Morshed Before or during the first year of their career, a student or new programmer typically experiences at least one instance of someone expressing a negative stereotype about their tech interests, computer skills or job choice.
One of the most common statements sounds a bit like this:
“Oh wow. Um. You know how to code? Wow. That’s unexpected.”
Girls, women and even athletic students of any gender who love to code often hear a statement of disbelief like this one early in life.
Although these statements can motivate some people to continue coding and seek a tech-related career, they can also undermine self-confidence. Sadly, one experience with negative stereotypes isn’t typically the norm.
We’ve gathered some of the most common stereotypes that perpetuate falsehoods about what it means personally and professionally to be a programmer.
Whether they’re believed by people outside of the industry or within it, these stereotypes cause serious harm. Check out our list below:
1. You have to be a genius or mathematician before you can become a programmer
Many people believe all programmers that write code must be geniuses and be versatile in mathematics. While this appears to be true because of their ability to master multiple programming languages, the stereotype is wrong. You DON’T have to be a genius before you can become a programmer.
Also, understanding mathematics is a valuable skill, but it is not a prerequisite for becoming a programmer. There is no special thing a brain must have before you can become a software engineer. Programming is like running a marathon or playing a musical instrument; you get better with constant practice.
2. Programmers Can Build A Computer
Funny but true! Many people believe programmers should be able to build computers from scratch. They should know the programming language that can make both hardware and software of a computer. Also, they expect programming to include both internal and external working of a computer.
The stereotype of a programmer being able to build a computer is entirely wrong. Although they can build software that can run on a computer, they can not create a computer in its entirety. It is just like expecting a driver to be able to build a car because he can drive. Being a driver is largely different from being a car mechanic.
3. Programmers Don’t Have Social Skills
Because programmers can work from anywhere and often work on their PC, most people believe that this work pattern affects their social skills. It is essential to note that computer programmers and developers also have personality traits.
Being a programmer does not affect social skills. They live life normally like other people in society and maintain their personalities. In fact, they have great communication skills because they work as a team.
So, when next you see a programmer, feel free to ask them out on a date, invite them to social gatherings, and grab a can of mountain dew together. Programmers and software developers are just like everyone else with varying social skills.
4. You Need A College Degree in Computer Science Before You Can Become A Programmer or a Software Developer
A college degree, a university degree, or other elite degree is a good thing to have, no doubt! But most people have the wrong notion that you cannot be a professional or become a successful developer without these qualifications. Even if you wish to work for a company, they might not need a CS degree to hire you. It doesn’t even limit how much money you can make with the skill.
These degrees can only give you a slight edge in your career, but it is not the determinant of being a programmer. Many developers learn their first programming language from online resources and develop steadily through open source projects. This implies that computer programming can be self-taught and mastered without having a college degree. The essential quality of a software developer is versatility in solving problems.
Many prominent developers like Mark Zuckerberg do not have a degree in engineering before making exploits in the field. So, there are a lot of paths to becoming a successful programmer. Nevertheless, having a degree in computer science can be a big boost to your career in the tech industry.
5. All Programmers Must Be 100% Fluent In English
First off, it is best to clarify that being fluent in English will be of great help to your programming career. A lot of coding is done in English, and a knowledge of the language often helps developers to learn faster and better. However, being fluent in English is not a quality all developers must have to explore technology.
The only universal language all developers must ensure fluency in is the programming language. Also, running a program is not English-dependent, and you can still create a code without being fluent in English. All you need is to ensure that you can have basic conversations in English and follow up on the software technology.
6. A Programmer Must be a Nerd, a Gamer, or Both
Gamers are wonderful sets of individuals, and the same goes for nerds. But you don’t have to be any of the two before you have a place in the tech industry. The stereotypes of all developers being nerds or gamers might be due to their long hours in front of their PC screens. But the need to sit in front of PCs is not all the time for programmers.
Being a gamer or nerd can be a lifestyle for some programmers, but it is not a general quality or an essential quality. Working with a supportive team and a comfortable atmosphere is more important as a developer than being a gamer or nerd. Nevertheless, many programmers share similar hobbies and have a common way of life.
Related Posts: 100+ Cool & Funny Programmer Nicknames
7. Programmers Live In Isolation
The idea of programmers living in isolation is one of the false stereotypes about developers based on various movies and stories. In reality, developers DO NOT live in isolation or a dark room. Some movies even portray programmers as people that don’t seep outside their confinement. They paint coding like sitting with computers all day long. Some movies even paint programmers as introverts that cannot even maintain eye contact.
Programmers and developers, like every person in the world, create time to have fun and rest. Although they often work remotely and fulfill their passion, developers still make an effort to live an actual lifestyle. In fact, many programmers live in fancy houses, spend a lot of time talking to others, and deal with real-life issues like every other person.
8. Programmers Earn a Lot of Money With Little Efforts
Programmers and developers can create a program or develop apps that will make them a lot of money. Also, developers can sometimes land a deal or secure a job with a company that will pay them well. However, they don’t achieve these money-making results with little effort.
Most developers spend months and years learning different programming languages. In reality, they also spend a lot of time putting their skills into practice. So, if you are interested in becoming a programmer, do not be carried away with the false stereotype of programming being a get-rich-quick scheme.
Instead, it requires proper knowledge of technology, adequate program and coding learning, steady and consistent practice, and mastery. Just as Rome is not built in a day, learning to program and making money is not a sprint race. The journey is best described as a marathon.
9. Programming is A Job For Males
Many individuals perceive programming as a man’s job. Some other people would even discourage females from taking the challenge of exploring technology. With the talk about gender equality being one of the hottest topics worldwide, it is essential to clarify that programming has no gender preference or selectivity.
Anyone can learn how to program as long as they are interested in the skill and willing to learn. You don’t have to be a man to explore technology. This stereotype started as a result of men dominating the field. Thankfully, the dominance is rapidly changing at the moment.
The inflow of females into the tech industry is quite impressive, and it is facilitating a gender balance. Every good leadership in all careers understands the need to create a gender-diverse team, and the tech industry is not an exception to this dynamic movement.
10. All Programmers are Hackers
Imagine having to explain to your friends all the time that programming is not about hacking. Many people tend to move around with the misconception that all programmers are hackers. Although white hat hacking is a viable career path in software development, it doesn’t mean that’s what all developers do. There are several aspects of programming, and white hat hacking is only one of them.
Hacking is only a part of programming. Think of programming as soccer; you don’t necessarily have to be a player before you participate in the sport. You can as well be a coach, a referee, or even a ball boy.
