Developing at a Higher Level

“If it were easy, everyone would be a Software Developer”

Being a software developer is a demanding profession, akin to performing at the highest level in any other field. Let's consider the analogy of being a professional basketball player. You could teach anyone the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting a basketball, but what distinguishes a casual player from a professional athlete? Dropping a neighborhood player into the NBA would likely result in subpar performance, as the game is played at a completely different level. Professional athletes, such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, have dedicated countless hours to refining their skills, setting them apart from hobbyists.

This analogy resonates with me during the third or fourth week of my software development training courses when we transition from learning programming language syntax to tackling logical problem-solving. At this point, I emphasize that the language is merely a toolset, and it's up to the students to use these tools effectively. While they may be comfortable learning syntax and following step-by-step instructions, they often struggle when faced with problem-solving tasks that lack explicit directions.

This is when I remind them that our goal is to transform them into professionals who can perform at the highest level. LeBron James doesn't earn millions of dollars simply because he can dribble and shoot a basketball; he is paid as a professional because he can excel in his field. The same principle applies to software developers. Anyone can find free courses on programming language syntax online, but those tutorials won't teach you how to think like a software developer. Mastering logic, creative problem-solving, and the ability to look beyond syntax are what separate hobbyists from professionals.

As software developers, we are rewarded with high salaries because we can use our tools to solve problems creatively. Merely knowing the syntax isn't enough. If we aspire to call ourselves professionals, we must strive to perform at the highest level.