“As long as you desire, you can achieve anything”: the most underrated skills for developers in 2024”

When it comes to the skills of a developer, we tend to think about the technical side of things. Being a graduate in the sciences, a lover of mathematics, and a chess grandmaster. However, it’s not all like that, and it doesn’t always boil down to being a person with extraordinary logic and advanced strategic thinking to be one of the technical developers. In a conversation with Darius Galu, a programmer on the BEE CODED team, he asserts that a dev needs to rely on something else too. What exactly? What are those software developer responsibilities? 

Here’s what a programmer thinks.

Well, the three key skills for a dev in 2024 are patience, determination, and perseverance. Darius is convinced that anything can be learned, and programming is among those fields that anyone can master, of course, as long as there’s a will. What do you think? Can mountains be moved in such cases? We’re convinced of it and we invite you to join the interview with Darius, who tells us more about skills, and software developer job roles, but also about the impact of remote work on a person’s life.

• What would be a challenge you face as a dev? And what would be the “prize”? 

Darius: Having your applications used and knowing you haven’t worked for anything. It has happened to me since I had no choice but to accept doing projects that, in the end, were just good for throwing away. But that’s life, it was an experience. You always have to be careful with whom you work, to be aware of what they bring and can guarantee. I care a lot about organization and communication. 

•  How important is the developer’s opinion to the business decision? 

Darius: The budget speaks in this situation. For example, it’s advantageous for the client, as the programmer, to add the necessary things to the project. It would be disadvantageous to receive a project and have to start from scratch because it’s not good. Thus, the budget is what determines the business area. Ideally, you would rewrite the applications from scratch to make them better. But you have to be very good to do that. 

• What do you like most about being a dev?

Darius: You can’t kill anyone with your work, referring to a surgeon who holds a person’s life in their hands. It allows you to work anytime, you don’t depend on anything. If you don’t have enough experience, you can learn. You have freedom when it comes to this job. You have to like it, to have patience. I remember that in the first 6 months, I had no patience. But over time, I adapted, and everything was much better. 

• Do you want something else in the future? Are you still focusing on the front-end area?

Darius: I see myself doing programming and also exploring the back-end area, but I would like to try something else, specifically the area of team leader, project manager. I feel I can manage, and I’m very attracted to the idea of having my own team to manage. 

• What are the three skills a programmer should have in 2024?

Darius: Patience, perseverance, and determination. I knew nothing about programming, but with these skills, I managed to get where I am now. It all comes down to how much you want to learn and grow. You are the sum of the things you do.  

• What do you think about humor?

Darius: It should exist. 

(Is there humor in everyday life, professionally speaking?) 

Not really. I try to be funny, because that’s how I am. However, I believe that those around are very focused on what they do and forget about the amusing, funny side of things. For example, it is very hard to communicate with those around you. Relationships are not the same. I had a meeting with someone online, and I felt like I couldn’t connect with them at all. No matter how much you stay on calls, in countless discussions about anything, you can’t truly connect with those people. It’s very good to have office work experience; you have the chance to form different bonds. If you only work remotely and have conversations about the professional, technical side, you will never manage to form anything. I believe there needs to be a balance between physical and remote jobs. But it depends a lot on people, it’s just a personal point of view. 

• What’s your favorite meme?

Darius: The one with “cookies”. 

• Why do programmers prefer dark mode? Is it because light attracts bugs?

Darius: Yessss, and it protects the eyes.