If you have already learned software development, you likely already have a goal around why you got into this industry.
Let’s be honest, some people are in it for the money. It’s hard to hear about $300,000 salaries and not want to be in tech.
Others are in it for more altruistic reasons, to make a positive impact on the world.
Many are somewhere in between. You may not even know where you really fit into all of this, and that’s okay.
We’ll see in a future chapter that our drive to change something can help us focus on the kinds of companies we’d like to work for, or, more broadly, which tech-adjacent industries.
Knowing what you want to do with these skills in technology is an important moment of self-reflection, because it will shape who you are and what you chase after.
It isn’t an easy question to answer, however.
I’ve met people who wanted to learn software development to help a family business. I’ve met people who wanted to learn coding because they enjoyed more complex thought processes and wanted to be challenged at their job. I’ve met others who have extremely specific goals about using technology to better other lives.
All of these things can push or pull us in many directions. And it’s important that you pay attention to this part of yourself.