There Is No Roadmap To Becoming A Software Developer

There is no mold you need to fit into to be a great developer.

A lot of people have an impression of what a developer should be or where they should come from. It's as if there's a set career path (e.g. college -> internship -> job) and if you don't follow it, don't bother.

That's patently false.

There's no core set of traits. There's no common background. There's no roadmap everyone followed.

I compiled a list of stories of how successful developers started their careers. Every story is unique. Everyone had their own reason for choosing the profession and their own journey to get there. Some people went to college. Some didn't. Some people loved programming as children. Others started as adults.

Some people managed to pick up programming easily. Others went through a lot of struggle and almost quit.

I almost wanted to say that the only common trait was that everyone wanted to be software developers. Their desire was so strong that they persevered through all the struggles to make it.
Then I read my own story and realized I was more "Eh. I guess? I don't know what else I'd do."

If you're considering a career in software development, these stories are for you. They don't exist to serve as a roadmap. They exist to let you know there is no roadmap. There's no need to worry about whether the steps you are taking are "correct" or not. So long as you are progressing, the steps you take are fine and will get you where you need to be.

Most of the stories also contain contact information on how to reach the story teller. Feel free to reach out to any of them if you have questions!