We are witnessing a rapid day-by-day increase in the number of IT specialists and those who aspire to become one. Universities that offer programming degrees have long waiting lists of applicants eager to join this promising field. Over the past year alone, more than 1,000 people completed the course WAY UP "Web Developer: The Freelancer’s Code".
Why is that? Because being in IT is trendy and full of opportunities. IT professionals are well-paid and in demand all over the world. And not only do employers hunt for skilled programmers—thanks to the rise of geek culture, they’re often admired by the opposite sex as well.
How to Enter the Programming Profession
So how does one get into IT? Where does a programmer’s journey begin? There are several possible paths.
The first and most difficult path is self-education. It’s not hard to find websites, books, or apps to learn programming. The real challenge is the quality and accuracy of the information. The main difficulty is processing a huge amount of content on your own, figuring out syntax, and choosing which language to learn. This path requires an enormous—and often unjustified—amount of time and energy.
University. If you're just finishing school, pursuing a degree in this field is a solid choice. The fundamental knowledge and the diploma you receive will certainly help you in your job search. Often, top students are noticed during internships and later invited to join companies full-time.
Mentor. This could be a friend, neighbor, or mentor found on specialized online platforms. In any case, this person should have real programming experience to guide you, review your code, and offer valuable advice.
Specialized courses. Courses have an edge over universities because instructors are usually industry professionals. This means they provide not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on skills. Completing a course and confidently starting your career as a developer is very possible. And graduates of the “Web Developer: The Freelancer’s Code” course confirm this. They’ve started their journey in web development and don’t plan to stop.
Programmer Levels: Junior–Middle–Senior
No matter how you enter the programming profession, you’ll start with the proud title of Junior. Then you'll aim to progress to Middle and eventually to Senior. These levels are somewhat arbitrary, but let’s break down what they typically mean.
A Junior is a beginner in the field. They may have little or no practical experience. They have basic knowledge and can handle simple tasks independently. More complex tasks are possible too—but with the help and supervision of a more experienced mentor.
A Middle developer definitely has practical experience and can independently solve tasks that are too advanced for a Junior. They can handle non-standard tasks with minimal help, usually just needing a mentor to guide them or suggest more efficient tools.
A Senior is an expert who not only handles complex tasks independently but also leads other developers on joint projects. They guide others, analyze solutions before implementation, and weigh the pros and cons.
The Path from Junior to Senior
A good programmer aspires to one day become an IT director. Ambition and a desire for constant growth are essential for becoming a highly sought-after professional. However, in reality, many who enter the profession remain stuck at the Junior level. They may work for years but keep solving the same typical problems, struggling with anything new or unusual.
So what must a programmer do to grow and transform from a Junior into a Senior?
How the Transition Between Levels Happens
Experts agree that the main criterion for moving up is the ability to work independently on a project, make decisions, and produce high-quality code.
Experience alone doesn’t always define a developer's level. As mentioned, someone with four years of experience might still be considered a beginner, while another may reach at least Middle level in just 1.5 to 2 years.
The key to moving up is a strong desire to grow. A programmer should consistently tackle tasks that are harder than the last and understand the need to expand their knowledge to do so.
Continuous learning is also essential for maintaining your current level. IT knowledge becomes outdated quickly—what you learn today may be obsolete in 3–5 years. So staying current is crucial if you don’t want to slip from Senior back to Middle.
If a programmer’s work involves steady growth in skills and knowledge, the path from Junior to Senior looks like this: typically, it takes two years to move from Junior to Middle. Then, after another two to three years, the Middle developer may become a Senior.
Almost anyone can go from Junior to Senior with enough passion for their craft. Passion is the foundation of progress. A specialist who truly enjoys what they do will always be ahead of those who just perform their tasks.
Maturity, willpower, and courage are all essential to reaching the highest levels of professionalism in the IT field.