The beautiful life of a web developer – Is it right for you?

Once upon a time

Are you in the mood for a story? My story. My name is Victor Jeman, and I am Head of Frontend at ASSIST Software.

Let's just say you're nodding, and off we go. Picture me at 12, not exactly thriving in the school environment. Sure, I managed to pull off good grades, which seemed crucial to everyone around me, especially my parents. The idea of disappointing them or not living up to expectations was a constant worry, even if the joy of learning was lost on me.

The truth is that learning felt like a chore. Historical dates and scientific facts—while important, they failed to spark any real interest in me.

“The truth is, learning felt like a chore.”

My true excitement lay elsewhere, in the digital realms of Mario and duck shooting games on our old black and white TV. The game changed when I got my hands on a PC and Mortal Kombat 4. Suddenly, learning became thrilling. I found myself eagerly documenting each character's moves and fatalities, driven by a clear goal: to defeat my cousin in our next gaming session. This was learning with purpose, and I loved every moment of it. It highlighted a crucial lesson: understanding the “why” behind our learning makes all the difference.

“Understanding the “why” behind our learning makes all the difference.”

There's a significant difference between having someone else's ”why” imposed on you and uncovering your own “why” through inspiration that truly resonates with your personal values. As a parent now, I recognize the challenge of inspiring one's child. I strive to engage in activities that genuinely excite me, in hopes that my enthusiasm and joy in learning or doing something new will be contagious to my child.

“My enthusiasm will be contagious to my child.”

As time marched on, I navigated through the milestones of high school and college, eventually finding my place in the IT industry. The initial challenges were daunting, but I gradually came to not only understand my role but to relish it. My appreciation for learning deepened quickly; in the fast-evolving tech sector, staying updated is not just beneficial – it’s essential. This newfound passion for knowledge led me to actively seek out educational events, eagerly taking on roles as a mentor for interns or conducting workshops for my peers. Here's a snapshot of me, a younger Victor, eagerly imparting front-end development wisdom to my colleagues.

“Staying updated is not just beneficial - it’s essential.”

In time things get easier and other popular lies

As the years unfolded, I ventured into more challenging endeavors, tackling complex coding and teaching projects alike. Among these was delivering a presentation to a large audience of students, where I emphasized the value of self-inquiry. Preparing for this was a journey in itself, involving countless hours of rehearsing alone in front of a mirror. While I like to believe my efforts were fruitful, I remained critical of my speaking abilities, acknowledging my imperfections, occasional forgetfulness, and the nerves that accompanied me on stage.

“Countless hours of rehearsing alone  in front of a mirror.”

Given my belief in the significance of mentorship for students, I took on the role of teaching front-end development to 30 students enrolled in a special program called DUAL USV in 2024. This experience, however, was not without its challenges. I found myself frequently self-critical, from the content of my materials to my presentation style and even the pace at which I conducted the lessons. There were numerous moments of self-doubt and reflection on how I could improve.

“Numerous moments of self-doubt and reflection on how I could improve”

As you improve in any skill, your appreciation for quality also evolves, leading you to admire well-crafted work and aspire to produce such quality yourself. However, this growing discernment means that your creations often don't quite meet the heightened standards your refined taste sets.

“Your creations often don't quite meet the heightened standards your refined taste sets.”

This dynamic can make it seem as though tasks don't get easier over time; in fact, due to my enhanced appreciation for quality, I find my work as challenging now as it was 10 years ago. Despite this, I find great pleasure in the journey and thrive on progressively tackling more complex challenges in my endeavors.

“I find great pleasure in the journey.”

What’s in it for you?

Now that I've shared my achievements and quenched my ego's thirst, you might wonder what's in it for you. I see two ways I can offer assistance. Firstly, for those eager to dive into front-end development and fluent in Romanian, I've created a React course tailored for beginners. Here's the link for you to get started:

“A React course tailored for beginners”

The second way I aim to assist is by offering a glimpse into the realities of the journey ahead. For those embarking on the path to becoming a front-end developer, understand that reaching a point of satisfaction with your work takes time. Along the way, you'll encounter mundane tasks and learn the importance of consistency, valuing the finer details, and executing them with precision. If you're still in college, use this time to hone your organizational skills, as maintaining a certain level of order is crucial for a successful career in development.

"Maintaining a certain level of order is crucial for a successful career in development.”

The reality is that programming isn't a universal fit, nor is it a guaranteed path to wealth. Indeed, the top 1% of programmers earn significantly more, while the majority earn a decent salary. However, this decent income is sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle and is comparatively higher than many other professions. Nonetheless, achieving this level also requires dedication and effort, underscoring the importance of realistic expectations.

“The reality is, programming isn't a universal fit.”

Numerous sources might tempt you with the notion that a mere few months of effort can radically transform your life: acquire a laptop, pick up some programming skills, secure a job, and then relocate to a seaside paradise to work in bliss. However, the truth is that our profession can sometimes be mundane, exceptionally challenging, or downright disheartening. It's crucial to identify what aspects of this work genuinely appeal to you, as this understanding will be your anchor through the inevitable tough periods.

“It's crucial to identify what aspects of this work genuinely appeal to you.”

Conclusion

If you're a novice pondering whether programming is your calling, I recommend conducting a thorough analysis of what this field entails. It's immensely rewarding and engaging, yet it can also be challenging and sometimes seem unjust. My heartfelt advice is to remain optimistic. Although the journey may start off as tough and unexciting, it doesn't necessarily become easier, but it does grow more fascinating over time. Maintain your curiosity and continue learning, focusing on areas that you find both significant and enjoyable.