From the outside, the software industry looks very compelling: many countries have no unemployment in the industry, salaries are fair, there is always room to grow, travel is often involved, and there is the option to work from your couch for a Silicon Valley startup. Why isn’t everyone working on software?
The truth is that while the field might seem interesting, getting in is not that simple. I knew I wanted to be a software developer before I owned my first computer. I made the choice when I was a kid, based on the value computers were generating even then. But when it was time for me to jump into the real world, it wasn’t just difficult to get in, it was scary and unwelcoming. I had no guide, no map that would help me navigate the maze that was job interviews or even job listings. I would spend a few hours every weekend going through the Jobs section of my local newspaper, looking for opportunities for junior developers without experience.