Should I Quit My Job for Computer Programming?

To the right kind of person computer programming may sound like a pretty great career.  But dig a little further and you’ll see that…well, it really is a pretty great career.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $77,550.  81,000 job openings are projected before 2024.  And when you look at the companies doing the hiring (including Google, Apple, and Microsoft) we can’t fault you for pondering a big “what if.”

So, hey, let’s face this one head on:  Should you quit your job to become a computer programmer?

Before we proceed, we’ll make one thing absolutely clear:  CSU Global is not suggesting you quit anything to become anything.  We just figured we’d have some fun with a question you might have.  And if you decide to use this discussion as a springboard to make a career change that’s more fulfilling to you…well, that sounds pretty great to us.

Alright.  Ready?

Should you quit your job to become a computer programmer?

Maybe, if you…

1)  Live in a computer programming hotspot.

It’s a good rule of thumb that you shouldn’t quit your job for a job that doesn’t exist (trust us on this), so do your homework about who’s hiring and where they’re located.  It should come as no surprise that certain regions offer more opportunities than others, but you may be surprised by what those regions are.

At the bottom of this post you’ll find an infographic listing the top 10 states for computer programming jobs.  (Hint:  Whatever you guessed for #1, you’re wrong.)  Great opportunities are available in places you may not expect.  For instance, this list of popular cities for computer programming jobs includes two Colorado cities…which came as a surprise to us, even though we’re based in Colorado!

Before changing your career path, check around for vacancies. You may find some in your own back yard.  Or somebody else’s.

2)  Are comfortable with a typical programming workday.

You’ll be required to sit for long periods of time.  You’ll work indoors.  You’ll do a lot of communicating via email.  You’ll be knee-deep in a role that requires exactness and accuracy.

Computer programmers may work for many different companies, but their specific work days don’t vary much as far as those things go.  If you enjoy working outdoors or in large, collaborative groups, computer programming may not scratch your professional itch.  But if you enjoy working alone or in small teams, and if you don’t mind getting most of your physical activity after you go home for the day, you may be a better fit.

Computer programming is a largely sedentary and quiet job, which means that social butterflies might not be as naturally compatible with the environment.  Of course there are bound to be exceptions, and even very successful ones. But if the above tasks don’t sound fulfilling to you, you might want to think twice before quitting your job to become a computer programmer.

3)  Have the right qualifications.

You don’t necessarily need a degree to become a computer programmer, but many in the industry do have them.  The more important qualification is experience, and that’s what’s great about computer programming.

You know the old paradox about needing experience before anyone will hire you?  Computer programming has a built-in workaround: it’s something you can do on your own, either by freelancing or developing your own projects.

In other words, you can build a portfolio before you’re ever hired to do anything, and you’ll also get a sense of whether you enjoy the work or not.  (Protip:  If you don’t enjoy the work, you may not want to quit your job to do more of it.)

If you don’t have any experience or qualifications and are just looking for a nice introduction to the field to get you started, we offer a five-course Certificate of Completion in Computer Programming.  This is also a great option for those who used to be interested in programming and would like to update their knowledge before pursuing it as a career.

It’s a competitive field full of passionate individuals, so it’s important to spotlight anything that can help you demonstrate your capabilities.  That can be a certification, hands-on experience, or a portfolio of programs you’ve written yourself.

4)  You’re both self-driven and patient.

Okay, we know that sounds like a contradiction, but programming requires a strong sense of initiative, which in turn needs to be tempered by the knowledge that problems can’t be solved by brute force.  You’ll need to be motivated enough to seek out problems, but not enthusiastic to the point that you’re pushing updates and rewriting code before you know how it will affect everything downstream.

Computer programming is like a game of chess; you’ll need to consider the consequences of every action from both sides before you make a move.  That requires a delicate balance of engagement and patience, and a level of comfort with the fact that much of the work will be done within your own mind.  You may not have much to show for your effort until the work is complete.  For much of the process you might feel like you’re accomplishing little, but what you’re really doing is ensuring that the actions you do take accomplish your goals.

A certain type of person will read that paragraph and think, “This is me.  I can do this.”  Another type of person will read that and find it difficult to imagine anything less satisfying.  That person should probably not quit their job to become a computer programmer.  (Just a hunch…)

5)  You don’t second guess your talents.

No, really.  Don’t.  Impostor Syndrome is a serious concern among computer programmers.  It’s the feeling, essentially, that you’re not as strong a programmer as you believe you are.  It causes you to fear that your weaknesses will be exposed by better coworkers.  It tends to come from having impossibly high standards for yourself and your work and in a profession like computer programming – in which your code will be reviewed and improved by colleagues – it’s an all-too-common problem.

It can be difficult for programmers to accept criticism and changes to their work, especially if it’s delivered in a less than tactful way.  That means it’s important to ask yourself up front if this is something you will be comfortable with.  You will be faced with tight deadlines, conflicting priorities, and complicated projects.  Will you get hung up on criticisms delivered indelicately?  If so, you may not thrive in an environment like computer programming.

But if you can believe in your own talents – and successfully remind yourself that improving your work is a good thing – this could well be the career for you.  (And, hey, if you end up in the position of providing criticism to others, do it fairly.  Set a better precedent for the way it’s delivered in your workplace.  Your colleagues may not thank you, but they’ll surely appreciate it.)

So, should you quit your job to become a computer programmer?

Ultimately, there can be no conclusive answer.  At least, not one that somebody else can tell you.  We do hope, though, that the above helps you make the right choice for you.  If you still have questions about the field, or what you can do with a Certificate of Completion, that’s a perfect reason to get in touch.