I recently graduated with a Master's degree and started working as an embedded software engineer about a year and a half ago. I've noticed a big gap between the programming problems I tackled at university and what I face in the real world. I rate my programming skills around a 3 out of 10. I can manage to solve problems eventually with some help from colleagues, online resources, or AI tools, but I often see others on platforms like YouTube who seem like programming pros—I'd rate them around an 11 or 12 out of 10! Their ability to grasp a problem and whip up an optimal solution instantly is impressive, while I find myself going through multiple iterations and making mistakes along the way. I'm keen to hear from those with experience, whether in corporate environments, startups, or individual projects. What steps have you taken to become a better programmer and problem solver? While I'd appreciate suggestions like "read this book," I'm really looking for insights on how to shift from just reading and writing basic code to being able to create complete applications from scratch.
4 Answers
The key is to get hands-on and learn from your mistakes. Build projects, experiment, and don't shy away from failing a few times along the way.
The best way to improve is by constantly solving more problems. The folks who come up with optimal solutions right away have likely encountered similar issues before, so don't be too hard on yourself! The more problems you tackle, the better you'll get at recognizing patterns and applying your knowledge in the future.
As someone who teaches programming, I can tell you this: programming is very much like math. It requires the ability to solve problems, and that takes practice across various domains. Don't rush the process; it takes time to build up those skills.
In my experience, diving deep into a problem and figuring it out without relying on AI helps a lot. Create something small that solves an issue you face daily. The hands-on experience solidifies learning.
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