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Nathan Orris
Nathan Orris

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There's a lot of advice on becoming a developer, but they all forget this one key part...

A few years back I learned about Google's Android Studio and the Android Open Source Project. To this day I still remember the curiosity that overtook my being. Hands down it is the leading factor that pushed me into finally making the career change into software development, and doing something that I have such an enjoyable time doing and possess immeasurable passion for.

Even though I felt I had found my calling, I was still dragging my feet but wasn't sure why. After some serious soul searching and reflection I figured out what was causing me to delay. Making the decision to leave my current career and give up everything I built, from the ground up, that was the scariest part. There's the fear of going for it – of making a change. Fear of failure, fear of looking like a fool. Fear of the unknown, and of leaving behind a life I've invested so much in.

Then there's also the fear of not making the move.. The fear of looking back on my life with regret. The fear of spending my life not just being in the wrong career, but having to live with the knowledge that I'm still here because I was too afraid to change it.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

In the end it turned out to be the best thing I have ever done for myself. I enjoy going to work everyday, I actually look forward to it. There's a sense of fulfillment that I get helping others learn about something that I am so passionate about. It almost makes me feel guilty. Almost.

This leads me to a key part to successfully become a developer - If you're thinking about making that move or you're in the process, don't lose sight of what drove you to do it in the first place.

Now I would like to end this with a question:
Why do you want to be a developer?

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