You Don't Have to Like Coding.

In this video, I talk about something I hear all the time that bothers me. The idea that "You have to be passionate about coding to get into software engineering" I think is not only a misguided but silly and dishonest opinion for any truly critical person. Whether you're self-teaching, going to a coding BootCamp or attending college, I think this mindset for becoming a software engineer is helpful when times get hard.
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[@cruzjay]

I agree to an extent. Passion has very little to do with being successful at a job or career. However, I think that what most experienced programmers are trying to articulate when giving this cliche and wrong advice is that there's a level of commitment you have to put in in order to actually thrive in the field, specially right now, compared to other careers and jobs. You just can't be good enough to stand out. You can't just average your way into a career in Software Engineering. Maybe in the past some Web Dev roles where just jobs you could get, but I don't believe that Programming is just a job that you just clock in and clock out. Again, it's not so much about being passionate. When you're staring frustrated for hours trying to find a bug in your code, there will be very little passion there. But if you don't enjoy coding, you're not going to last very long with the constant failure and frustration that entails programming.

[@marshallgraphic]

I learned to code a few decades ago and it was something I was highly interested in but not necessarily something I wanted a career in. I was more interested in becoming a media producer but opportunities were hard to get or the earning potential was too low. I found a new opportunity in code but it was a role that I felt was more exciting. I think if you find a good role and become really good at what you do you start to enjoy the process and work you do. I now think my coding skills have surpassed my media skills and I find myself earning more than I could ever do as a producer.

[@JohnnyHandsomeCapital]

Doing what you love might boost your performance, because you are more passionate about what you do. But it definitely isn't necessary to do a good job. Also if you make what you love your job that might actually turn it into something you don't love anymore, because of the circumstances you are now in. If people love coding and then they have to be a SWE or Dev in a company with all the management bull and such, then you might lose your passion for coding just because of that. Great video, keep it up buddy.

[@ColbyJaxCodes]

Thanks! I agree with this fully and have experienced it myself.

[@keeearrr]

one of your best

[@thecasualpkm8534]

I agree with you! I would say i love coding however i am learning to love it. The satisfaction of making something work is unparalleled.

[@ColbyJaxCodes]

Can't agree more. I also think there's something to liking something BECAUSE you're good at it. It used to be so frustrating for me to see a new error on my screen but the more familiar I get with debugging the more satisfying it gets to fix up a new error, etc.

[@edwinnjoroge6580]

Algorithms are weird. I am in a career shift phase after being in IT Support for the more than 8 YEARS. Programming is one of my areas of interest so am now a follower. I somehow wish I had someone to start and walk with on the journey.

[@ColbyJaxCodes]

Get involved in a learning community. It's extremely helpful to engage with people regularly.

[@ghostie7790]

YEP!!

[@brittanycallen7974]

100% agree.

[@hillcountrydev]

the way i look at it is im passionate about providing a good living for my family and spending more time with them and I look at SWE as my career that affords that. so am i passionate about sql dbs and massive legacy java code bases? haha no, but i find my DRIVE via my family and that makes me like my career. its very hard when you start out but if you stick with it, it gets better and easier. so drive and discipline go alot further than "passion"

[@Charlie_8rown]

What is that on you lip?

[@ColbyJaxCodes]

A pimple my man. I've been 16 years old for 13 years apparently.

[@rl6382]

What a stupid question