Your motivation
A career change into Software Development should not be only about money, but it should take into consideration flexibility, work-from-home possibilities, and work-life balance, especially with family and children.
What does a Software Developer do?
Software Developers use their programming skills, logical thinking, and soft skills to design, build, test, and update software solutions for a given business problem or requirement. There are many frameworks and programming languages in the world that suits to solve a particular problem depending whenever what is being used by the client. Software Developers are usually divided into 3 groups, Front-End, Back-End, and Full-Stack Developers.
Front-End: focus on the development of the user interface, such as desktop apps, mobile apps, and websites
Back-End: focus on the development of the server logic side, the system behind the user interface, and that is a bridge between databases and external systems.
Full-Stack: focus on both sides, Front-End and Back-End, full stack professionals have a wide set of skills that covers the development of a full app, from the user interface to system integration.
Prepare yourself to be a Software Developer
The base tool of a developer is a programming language, most of the requirements are solved by coding in a particular framework. There are many platforms, and frameworks in the world that are used in several scenarios, usually, a developer specializes in a given programming language, framework, or platform. A software developer is capable to work alone or in a team of designers, developers, testers, and project managers.
1. Learn Programming
Learning how to code applies to any kind of programming language, as all programming language has the same logic and differs in syntax. When it comes to learning a framework (Angular, NextJs, ReactJs or VueJs) or platform (Salesforce) they mostly rely on a given programming language. For example, you can use JavaScript in frameworks like Angular, Vue, and React, in platforms like Salesforce, or in backend development using NodeJs.
Different opinions and studies differ in the community to determine which programming language is the top, frequently you can find python and JavaScript to be the most used programming language due to their versatility.
Leave the statistics apart, if you are new to the programming world, I would suggest starting with JavaScript due to its simplicity and utility in all technologies. JavaScript is used in all browsers, even if the web application is written in a specific platform or language, it will transpile into HTML/CSS/JavaScript package to be processed by the browser.
2. Be active in the community
Being a developer is much more than just coding, typing lines of code, or staring at your computer trying to solve complex requirements. Being a developer is being part of a developer community, in which we are all available to share knowledge, help each other and be up to date with new trends in technology.
3. Build a project for your portfolio
There is no better way to learn a new framework, platform, or programming language than by building a project. It doesn't need to be a life changer app or a different application that doesn't exist yet. All you need is to think is an app or solution that you would wish to build or simply get some ideas in the development community or with your mentor. The most basic idea that will definitely skill you up in any technology is by building a calculator app, this app can be on the web, mobile, desktop, command line, etc.
4. Work with a technical mentor
It is common that you might need direction or you feel lost and don't know how to start your transition into software development especially if software development is a new world for you. A mentor will guide you and create a dedicated transformation plan based on your career goals, background, and current knowledge in development. You won't feel alone, you will have someone constantly guiding you, motivating and reviewing your work to make you stand out by building your portfolio.
Conclusion
A transformation into software development doesn't happen overnight, it requires a lot of dedication and patience. Learning something new is challenging no matter which field but it is possible. Always aim to achieve little every single day, and set smart goals with your mentor. With small steps approach you will stay on track and look back after 6 months thinking of yourself for the dedication and opportunity to be closer to a career change.
There is no better moment, situation, time, or day to start your professional development. Don't leave it for tomorrow, start today!