Creating iPhone and Mac apps can be a rewarding career, both financially and by doing something you enjoy. But some people find it hard to get started. Developers who’ve made the jump into coding point out that you can make your hobby into your career, it’s never too late, and more tips.
Anyone one considering becoming a dev might benefit from their advice.
If you love it, do it
Anne K. Halsall points out that a childhood love of technology can transform into a lifetime of working with it professionally.
“When I was a kid, computer-assisted artwork and computer design were the things I spent all my time doing; I was just obsessed. What was strange for me was that that was always like a hobby — something I pursued for fun, kind of in the privacy of my home,” Halsall said. “And when I went to college, it never occurred to me to do this as a career.” But she ended up as co-founder and chief product officer at Winnie, a childcare discovery platform because, “as much as I tried to do other things with my life, I ended up in technology inevitably, in spite of myself.”
Sara Mauskopf, co-founder and CEO of Winnie, urges people to be willing to change course with their career.
“I always tell people you’re never too old to learn to code,” said Mauskopf. “I discovered it in college, and I thought I was already behind because some people at my college had learned to code in high school, but it turns out you can learn anytime, even much later in your career.”
You don’t have to do it alone
Nicco Adams, co-founder of Kickstroid, an app for sneaker enthusiasts, joining a group of other coders is a good way to get started.
“I grew up in a predominantly Black community where not many people were pursuing STEAM,” said Adams. “So you have this small collective that started in high school where, for the first time, I saw people who looked like me in this space. So you know, I looked at them and thought, ‘I should go ahead and jump into this space.’”
Alandis Seals, junior developer and assistant instructor at Ed Farm, suggests finding a mentor.
“I had an instructor who taught me how to code, and he was kind of my mentor at first. I’d come ask some questions and he was so responsive,” said Seals.
