The point we’ve been hammering is that in the realm of programming, lone craftsmen are extremely rare—and even when they do exist, they don’t perform superhuman achievements in a vacuum; their world-changing accomplishment is almost always the result of a spark of inspiration followed by a heroic team effort.
It is given that coding is important for programmers. But communication is equally essential to being a good software developer.
Whether you work in a team or as a freelance programmer, you cannot deliver quality products without communication. Hence, effective communication skills are fundamental to the success of developers. Sometimes you also need to attend customer meetings.
An offshoot of this stereotype is the idea of the “lone wolf” developer—that to work in this field you have to spend hours on end hunched over your computer and not talking to a soul.
While, yes, software engineering requires chunks of focused working time, it’s no more than any creative worker requires—or anybody tackling a big project, for that matter. And between those work sessions? Developers at many companies spend time collaborating with their teams and other departments to create amazing products for users. “Programming is more about working with others and being able to express your ideas and communicate effectively. Good software is built by teams that can empathize and understand their client's needs,” says Andres Macedo, a student at Dev Bootcamp.
Plus, working as a developer can, in some cases, give your life some extra flexibility, helping you live as you want and spend time with the people you care about. “As someone who used to work outdoors for a living, being stuck in a cubicle every day was a primary concern,” admits Webster. “In reality, all of my seven years of developing have been performed remotely, providing massive amounts of flexibility. If I can’t solve a problem, I let it process in the back of my mind while I go for a run or bike ride.”
Of course, this isn’t to say these myths are incorrect all of the time. Certainly, entry-level engineering jobs might not be as creatively fulfilling as higher-level roles, at some companies you may find yourself working alone most of the time, and some engineering problems are pretty much only a genius (or someone with a lot of computer science experience) could solve.
But those are the exceptions, not the rules. The reality is that software engineering is a vibrant and diverse field—and if it’s something you’re feeling excited about, then it’s worth considering the move.
One more popular myth tells that coders do not communicate with other people but always sit in front of a computer screen, it is wrong. Of course, programming like any other serious profession requires a maximum of attention but it doesn’t mean developers have no time to have a word with specialists from other departments. They like to chat with colleagues, as a result, they can present a perfect product. Finally, they attend different meetings and exhibitions where they get a chance to talk to people of different ages on various topics.
Yes, some programmers are like that. But I also know many programmers who are nothing like this stereotype; they like to spend time with their family, do sports, make music, dance, socialize and give importance to work-life balance.
What you can do:
Learn how to speak clearly and concisely in relevant forums.
Hone your presentation skill.
Learn to communicate effectively through emails. Most of the communication is done through emails in a professional environment.
Learn to read non-verbal communication.
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