases. Despite being in a commerce and finance program, I found myself fascinated by coding. Driven by curiosity, I decided to teach myself programming. Little did I know, this journey would be filled with its own set of challenges and learning experiences.

Section 2: Mistakes I Made and Lessons Learned

1. Lack of Focus on a Single Course or Tutorial

One of my biggest mistakes was not focusing on a single course or tutorial. I jumped from HTML to JavaScript, picking up pieces from various sources without fully mastering any one thing. This scattered approach made it difficult to build a strong foundation. My advice: choose a comprehensive course or tutorial and stick with it until you feel confident before moving on.

2. Buying Paid Courses Without Research

I also made the mistake of purchasing paid courses on platforms like Udemy, thinking that they would give me a premium edge in web development. While some paid courses are excellent, I found that many free resources on YouTube were just as good, if not better. If you’re considering a paid course, make sure it offers personalized support, like one-on-one Zoom classes or placement assistance. Otherwise, free resources can be equally effective.

3. Blindly Following Tutorials

I used to follow YouTube tutorials line by line without truly understanding the concepts behind the code. Completing a project this way gave me a false sense of achievement. It’s crucial to grasp the underlying principles of what you’re coding, rather than just copying and pasting code. Take the time to understand each step and how it contributes to the overall project.

4. Not Choosing a Niche or Programming Language

Computer science is vast, and I struggled with finding a focus. Whether it’s web development, machine learning, or DevOps, it’s essential to pick a niche and a programming language that aligns with your goals. Research the popular languages for your chosen field and dive deep into learning them.

5. Lack of a Roadmap

Another challenge was not having a clear roadmap. I often switched between different roadmaps on YouTube, which led to confusion. Create a structured learning plan based on what you want to specialize in—be it front-end, back-end, full-stack development, or another area. Stick to a roadmap and follow it consistently.

6. Fear of Errors

One of the biggest hurdles was my fear of making mistakes. I saw errors as failures rather than opportunities to learn. Overcoming this fear was pivotal. Errors are valuable learning tools and part of the problem-solving process. Use resources like Stack Overflow or AI tools to troubleshoot, but make sure you understand the solution rather than just copying it.

7. Not Posting Updates

Lastly, I neglected to share my progress and updates on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium. Regularly documenting and sharing your learning journey can be incredibly beneficial. It keeps you accountable, helps you connect with others in the field, and can even open up new opportunities.

Section 3: Final Thoughts

There’s so much more I could share, but these are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way. If you’re embarking on your own coding journey, remember that persistence, focus, and a willingness to learn from mistakes are crucial.

If you enjoyed this content and found it helpful, let me know! I’m happy to share more about my journey, offer tips, or discuss specific aspects of coding that interest you.

Blog Conclusion

Thanks for tuning in and reading! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell on YouTube if you want to stay updated with more content like this. For more detailed posts and updates, follow me on my blog or LinkedIn. See you next time!

Feel free to adjust the script to better fit your personal style and experiences. Good luck with your video and blog post!